This Delicious Restaurant In New Jersey On A Rural Country Road Is A Hidden Culinary Gem

New Jersey isn't exactly known for its rural country roads - it's the most densely-populated and built state in the United States! But that doesn't mean there aren't some countryside havens, and The Circle in Newton looks like one of them. This rural restaurant in New Jersey looks like a humble farmhouse set between two cornfields along a lightly-traveled road - but it's anything but. Founded in 2020 by two veterans of one of the most storied restaurant empires in the world, it's bringing small-batch, local fine dining to New Jersey. Serving a seasonal menu and partnering with local farmers, bakers, and other food artisans, The Circle is serving up an always-changing menu every night - and they're waiting for you to sit down and enjoy some country hospitality, New Jersey style.

You might pass by The Circle while driving down a rural road, nestled between two cornfields - and it's a culinary destination not to be missed.

The restaurant has been built within a remodeled farmhouse, so entering feels like coming home - and you can expect the same hospitality.

The Circle was founded by two veterans of Jean-Georges in New York, with a focus on local small-batch foods. Many of the herbs and produce served here are foraged from the restaurant's own garden!

The restaurant serves an a la carte menu with special prix fixe options on occasion. Why not start your meal with burrata from a local dairy?

The circle is known for its inventive pasta preparations, like these beet tortellini with yellow chanterelles.

Fresh diver scallops are lightly seared and served with sunchokes, royal trumpet mushrooms, and fava beans.

It wouldn't be a fine dining restaurant without a great steak, and this hangar steak with Shishito peppers and fingerling potatoes fits the bill.

The desserts are often elevated versions of humble country classics. If you see this birch beer float on the menu, indulge in the old soda fountain treat in a new and unforgettable way.

Have you been to The Circle in Newton? Let us know what you thought of dinner at this rural restaurant in New Jersey. If you're interested in booking a meal here, you can find out about the current menu on the website and Facebook page. For another rural culinary adventure, check out this popular farm bakery.