By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Location: 66 Witherspoon Street (near Palmer Square), Princeton, NJ; (609) 688-8808

Website: http://www.mistralprinceton.com

Nestled next to Palmer Square, Mistral Restaurant represents the best of Princeton’s dining scene. Home for international palates and modern tastes, Mistral features seasonal and creative small plates courtesy of their chef de cuisine Ben Nerenhausen. Spending much of his childhood overseas in places like Pakistan and Egypt, Nerenhausen’s entrees incorporate local foods with global cooking techniques inspired by his travels. The results are innovative and eclectic dishes that mirror Nerenhausen’s diverse background. As if the adventurous flavors of Mistral weren’t enough, come Friday, May 29, 2015, they will be opening the Mistral Bar.   The bar will feature an exclusive craft cocktail menu that is both “unexpected and attuned to Chef Scott Anderson’s local seasonal ethos.” To celebrate the grand opening of this modern bar, Ben Nerenhausen and Bar Manager, Jamie Dodge share their Mistral entrée and cocktail recommendations with Princeton Magazine:

Cocktail: Ignition Switch with vodka, strawberry, amari, elderflower, and prosecco

Plate to Date: Smoked Salmon Tartine with seeded rye and harbed crème fraiche