Best New Restaurant
As beneficiaries of some of the incredible programming (such as Women in Leadership + Chef’s Bootcamp for Policy & Advocacy) the James Beard Foundation has to offer we feel it’s our honored duty to give back the way these programs have given to us. Please join us as we open our doors to this incredible foundation in hopes of raising money to continuously support the programs we’ve been so lucky to participate in.
This evening will start with an optional cocktail hour in La Otra, followed by a Five Course Chef Tasting with Wine Pairings by Team Lita.
*Includes a gifted bottle of Marques de Caceres Reserva Rioja DOC 2018
Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner
Thursday, December 12, 2024 6:00 PM
Restaurant & Bar
Steeped in tradition, influenced by the French and the Mediterranean, and inspired by the spices of the East Indies, the food of Portugal can be beautifully described as simple and satisfying.
Here in NJ, many generations removed from the migrant people that brought us these wonderful flavors, Portuguese food has all too often been reduced to poor ingredients and large portions.
Chef David Viana is excited to use his talents and perspective, to bring new life to a cuisine that has suffered years of neglect and boredom. Using his grandmother’s recipes and reintroducing ingredients like piri piri, paprika, clove, allspice, cumin, and nutmeg to meats, fish and other savory dishes, Chef David looks to recapture the taste of his youth and combine it with NJ fresh ingredients and modern techniques.
Adding to the uniquely Iberian experience will be cocktail aficionado Ricardo Rodriguez (via The Broken Shaker in Miami) and a bar program highlighting wines from the beautiful slopes of the Douro River, Alvarihno wines from the Minho, Vinho Verde from Ponte de Lima, session Vermouths from Spain, Madeira and Port wines.
Cocktail Classes
Learn to master crafting cocktails alongside Beverage Director Ricardo Rodriguez, in La Otra, our counter height open bar.
Class are approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Lita opens for dinner 4pm that day so please feel free to make a reservation after and/or go to the bar for more drinks & snacks.
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In Partnership with Heirloom Kitchen
Our Sister Restaurants
In search of your next culinary adventure?
Visit us at our sister restaurants.
Heirloom Kitchen
Old Bridge, NJ
Heirloom @ The St. Laurent
Asbury Park, NJ
Dear Guests
Lita operates with a unique team structure and business model. Every team member is fully cross trained and rotates between front-of-house and back-of-house positions on a weekly basis. This model prioritizes equity across the team by ensuring equal pay and eliminating the industry’s outdated FOH vs. BOH hierarchy. All of our team members are hospitality professionals.
Creating change is never easy. We hope you’ll keep this in mind as you dine with us. We understand there will be bumps along the way, but we’re dedicated to paving the way—and providing you a unique dining experience.
