FACES & PLACES LOCAL COLOR JANUARY 2009   Anton’s Chef Comes Out of the Closet After a Decade by Susan Sandor Chris Connors, owner of Anton's at the Swan in Lambertville, New Jersey has finally decided to come out of the closet so to speak, and go public with the fact that he has been the chef at the Swan for over a decade. He began as sous chef in 1999 working alongside Anton Dodel the restaurant’s namesake founder and purchased the business in September of 2001 deliberately without fanfare or formal announcement. Since his plans were to stay in the kitchen behind the stove it didn’t seem important to Connors to tell the world that the business changed hands. But since he recently began taking the time to step into the dining room he discovered the rewards of getting to know his customers and listening to their feedback. “At times it’s our patrons who present a new culinary challenge which pushes me over the edge,” said the chef. Although Connors continues the successful formulas long established at his well appointed, intimate restaurant, such as the thoughtfully crafted menu that changes weekly in the fine dining room, desserts made on premises, and a bar menu offering eclectic pizzas and burgers, he is consistently developing new ideas to attract attention and please his clientele. Recently introduced theme dining seems to carry weight with the locals who are gathering at Anton’s barroom on Tuesdays for Customer Appreciation Nights where a two-course dinner is served with a complimentary glass of wine for $19. Pasta Nights are held on Wednesdays with five pasta dishes presented with a salad for $15. Thursdays are Vegetarian Nights attracting vegetarians and meat eaters alike with a choice of seven diverse dishes priced according to complexity and market. “These small dining events are being staged to mix things up and make it fun to step out any night of the week without having to carry a fat wallet,” Connors ventured. Another new event is a monthly wine tasting dinner held on a random Friday with guest oenophile and wine educator, Phil Ward, who pairs wines with a special four course menu prepared exclusively for that evening for $95. This month’s tasting is scheduled for January 30th at 7:00 p.m. and will feature wines of the Provence region of France paired with smoked trout, bay scallops and sweet potato ravioli, filet of beef béarnaise with braised short ribs, and apple almond tart. The private wine tasting room seats only thirty-five people so reservations are recommended. Personally, my husband and I have been fans of Anton’s at the Swan since it’s doors opened years ago. The small, well thought out menu always includes something new to excite our palates and we can dine here often since the menu changes weekly. If you ask the servers if there are any specials you will most likely get this response, “Everything on the menu is special,” and it is. You can reach Anton’s by calling 609-397-1960 or visit www.antons-at-the-swan.com.  You are also welcome to visit Chris Connors’ blog at lambertvillechef.blogspot.com where you can pick up cooking tips and information from the chef himself. Anton’s is located at Main and Swan Streets in Lambertville, New Jersey.