South Orange resident and actor Andre Braugher was surprised with some of Hat City Kitchen’s noteworthy menu items when Daphne Oz, co-host of ABC’s “The Chew,” traveled to Hawaii to interview Braugher as part of an hour-long ABC primetime special that aired on Sunday, September 2nd at 7 p.m. 

The program, called “The Chew Presents ABC’s Primetime Fall Preview Special,” gave viewers a sneak-peek at the new ABC Fall Lineup and featured interviews with some of the network’s hottest new stars, including Andre Braugher, who stars in a new action adventure drama, “Last Resort,” premiering on ABC Thursday, September 27th.  Braugher previously starred in the television series “Men of a Certain Age” and “Homicide: Life on the Street.”

“Last Resort” is being shot in Oahu, Hawaii, so as a surprise to Andre Braugher, ABC arranged to have his favorite menu items on site during his interview with Daphne Oz for the primetime special.  During the interview, Oz surprised him with a Shrimp & Grits appetizer, the Blackened Salmon Salad entrée, as well as Collard Greens and Mac & Cheese, which are both sides.  Oz had previously traveled to Hat City Kitchen to watch Chef Randall Barthelemy prepare these dishes for Andre to enjoy.

Hat City Kitchen was the Critics’ Pick as the state’s Best New Restaurant in New Jersey Monthly’s 2010 Annual Readers’ Choice Restaurant Poll and was the Top Pick Diners’ Choice 2010-2011 by OpenTable.com. 

Along with supporting local artists, all profits from Hat City Kitchen are used in the revitalization of the Valley neighborhood.  It is located at 459 Valley Street, Orange, New Jersey.  For more information about Hat City Kitchen, call 862-252-9147 or go to www.hatcitykitchen.com.