Have you stopped in to see the new front room in Cafe Matisse?

* A touch of North Africa in Café Matisse's front room

If you haven't yet stopped in to see the year-old completely renovated front room at Café Matisse in Rutherford, may we suggest that you do so before another year goes by. The room, formerly a wine shop, has a darling and romantic Moroccan feel to it, what with a dark blue ceiling, pierced brass and glass lanterns and intricately carved wood panels. After all, the artist the New American four-star restaurant is named after spent time in North Africa, and the room pays homage to that fact. The main dining room reflects his time in France. The front room seats 25 and is used to accommodate small private parties and additional dinner seating.