Jersey Shore, NJ Weekend Vacation Getaway
Where To Dine
To us dining is a total experience; food, ambiance and service. Miss one and it just isn’t that special. Have them all and it will be a night you’ll remember for some time. Good food is a given in our recommendations, but alone it is just not enough. Our recommendations include all three elements and hope your experience is as good as ours.
Nicholas
|
David Burke Fromagerie
Undici
|
Moonstruck
Shipwreck Grill
|
Avenue
Bia
|
Matisse
Tim McLoone's Supper Club
|
Remington's
Tardi's
|
Due Amici
Bistro Ole
|
Brandl
Harpoon Willy's....The Off Shore
Nicholas
Route 35 South, Middletown
HALL OF FAME
Located on southbound Route 35, just over the bridge from Red Bank, the austere, concrete building stands alone in an unlikely spot for a restaurant. The décor is minimalist; beige walls, beige and brown checkerboard carpeting, sparse wall hangings, modern ceiling design, an almost sheet like, flowing, window covering. Generally not my favorite style for a romantic restaurant, however the wonderful use of recessed and indirect lighting turns the room into an enchanting and very romantic haven.
To watch the staff move about the room is to view a modern dance in progress; effortless, seamless. Each captain and each waiter waits on every table from four serving carts placed around the room. An empty glass is refilled by one, another brings more bread, yet another serves an entrée. Each staff member is totally aware of what is happening at every table. Guests at larger tables are all served at once. Appetizers and entrees are brought to the table covered with silver domes. Courses are unveiled and sauces are added by the captain. A veal chop was presented to a diner, whisked to a serving cart, expertly carved from the bone and delicately sauced before being re-served. This staff has been expertly trained and seems to genuinely enjoy what they are doing.
Nicholas was trained at the esteemed Culinary Institute of America and before opening his own restaurant in late 2000, was the sommelier of Jean George in New York.
I had a remarkable appetizer that is indicative of the kind of innovation that is Nicholas’ cooking. Imagine, if you will, the traditional shrimp cocktail; cold shrimp lying on a bed of ice with a lemon wedge and a horseradish ketchup sauce. Nicholas’ interpretation? Delicate, pink shrimp sprinkled with bits of celery nestled in a bowl with tiny grape tomatoes and covered with a cold, clear, horseradish consommé. All the same tastes, perhaps, but I’ll never look at shrimp cocktail the same way again.
Jen started with a dark, roasted corn, chanterelle mushroom and pear tomato soup that burst with the flavors of corn cooked on an open fire. I could have made a meal of that soup alone. I can only hope the recipe shows up in a future Nicholas cookbook.
My loin of lamb entree was cut into mignon wedges, cooked perfectly pink and served with a spicy curry couscous and a cucumber mint chutney. Delicious combinations. Jen’s pan seared sirloin was delicate, textured and sliced off the bone. It was accompanied by “onion fettuccine”, sweet Vidalia onions in a cream sauce, a balsamic and shallot reduction and roasted potatoes.
Dessert started with a cheese course, selected tableside with the captain’s assistance. I like aromatic cheeses and Jen likes them more mild, so he picked three of each and served them with a raisin-pecan bread, dried figs, raspberries and apricots.
This is where I usually end my meal, but the Crème Brulee trio beckoned and I couldn’t resist trying the vanilla, black currant and coriander choices. At least I didn’t finish them all. Jen had a Hazelnut Dacquoise, a delicate, flakey, pastry layered with hazelnut cream and served with an orange confit.
The wine list is extensive and has been carefully assembled to include many unusual selections. There are about 20 wines by the glass and about 30 1/2 bottle choices, which is good for any wine list. While there are "superstars" on the list at the high end, you will find plenty of choices under $70 to enjoy.
The menu is prix fix with a three course regular or vegetarian at $59 and a tasting menu at $79 (add $45 for accompanying wines). I think the best deal is the three course at $55, which has the most choices. This is an incredible value for a restaurant of this stature.
Reservations are required, weekends fill up quickly and jackets are requested for men. All credit cards. Table #12 or the window table in the small room to the right of the entrance are our favorites.
A bustling lounge is open for a pre-dinner cocktail or for a more casual "small plates" bar menu. Most small plates are under $20.
This is the place for any special occasions, but don’t wait for one….go now.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: High. This place is seductive.
WHAT OTHERS SAY...
"Epitomizing “ultrafine” dining, this “modern” (and Most Popular) Middletown New American “utopia of food and wine” near Red Bank is helmed by chef/co-owner (with wife Melissa) Nicholas Harary, whose “extraordinary” cuisine vaults this “amazing” restaurant to the top Food ranking in the state for the fourth straight year; add in “superlative” service (also No. 1), and even the “jaw-dropping” tabs don’t deter devotees of NJ’s “absolute best”; a new chef’s seven-course tasting menu ($150 per person, four guests maximum) on Tuesdays–Fridays at a table in the kitchen and a casual bar/lounge are other eating options." ZAGAT 2009
You can make dining reservations by going to our Weekend Planner for contact information. Dining reservations are part of our Trip Planning Services.
David Burke Fromagerie
26 Ridge Road, Rumson
HALL OF FAME
Since then Burke has transformed the popular, albeit somewhat sedate and dark, restaurant into a light and airy space with a quite spectacular menu. The dining rooms have a contemporary flair painted in soft beiges and taupes some with wainscoting and all with crown moldings. Wall sconces splash soft lighting across the room and artwork adds a touch of color. Ceiling fans, large framed mirrors, fresh flowers and sparkling tableware complete a sophisticated but welcoming look.
For those of us who travel a great deal and get the opportunity to eat in many restaurants, the difference between a good chef and a great one is almost instantly apparent. The attention to detail, the creativity of the menu and impeccable service shine through to create an amazing dining experience.
We started with a drink at the dazzling new white marble bar and enjoyed a bar snack of Japanese pretzels soaking in a mustard oil. We were also offered a taste of a delicious short-rib dumpling, something I would have ordered as an entrée had it been available.
As is the custom in many fine dining restaurants, we were presented with a delightful amuse, a dumpling of chicken and jack cheese with a sweet and tangy sauce. A great start.
Selecting an appetizer was difficult because there were so many interesting choices, but I selected a Japanese pretzel crusted crab cake served with a mango vinaigrette and poppy seed honey. Crunchy, tangy and sweet all at once. Jen enjoyed the “hot and angry” lobster cocktail. A variety of spices coated this slightly out-of-the-shell lobster meat which was the best lobster I ever had (I’m generally not a huge lobster fan). This item was voted the #1 lobster dish in 2004 by New York Magazine.
My entrée was a signature “Bronx style” filet mignon of veal on the bone and served with horseradish parsnip puree and roasted beet “Diane” sauce. Just amazing. Jen had a delicately seared halibut served with scrumptious lobster dumplings and an incredible lobster Bordelaise. Yes, Bordelaise, a red wine sauce with lobster stock instead of meat.
This is a big time wine list with big time prices. With some searching, though, there are a number of good white and red wines under $60. We asked for a recommendation for a red under $60 and the wine steward suggested a 2004 Ruffino Modus, a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cab that was delicious.
The artesian cheese course was inviting, but I was pretty full. Our server let me try another signature of Burke's, cheesecake pops served with fresh raspberries and bubblegum whipped cream. Next time I’ll order the tray! Jen chose a wonderful apple galette with homemade dolce de leche ice cream.
Seating is available in the bar area, a main dining room on the first floor and another room upstairs. Table 100 in the bar area is the best table, in a little nook by itself. Saturday night it’s usually reserved for the same guy who has come in nearly every Saturday for 30 years. But give it a try. Second choice is upstairs which is a little more intimate and whimsical with its hanging children's toys than the main dining room.
The service is excellent, we never wanted for anything, but there are so many people waiting on you that it almost seems chaotic at times.
Appetizers-$8-$21. Entrees-$26-$39. Tasting menu at $65, $90 with wine pairings. All credit cards. Jackets preferred for men.
Now there's an even greater reason to visit the Jersey Shore.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT- It's a beautiful place, but the main dining room can be a little hectic. Opt for Table 100 if you can get it or a little nook upstairs.
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Renowned” chef-owner David Burke brings his “top-of-the-line” “magic” to this “Rumson landmark”, offering “expensive but divine” New American fare distinguished by “intriguing flavor profiles” and “artistic presentation”, as evidenced in “signatures” like “angry lobster” and “cheesecake lollipops”; most applaud the “lighter and brighter” “pretty room”, but some note “amateurish” hiccups in the generally “polite” service. ZAGAT 2009
You can make dining reservations by going to our Weekend Planner for contact information. Dining reservations are part of our Trip Planning Services.
Undici
11 W. River Road, Rumson
SPECIAL OCCASION
We have a number of very good Italian restaurants on our site and this in no way diminishes them and I continue to enjoy them. But Undici is on another plane for so many reasons. First, the decor, fashioned after a Tuscan farmhouse, it is reminiscent of actual rustic tavernas I have enjoyed in Italy. Stone walls and floors, wood beamed ceilings, brick fireplaces, arched doorways, Italian tile, hanging cheeses and meats, an open kitchen, wood fired ovens, beautiful displays of tomatoes and peppers and glass enclosed wine racks. Farm tables are set with kitchen napkins and utensils (knives that reminded me of Bowie knives!) and wine glasses.
Start with a cocktail at the marble bar and while the wines are tempting, try one of their signature cocktails. Here's two we tried that were delicious: the Grantini; Stolichnaya Raspberry Vodka, pomegranate juice, Triple Sec,
with an orange twist, shaken and served up in a martini glass and the Aranciata; Sicilian natural orange liqueur, Absolute Citron Vodka, Fresh orange wedge topped with San Pelligrino served on the rocks.
On our first visit, we decided to order a number of things to try them and what a feast we had. We started with the Misto, 18 month aged Prosciutto di Parma, Genoa salami, soppressata, dried hot Italian sausage, bresaola, mortadella, bufala mozzarella, Parmigiano – Reggiano, roasted almonds, fresh fruit and homemade ciabatta crouton. By the way the plate for 1-2 people is enough for 4. Next was Italian sweet sausage, sauté onions and sweet peppers on house made wood oven rustic roll. On to the wood oven pizza with San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, Parmigiano – Reggiano and Sicilian first press unfiltered olive oil. Our pasta was Mafaldine Bolognese, house made mafaldine “ruffled fettuccine”, slow braised meat sauce with veal, beef, pork, carrots, onion and celery topped with ricotta cheese. Finally, Scarpariello, whole baby chicken, lemon, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and bay leaf, saute spinach and fingerling potato. Spectacular.
On our second visit, we sampled a fantastic grilled fresh salmon filet, fresh artichokes, imported pancetta, Sicilian olive oil, and roasted NY state fingerling potato and a special ravioli stuffed with artichokes and ricotta cheese served with a Jersey tomato and basil sauce.
Second trip we had room for dessert and we tried three; pistachio, vanilla and black cherry gelatos between homemade chocolate chip cookies; a bittersweet chocolate tart with a crispy polenta crust, served warm with vanilla gelato; finally a fresh Jersey white peach, brown sugar with a rustic pastry crust served with vanilla gelato. For someone who seldom eats dessert, this was an other worldly experience.
The all Italian wine list is absolutely wonderful and worth the trip alone. If you love Italian wine, this is one of the best I have seen. As good as any NYC restaurant but much more reasonably priced. Organized by region, wines are listed with the grapes used to make the wine and the percentage of each (75% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Sangiovese 5% Cabernet Franc). They are also listed in ascending price order and there are many terrific choices under $50. You'll want to drink your way through this list! What makes the experience even better is Elizabeth Bogner, who really knows this list and can help you navigate through it.
Our servers, Dawn the first time and Kevin the second, were very well-trained, professional and competent, yet we managed to have fun with them. They helped make a great experience even better.
My only regret is that this restaurant is so far from my home, otherwise I'd be here all the time.
Appetizers:$12-$19, Entrees: $22-$35, Desserts: $9. All credit cards. Dress is smart casual.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: This is a place to enjoy with friends.Not particularly romantic...but who cares...you come for the food and wine.
WHAT OTHERS SAY...
It “feels just like a Tuscan farmhouse” at this Rumson Italian where aging brick, stone columns and a fireplace create a “stunning” yet “cozy” setting for “fresh, authentic” pastas and other “delectable” dishes, complemented by an “expansive” wine list; while fans praise the service as “attentive”, others say it falls “wide of the mark”, and even in this “wealthy community”, most find the experience “quite costly.” ZAGAT 2009
Moonstruck
517 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park
SPECIAL OCCASION
Around 2001, the restaurant moved to larger quarters (3 floors) in a Victorian style building overlooking the lake in Asbury Park, added a liquor license and implemented a no reservation policy. I had been there a number of times on a Saturday night and the wait was interminable so I kind of drifted away until a May 2009 visit at the request of my wife who had never been there, changed my mind. They still have a no reservation policy, but if you avoid Saturday night (or go eat at the bar on the second floor which we did) it really is not much of an issue.
The first floor is a charming bar area and cocktail lounge with soft candlelight and usually light jazz or piano music in the background. You’ll want to arrive in time to enjoy one of their unusual martinis like a Bikini Tini; coconut rum with pineapple juice or a Speedo, a Bikini Tini with a little banana in it...Upstairs there are two floors for dining and in the summer the outside porches are set for dining as well. Fresh flowers and a warm Tommy Bahama kind of look with gold walls, dark wood framed mirrors, shaded sconces and chandeliers, potted palms, ceiling fans and mocha leather banquettes and booths creates a comfortable and inviting environment in which to enjoy what comes out of the kitchen….and that is special.
The menu is somewhat eclectic which was always part of the charm, with seafood, pasta, meats and poultry prepared with a Mediterranean flourish. I started with Portuguese clams, a delicious blend of baby clams sautéed with onion, Chorizo, garlic, chile peppers, tomatoes, fresh cilantro & white wine. Sopping up the broth with the warm, crisp bread was almost as good as the appetizer itself. Jen enjoyed a wonderful brie en croute served with baby greens, fresh fruit with a raspberry vinaigrette.
As an entrée Jen chose a seafood combination, a mix of fresh shrimp and tilapia that was baked with an amazing walnut-breadcrumb crust with a lemon-white wine sauce and served with brown rice and fresh vegetables. My huge ½ chicken was first roasted and then grilled with fresh rosemary. The skin was crisp and tasty and the meat delicate and juicy. Served with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables it was quite simply…. excellent. Looking forward to trying other items on our next visit like the sesame tuna with ginger-soy-wasabi drizzle served with a buckwheat noodle salad or mustard pork grilled boneless chops with a Dijon mustard sauce.
The wine list is wonderful not only for its selections, but for its value. Most of the wines are priced in the $20’s and $30’s which is so unusual and so welcome…a French Chablis at $36, a Bastianich Tocai at $26, even two towering cabs, Shafer and Caymus at under $100. Go for the wine alone!
Appetizers: $4.50-$15.99, entrees: $14.95-$32.95. All credit cards. Dress is upscale casual.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: A booth on the second floor, or a table on the porch with a full moon on the water…..well, it just doesn’t get much more romantic.
WHAT OTHERS SAY:
“This Asbury Park “winner” in a “delightful”, “lovingly restored” Victorian with wraparound porches and lakeside views impresses with its “delicious” American-Mediterranean “food with flair” and “A-plus” service; but the no-rezzie policy is “a pain”, so “enjoy a drink and an appetizer” at one of the “fun, lively” bars “while you wait.” ZAGAT 2009
Shipwreck Grill
720 Ashley Avenue, Brielle
EXCELLENT
It's become kind of the "go to" place for locals, a restaurant that delivers consistently and one where you are likely to run into some friends. Trying new restaurants is fun, but when you want to be guaranteed a delicious meal, you won't go wrong here.
The feel is casual with a touch of elegance. Knotty pine walls and exposed ceiling duct work are coupled with linen table cloths and china. The bar, which occupies almost half of the space, is always lively and the bartenders are competent and friendly. There’s an open kitchen and some interesting artifacts on the walls and in display cases from Bill’s salvage dives.
Last visit, I felt like having a steak and picked a NY strip. Having suffered tasteless or overcooked steaks all to often, this was a revelation, perfectly cooked, (just pink) gently marinated and oozing juices. Served with garlic mashed potatoes, crispy and homemade onion rings and delicious creamed spinach, it was the perfect meal I was looking for. On a previous visit we opted for some more ambitious items. I started with a Maryland crab cake with a chili pepper aioli and roasted corn with micro cilantro. The wonderful roasted corn taste coupled with the bite of the chili peppers and the aroma of the cilantro was the perfect accompaniment to a crab cake that was just slightly crusted on the outside. As an entrée, I had a sesame crusted tuna with a ginger soy vinaigrette and a pea shoot salad. Jen had coconut shrimp with Japanese dipping sauces to start and followed that with an Australian baby rack of lamb with an exotic mushroom risotto, white truffle oil and burgundy wine.
There’s an excellent raw bar with varieties of oysters and clams and fat jumbo shrimp. Try the Ship Wreck Shellfish Sampler for $14. You can get lobsters fresh from their own tanks, a number of different cuts of beef and lamb. The beef is marinated and served with garlic mashed potatoes, onion rings and creamed spinach.
The wine list is about 50 bottles strong with some good choices and excellent values. there are plenty of options under $50.
The bar, the food, the service and the ambiance all combine to make this a must stop when you are at the Jersey Shore.
Not only is the food excellent, but so are the prices. Appetizers range from $7-$10, entrees from $18-$32. Dress is casual, the restaurant is open 7 days and accepts all credit cards. Reservations accepted.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: Can be a little noisy at times, but it's still a most enjoyable evening.
WHAT OTHERS SAY...
A “step above the usual Shore seafood” spots, this “place to be seen” in Brielle offers an “ambitious”, “eye-catching” menu of “wonderful” “gourmet” New American fin fare and “excellent grill items”; while some describe it as an “expensive” “noise box” (especially the “frenetic” bar scene) with “less-than-impressive” decor and “iffy” service, others insist the “top-notch” cuisine more than compensates. ZAGAT 2009
You can make dining reservations by going to our Weekend Planner for contact information. Dining reservations are part of our Trip Planning Services.
Avenue
23 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch
EXCELLENT
A visit this week found the ocean still there, the space as dramatic as ever but other changes make this a place you won’t want to miss. We had two absolutely fantastic meals and the prices have come down substantially where it is now an excellent value for a wonderful experience.
Towering ceilings and lots of windows make this space seem somewhat cavernous at first glance, but then you notice the warming fireplace, the long stainless bar, the booths in the bar area, a raw bar right out on the floor and of course, the amazing ocean views. The beige palette is soothing, the staff young and attractive and even early on a Sunday evening there’s a kind of buzz here.
The menu is classic French brasserie with daily specials like Coquille St. Jacques, Bouillabaisse and Dover Sole. You’ll find standards like charcuterie and fromage, onion soup, escargot and steak frite on the regular menu. But, you’ll want to start with the excellent raw bar, one of the few around, which is strange for an area by the sea. Fresh East and West Coast oysters, shrimp, King crabs, clams and lobster will satisfy just about anyone’s need for “fruits de mer”.
My standard for roast chicken has always been Hamersley’s Bistro in Boston cooked by the acclaimed chef Gordon Hamersley, but I have to tell you this was equally as good, with a crisp skin, tender meat, a pommes puree and fava beans. Paired with an excellent Muscadet, it was a terrific meal.
Jen enjoyed a succulent boeuf bourguignon that literally fell off the fork it was so tender. Served with fresh parpadelle, red wine sauce, braised vegetables and lardons, the flavors were rich and savory.
The desserts are sinful, but don’t miss the crème brulee or the flourless chocolate torte served with a fresh raspberry sauce.
The wine list is very good with some excellent choices and I particularly like the presentation where the wine style is described clearly. While I would like to see more, there are ample choices under $50 in just about every category.
Appetizers:$8-$14, entrees: $16-$34, desserts: $8. Serves lunch, brunch and dinner. All credit cards. Dress: Upscale casual.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: Inside can be noisy when it’s busy, but a table outside on the deck with the lights on the water can be very romantic.
WHAT OTHERS SAY….
“Step into St. Tropez” and “mingle with the beautiful people” at this “gorgeous” French brasserie in Long Branch with “breathtaking” ocean views and a “trendy” upstairs lounge – just “bring plenty of money or Daddy’s AmEx”; some say service “could be better” but the food draws mostly good reviews, with special kudos for the “not-to-be-missed” raw bar and “superb” cocktails; N.B. the presence of a new chef may outdate the above scores. ZAGAT 2009
Bia
19 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove
EXCELLENT
Sean and Valerie hail from the hospitality industry and their purchase of the Majestic Hotel in Ocean Grove and The Mansion in New Hope are their first ventures on their own. If Bia and their in-process renovation plans at the Majestic are any indication, there's a bright future for this pair. We can't wait to stay at the Majestic when the work is done.
The lobby area is bright and sleek with marble tables, rattan chairs and candle sconces on the walls. It also serves as a cocktail lounge where diners can enjoy their BYO drinks before dinner. Dinner can be served on the porch with views down the street of the ocean, in a small private area off the lobby (table of 6/8) or in the main dining room.
We sat in the main dining room in a wonderful semi-circular booth in a corner. The look is one of casual elegance with a kind of Tommy Bahama feel. Olive/gold walls, swaying palms, hardwood floors, rustic chandeliers with candles, recessed beamed ceilings with thick crown moldings and white columns. Artwork and sea foam colored fabrics add color to an already cheerful room.
There's plenty to like on the menu here. We started with an excellent Shrimp Tuscany, huge (ginormous said my wife) grilled shrimp wrapped in fresh basil and proscuitto, served on a grilled Tuscan bread with a delicious black olive tomato relish. Next up was a wonderful crab and avocado dip which was a healthy portion of lump crab meat over guacamole and served with warm tortilla chips.
For entrees, I loved an Asian marinated tuna over wasabi whipped potatoes and drizzled with a sweet soy and sesame ginger vinaigrette. I don't like tuna raw, so I asked for it medium which drives chefs crazy and often translates to dry. This however, was neither raw nor medium, but perfectly straddled what I wanted and what the chef knew to be the right way to serve it.
My wife, Jen, is somewhat of a crab cake connoisseur and thought these among the best she had ever had. They were served over jicima and red pepper slaw and steamed jasmine rice and topped with a key lime aioli.
Desserts range from fresh berries to creme brulee to decadent chocolate concoctions to homemade sorbets. They all looked good, but I stuck to the berries and Jen the sorbet in three flavors served in demi-tasse cups.
The staff is well trained and efficient. Our server, Phillip, was working his first week there, but we would never know it if he hadn't told us. He was garrulous and fun, knew the menu well and our service was flawless.
Appetizers, $8-$14, entrees, $18-$34. BYOB. Dress is casual. All credit cards accepted.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: Sit on the porch or in a booth and it seems like there's no one else around.
Matisse
1400 Ocean Avenue, Belmar
EXCELLENT
Chef Anthony Wall has been cooking for over 25 years, was named one of the top chefs in the country in 1998 and even defeated Emeril Lagasse in a cooking competition in New Orleans. He worked with Steve Wynn to open restaurants in Las Vegas and Mississippi and was Executive Chef for the Grand Hyatt in New York before opening his own place in Belmar. His cooking style has been described by Anthony Giglio of NJ Monthly as “…New Continental… It's familiar foods spiked with Asian flavors like ginger, chili peppers, cumin, coriander, and savory-spiced fruits.”
I like to start with either the Atlantic seafood trio, which, changes daily but can be something like shrimp dumplings, smoked salmon on toast, and tuna tartare in an Asian-style pesto. Or, the selection of three appetizers which also changes daily and is kind of a culinary adventure. I have also had the Vermont Goat Cheese and Spinach Ravilolis with Toasted Almonds and Sugar Beets which was delicious. At one point he had clams in a wonderful wine and garlic broth that was so good you nearly used a loaf of bread to lap up the broth after the clams were gone. Unfortunately I haven’t seen that on the menu in a while.
My grandmother used to make a brown butter spinach dish and I haven’t experienced that taste until I had the Brown Butter Seared Ahi Tuna with Peppercorns, Crispy Shallots and Port Wine Sauce. Just wonderful. Seared Red Snapper was delicately cooked with ginger, garlic, cilantro and soy and served with a Sesame Sticky Rice. A perfect example of Walls’ use of Asian spices. Another favorite was a Tarragon crusted Rack of Lamb with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and a rich Burgundy Au Jus.
For dessert, I usually opt for the Imported Cheeses with Fresh Fruit, but have tried the delicious Trio of Crème Brulee and the Chocolate Torte with Rasperberries.
Service is good, but on a busy Saturday night can be a little spotty. Either servers have too many tables or the kitchen is slowing things down.
Appetizer, salad and soup prices range from $4.95-$11.00, with the Trio of Appetizers priced at $21.95 but is good for two people. Entrees range from $21.95-$27.95. BYOB.
Dress is smart casual. Reservations are accepted. All credit cards. Breakfast and lunch are served during the summer. Sunday Brunch year-round.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: Can be noisy, but a window table and a full moon is as good as it gets.
WHAT OTHERS SAY…
You “can’t beat the view” of the Atlantic or the “signature” short ribs at this oceanside American BYO in Belmar, whether you’re “outside on the deck”, at a table “by a window at sunset” or really anywhere in its “bright” interior; service is reliably “professional” year-round, but meals served (such as brunch) vary with the season. ZAGAT 2009
You can make dining reservations by going to our Weekend Planner for contact information. Dining reservations are part of our Trip Planning Services.
Tim McLoone's Supper Club
1200 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park
EXCELLENT
The setting couldn't be better, next to Convention Hall, right on the Boardwalk, overlooking the ocean. Decorated in shades of gray and black with huge circular booths along the windows, the feeling is exactly that of an old time supper club. Here' the first tweak though. The booths are so high, you can barely see the ocean from the tables in the middle of the room. Perhaps raising the floor in the center of the room might help.
Nevertheless, as we arrived for our 7pm reservation, there was a big screen set up behind the bandstand with footage of the Big Bands, Sinatra, Tony Bennett and the Blues Brothers playing. That was followed by a wonderful piano player and then by waiters testing their pipes. Around 8:30, a live band started and they were fantastic. We danced the night away. This is fun.
But this place isn't just about entertainment. To our delight, the food was delicious starting with fresh bread and a wonderful olive oil, parmesan and red pepper dipping sauce. Jen began with tasty crab tots served with a light pickled herb sauce. My "wedge" salad had a terrific black truffle cheese dressing with tomatoes and bits of bacon. Seared red snapper over crispy polenta with an onion-pepper jam was perfectly cooked and moist. Braised short ribs over a sweet pea puree and served with parmesan tots was melt-in-your mouth tender with just a hint of sweetness. Multiple desserts were available in bite size pieces. We asked for a sampling of each and may have created a new menu item. Chocolates and berries....oh my. Fantastic.
The wine list with a few dozen choices has some interesting items and is fairly priced, but it is woefully inadequate for a place that has big aspirations. Wine is big and a good list is almost as important as the food. Wine dinners in this setting with live music could be huge. I hope this is just an attempt to get up and running and there is more to come.
Service was pretty good and the manager, Paul, came over a few times to see how everything was or if the music was too loud. But, finished plates lingered a little too long and we had to pour our own wine through most of dinner.
Last tweak: It's hard to impose a dress code these days, but there is no reason for jeans in a place like this.
We love this restaurant and after only a few weeks they are doing a pretty good job. Lots of potential here. We look forward to more visits, especially in the winter. Hopefully, the little glitches will be addressed.
Appetizers: $10-$16. Entrees:$30-$42. All credit cards.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: Too much going on to be particularly intimate, but boy is it fun.
WHAT OTHER SAY:
On Asbury Park’s boardwalk is the eponymous Shore restaurateur’s “fabulous” upstairs room (above Salt Water Beach Café), boasting “incredible” 360-degree ocean views plus New American fare that’s “pretty good” if a bit “steep” in price; overall it’s a “fun”, “fabulous” “throwback” to a “1940s nightclub” – including live shows. ZAGAT 2009
Remington's
142 Main Street, Manasquan
SPECIAL OCCASION
This is a beautifully designed restaurant with large storefront windows, framed in heavy floral drapery. Overhead Tiffany lamps cast a soft glow over rooms with hardwood floors, gold, green and burgundy accents, illuminated oil paintings, burgundy shaded table lamps and rich, dark mahogany trim. In the main room, the restaurant is separated from the bar with a new and very cool aquarium. The side room boasts a fireplace at one end and very private tables looking out onto the street at the other. The windows afford great people watching and there is something magical about a window table here on a rainy or snowy night.
We have been fans of Executive Chef Michael Dolan since he transformed the Off-Shore in Point Pleasant a few years back. Here he has an opportunity to take his cooking to another level and it appears he is off and running. A delicious white bean amuse bouche started our meal and it went uphill from there with a rich and flavorful lobster bisque that had a hint of citrus in it and a wonderful ginger crusted calamari with a Thai basil lime aioli. A thick veal chop was perfectly seasoned and expertly cooked, just pink and served with smashed potatoes and green beans and cherry tomatoes sprinkled with fresh thyme. Grilled swordfish was served with a citrus sauce with mandarin orange slices and capers over roasted potatoes and onions with a side of sauteed spinach and garlic. Delicious.
While not usually a dessert eater, I couldn't resist the flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Decadent, but oh so satisfying...
There are about 13 wines by the glass and @10 1/2 bottles which is a welcome addition to any list that too many wine lists omit. The wine list, while not particularly deep, has some excellent choices and is organized by price: $25, $35, $45 and $55. Wonderful idea. There is also a selection of reserve wines. You won't believe the price on a 2000 Heitz Martha's Vineyard.
Service was crisp and attentive..our wine glass was always full...the bread was warm....they get it.
Appetizers: $8-$13, Entrees: $22-$30.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: What is nice about this place is that it is equally enjoyable for a casual dinner at the bar or a romantic evening in the dining room. Grab a front table in the back room on a rainy or snowy night...fire going...nothing better.
You can make dining reservations by going to our Weekend Planner for contact information. Dining reservations are part of our Trip Planning Services.
Tardi's
618 Bay Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach
EXCELLENT
The new space is larger and nicely decorated. There's lots of space between the tables and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. But it's the food everyone comes for. Oh the food…. It’s the kind of place that you’ll be driving along and say to yourself, “I feel like a Tardi’s Veal Chop tonight.”
For starters, the zuppa de clams with garlic, broth and wine begs for a loaf of crusty bread to sop up the delicious sauce. The stuffed rigatoni with their homemade and fresh tomato sauce is light, without all the sugar others add and the flavors of the tomato to shine through. As an entrée I am addicted to the chicken oreganata, try as I might to order other things, I keep coming back to this most often. The stuffed veal chop is to die for and the steak fiorentine is mouth watering, cooked in garlic and balsamic. They also make a wonderful veal milanese with fresh tomatoes, red onion, arugula and balsamic vinegar. There are plenty of other choices as well. In fact, your waiter recites about the longest list of specials you’ll ever encounter, one more interesting than the next.
For dessert, an espresso or cappuccino and don’t miss the homemade cannolis.
The staff here is delightful, just about everyone is connected to the family in some manner. They’re happy to recite the long list of specials as many times as you like and service is crisp and friendly.
This is a BYOB restaurant, seating is first come, first served. Credit cards are accepted. Prices range from $10.95-$24.95. Really a great value. I’d pay much more, but let’s not tell them.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: Not a particularly romantic place, but who cares, you're here for the food.
You can make dining reservations by going to our Weekend Planner for contact information. Dining reservations are part of our Trip Planning Services.
Due Amici
420 Higgins Avenue, Brielle
EXCELLENT
The owners make this a special place; Bobby in the kitchen or at the door, wife Rose making everyone feel special and daughter Jo behind the bar. They love what they do and it shows in the number of locals who call this place home. But there’s lots to like here; a sleek new marble bar that has become a gathering place, live piano music on the weekends, a fireplace for the colder months and Bobby’s wonderful Northern Italian food.
The new bar is the first thing you see when you enter and you may get no further. Many opt to eat at the bar, enjoy the flat screen TV’s and soak in the local gossip. Good wines by the glass and the same menu as the dining room.
If not, it’s down a few steps to a comfortable dining room with a sky light in the middle and oak tables. Tables around the fire are the best in cooler weather, or the tables to the left of the bar, tucked away in a corner are the other choice.
For starters I’ve enjoyed the Zuppa de Clams with a broth that calls for more bread, an unusually clear and wonderful Pasta Fagoli and a tasty Clams Casino. We never fail to have the Tortellini Bolognese and I love the Veal Rossini, layers of fresh veal, procuitto, tomatoes, garlic, mozzarella and white wine. There are about 10 specials a night like a delicious steak au poivre, a mouth watering osso buco and a perfectly fresh ahi tuna with a seseme seed peppercorn crust.
The wine list is modest in size, but with some good choices. There are about 12 wines by the glass, priced $6-$8. The list has 18 reds and a dozen whites, most priced under $40.
Service is crisp, Bobby is a fanatic about the treatment of his guests and even the seasonal help is good.
Appetizers $7-$15, Pastas, $12-21, entrees, $16-$29.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: More conducive for dinner with friends.
You can make dining reservations by going to our Weekend Planner for contact information. Dining reservations are part of our Trip Planning Services.
Bistro Ole
230 Main Street, Asbury Park
EXCELLENT
This is a fun, happy place and it is fast becoming a favorite of the locals up and down the coast. Everyone working here enjoys themselves in an atmosphere created by the owner who is a character himself. Prepare to be hugged and kissed! You’ll certainly feel welcomed.
Sometimes I like to order two or three tapas as my dinner. Portions are large and you won’t go hungry. Some favorites; Plantanos Rellenos, sweet plantain with shredded beef or Champiniones, Portobello mushrooms topped with manchego cheese and spinach pesto. I’ve shared three entrees here, each better than the one before it... A seared sea bass was topped with a Spanish pesto and bread crumbs and served over an avocado salsa, huge fresh shrimp in a garlic sauce over Spanish rice and finally a traditional Paella, seafood, chicken, Spanish sausage and Spanish rice. Add some Sangria and it feels like Spain.
When the weather is nice, opt for a sidewalk table. Otherwise you’ll have to take what you can get in this rather small room. New rooms have been added around the back to provide more seating inside.
Open for lunch Tuesday-Friday, dinner Tuesday –Sunday. All credit cards. Dress is casual. BYOB, and if you bring the wine, they’ll make you some sangria. No reservations, although you can go, put your name in and they’ll give you a beeper. There are a few spots in the neighborhood for drinks. Appetizers $6-$10, Entrees $15-$24.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: When you’re having this much fun, who cares if it’s romantic.
WHAT OTHERS SAY...
“Who doesn’t love” Rico Rivera, the “irrepressible” owner-host of this “super-popular” Asbury Park Iberian with a “devoted following” that deems the “fantastic” dishes “all hits and no misses”; if a minority thinks it has “slipped”, the “omnipresent lines” in summer caused by the no-rezzie policy proves they’re outvoted; P.S. bring wine to this BYO “and watch it magically turn into a great pitcher of sangria.” ZAGAT 2009
You can make dining reservations by going to our Weekend Planner for contact information. Dining reservations are part of our Trip Planning Services.
Brandl
703 Belmar Plaza, Belmar
EXCELLENT
Brandl is one of those guys who never stops giving of himself and his talent. He’s involved in virtually every local event be it charitable or otherwise. He’s an astute marketer and just an all-around nice guy.
Here’s an example; he started his career at the renowned Farmingdale House, one of the Shore’s great restaurants for many years, under acclaimed chef Toni Froio. Today, every third Tuesday, Toni cooks a Farmingdale House Dinner at Brandl.
As nice as he is though, the restaurant wouldn’t be as popular without great food and that’s why it’s the choice of many for a good evening out.
Located in a strip mall, the space is decorated with bold colors and striking artwork which adds a touch of whimsy to a very serious restaurant.
For starters, the crab cakes are a must. My wife who is something of a crab cake aficionado, thinks they’re among the top few she’s had. I thought the garlic shrimp with snipped chives and a brown roasted garlic butter were fantastic. I’ve also had the signature Kobe beef sliders with truffle mayo that I could make a meal of alone.
My wife will take lobster served out of the shell any time she can get it and Brandl’s “Lazy Lobster” fit the bill. Served with asparagus scallion risotto and “orgasmic” vanilla bean butter, it was a wonderful meal for a summer night at the Shore. My succulent braised short ribs, served with a port demi-glace and garlic mashed potatoes and glazed carrots were tender and rich. Nothing like slow cooking to bring out the flavors.
Dessert was a pre-ordered raspberry chocolate soufflé that was wonderful.
Excellent food, skillful presentation, wonderful tastes, we left pleasantly full and talked about when we would return to sample more dishes.
Appetizers: $11-$15, entrees: $28-$35. BYOB.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: When the weather is nice sit outside on the brick patio, under an umbrella amidst the flowers and twinkling lights.
WHAT OTHERS SAY: “Talented” chef-owner Chris Brandl’s “difficult to find” Shore “storefront” BYO is a “down-to-earth-gourmand’s” destination praised for its “exceptional” New American cooking and presentation; though some question cost that’s “a bit too dear” “for the location” and cite “tight” seating and vacillating service, most say it’s a “hidden delight.” ZAGAT 2009
Harpoon Willy's....The Off Shore
Rt.70, Wall....Ocean Ave. Point Pleasant
EXCELLENT
Long operated as a somewhat mediocre pub, Harpoon Willy's on the westbound side of Rt. 70 just before the Brielle Bridge has been revitalized by new owners including Jim Scarponi, late of another favorite, the Ship Wreck Grill. The menu is a big step up from conventional pub food and an excellent wine list completes the transformation. The setting remains the same, however with a great big bar, a huge stone fireplace and views from anywhere out to the Manasquan River. There's a big grill behind the bar and the roasted clams and burgers are as good as they come. The rest of the menu is divided into a raw bar (seafood by the pound), a Butcher Shop (steaks etc) and a Fish Market with a variety of types of fish. You select the item, how you want it cooked, a starch and a sauce. Simple, easy and delicious. This is the perfect place to while away a rainy day or catch a game on TV.
Across the river in Point Pleasant, The Off Shore has one of the most beautiful interiors around. The dark circular bar is intimate and cozy and one of our favorite places for a drink. One dining room has a wonderful fireplace, another great booths and yet another, TV's at the tables to keep the kids occupied. Until recently, we limited ourselves to their thin crust pizza and a bottle of wine. Love the bar, but the food was mediocre at best. That changed a short time ago with the arrival of a new chef from the Black Trumpet in Spring Lake. The new menu features some delicious items like shrimp scampi, chicken and veal milanese and my favorite, a balsamic glazed salmon. Best of all the prices are in the teens and low 20's. When is the last time you could get such good food at these prices?
