Recommended Dining Pages

Recommended Dining

by BestWeekends.com

Avenue, Long Branch, NJ

Towering ceilings and lots of windows make Avenue 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.

ROMANTIC QUOTIENT

Sit outside on a balmy, moonlit night and you just might get a proposal.

WHAT OTHERS SAY…

A “sexy”, “French Riviera”–esque vibe draws “lively”, “hip” types to this “swanky” French seafooder in Long Branch’s Pier Village, touted for its “scrumptious” raw bar and “excellent” craft cocktails; “picture-window ocean views” and “terrific eye candy” help distract from the “noisy” decibels and “expensive” price tags. ~ZAGAT

There’s two reasons locals love Brandl. The first is that the food is awfully good and the second is that everybody likes chef-owner Chris Brandl himself. We’ll talk about the food in a minute.

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. 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.

In late 2019, Brandl re-vamped his menu and transitioned to a steakhouse. He bought a special oven from Spain for cooking the steaks over a charcoal fire. Now, Bone-in NY strip steaks, Filet Mignon, Veal Chops, Lamb Chops and Porterhouse steaks are all cooked in this special oven that produces a delicious crust and juicy, tender interior.

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. The new “escargot” line-up offers the traditional garlic butter sauce, but made with escargot, lobster, shrimp or oysters and they are fabulous.

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.

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.

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...

“Chef Chris Brandl demonstrates his enormous skill at this unpretentious New American BYO hidden in a Shore strip mall; true, it’s somewhat pricey for Belmar and the downscale decor and not-that-great service could be better, yet most feel this little gem has special occasion written all over it.” ZAGAT

Acclaimed celebrity chef David Burke is a Jersey Shore product (he worked at the original Fromagerie) and he came back two years ago to open Drifthouse by David Burke in Sea Bright on the second level of the Driftwood Cabana Club.

Burke’s 30+ year career began at the Culinary Institute of America and has included stints with some of the cooking greats around the world.

He is known as a culinary pioneer for his revolutionary products and cooking techniques. Over the years, Chef Burke has become one of the most recognized chefs on television, including appearances on two seasons of Top Chef Masters, guest spots with Rachael Ray show, NBC’s TODAY Show, Fox and Friends, Bloomberg’s small-business television series The Mentor and more.

Drifthouse offers superb views of the Atlantic Ocean and sunset views over the Shrewsbury River. The dining rooms are elegantly decorated and feature many pieces of Chef Burke’s own artwork. The smaller dining room, often used for private parties, features a warming fireplace with a stone mantel. Arrive early enough to enjoy a creative cocktail at the bar as you watch the waves crash on the beach outside. The Winter Spiced Old Fashioned is made with Asbury Park Double Barrel Bourbon Whiskey with an almond-vanilla winter spiced syrup and is perfect for a winter night. The Apple Harvest Pisco Punch is made with Pisco 100 a colorless Peruvian Brandy, Apple Cider Liqueur, lemon juice, cinnamon-honey simple syrup and a cinnamon sugar rim. Yum!

Burke’s creative genius shows throughout the menu with unique items not found elsewhere. Consider Bacon, served on a clothesline glazed with maple and black pepper, or Angry Lobster Dumplings served with Angry Sauce and a lobster reduction. Or perhaps his signature Pastrami Salmon “Carpaccio” served with a cucumber salad and buckwheat blini. Oysters are harvested fresh from an oyster tank, as are fresh lobsters from a lobster tank.

The pastas are delicious, particularly the Bolognese and the Organic Roast Chicken is wonderful. For a real treat, though, have the 40 day salt aged porterhouse for two. It is a process using Pink Himalayan Rock Salt that has been patented by Burke. Add some “Hipster” fries and Spinach & Mushrooms, and perhaps a glass of 2017 Treanna Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles to complete the meal.

For dessert, have the Apple & Caramel Tacos; sea salt caramel ice cream, sweet crème fraiche or the Cheesecake Lollipop Tree; cherry pink cashmere, three chocolate tuxedo, toffee top hat whipped cream, berries.

Excellent wine list with good choices and reasonable pricing.

Everyone has their “go to” restaurant, that place where you feel so comfortable, it comes to mind every time you think about dining out. Fratello’s is one of our “gotos”.

The atmosphere is cozy, the staff is well-trained and fun, the owner is always there to greet you and the food is delicious.

You can sit at the lively bar, which we often do, in a cozy booth when you have more people or outside on the patio when the weather cooperates.

Start with one of their huge martinis like the Mango Martini; Bacardi Mango, Pineapple Juice, Cranberry Juice and Triple Sec. or, opt for a glass of wine like a Fleur de Mer, rose from Provence or an Antinori Sangiovese “Santa Cristina”

We always start with an Eggplant Rolletini appetizer, stuffed with creamy, ricotta cheese and swimming in their award winning tomato sauce. The Garlic Shrimp is wonderful with jumbo shrimp

sauteed with garlic, diced Roma tomatoes, scallions, capers and fine herbs in a chardonnay white wine and served over a crostini. The Rigatoni Baresi is a favorite with the pasta tossed with sweet Italian sausage, roasted peppers, garlic and oil and cannellini beans. The dish we come back to time and again is the Chicken Scarpariello; boneless chicken and sausage sauteed with garlic in a balsamic and white wine reduction. Big fan too of the Cesari “Mara” Valpolicella priced very reasonably at $39.

Delightful private room that can accommodate up to 40 people for a private party. See menus here.

Serving dinner daily and lunch Friday-Sunday.

ROMANTIC QUOTIENT

The booths are cozy and intimate and there’s something about a balmy night on the patio with the lights twinkling in the trees.

La Dolce Vita, Belmar, NJ

La Dolce Vita is a delightful oceanfront restaurant in Belmar serving lunch and dinner every day.

Outside is a canopied patio with about 20 tables which can be closed in during inclement weather and is a delightful place to enjoy the beach beyond and people watch and there are sure some characters

La Dolce Vita is a delightful oceanfront restaurant in Belmar serving lunch and dinner every day.

Outside is a canopied patio with about 20 tables which can be closed in during inclement weather and is a delightful place to enjoy the beach beyond and people watch and there are sure some characters around! While the inside is very nice, we’ll save that for the cold weather, outside is the place to be.

Inside, a marble bar with redwood wine racks behind it, is separated from the dining room by a ½ wall. The walls are done in a beige patterned wallpaper and the room has marble columns, funky hanging globes in a track lighting arrangement and tile floors. The 14 or so tables in the dining room are elegantly set with white tablecloths and sparkling accessories. Large windows on two sides allow you to take in the scene outside.

I have an old adage, when the bread is warm, good things are to come and that was the case here. The pastas are delicious and could be meals unto themselves. Pappardelle Amatriciana sautéed

Moonstruck, Asbury Park, NJ

onions, pancetta, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil, San Marzano tomatoes and parmesan cheese. Or the Tortolini ai Funghi Graitinati filled with goat cheese and tossed with wild mushrooms, asiago, proscuitto, scallions and cream.

Entrees, served with roasted potatoes, string beans and carrots, were equally satisfying. I had a wonderful Pollo Savoya, tender chicken breast with sweet peppers, cherry peppers, garlic, rosemary and a balsamic demi-glaze. Jen’s Veal Fiorentina was sautéed in a lemon white wine sauce, topped with spinach and melted mozzarella and sprinkled with roasted tomatoes.

The wine list is small but very fairly priced. Most whites are under $35 and reds under $40. We had a wonderful Gavi at $24 on one trip and a surprisingly well priced Amarone at $48 on another.

ROMANTIC QUOTIENT:

Can be a little loud, but an outside table on a comfortable night can be pretty romantic.

The original restaurant opened in Ocean Grove in 1995 as a small storefront BYOB. It moved to its current location in May, 2002. But it really all began with The Raspberry Café: Founded in 1988 by owners Howard Raczkiewicz and Luke Magliaro, the breakfast and lunch place was legendary for it’s fresh food, juice bar and homemade muffins. Howard and Luke are still the hands-on owners who oversee the daily operations of Moonstruck. Moonstruck is housed in a multi-story – Victorian style building with lots of windows and wrap around porches. There are wonderful views across Wesley Lake to the Victorian Homes of Ocean Grove and The Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove’s famous

landmark…And sometimes the full moon! The first floor offers a bar and lounge area where guests may enjoy cocktails and appetizers. The second floor is the main dining room with it’s own dining bar. The food is American-Mediterranean Grill, inspired by the healthy cooking of the Mediterranean region, incorporating fresh Ingredients, quality oils and whole grains in many of the dishes. Some of our favorite dishes; Keftedes, Greek style meatballs, tzatziki, lemon; Eggplant Fries; sea salt, local honey drizzle; Clams Cubano, house made chorizo, Aji Amarillo, olive oil, garlic, butter, white wine, cilantro, lemon; Roasted Garlic Shrimp, Butter, lemon, white wine, panko, Parmigiano; Pan roasted chicken, Herbed French Cut breast, lemon garlic sauce, mashed potatoes. Good cocktail menu and a nice wine list with very reasonable pricing. No reservations, but here’s a tip, you can often get a seat at the bar on the second floor.

Romantic Quotient

Dining on the porches with soft summer breezes, candlelight and views of the lake is very romantic.

What Others Say…

“…The atmosphere in this eatery is warm and welcoming, making it a nice place to meet with some friends or for a date…People love Moonstruck because of the great food on the menu. Moonstruck knows how to make some great grilled items and it has seasonal specials.” OPEN TABLE

Nicholas Barrel & Roost, Middletown, NJ

After 20 years as the best fine dining restaurant in New Jersey and one of the best in the country, Chef Nicholas Harary and his wife, Melissa have introduced a bold, new concept, Nicholas Barrel & Roost, that has raised the bar for casual style restaurants. They continue to produce outstanding food, but in a more relaxed setting.

Gone are the white tablecloths and formal service. In its place is a modern farmhouse interior with a delightful al fresco patio. Lunch and weekend brunch are now served. The select drinks menu makes use of the season’s freshest ingredients and highlights liquors from Nicholas’ private-barrel stash, made exclusively for him under his direct guidance. The wellappointed bar also features craft beers on tap as well as an expertly curated wine collection.

The menu features some wonderful bar snacks like crispy chicken and Alabama white sauce, fried house made pickles and a raw bar with East and West Coast oysters and caviar. Fans of the restaurant will notice menu

item carry-overs like prime steaks, bourbon braised suckling pig, pan roasted King salmon, butter poached Nova Scotia lobster tail and more. New items include a sirloin, short rib burger, artisan pizzas, fresh pastas and salads.

You will not be able to resist one of the decadent desserts like the Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie with Nicholas Creamery Bourbon Aged Coffee Ice Cream.

Nice selection of moderately priced wines by the glass like a Domonique Crochet Sancerre at $13. There’s also a selection of “Nick’s Top Picks Under $50.

ROMANTIC QUOTIENT

A table on the outside patio is private and intimate.

WHAT OTHERS SAY…

That first name, Nicholas, will be familiar to NJM readers, who have seen it grace every Best Restaurants list since the first one in 2007. But after a 20-year run, Nicholas and Melissa Harary have transformed Restaurant Nicholas, the avatar of contemporary fine dining in the Garden State, into a new, familyfriendly eatery tailored to these times. New Jersey Monthly Magazine

If Pascal & Sabine were in my neighborhood, I would probably eat there a couple times a week. Wonderful decor (who doesn’t like booths?), excellent bistro food, a very good wine list, a fantastic Sunday brunch with live jazz and a really enjoyable staff makes this a favorite at the Jersey Shore.

Pascal and Sabine are characters from French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse’s signature work, The Red Balloon. In the film, Pascal finds a

red balloon with a mind of its own that follows him around the city. You’ll see that red balloon outside the doors of the restaurant.

Inside the French inspired brasserie has a wonderful metal topped bar with small red shaded lamps, huge circular dark leather booths and the stunning artwork of Paolo Ventura. There is also an expresso bar at the front of the restaurant.

The bar offers a wonderful selection of bourbons, whiskeys, single malts, tequila and craft beers. Hand crafted cocktails include items like the Red Rum; pilar vanilla rum, red wine, lemon juice, simple

syrup, brandied cherries and Peach Bourbon Ice Tea; Bulleit bourbon, peach purée, honey simple syrup, ice tea, mint. There’s also nearly 50 wines by the glass with some excellent choices.

But ultimately, it is the food you go for and it is richly satisfying at Pascal. You can enjoy classic appetizers like French onion soup, escargot and beef tartare, There’s a wonderful selection of charcuterie and cheese and caviar from around the globe. Bistro fare includes Coq Au Vin: chicken stewed in red wine with mushrooms, pearl onions & bacon, with pommes purée; Roasted Breast of Chicken: asparagus, fried duck egg, jambon de bayonne: Steak Frites: pan-seared snake river farms kobe sirloin flap, au poivre, hand-cut frites; Lobster Bouillabaisse; lobster, scallops, shrimp, mussels, bouillabaisse broth, rouille and Moules Frites; blue bay mussels, white wine, garlic, shallots, thyme & baguette.

If you still have room for dessert the creme brulee and the St. Stephen cheesecake; hazelnut cookie crust with seasonal berries are excellent.

The wine list, with a decided French bent has a nice mix of higher end wines and bottles under $50.

ROMANTIC QUOTIENT

High. Tall , cozy booths envelop the diner and make for intimate conversation.

WHAT OTHERS SAY…

Small plates and elevated bistro staples are the draw at this French kitchen in Asbury Park, which also serves brunch in stylish digs with a busy bar mixing classic and creative cocktails. ~ZAGAT

When you go for dinner in the middle of the week and the parking lot is full, the bar crowded and all the tables occupied, it’s a pretty good tip-off that the food is going to be good and the Shipwreck doesn’t disappoint.

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.

Surf ‘n’ turf “done at an elevated level” is the lure at this “only-game-in-town” Brielle seafooder with “driftwood”-enhanced decor and “pleasant” service; although it’s “priced like Manhattan” and “noisy” at the bar, distractions include “exceptional views of the boats” sailing on the Manasquan River. ~ZAGAT

The feel is casual with a touch of elegance. A soft color palette 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.

This is the place to enjoy extraordinary seafood from salmon to tuna to lobster and more. Chef Terry is a master at taking a piece of fish and creating a masterpiece of flavors and textures around it. It is the only local place that serves fresh Dover Sole and it is priced below market at $39.

There’s an excellent raw bar with varieties of oysters and clams and fat jumbo shrimp. Try the Ship Wreck Shellfish Sampler. 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.

ROMANTIC QUOTIENT

Not so much. Can be loud.

WHAT OTHERS SAY…

TASTE Award winner for: Outstanding Restaurant: Fine Dining Outstanding Restaurant: Seafood Outstanding Restaurant:Cocktail Program Outstanding Restaurant: Wine Program Chef of the Year