465567 Sat Dec 01 21:34:08 -0800 2007 24 16 Mid-Atlantic 0 3171856 My wife and I want to get a gift certificate for a nicer restaurant for my in-laws for Christmas. They live in Asbury Park and are pretty sophisticated eaters (I know they have enjoyed Le Bernardin and the French Laundry and have spent a considerable amount of time in France). They also like the reubens at Kelly's in Neptune, so they are not totally high-end...but that wasn't really what I had in mind for a nice gift! I thought of Avenue because I remembered the Gourmet review but all the terrible Chowhound reviews have effectively deterred me. We don't know the area -- we live in California. Is there anything in the area that's maybe a little bit new and interesting, but solidly good? Price is not an issue as long as it's worth the money. Sat Dec 01 21:34:08 -0800 2007 19187 stomachofsteel 1 3172235 Depending upon how far they will go for a great meal you could go with David Drake in Rahway, one of NJ's best. There is the Fromagerie in Rumson also a top flight restaurant. Also good, but not in the realm of the other two I mentioned, is Matisse in Belmar (not Seacaucus), right on the beach and very nice, it will also be close for them. Sun Dec 02 06:58:35 -0800 2007 3171856 124622 Spiritchaser 2 3186066 stomachofsteel, one year our kids gave us a gc to Fromagerie for brunch and dh & I still talk about it. Thu Dec 06 15:24:05 -0800 2007 3172235 36312 HillJ 3 3186097 HillJ - I assume this was pre-David Burke. Right? Thu Dec 06 15:32:26 -0800 2007 3186066 31617 bgut1 4 3186157 http://www.fromagerierestaurant.com/brunch.php bgut1, no it was fairly recent. Brunch menu above. Thu Dec 06 15:47:56 -0800 2007 3186097 36312 HillJ 5 3186389 Sorry HillJ - I thought since you said "one year" it was quite some time ago. Thanks for the clarification. Thu Dec 06 17:18:06 -0800 2007 3186157 31617 bgut1 6 3186542 bgut1, I should have typed some time ago...mind & machine often at odds. but, the brunch is the point-gift worthy; just delicious. Thu Dec 06 18:14:39 -0800 2007 3186389 36312 HillJ 7 3186614 No problem - thanks. Thu Dec 06 18:51:50 -0800 2007 3186542 31617 bgut1 1 3172587 I have't been there, but I hear the restaurant Nicholas in Middletown, NJ is very good. Not very far from Asbury Park. http://www.restaurantnicholas.com/ Sun Dec 02 09:34:42 -0800 2007 3171856 60805 cmarie 2 3172860 I'll second Nicholas and David Drake. I must however have to disagree with Spiritchaser on Matisse. It was horrible the one time I went and would never return. A search on this forum will confirm that my sentiments are shared by many. In addition to the aforementioned two I would add Restaurant Lorena in Maplewood. IMHO the trio represents the best the state has to offer and will most assuredly satisfy any foodie. Good Luck. Sun Dec 02 11:41:13 -0800 2007 3172587 31617 bgut1 3 3186927 I second that re: Matisse. We were there in August and we thought it was horrible. Everything had the same soy based flavor and the food was very mediocre. A tremendous ripoff..5 tiny scallops...$30. I sent it back. That was totally unacceptable. Thu Dec 06 21:46:00 -0800 2007 3172860 136433 charmel 1 3174329 If they are sophisticated diners then they probably have already eaten at all the places mentioned. Have they mentioned to you or your wife any place they enjoyed locally perhaps in casual conversation? If not, Nicholas would be a good choice. Moonstruck in Asbury Park. Whispers in Spring Lake. Mon Dec 03 00:04:49 -0800 2007 3171856 54184 tom porc 1 3174491 I have not been here yet, but I want to since all the reviews on this board are glowing... Daryl Wine Bar in New Brunswick, NJ. Same owner as David Drake in Rahway. The other thought...although a drive for them as well as me and one of my plas on this board, RGR, suggested is Lorena's in Maplewood. The place is great..BYOB. Maybe too far for your inlaws, but here are the links!! Happy Holidays! http://www.darylwinebar.com/ http://www.restaurantlorena.com/ **oops I just realized my other pal, bgut1 suggested Lorena's!! Mon Dec 03 05:18:41 -0800 2007 3171856 14274 Angelina 2 3174789 Just a point of clarification for my good friend Angelina. I believe that DD does not own Daryl Wine Bar but only consults. A good recommendation none the less. As for Tom, you would be surprised how many sophisticated diners have yet to try the above treasures. As you know, I eat out a lot and while I've been dining at Nicholas since inception I finally got the chance to try DD last year and Lorena's only a few months back. All were fabulous BTW. While I can't comment on Whispers (as I've never been), I can with regard to Moonstruck (having been to both the Ocean Grove and the Asbury locations). Although the food is solid I must admit that it might make a true foodie yawn. Mon Dec 03 07:42:51 -0800 2007 3174491 31617 bgut1 1 3174838 Nicholas, David Burke's Fromagerie are nice, impressive choices, Moonstruck a second-tier. If it has to be Monmouth County, you could also look at Mr. C's on the Ocean in Allenhurst or McLoone's Riverside (in Sea Bright, NOT the one in LB), Neil's Original Oyster in Highland or Shipwreck in Brielle. Someone menitioned Whispers, which is good, or Black Swan, too (both in Spring Lake). There is NOTHING, I REPEAT NOTHING in this area to even mention in the same sentence as French Laundry or Le Bernadin. If in Asbury, send them to Taka (they can walk, if its safe!). Kelly's for reubens works fabulously, too. Mon Dec 03 07:59:55 -0800 2007 3171856 30139 aklein 2 3175010 Agree with aklein. I think the closest to Per Se/Le Bernardin is Nicholas. I would go with that, as the prix-fixe is $75 a person, closest to Le Bernardin's pricing. Mon Dec 03 08:51:41 -0800 2007 3174838 49232 aacharya 3 3175078 aklein - I would have to disagree with your contention that nothing in this area comes close to either the French Laundry or Le Bernadin. I've eaten at both (as I assume you have too) and must admit that Nicholas compares nicely (especially with LB). I agree that the French Laundry is a once in a lifetime meal, but I truly believe that the Chef's Table experience at Nicholas is definitely at least in the same ball park and will be most impressive to a foodie. As far as any of the other eateries in this county, I would have to agree with your statement. Mon Dec 03 09:10:19 -0800 2007 3175010 31617 bgut1 2 3186934 I think you mean Black Trumpet in Spring Lake, not Black Swan Thu Dec 06 21:52:07 -0800 2007 3174838 136433 charmel 3 3187212 you're right, the Black Swan is a great restaurant in an alternate universe! Fri Dec 07 04:52:01 -0800 2007 3186934 30139 aklein 1 3175425 Restaurant Nicholas in Middletown is the only reasonable contender. I would strongly caution against Avenue. Sirena is nearby, really a very pretty place, but the food is just not very good. I think that they would have a memorable experience at Nicholas and that would be a very nice gift indeed. Mon Dec 03 10:36:13 -0800 2007 3171856 10511 Deb Van D 2 3183653 All -- thanks so much for the suggestions. I have bookmarked the Restaurant Nicholas and Lorena's websites, which look great -- just what I was looking for. Happy Holidays. Wed Dec 05 20:23:12 -0800 2007 3175425 19187 stomachofsteel 3 3184607 Great choices. Please let us know ultimately where they went and whether they enjoyed their meals. Thu Dec 06 08:22:34 -0800 2007 3183653 31617 bgut1 4 3517579 Well, this is a bit late, but I just wanted to let you know that we went with Restaurant Nicholas. They had in fact already been there, but were excited to go again. My father-in-law said that he had the best scallops he's ever eaten. Mission accomplished. Thanks Jersey hounds! Sat Mar 22 12:57:26 -0700 2008 3184607 19187 stomachofsteel 5 3522681 Thanks for the feedback, too. Mon Mar 24 12:05:35 -0700 2008 3517579 10511 Deb Van D 5 3523155 Happy we could help. Mon Mar 24 13:58:44 -0700 2008 3517579 31617 bgut1