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JerzeyShore
Jul 6, 2011 02:12 AM
With 30 restaurants and counting Asbury Park has something for everyone.
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re: cantkick
equal_Mark
Jul 7, 2011 06:18 AM
It's one thing for an individual not to know how to shuck an oyster, but for a restaurant that sits on the beach and has a Raw Bar to not be able to do it is rather an entirely different matter...
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re: Sdenred
MGZ
Jul 7, 2011 10:39 AM
Though the "f" word makes my skin crawl, I agree with you. There is a whole lot of mediocrity in AP. I've had a few good bites here and there, and a trip to Jimmy's or Frank's is generally quite rewarding, but there is no place that is great, not one thing that is outstanding.
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Seal, if you hid at "At the Table" then you only touched the very tip of the matchstick. Asbury Park has some other great restaurants as well. Langosta, Stella Marina, Cubacan on the Boardwalk; Bistro Ole, Brick Wall, Fish, Rafferty's, Trinifty and Pope in downtown; and the list goes on. It's edgy, fun, and delicious. I didn't even start with Italian and Mexican yet!
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Stella Marina Bar & Restaurant
1200 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712Bistro Ole
230 Main St, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 -
equal_Mark
Jul 2, 2011 02:27 PM
Between Red Bank and Asbury Park I like the diversity of the dining scene in Long Branch...
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Caldwell/West Caldwell has a suprisingly good selection of restaurants and most are very good. Not much of a 'scene' though.
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re: Curlz
Bangkok Kitchen is one of my all-time faves. We also like Caldwell Seafood (although some what pricey). Nori is good I also prefer Ocha across the street as well as as that little hole in the wall down the way Sushi Cafe. I went to Stephanie's once and wasn't thrilled but there are people that really like it.
Divina is excellent and have they some of the best pastas in the area,(especially the Pappardelle Alla Luca). It's usually crowded and you need a rezzy. I like this place.
Eurogrill is nice for a quick bite. You also have Luce which is always consistently good and great place to watch the 'scene'.
I believe Rose Mediterranean opened up in the Trattoria Fresco spot. I haven't hear anything about except for what I read online and it seems to get good reviews. I see some reviews on Yelp and Urban Spoon and people seem to like it.
There are also places tlike Calandras which is nice to sit outside and have some apps and the Cloverleaf for a good beer selection.-----
Bangkok Kitchen
391 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006Ocha
403 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006Eurogrill
460 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006
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I have to tell you Point Pleasant Beach is really Starting to get a nice scene..lot's of great Places to choose from Daniels Bistro,Shipwreck Point, 709, Bluewater Grill, Coal House Pizza,
Patio Bar , Reds Lobster Pot and Joe Leones..Its hard to pick..everyday you can do a diffrent flavor and taste which is very cool..lots of Great energy and positive Vibe In Point Beach Now›3 Replies-
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re: fondofu
MGZ
Jul 2, 2011 04:49 AM
I agree that the changes in Point over the past few years have been quite welcome and impressive. Nevertheless, other than a personal love for enjoying fried plates and hot sauces on the deck at Red's and the fact that Shipwreck Point is "best in category" for the entire area, I am not sure that there is a lot of depth to the other choices. Daniel's, for example, has an awkward balance between what goes on in front of and behind the kitchen window. Coal House similarly struggles to balance the purity of the apprach to pizza they displayed when in Bradley and the Chuck e Cheese "come on in" attitude that has been added to attract crowds.
(I will admit that I have avoided trying 709 due to a lack of interest in the generic menu and a lingering bit of sour grapes after their Facebook-inspired attempts to manipulate this board.)
I know that Point is still predominantly a tourist town and that the restaurants are trying to capitalize upon that fact. The problem is when that reality is too apparent to me as a diner. Oh well, perhaps in time . . . .
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Its not that long ago that I would never consider Keyport with one of the best restaurant scenes but with 3 very good restaurants, it ranks right up there.
All have sprung up in the past 5 years or so.›2 Replies-
re: tom246
Bernardsville/Basking Ridge/Far Hills Area:
High End:
NInety Acres, Bernards Inn, Equus, Due Terre, Vine, 3 West, Pluckemin Inn, Sublime
Pub / Casual:
Station Pub, Claremont, Market, Bernard's Deli, Gladstone
BYOB
Bistro 73, Mockingbird, Sette,
Asian
Tsuki, Origin, Tsuru
Pizza
Buona, Lennys, a million others
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The Bernards Inn
27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924Due Terre
107 Morristown Rd Ste C, Bernardsville, NJ 07924Tsuru
413 King George Rd Ste 774, Basking Ridge, NJ 079203 West
665 Martinsville Rd Ste 101, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920The Pluckemin Inn
359 US Highway 202, Bedminster, NJ 07921
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re: rich47
Not just Indian. You can find almost every conceivable ethnic restaurant available in NJ in Edison & neighboring areas. Korean. Korean Chinese. Pakistani. Northern Indian. Southern Indian. Indian Chinese. Chinese - Sichuan, Shanghai, Cantonese. Viet. Thai. Malay, Turkish, Middle Eastern.... whatever you're in the mood for, it's most likely somewhere in or near Edison.
If you include nearby areas it gets even better, with one of the best old school burger joints in NJ - White Rose, ridiculous fat sandwiches at the grease trucks, and then you get a decent upscale dining scene along with what may be NJ's best brew pub (although that's not really saying much) and only of NJ's only Ethopian joints. Venture a little deeper into New Brunswick and you get tons of authentic Mexican as well.
Yeah, it really doesn't get much better than that in NJ.
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re: Duppie
Sorry Duppie, I haven't had a chance to go to any of them! I've been too distracted with other (more comfortable) options to try out any Malay options (well, other than Penang in East Hanover if that counts). I realize this is awfully un-'hound-like of me; I'll make it a point to try a Malay joint next time I'm there. Will report back.
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re: joonjoon
menton1
Jun 28, 2011 06:38 PM
There's no "scene" in Edison because it's really not a "town". It's sprawled out onto several highways, which is where most of these restos are. It's also only good for cheap basic eats, no better dining there. Besides, there's something intangibly nice about strolling into a restaurant in a real downtown, which it seems is what the OP was looking for...
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re: menton1
I might have misunderstood the question. If you're looking for that "night out on the town" experience I agree Edison wouldn't be what you're looking for. But that kind of scene can be found nearby in New Brunswick, which is part of the reason I personally consider the Edison area to be the #1 food destination in the state.
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menton1
Jun 28, 2011 01:03 PM
I've noticed you've asked this same question on other boards. Are you writing a book?
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re: menton1
Just asked on NJ and NY. I'm not writing a book. I'm a journalist, writing an article about Maplewood. But the points I'm making apply to the region's suburbs generally, so I wanted to give a shout-out to a couple of other places. It's basically one sentence, and not meant to be exhaustive.
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briansnat
Jun 28, 2011 11:12 AM
Montclair is always up there. Hoboken too. Neither is exactly hidden though. Morristown area is OK. Seems to run hot and cold over the years.
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re: tommy
ttoommyy
Jun 29, 2011 08:37 AM
Then you've gotten the wrong impression! :)
The problem is that most restaurants start out with good intentions but quickly realize that to stay in business they have to cater to the "frat crowd" that runs rampant in Hoboken on the weekends and throughout the summer. There are about 5 restaurants in town I would recommend to anyone serious about food.
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re: tommy
NellyNel
Jun 29, 2011 12:08 PM
I agree with ttoommyy 100%
When I moved to Hoboken six years ago - I really had high hopes for all the culinary adventures that were to be found!
Boy, was I wrong!
What a disappointment.
Honestly, I don't think I have ever raved over a meal in Hoboken, or even over any sandwich I have eaten, in any of the few Italian Deli's.....and don't get me started on the incredible mediocrity that is Carlo's Bakery!! (The Cake Boss) UGH! (Which is also the only Italian bakery in Hoboken...
Good Grief! For an old Italian area - the Italian food to be had is particularly bad.
Cucharamama, I think is probably the best restaurant in Hoboken, other than that I really struggle to think of any others that may stand out.
PS -I now live in Jersey City, not much of a culinary improvement there, either, but at least, in the Heights, I have a bunch of tasty Mexican and Columbian joints!
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Cucharamama
233 Clinton St, Hoboken, NJ 07030-
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re: ttoommyy
NellyNel
Jul 1, 2011 06:40 AM
No, I havent actually. It's always been on my radar...
I heard it was owned by the same people who own Elysian.
While I love the atmosphere of the Elysian, and I did have a rather delicious cocktail there once, the food was beyond disappointing. After that, I was never in a rush to get to Amandas. I probably will try it one day...Chucharamma is the other restaurant owned by the Zafra owner, and can be excellent.
I think La Isla is **okay**...some things are delicious, but most things average.I'm really sad to hear Arthurs is closing, even though I thought the steak was disgusting, like Tommy said, it was an institution.
(their burgers were good!)-----
La Isla
104 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030-
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re: menton1
Menton, where can I get this at the ironbound? I'll have to check it out.
As far as the steaks at Arthurs, while there have been duds on 1 or 2 visits (re: all fat and gristle) I'm usually pretty happy with them. I go to the one in North Brunswick once a year with friends - it's a long time tradition since college.
And tommy - 0 dollars? Really? C'mon.
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re: joonjoon
tommy
Jul 1, 2011 02:56 PM
Yes, 0 dollars. For me it's not worth eating. Why would I want to spend 20 dollars when I can 1) not spend 20 dollars, or 2) buy a much better piece of beef at any store in the state for less.
I'm not sure when you were in college, but the Arthur's in NB hasn't been affiliated with the one in Hoboken (and Morris Plains) for some time.
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re: joonjoon
menton1
Jul 1, 2011 05:58 PM
For starters, I know Meson Madrid in Pal Park serves a 3 pounder (because an acquaintance just told me they had it there),but there are a half dozen places in Newark that do it too. Awful stuff...Absolutely better off in your pocket. Gluttony is not an attractive trait.
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Meson Madrid Restaurant
343 Bergen Blvd, Palisades Park, NJ 07650 -
re: joonjoon
NellyNel
Jul 5, 2011 06:49 AM
I agree, $0.
The first time we went, the steak was *edible* - maybe worth $5.
The second time, however, it was absolutely disgusting, and I could not eat it - so, it was worth ZERO bucks.We did go back for a burger in desparation one night, and I liked it, but then again, I was starving at the time!
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re: NellyNel
I agree with the opinion of Hoboken, not much to speak of other than Amanda's, La Isla, Zafra and the other place the woman that owns Zafra owns. Just because you have a lot of restaurants doesn't mean the food is good. Most places are bars that have bar food. Just found out that Arthur's is closing. Not great steaks but it's been around for a while. I'm sur the cookie cutter bar is going to move in.
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La Isla
104 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030-
re: roro1831
tommy
Jun 30, 2011 02:40 PM
Arthur's is closing? That would be sad. It's an institution. Could they possibly not be profitable? I'd find that hard to believe. Although perhaps there has been a shift in dining habits over the last 10 years.
ETA: http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ss...
It likely won't be the same. Oh well. There's always Morris Plains.
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seal
Jun 28, 2011 10:50 AM
Hardly hidden, but Asbury Park continues to be a place to eat and be seen. Shame that most of my time in town is spent hiding at At The Table instead of near the Pony and the boardwalk where the scene is.
But I have to give the big nod to Red Bank. From a night at the bar at Nicholas to Sunday morning breakfast tacos at North of the Border and then a walk through the farmer's market, more and more of my dining out lately is in Red Bank. I like the food at both new asian joints too and Red has become our go-to place when we can't decide. There's also Dish, Willy's, The Cheese Cave, Via 45, and I really like the cupcakes from the place inside Ricky's. But again, all this is hardly a secret.
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