Houlihan's improved menu ?

[Tapas52]

We had a late dinner at Houlihan's in Brick last night & I'll tell you it was simply delicious...we ordered the Chilled Thai Noodle Bowl ginger-peanut noodles, cilantro,basil, mint, napa cabbage,sweet & sour carrots I really enjoyed this....the wife ordered Pasta Bolognese wide noodles with pork and beef ragu which also was delicious... we also split an Ahi Tuna Salad Seared rare Ahi tuna, Napa cabbage,cilantro, bananas and cashews tossed in our homemade banana-ginger vinaigrette.Topped with crispy wonton strips and drizzled with a sweet soy sauce. this was really different and very tasty....I haven't been there in a while but it sure seems they have upgraded their menu with some wonderful items.....we will be back for more...

[buttertart]

Had lunch there today (Secaucus branch) and the pasta Bolognese was enjoyable enough but had an odd smoky taste. My companions enjoyed their salmon and scallop small plates (small piece of salmon/4 good-looking scallops on mashed potatoes, with a small watercress salad) and the potato soup. It's not a place I would seek out even with the new menu except in desert island situations, such as where I work.

[ferret]

I went to a newer location which is pretty nicely decorated and found the menu to be light years beyond what it used to be. Having said that, I won't be running back on my own anytime soon but I won't cringe if I happen to end up there (generally someone else's choice).

[buttertart]

It's ok in a sort of limited way for an off night (to semi-quote Paul Simon). I had the single worst mojito in human history there by the way, it must have been 1/2 simple syrup. Sent it back twice to get it drinkable.

[ferret]

I tend to stick with iced tea unless I'm somewhere I trust.

[buttertart]

It was a business lunch and I needed it.

[Tapas52]

Anyway compared to most of the other chain choices, I thought it was pretty good & priced right...I don't drink and always ask for water & lemon. I've been to a few so called "fine dining" places that paled in comparison so go figure?...

[buttertart]

It's definitely better than it was, you're right there.

[cwdonald]

The one in Warrington, PA has an improved menu.... they went out of business!

[Mr. Bingley]

we ate at the one in holmdel a few weeks ago and were also pleasantly surprised.

[MarlboroMan]

We went to the one in... Woodbridge, I think, on Rt. 1. It was my choice for my birthday dinner with the family. Got my favorite Thai Chili wings.. I asked for more wings (flats) than drums or whatever that other part is.. got ALL flats! I would have to say it's my favorite chain. Love the small plates menu as well.

On the other hand, my birthday meal with my wife was at Elements, for the 9 course tasting menu. (More like 16 mini courses, plus pound cake to take home!) That was my birthday present. Simply outstanding. Since my wife is a picky eater, I ate two courses worth most of the time... with pleasure!

Next year I'd like to try the Restaurant Nicholas Chef's Table. Or maybe I'll ask for that for Christmas. :)

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Restaurant Nicholas
160 State Route 35, Red Bank, NJ 07701