Wow, those rolls are expensive.

How many rolls do you guys eat on an average? I get s few of them and this place would hurt my wallet big time LOL

yes I think it is a stout. It might be guiness since they run that on tap but I am not sure.

They had strip steak for 16.99 on special (tues nights)

I am more of a strip guy over prime rib. Have you had that strip?

yeah MGZ that was a good watering hole! man I drank so many free beers there its no wonder they went out of business.

JR, yes hookline is in the same spot as undici. Hookline made incredible burgers!

And yes, not sure about unidici either. I have never been there but it seems like an EVEN MORE expensive basil T. Rumson has the cash to spend though so whats 5.00 or so more a plate over its sister spot?

I used to go to Hookline a few times a weeks and hung out there in my bachelor days. We knew all the bartenders and had it good. I would ask for a "bacon sandwich" by name (code word for a truck load of bacon and cheddar sauce with a burger tucked underneath.) I guarantee this burger would smash the 1000 calorie mark with ease.

There would literally be too much bacon so I would have to yank a few pieces off and eat them separately. It was just obnoxious. And yes, they grilled the bacon up so it was nice and crisp. Ah, the good old days.

Rum Runner was OK. Pier ave is eh.....

one good dish is their lobster roll for lunch....not bad at all.

yeah the food trucks seem to be gaining popularity (mainly due to the TV exposure I think.)

If someone could open up a Rutgers style "grease truck" in red bank that thing would dominate. I doubt the town would let it happen but if there was a way, lots of drunk bar people would flock to it.

So after this thread I had to make a stop. They make a solid burger and of course, I did get the cheddar sauce. Burger was cooked to temp and real tasty....definitely a decent meal. I like the cheddar sauce at Barnacles better but the meat is definitely higher quality here.

Anyone remember the old hook, line and sinker? Wow, those burgers were the best around! About 8 strips of crispy bacon and some cheddar sauce made it extra healthy lol

Speaking of trucks, does anyone know what those two trucks are that park in the galleria (red bank) on the sundays? the other day I saw two and Gus was not there? Did Gus retire?

How much is the "kobe" burger at Pour house out of curiosity and do you think its worth the added cost over the regular burger? And yes, I know it is not actual kobe beef : )

After JR's wiz comment, I think I need to get over there.

Nice! Maybe my email paid off lol

I will be there in a few days.

I can't comment on the food but I can say one thing for sure, they need a better sign out front. I drive by it EVERY day and it is just weak and barely noticeable. They need something to draw people in. And yes I realize there are ordinances but if the owner ever reads this, I would seriously consider changing that sign.

Anyone know why they moved? (was it to get a liquor license?) Christine's seems to be doing really well...just wondering.

"I'm a growing boy!!!!"

I tell my wife the same thing...

NJchicaa you should read about JRs vegas lobster story. It's a classic! Go big or go home is his motto.

yes the same chain as Aruba. I have been the aruba one too. I thought that one was OK but the ones in the US seem to be better.

Good to hear you found a new spot!

PS, la cipollina is in freehold. I drive a half hour to get there so you are local.

Nice review JR. This place is on my radar.

I just hit a capitol grill for the first time in orlando....just got back. My kona encrusted ny st strip was kind of disappointing. Texas de Brazil was spot on though ; )

La cipollina in freehold in a good spot. They have a TOP NOTCH ribeye! It is huge, prime grade and one of the best steaks I have ever had (for what its worth I eat steaks all over the country/world)

Literally these steaks can top 30oz. I am not sure if they just serve me big steaks since I go there with a group of guys from work, but they definitely impress me.

The apps there are small, but tasty. IMO they are not worth the price. If you like rib eyes, they don't come much better in this area.

JR, On the topic of the avenue, I almost just fell on the floor after reading that avenue thread that was recently resurrected. That guy who complains about everything under the sun and always rants about how NJ doesn't have good food actually LIKED the Avenue. I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! LOL ...different strokes for different folks I guess.

Has anyone been to Charley's recently? I have been there once and it was just kind of dull....not bad but not enough to bring me back.

Long Branch has quite a few Brazilian places since there is a decent Brazilian population in town. If you have ever experienced "rodizio" style dining they have that here too (not upscale but if you love grilled meat of all styles it might be up your alley)

There is a mexican place called Casa Comida that is pretty good and casual. Havanna was a cool cuban place in Highlands but I don't know if they will be open then. They got nailed by the hurricane.

As for dining on the water you have 4 options in Long branch for ocean front dining in Pier Village. Prepare to get price gouged if you eat on the water and the food will be ok, not great. If you want great food you will need to drive a little bit off the beach.

Avenue: overpriced/trendy french style cuisine with very nice decor, overlooking ocean. Food is mediocre but it is the nicest atmosphere of these 4 places IMO. It is very open and airy.

Mccloones: american, decent lively atmosphere... food is just OK again. One dish I do like is the lobster roll (not a traditional lobster roll but their take on one...quite good for lunch.) You can stop by and sit outside on the boardwalk if you want to have a cocktail.

Sirena, pretty decent Italian and on the beach right next to the avenue. This is my fave over the other 2 at Pier Village on the water. Veal shank is a really nice dish. Chicken scarapiello is good too, and the Saltimbocca are my top 3 there. http://sirenaristorante.com/dinner.asp

Rooneys is down the boardwalk slightly, a few minute walk. They specialize in seafood. I have only been once or twice recently. Again, it is overpriced but that is what you get on the shore. You can get live lobsters here (market priced) and get them stuffed too. Prepare to pay big time for a stuff lobster 2.5lb or more.

If you want to drive a little, you have about a ten minute ride to a few other places that are river side (Not ocean.) Salt Creek Grill and Barnacle bills for some fried seafood or cheeseburgers (their specialties.) And then you have Inlet cafe in Highlands.

HAHA, the WSP! That place has the most eclectic group of people. There are always characters there. I get dragged there like once or twice a year and I am usually feeling pretty good by the time I get there.

I was hammering down some Carton beer last time at Tommys. Happy hour beer prices are pretty reasonable there.

It seems that if I go there with my wife we just spend way too much money. A pizza, some wings and a few beers a piece and we get this bill and ask "was it worth coming here?"

I really hope they make this Triumph brewery legit. The one in new hope is really nice. If anything like that, it will do very well.

Turning point is definitely a good spot for breakfast and not expensive.

What kind of food do you guys want and do you want to be eating on the water?

I'd recommend a lunch at the windmill. It doesn't get more long branch than that. A hot dog and cheese fries will take care of you. You can walk there too.

Just out of curiosity, where are you coming from?

^^^ LOL @ this guy ^^^

Sigh.....no it's not attached. It is NEXT to the holmdel motor inn.

I didn't know it shut down. Well that stinks...

I wonder if it will come to a point where bass populations will have to be dealt with years down the road. It seems they are getting healthier year after year and those things eat anything they can fit in their mouth (including small tog, seabass, flounder/fluke, ling, lobsters, etc...all other important commercial fisheries)

I've seen a freaking sea run brown trout in ones stomach. The chances of seeing that are pretty rare.

YCF, have you ever tried the Ruby Palace? I really like the food there and its reasonably priced.

If I go there on a weekday I am literally the only non Asian guy there. I think next time I am in there I might just get the authentic menu and point to what characters look cool ...then order that LOL.

The "special for 2" is a truck load of food and 2 alcoholic drinks. You have to ask for it by name.

Its like 28 bucks I think and can feed like 6 people...literally. You get 2 soups, 2 eggrolls, a pupu platter, SEVERAL dishes and huge thing of fried rice.....oh and desert. Its probably 6000 calories worth of dinner but hey....you're only young once.

I like them a lot actually.

my buddy wants me to come down near him in brick. There is a place called Quaker Steak that has all you can eat wings for a decent price once a week. He says it is pretty good and they have quite a few wing styles to choose from.

here it is: http://www.thelube.com/Brick_NJ/

cool, thank you!

I went for lunch on saturday.

I got a fried shrimp basket with 5 jumbo shrimp. My wife got some fried oysters and a plate of clams casino.

she had 2 beers and I had a beer and a "rum punch" at 14.00 (kind of two drinks in one.)

83 (with tip) and change for that lunch....kind of steep and not outstanding. Nothing was bad I think the prices have steadily increased over the years. It's still a nice place and it was packed. I need to get back for dinner to see what is new this year.

Speaking of highlands, I went to "off the hook" for the first time in years. I must say, that is one of the few spots that can actually cook a buffalo wing correctly. 8 bucks for a dozen isn't bad either. And yes, the bar crowd is still quite eclectic there.

JoonJoon, what do you recommend at Pho? I have been there once. It was just OK for me but I might try it again. And yes I did get one of the beef Pho soups

As you may know, here is the deal with ANY shore location on the water. Simply put, it is prime real-estate. Insurance is probably sky high, and even higher now maybe...taxes are expensive anywhere on the water. So this boils down to the fact that YES they have to charge more money.

With that out of the way, the place is decent and consistent. I could pick you out a better spot but this place probably has a special meaning. And no, i have not had any issues with the servers. I go quite often when clients take me there from out of state and they want to see the ocean.

People just like to go on yelp and pretend they are a food critic. They rant because they feel the price is not in line with what they want to pay. Please don't believe all the reviews you read. In fact, read the "middle of the road" reviews as those are the ones that tend to be more accurate.

Anyway, for a spot on the water in pier village I would say this is the best one over the avenue and mccloones. Portions are on the smaller side, price is on the higher side but all in all, its a decent place and the food is good.

They do have some decent craft beers on tap too. Local Kane brewing is represented there and they make great beer.

Lets face it, 30 dollars for a dinner on the water is not that bad in my eyes. Certain dishes are better than others. If you are a veal person, the veal chop is top notch! At like 40 bucks it is not cheap but it is tasty and worth it in my eyes.

Here it is...

Rib Veal Chop...42.95
crispy shallots and sage,
potato puree, foraged mushrooms

Saltimbocca and Scarpariello are also good.
http://sirenaristorante.com/dinner.asp

I've given my "3 factor" rule before but here it is....

Great food, great location, fair prices. You only get to pick two of these.

In summation, although you could do better, the food is still good and I wouldn't let a few reviews steer you in the wrong direction. Remember, a person is so much more willing to bash a place than to praise it online. So for every negative, there are many more positives that are not posted.

interesting article:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimhandy/...

I tried to go last sat night. I couldn't even find a spot and left.

Last year was decent. I will have to report back. I think it is too hot to go tonight.

I emailed them this morning and they quickly replied. They said they have gotten other requests too.

"I am sure we will be adding it as a special soon."

I am pulling for them and I told them to leave off the mayo ; )

This could be big. The red hook lobster pound is practically celebrity status now. Like MGZ, I figured some one who have cashed in on this around here.

You were there "the night" he got arrested? You need to be a little more specific LOL (oh you mentioned Toby so that narrows it down a little ; )

yeah I am aware his house got trashed. My friend used to live next to him (the house on the right of his looking at it ...across the stream.)

Oh come on JR, where else do you have a 50% change of running into Sebastian Bach?