missybean's Profile
Paterson Turkish
Is Al Basha the one that is diagonally across the street from Toros? If so, that is our favorite.
Somehow, I must have missed Istanbul market on our trips to Paterson. We usually end up at Fattal's as they have parking. Will have to expand our horizons next time we are in town. Thanks for the tip.
Missy
Best Breakfast Monmouth County
I need to check on their hours as well. I am hoping they are open on Sundays (I do know they are closed Tuesdays) as I'd like to go there for Mother's Day.
Good luck getting there someday. I think you'll enjoy it.
Missy
Best Breakfast Monmouth County
We love Mexican breakfasts. Our favorite place is The Bradley Cafe, Main Street, Bradley Beach.. Almost always get chilaquiles de barbacoa (goat). They make a good cup of coffee, too.
Korean Tacos
Well, I plan on grilling a boneless leg of lamb tomorrow which means we'll probably have leftovers on Monday. Maybe Middle Easter tacos with mouhamara, yogurt, feta salad and pomegranate seeds. If you are in the neighborhood you are welcome to join us.
Korean Tacos
Thanks.
It's funny, I spent some time working on a food truck while in college - long before it was cool. Since then I've had various other cooking adventures. Now, I mostly cook for friends and family. Fortunately we have very eclectic tastes so I get to experiment whenever I feel like it.
Missy
Korean Tacos
Thanks, creamfinger. I figured as much but wasn't sure if there was more to it than that.
It sounds like I've been making Korean tacos all along without really knowing it.
Not too long ago I made Momofuku's Bo Ssam (pork shoulder) with various sides and condiments. Way too much food. The next day we ate leftovers on tortillas with some lime pickled onions and chopped cilantro.
Come to think of it, I often mix and match leftovers on tortillas.
Missy
Easter Sunday Brunc/Dinner Monmouth/Ocean county area?
I just saw an ad for the Firefly's Easter Brunch in the Coast Star. It looks like it is sold out.
Missy
Pizza in Monmouth County
I'll have to stop by and see what I can find out. It may be a case of more boats out and more people in during the summer.
Thanks again for the heads up.
Missy
Pizza in Monmouth County
Thanks, MGZ. I didn't know that. Does octopus have a "season"?
Pizza in Monmouth County
We were there last night for the first time as well. Sat at the back bar near the ovens, I love watching kitchens in action.
We had the charred octopus salad as well. Today Mr. Bean is on a hunt to find octopus so I can try and replicate the dish.
We also the Cavolo Nero Salad (Tuscan kale, shaved sunchoke and watermelon radish, spicy garlic crostini, parmigiano reggiano,
lemon-garlic dressing) which we enjoyed as well We tcouldnt decide what pizza to get. Katie the bartender/waitperson recommended the arugula pizza or the 14 1/2 but we opted for the Winter Betty which had roasted wild mushrooms, grated truffle pecorino, goat cheese, garlic and thyme. Everything was very flavorthe but the pie could have stayed the oven another minute or two as it just a touch underdone to my taste.
Overall, we enjoyed our meal. Katie was a great bartender and server. She gave us some background on the pace. It's owned by the same group that owns the Brickwall and something else that I can't remember. After 10, they push aside the tables and a DJ has the place rocking. They were bringing in teh amps as we were leaving
Porta Pizza is open until 2 and the last food order is taken at 1.
I expect we will be back.
Missy
Brick: where's the 'good' stuff??
mschow - I apologize for not responding to your post earlier. I somehow missed it until now.
As I mentioned, we've been to Cielito Lindo several times. In fact we have a regular table. We also like Azteca, which is in Belmar on the corner of 71 and I think 17th. It has a more limited menu than Cielito Lindo but Mr. Bean prefers it. It is a bit "rustic".
I agree that Brick is big, I think there aren't more mom and pop type places as most of the moms and pops in Brick are retired. I know it is a gross generalization but it seems retirees are not all that adventurous in their eating.
We consider ourselves very fortunate to have access to excellent fish and seafood. Between Pt Lobster and Mr. Bean's fishing expeditions, our back deck is our favorite waterfront dining spot.
I hope your father is on the mend. Best wishes to you and your family.
Missy
Brick: where's the 'good' stuff??
Sentosa is on the eastbound side of 88, a little east of Shore Restaurant Supply. It is nothing much from the outside, or the inside for that matter, but they have some interesting things on the menu. We especially like the Sunshine Ribs (which are vegetarian), the Indian Mee Goreng, and the Sesame Medallions. We've never had their Chinese food.
Our new favorite obsession is Cielito Lindo on 71, next to Asahi. "Real" Mexican food. Excellent Mole, Tacos de Lengua or al Pastor, Barbacoa de Chivo con Rajas (goat) and Sopes. It's the kind of place where most of the patrons are working men, with soccer on TV and Spanish music playing.
Missy
Brick: where's the 'good' stuff??
Mr. Bean and I were discussing this. We could only come up with two places we've ever had dinner in Brick. Several times at Sentosa, on Route 88, for their Malaysian and Asian vegetarian options. And once at a generic Italian restaurant who's name escapes me - obviously not memorable.
We did go to Super Pollo, on Hooper, for lunch once and keep meaning to go back for dinner. However, we so rarely think of going to Brick to eat, we tend to forget until we are somewhere else.
I agree with you that Brick has not kept pace with the improving restaurant scenes. We've been in Manasquan for 18 years now, and there are so many more options in the area. We are especially pleased about the new Mexican options in the neighborhood.
Missy
Brasa Portugese BBQ Toms River
Is this in the strip with Top Tomato? The link isn't working?
Thanks
Missy
Pickles, Collingswood Auction & Flea Market, Farmingdale
Love, love, love those pickles. The only problem is Mr. Bean favors the new pickles, The Sprout goes for the full sours and I'm addicted to the sweet hot chips. We never leave without at least a quart of each.
But maybe even better than the pickles is the horseradish. It makes my eyes water just thinking about it.
Missy
Heirloom Tomatoes?
I am surprised that there are none left unless it is a result of damage. I was at Matt's yesterday (Sat 8/20) and they did not have any heirlooms. When I asked, they told me the rains prevented them from picking their heirloom tomatoes but that they expected to have them back again later in the week. I hope so. Last week they had some "San Marzano" tomatoes which were unbelievable roasted with a touch of olive oil and basil.
Manasquan/Wall area: roadside farm stands?
I agree. Nothing close by beats Matt's for heirloom tomatoes.
It's funny. I like the small set-up Smith's has Mueller's but dislike their main location. I think it has to do with them often having produce that is clearly not local or even from the east coast. At least at Mueller's I can pretend they only sell what they grow.
Missy
Manasquan/Wall area: roadside farm stands?
Smith's also sells some items (at minimum tomatoes, peaches, corn and some baked goods) at Mueller's Florist on Route 71 in Manasquan. Forbidden Fruit has a open air market on Higgins Avenue in "downtown" Brielle. They sell "local" produce but don't think they grow their own.
My favorite is Matt's and will drive past the others to go there.
Jersey Shore Food - Manasquan Area (moved from Manhattan board)
I'll second MGZ's recommendations, especially Matt's Farm Market. They have a fabulous selection of heirloom tomatoes, from tiny cherry tomato size to some almost as big as your head. They also have a nice selection of other NJ grown produce- they say they grow it on their own farms but who knows. The peaches have been especially good this year.
Pick up tomatoes and basil at Matt's, mozz and bread at Joe Leone's, and a bottle of wine at Eagan's (attached to Joe's) and you're good to go.
I think the bakery in Bradley Beach that MGZ referred to is Del Ponte's (M pls correct me if I am wrong). We are quite fond of their raspberry and chocolate cigars and the cannoli filled lobster claws.
Also in Bradley Beach, if you don't feel like cooking and like truly authentic Mexican food (chilaquiles, lamb or tongue tacos, tortas, etc) stop in at The Bradley Cafe, 2 blocks north of Del Pontes. They close at 2 and are closed Tuesday's but are great for a hearty breakfast or lunch.
Just personal bias but I am not a fan of Freedman's.
If you are looking for a local coffee, tea and sweets place, I recommend Sweet Tease on Main Street in Squan. Everything is made in-house and the people are friendly.
Looks like a nice long range forecast. Hope you enjoy your visit.
Missy
-----
Joe Leone's
400 Richmond Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Lobster is Cheap Again - SWEET!
Point Lobster is really my all around favorite fish place. We had a maki-rolling party a couple of weeks ago and got tuna and salmon from Point. Both were excellent. Luckily, Mr. Bean fishes and usually comes home with lots of fluke so we've never had to buy it.
MGZ - Thanks for the cooking tips. As mentioned, we prefer grilled lobster but as I am unfamiliar with the softies I wasn't sure that grilling would be a viable option.
Lobster is Cheap Again - SWEET!
The local fluke has been especially tasty this season.
MGZ - How do you cook your softies? We usually prefer to grill our hard-shell lobsters. Will this work for softies as well? If not, steaming it will be.
Thanks.
Missy
Is there a name for this style of feeding oneself?
I showed The Sprout your link and told her she is probably the only kid in town who could identify the picture. Her response - Oh Mom, Where is that? Can we go? I could go for some Yook Hwae!
Missy
Kimchi & Sushi, Lincroft
Yup, The Sprout is quite a Renaissance girl. Not only does she catch fish but she baits her own hooks and takes care of the killie trap we keep behind our house. She is a fearless eater and will try just about anything at least once.
Mr. Bean will be fishing in a tournament this weekend so chances are we'll have fresh fluke on Saturday. We're looking forward to trying it as sashimi. Do you have a recipe for the maeoon-tang?
Wish I saw your post regarding real wasabi earlier. We did a Hmart run last week. As usual, spent way too much restocking the pantry. Maybe next time.
- Missy
Kimchi & Sushi, Lincroft
MGZ - Thanks for the link for real wasabi. I've always wanted to try it.
We don't freeze the tuna. Never even considered it. I think parasites are pretty rare in ocean fish and am willing to take a risk. Mr. Bean catches a lot of fluke (The Sprout caught a 21 incher on Monday) but I never thought to eat it raw. Don't know why. Next time we'll have to try it - what is it like?
Would love a place that sold "seasonal" sushi. But besides us, and maybe joonjoon, who else would go if they couldn't get their crab stick, cream cheese and tempura maki cooked on a hibachi with a peeing doll set on fire?
joonjoon - The Sprout read your post of Kimchi and Sushi recommendations and immediately wanted to try pizza bibim bap. Since we just had Korean last night she is going to have to wait a couple of days. Unless of course she wants to make it herself which is a definite possibility. She rolled her own tuna maki for dinner tonight.
missy
Kimchi & Sushi, Lincroft
Thanks for the heads up on the menu. I'll plan on keeping it simple when/if we make it to Kimchi and Sushi and continue to travel to Edison for Yook Hwae. Do they serve banchan?
I'd be interested in trying a variation of Bibim Bap. I recently bought one of the stone bowls and the Sprout has been experimenting with her own variations. The first were OK but we had some trouble getting the right crust on the rice. Later versions have been more successful.
MGZ - Know what you mean about mediocre Japanese in the area as Japanese. Ugh. Luckily, Mr. Bean has had some success fishing these days and I am getting fairly adept at rolling my own maki. Last week a friend gave us some tuna he caught which we ate at the dock. Best sashimi ever.
Missy.
Kimchi & Sushi, Lincroft
I hadn't considered Kimchi and Sushi based on previous reviews but based on this updat, will do so. We just don't make it up to Keum Ho Jung often enough. Our last outing was Mother's Day (my pick) and we're making a run to HMart and for dinner Thursday as part of our stay-at-home vacation. When we're jonesing for Korean fare Lincroft is certainly easier to manage than a trek to Edison.
Do they have Yook Hwae (the Sprout's new favorite) at Kimchi and Sushi?
Missy
-----
Keum Ho Jung Restaurant
518 Old Post Rd Ste 12, Edison, NJ 08817
Private Chef Looking for Grocery Stores Around Bay Head, NJ
Probably more than that today. It took me 25 minutes to get from Manasquan to South Belmar. Oops. I mean Lake Como. Traffic was crazy.
