rickster71's Profile
Best Breakfast Monmouth County
For breakfast it has to be The Cottage, 35 Broadway Point Pleasant Beach, right next to the party boats on Inlet Drive.
Very good Pancakes and French Toast, along with the rare properly cooked egg.
It's a mom & pop owned and operated for at least 30+ years. No frills, good food.
Klein's in Belmar AND Colts Neck Inn- Need options on BRUNCH and PRIVATE PARTIES, please!
We've been to weddings and many charity functions at the Crystal Point in Point Pleasant. http://www.thecrystalpoint.com/index.php
Excellent food and service. It may be worth giving them a call.
Is there no lobster salad in Monmouth Co.?
I remember Butler's Deli used to have it, or they will makes it as a special order.
Don't know if they still do....maybe call first.
91 E River Rd
Rumson, NJ
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Butler's Deli
91 E River Rd Ste 1, Rumson, NJ 07760
Lobster is Cheap Again - SWEET!
Here are two links with soft shell lobster info.
http://maine-lobster.com/maine-lobster/soft-shell-lobster
This also matches what I was told from a family friend that's a commercial fisherman.
Some more info from a marine biologist with The Lobster Conservancy, in Friendship, Maine
http://www.lobsters.org/press/shellgame.html
Lobster is Cheap Again - SWEET!
Forgive me if this was already mentioned.
I've never been a fan of summer or out of season lobster, and here's why:
Soft-Shell lobsters have less meat in proportion to total body weight than hard-shell lobsters. Hard-shell meat is firmer, while soft-shell meat is soft and tends to have more water weight.
Because soft-shell lobsters are not as strong as hard-shells, they do not ship well. Those are a few reasons why soft-shell lobster is always less expensive.
Lobster is Cheap Again - SWEET!
Agree, they're very sweet.
A little small this year compared to other years though.
Fan's pub and grill Jackson N.J.
I can't understand why they're letting such a prime location go to waste. Seems like (for them) being in denial is such an insurmountable force.
They need to get some pointers from the other places in that mall that are always busy and serving better food & craft beer.
Wineries in New Jersey/Wines from NJ
I have a good friend that's a sommelier and one thing he's told me is that, "There's no such thing as a good NJ wine.
After going to the NJ Wine Fest at Allaire State park for a few years I'd have to agree. This state is pretty good for Craft Beer, but the wine scene just isn't happening.
Great NJ Beer Stores
This one may not meet the location criteria, it's a suggestion for the rest of us that have a need right at Exit 88 off the Parkway, it's across from Home Depot.
Wine Academy has a great Craft beer selection http://www.wineacademysuperstores.com/
Don't let the name fool you. Even though it has a vast wine selection, it also has one of the best Craft beer selections I've seen with more than fair prices.
Pancakes-Best in NJ?
The Cottage has the best pancakes, and that reminds me the French Toast is very good too.
Hands down it's our favorite breakfast place.
One the most consistent we've been to.
35 Broadway
Point Pleasant Beach
How many pizzerias in your town? Do we need that many in NJ?
It seems to depend on the perspective.
From that of the consumer, it's probably just going to be another mediocre pizza place.
If we consider the pizza shop owner's view, It's very cheap ingredients and a cash business.
Surf Taco coming to Red Bank
I do understand what you're saying.
Though I tend to think the perceived safety from this homogenate comes more from familiarity than racism.
An example being, people that drive to Florida; they will eat at McDonalds instead of trying an unfamiliar place.
They aren't racist; they simply find safety / comfort in what's familiar. Much like an infant that recognizes their mother's voice & face.
Nice tap beer selection at Shipwreck Point also. :-)
Surf Taco coming to Red Bank
Prejudice and racism? Really?
With all due respect; that's far off base.
Surf Taco was never sold as 'Authentic Mexican,'
It's more of a lighter, healthier style of Mex food.
Their words, "Our coastal cuisine menu features our unique blend of Surf Mex"
For me, it's similar to getting tired of old fashioned authentic red sauced Italian food; and searching out something Mario Batali would make.
Though I may be a little tired of red sauced Italian food; doesn't mean I'm racist. My Italian mother might get upset.
I love Mi Mexico, though I'm tired of it. I like the lighter fare & the craft beer at the Jackson location.
Surf Taco coming to Red Bank
I went to Red Bank the other day to check for a bar. Unfortunately they have brown paper over the windows. So I'll have to wait and see...
Surf Taco coming to Red Bank
I wouldn't describe it as typical Tex-Mex. They (ST) describe themselves as 'Coastal Cuisine' some kind of Calif-Mex hybrid.
I wonder if they will have a bar? The Jackson location has one of the best craft beer selections on tap that I've seen.
I've been hooked on the Mango/Shrimp tacos and one or two of the beers. Admittedly it's the beer that makes it. IMHO
The beer selection changes almost weekly. For those interested, here are a few from the last week in January: Stone Ruination, Green Flash Imperial IPA, DogFish Head Palo Santo Marron, Rogue Dead Guy Ale. Also bottles of Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale, and Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale.
Emery's Organic Blueberry Farm - New Egypt, NJ
I agree, JerzeyShore & njfoodies.
We attended the Garden State Wine Festival at Allaire State Park for 2 years in a row, and rarely found anything worth buying.
The few wines we liked, never tasted the same when opened at home.
CIBO, Red Bank
We'll have to check it out.
To avoid confusion; that's not Red Bank it's in Middletown.
A.C. Sunday night October 24th
For seafood I'd suggest Seablue in the Borgata.
http://www.theborgata.com/Main.cfm?Category_1=4000&Category_2=4100&Category_3=4170
Spicy challenges
I like really hot food, and agree that heat without flavor is a waste.
A quick aside; one of my top ten all time worst meals was at the Cluck-U on Rt-88 in Brick.
I just realized, three of those ten experiences were elsewhere on Rt--88 in Brick.
Jersey Shore BBQ - Belmar
I'm guessing since they were fairly busy that night, they needed a piece before it was ready, or grabbed it by mistake?
The brisket has been good during previous visits.
Oh, before I forget; is it just me, or is the smoke flavor missing somewhat? The BBQ smell out in the parking lot is great, I don't really notice much smokiness in the food though.
Jersey Shore BBQ - Belmar
Four of us stopped in on a Friday night, and they were about 70% full.
We were happy to see a small 3 piece band set up.
Being a fan of this place, here are some of my constructive observations:
Pulled pork very good, and baby backs pretty good.
Service is friendly and very good!
The band was very good, though way too loud for that small space, loud to the point of being ridiculous. The place cleared out, ASAP after eating, the music was too loud, could barley hear the waitress or give her our orders.
Baked clams are too tough & chewy; switch to little necks. All members of our party are clam lovers, and didn't finish our order.
I'd take the baked mac & cheese off the menu; it tasteless and too mushy. Put the effort into improving other things.
My piece of brisket was so under cooked, (by several hours) it had to be sent back and change for another item.
Seems like the transition from caterer to restaurant is a bit of a challenge.
Hope some adjustments can be made, we do want to see this place make it.
Boondocks Fishery & Grill - Red Bank
We tried Boondocks over the weekend. We do plan to try it again, even though it was a bit inconsistent.
First off let me say that the service was very good and very friendly.
Items tried were, Blackened Tuna Bites, these were good. Next was Fried Calamari, this dish was very tasty & very fresh, unfortunately also very greasy.
Next up, my scallop sandwich & fries. The sandwich had only four scallops on it, and the fries were tasty but also very greasy. They had a saturated in oil look. My wife had the Grouper sandwich, that was very good, too bad it also had very greasy fries.
Thought $42 was a bit steep for what we got; and attributed it to the water front view.
Since the wait-staff really hustled and did a great job, we left a 50% tip.
Just hope they improve the fry station methods, or that it was simply an 'off night'.
Trinity in Keyport.
Don't hesitate in giving Trinity a try.
It's our "Go to" place in Keyport.
We've never had a bad dish there.
Special 60th Anniversary dinner suggestions please
The chef's table at Nicholas. One caveat being, it's not available on weekends
Dennis Foy - Lawrenceville Inn? Anyone been there?
I don't understand the problem.
Both things NJDolfan said were true.
Toni cooks at Brandl once a month, and at one time, 'was' at I Cavelini.
I thought Nancy Rios owned Casa Solar.
Birthday Dinner for Two- Any ideas?
Another nice one is Daniel's Bistro. Though it's just over the Monmouth / Ocean county line.
Daniel's Bistro and Belford Bistro are both BYOB.
Belford Bistro (Belford NJ)
We've heard about this place many times, but have never been.
I have to say there no hype when it comes to this place, it's all substance!
Unlike other places mentioned in Chow that are a case of 'The Emperor's New Clothes' and touted as being so good; this place is the real deal.
There were four of us, our wine was opened (Our server was named Mike.)
and house made rosemary dinner rolls placed on our table.
Recalling some of the poor excuses for rolls we've been served in other places (I won't name), these were warm and fresh.
We started off with two orders of:
Prince Edward Island Mussels w/chorizo, fennel, tomatoes and herb croutons. Very good.
Entrees:
I had the Yellow Fin Sushi Grade Tuna w/ eggplant & roasted pepper caponata and pinenut cous cous. Also Very good!
My wife had the Seared Day Boat Scallops w/ black truffle risotto, melted leeks and asparagus. Also excellent.
Our friends had Roasted Magret Duck Breast w/ parsnip, crispy shallots, baby spinach, fresh cherries and port wine sauce
Also a 'fish of the day' that I don't recall. Though I tasted it, and wished I'd ordered it too.
After dinner My wife and I split a flourless chocolate cake, very very good.
I don't know what was better the food, or the service. Our server Mike did a flawless job.
Fan's pub and grill Jackson N.J.
Went there on Tuesday night and sat at the bar.
Had the filet mignon for 18.99, it started with an included salad, and bread.
With the filet, I had very good mashed potatoes (choice of baked or fries) and a choice or asparagus, or broccoli.
It was cooked as ordered, and very good.
Also their Sweet potato fries are better than the same fries at Boom.
My only complaint, they serve Guinness in a cold glass unless you ask otherwise.(room temp)
Any good restaurants in the Jackson, NJ area?
Have to give another vote for Koto.
We've been there and had sushi at least eight times, and are very happy with the food.
It's always been very good, with helpful and friendly service.
Haven't tried the hibachi side yet.
