Herm's Profile
Mogo Korean Tacos Asbury Park
Asbury Park as an epicenter of food? How does it stand with food that costs more than $4? This is a serious question. I've been to many of the restaurants, and haven't really been blown away by the food.
Lobster and vegan options North Jersey area
The only other thought I had is possibly an Asian restaurant. Many have live lobster tanks, and vegetarian menu items.
Lobster and vegan options North Jersey area
I know friends who are vegan, hate the fact that often times all they are offered is a plate full of side dishes. With that being said, if Mom wants lobster, than maybe darling daughter should just take the high road, and make Mom feel extra special. Settle for the salad, and sorbet for dessert.
Best Breakfast Monmouth County
I enjoy quite a few of the places posted above, but the Hudson Cafe in Atlantic Highlands has become my favorite as of late. I had the banana bread french toast this morning - indulgent!
http://www.thehudsoncafe.com/menu.html
North of the Border Red Bank
Last time in NOTB I tried the 'Super Nachos'. I'm not sure how authentic it is, or if it's the Mexican version of an American take on Mexican food, but it was a delightful styrofoam container of greasy indulgence. I ordered it topped with Carne Enchilada (spicy pork). It's offered with just about every protien that is available on the tacos. For $10 you get the bulk equivalent of about 8 $2 tacos, which really doesn't make any sense to me, but hey why argue! Loaded with spicy pork, refied beans, crumbled white cheese & freshly fried, though oily corn tortilla chips. It also comes with Mexican crema, guacamole & red chile sauce on the side. Not everyday food to be sure, but I could see craving it everyday. I also tried a chorizo quesadila, which was also in the $10 range. Very large tortilla, lots of filling, (american style cheddar/monterey mix) plus all types of crunchy garnishes - very good indeed.
Where can I buy quality coffee beans near Marlboro?
I know HillJ has already mentioned it but I'd like to +1 the rec for Jersey Shore Coffee Roasters. Wide selection of beans, blends, free trade, single origin, and organics. I'm a blend guy, I like their Moka-Java, and for a stronger cup their Hammerhead blend. The hot chocolate mix they sell is also excellent, especially this time of year.
http://www.jerseyshorecoffeeroasters.com/
Meredith's New Orleans Cuisine ~ Manalapan
I've been to Meredith's, and all I can say is I must have caught them on a really bad night. I went to Merediths based on recomendations from folks here on Chowhound who's opinions I respect. I also find it uncanny that today two more respected posters went, and enjoyed it. Here's the full report of my experience.
First off the greeting - the folks were friendly enough, maybe a little too friendly, in kind of a weird way. We met the owner - very nice, but I think our server was new to the place. She was very unsure of herself & the menu, she even commented a few times on dishes in an unusual way. One example was the bbq shrimp dish - she asked if we wanted more bread for the sauce, and commented on how she thinks it's strange they only give you two pieces of bread with it. She made unusual comments like that at least three times, but about the food: We ordered the gumbo, the bbq shrimp, hushpuppies, and the crawfish pie. They were out of the crawfish pie, which was fine, but aside from the hushpuppies, which were winners, everything else was disapointing. The gumbo wasn't hot. Now I don't mean spicy, I mean it was luke warm. It wasn't spicy either, but I didn't ask for it to be, so that could be on me. I wasn't aware though, that I would have to ask for salt, or flavor, the gumbo had none of either. It was a decent size portion, with an ok ammount of chicken & sausage, just very thin, and flavorless. The bbq shrimp was afflicted with the same malady that the gumbo suffered from, lack of flavor. It also consisted of 8 or so very small shrimp, that seamed to almost appear transparent. If they weren't solid I would've thought they were raw. Getting backto our servers comment about bread, we would have taken her up on the offer if the sauce was worth the effort of bread dunking. Entrees didn't fare much better. The shrimp & grits was a disaster - not withstanding the 'now available' debate - they weren't even in the same league as the rendidtion already available in keyport. It consisted of 9 'clear' shrimp, a loose pool of cheesy grits, and about a tablespoon of onuions & peppers on top. This dish was asked for spicy, and I could definately taste a little hot sauce, but not much else. The crawfish lasagne was good, though it got a little pasty towards the end as it cooled a little. The entrees were served hot from the kitchen, unlike the appetizers. Onto dessert: 2 were ordered, Mississippi mud pie (orwas it Tennessee?), and the bread pudding. The bread pudding was excellent, a nice big heaping bowl with pecans & cinnamon, topped off with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream - the hitt of the night. The mud pie however was dry and hard. It didn't taste stale, but it did fly off of the plate when my fork finally was able to penetrate the dry, hard chocolate crust.
Maybe I'm being a little rough on the place, because it is so new, but despite the accolades from so many regular & respected (by me) 'Hounds, I think I'll look elsewhere for my NOLA fix, to bad I won't be able to write about it!
New Restaurants in the Marlboro/Freehold area
I've had the shrimp & grits at Meredith's. Maybe they should just quell their attempt at making the dish altogether. It was probably the weekest dish of a whole bunch. Tip of the cap to the bread pudding, and the hushpuppies, but it ends there.
Aleo Lincroft Pizza Rustica - Eat this pie!
Seal, do you know if this pie a special. or is it offered all the time? I believe this is a catering place right?
Scungilli near Matawan?
Is Aberdeen near enough? Just for the record, I'm old enough to remember when both Aberdeen & Matawan were one town. Denino's in the Strathmore Plaza, not just scungilli, but a darn good one at that.
http://www.deninospizzaplace.com/appet1.htm
John Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen
Removing myself from the charitable aspects of the discussion, I'd like to make one comment on the chef. Zete Peabody, was the owner of Bistro Zeeto in Atlantic Highlands. When he closed his bistro, he became the personal chef for the Bon Jovi family. Now I don't think a critique of the food would hardly be fair in a restaurant that is undertaking such a noble cause, however, i used to love Bistro Zeeto, and selfishly look forward to trying the food!
Best Pizza In NJ Still Scorintino's !
First of all 'Hounds, let's show a little respect here and get the name right. It's Sciortino's. The pizza at Sciortino's is unique. I only go for the Sausage Pizza. Round pie, crust not too thick, (not too thin either) well done around the edge (you don't have to request well done) topped with a sweet sausage sauce, which makes the pie a thing unto itself. Is it the best? Probably not, but it is one of the most unique in the area, therefore worth a try IMHO.
July 4th Restaurant musings - new BYOB in Rumson; nightmare in west end
What about the food?
Southern fried chicken in Ocean or Monmouth county
Schneiders?
http://www.schneidersrestaurant.com/
Dinner at AMA last night
I haven't visited AMA since the summer, and I thought my meal was outrageously good, but I have a question for you sockster. The picture you posted about your dinner look great, but the second one looks to me more like calamari, as opposed to octopus, it does look delicious however.
Ama Restaurant - Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Thank you Luclyd, I appreciate the details. Now I see your point more clearly. A very fair assessment.
Ama Restaurant - Atlantic Highlands, NJ
All good points cantkick. You're right, Chowhound is a restaurant board, not a food board. I just want to read about the food. I'm also assuming that by now people who read this board, and have been to Ama, know that it is cash only - especially a person who had been there before.
Ama Restaurant - Atlantic Highlands, NJ
AMA does not accept credit cards, so therefore why would they ever have to 'slap a credit card down on your table'? I enjoyed the food at AMA this past summer, and the only rudeness by the owner I've ever heard about was here on Chowhound. Fact is if people enjoyed the restaurant this summer, they will return. So here's a suggestion, why don't we all just use Chowhound to write about the food. I mean let's face it, there are two sides to every story, and the owners of AMA are not allowed to post on Chowhound to defend themselves.
Delirium Tremens beer in New Jersey or PA
Although I haven't been there myself, I've heard that Maloney's Pub in Matawan has Delerium.
Walter Mihms Steakhouse- Atlantic Highlands
Sockster, I have to admit, I had the same thoughts of the well known NYC steakhouses as Carlycat after reading your first post on this thread. Thank you for clearing it up with an insightful, and informative review. Sorry you didn't enjoy it, and given your reasoning, I'll wait to hear more before venturing over.
New Cooking Channel Reactions??
I took a moment to scan through the program guide earlier today, and noticed that the programs today are new to U.S. television. The rest of the week's programing however, is chock full of Mario, Giada, Tyler, Emeril Live, & other TVFN older shows. YAWN.........
Wheelies Route 516 makes a bad impression during "grand opening"
The location is a former Checkers Drive Thru, just to clarify the 'space'.
Retail Coffee Roasters in the Mon-Oc?
Jersey Shore Coffee Roasters, in Leonardo, just off of RT. 36.
http://www.jerseyshorecoffeeroasters.com/
Best beer and burger in Northern Monmouth
I'll second McDonagh's for a beer and a burger. Very good beer selection, in both bottle & draft.
Need a good bakery in the Central Jersey area
My favorite bakery of all time is still The Flakey Tart in Highlands, but I don't think they do special occasion cakes.
I have always enjoyed the cakes from Abbate Bakery in Matawan.
http://www.abbatebakery.com/
New Thai Restaurant Old Bridge NJ
No 'Fisherman' Richard's new place is called 'Far East Taste 1' It is located at 98 Main St
in East Brunswick, I haven't tried it yet, but have heard that it is as outstanding as his original location used to be.
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Used To Be's Restaurant
287 Highway 35 N, Mantoloking, NJ 08738
New to the Matawan area
I see others beat me to the Shanghai Bun soup dumpling rec, as well as West Lake Seafood. I would like to add Denino's Pizza Place to the list. It's on Rt. 34 in the Strathmore Plaza. Wonderful pizza, fried Calamari, and really good Scungilli Marinara. Just a note in the same plaza is Gallo's liquor store, nice wine & beer selection for the BYOB's in the area.
Also in Matawan on Main St. across from the train station is the Matawan BBQ. Potugese/Brazillian BBQ with solid grilled chicken & sides. If you happen to need a cake, Abbate Bakery on Main just off of RT. 34 makes a fantastic Cannoli cake!
Springsteen and NJ Food Tour Jersey Shore
How about adding Edie's on Rumson Rd. in Little Silver. Heard of numerous Boss sightings there over the years, but not so much about the food, and after all this is Chowhound.....
