Thanks so much for your response, chloebell - this is exactly what I was looking for - I checked out a few of your recommendations online and they look great. How's the Tin Top Oyster House in Bon Secour? My husband (who's originally from Birmingham) was intrigued by the AYCE mullet night with the collard greends and gouda grits (two things he NEVER gets in NJ) but I thought it might be one of those quantity over quality places - would it be worth the trip one night?

We are traveling from NJ to Lillian and will be staying at the KOA for two weeks. Any suggestions on great places to eat? We're adventurous eaters, and prefer to sample local fare rather than stuff we could get at home. Any great seafood/oyster places? BBQ? We are willing to travel for good food - thanks so much for any suggestions.

+1 for Dock's - you can't go wrong, especially if you're an oyster lover...

DEFINITELY forget about the Taj and go to the original - the ambience is part of the experience, reading all of the autographed pics, etc.

You can never go wrong with Dock's Oyster House - we went last year during restaurant week - the selection was great, and I've yet to find a better key lime pie anywhere (even in the Keys...).

My office is in Toms River, and we've ordered several times from the Route 37 location - the food is quite good - it's fresh, and the menu is very flexible, i.e. substitutions/build your own...

I know this is a moot point as Doris & Ed's is now unfortunately closed, but they used to serve a "stuffed" lobster that was sliced along the top and filled with chunks of king crab - no breadcrumbs, no fillers of any kind - just succulent crab - it was to die for....

There's a Costco on Route 72 in Manahawkin...

Try roasting them with minced rosemary too...

Cheese fondue - any and all kinds, with amazing crusty bread for dipping (hard pretzels will do the trick in a pinch) and copious amounts of cabernet with which to wash it down.

Well, if my Ocean County garden is any indication, I picked my first yellow pear tomatoes this past weekend, along with several uber sweet black cherry tomatoes - my heirlooms are still green but slowly turning - I anticipate they'll be ready to eat by this weekend...

If you're not averse to turning on your oven that day, I'd suggest a large pan of clams - they always are the first to disappear at my parties. Buy one of those extra large foil roasting pans with a lid, add white wine, garlic, lemon and parsley, a ton of clams (personally I prefer the littlenecks as they're so sweet) and pop them in the oven for 20 minutes or so - serve with Italian bread - you can do garlic bread if you're so inclined, but if you don't want to be bothered just cut the loaves into pieces for dipping into the clam broth.

Ironically, the barbecue place mentioned in this article is already long defunct...

I hope you like it. And, regarding an earlier exchange we had regarding Mom's Fish and Chips, I take it all back. The chef that I loved was apparently NOT the owner, and he has left. Since his departure the place has gone noticeably downhill - not as clean, surly teenaged cooks and counter help - not the same. A shame.

Several months ago, In the little strip mall at the corner of Route 9 and Bay avenue, the Dunkin Donuts was replaced by a place called Asian Gourmet - quite frankly when I saw the sign I had one of those groan moments, like we really need another Chinese takeout place around here, and in the back of my mind gave them a year at best. I received a promotional mailing the other day which included their menu - I looked it over and was guardedly optimistic and pleasantly surprised - they tout themselves as a "Chinese and Japanese Restaurant Sushi Bar", and also offer a limited selection of Thai offerings.

To make a long story short I plunged ahead and picked up a takeout order on my way home from work yesterday. Boy was I happy when I opened the bag - the sushi I'd ordered (4 different specialty rolls) was really easy on the eye - the spider roll was covered in gorgeous salmon with a generous dollop of caviar on each piece - the tiger roll was wrapped in marbled seaweed and drizzled with eel sauce, the Asian Gourmet roll consisted of a hunky piece of lobster tempura , mano, tuna, salmon, and yellowtail with black tobiko - and finally the Mexican roll was my husband's fave (he's the heat connoisseur in the house) - spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, avocado and jalapeno encased in a yellow soy bean wrap. Traditionally, when we get a serious hunkering for sushi, we'd drive up to Kanji in Shrewsbury - but let's face it, who wants to drive a two-hour round trip on the GSP when 20 minutes will suffice? While not quite as good as Kanji's sushi, this was not far off . We also had an order of shrimp shumai - they couldn't have been more delicate and melt in your mouth.

They've really done alot of work on the place - I was very surprised when I went inside to find an actual sleek black lacquer sushi bar - the ambiance is there - I think next time we'll eat there. I hope they make it - that particular strip mall is cursed by the really awkward access to its parking lot, as well as the Route 72 bypass. I'm hoping that some CHers that read this might stop in for some sushi on their way to LBI this season!

Any time! Please report back after the fiesta...

www.raulsempanadas.com

So glad you made it to Dock's - thanks for the report back!

You can't go wrong with Dock's Oyster House - it's an institution and a true old school seafood house. Make sure you try an assortment of oysters - we were there two weeks ago, and the four of us, after tasting an assortment put together for us by our excellent waiter, all agreed that the Cape May Salts were the way to go. At $2/oyster, the prices, while not cheap, really aren't bad. Also, if you're a dessert person, I highly recommend their key lime pie - the best I've had in quite some time. Have fun!

Sit in service (probably 6 tables - you know the building, not exactly large) is available - there are also a couple of tables with umbrellas outside on the deck. He takes all credit cards, and BYOB is welcome. A full range of appetizers is available - we had a couple dozen steamers on Sunday - very sweet - including wings, jalapeno poppers and the like for landlubbers. He uses a nice light batter on his fried platters - I'm particularly fond of the scallops and my husband raves about the cod - and a nice seasoning (the chef/owner hails from Puerto Rico, and I believe his seasonings reflect that) on the broiled platters. He also serves a somewhat unique tartar sauce that has a hint of horseradish in it - really addictive. The space has been spruced up and is really clean - you can tell he's put his heart into it - I hope things pick up for him as we get into the summer season...

Equal parts mustard and maple syrup - coat chicken, ribs, ham, whatever and grill - delicious!

Quine, have you tried Mom's Fish and Chips right up the street from JT's? It's very good - I haven't made the trip to Allen's Clam Bar in New Gretna since Mom's opened. The owner is a really nice guy and he knows how to cook some seafood - I got their shrimp and scallop special yesterday - a half dozen of each, nice size and cooked perfectly - along with a huge tender baked potato and cole slaw all for 12.95 - can't beat it. He's got a nice selection of daily specials - and the regular fish and chips goes for just 6.50. I'd love to see him make it in this place that's been more failed ventures than I can count...!

I'm hosting a family/adult friends dinner for a high school graduate the weekend of June 16. I'm looking for a place with great food and preferably a water view - ideally I'm looking for a Saturday evening, but I could switch to Sunday lunch if circumstances or availability dictate. Approximately 50 people. A full bar is a must. Price is not really a factor - a good time had by all is more important! Handicap accessible is also an important consideration. Will travel as far north as Manasquan area, but the closer to Toms River the better. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

I too was unpleasantly surprised when I read the article - I'd never give a delivery guy less than 3 bucks either, and mine have the luxury of driving a car to make deliveries. Knowing what these guys go through to navigate traffic, weather, etc., come on - pony up some more cash!

AC Restaurant Week starts March 4 and runs through the 10th. They seem to have more participating restaurants, and the website is quite user-friendly, listing the RW menus and linking to Open Table. I just made reservations for Dock's Oyster House and for Steve and Cookies in Margate, two places I've always wanted to try.

Check it out at www.acrestaurantweek.com. Lunches are $15.12, and dinners run $33.12.

Another contestant on "Millionaire Matchmaker" (she was picked by one of the millionaires to go on the final date" is now a regular on that horrible show on the Style network, "Big Rich Texas"... Also, the "house mother/counselor" on Celebrity Rehab was hanging out with Brandi Glanville at the Sur opening on RHOBH...

Yes, I watch too much "reality" TV...

Thanks very much - I don't know how I missed it! Dying to try those soup dumplings...

Where exactly on 34 is Shanghai Bun located? Could someone provide me with a landmark?

If you're willing to drive south, go to Little Saigon in Atlantic City for some excellent, authentic Vietnamese cuisine. It's a small (maybe 10 tables) BYOB - the food never disappoints...

Bleu cheese and bacon sauce over linguine is divine...