Author: gatorgirl.outoftheswamp@gmail.com

Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten Bierhalle – Asbury Park, NJ

Reading the name of this bar/restaurant is a mouthful. And there may be some folks out that have no clue what Festhalle and Biergarten Bierhalle actually means. Basically it’s a German Beer Hall. I was excited that I found one right there in Asbury Park.

As soon as I walked in I was greeted with the sound of a German folk band playing, complete with an accordion. I felt like I was transported to Germany.

While I was enjoying the band play the polka song Roll out the Barrel, I ordered a beer. I got something lighter by the name of Schofferhofer.

I glanced over their food menu and while many of the items I had never heard of, I did recognize the kielbasa. They offered up a smoked Polish kielbasa that I knew I would like.

This homemade kielbasa was made with pork and garlic. They grilled it up so there was a great char on the outside. There was the customary snap when I cut into the casing. The kielbasa was juicy on the inside and had a wonderful smoky taste.

They served it with a side of German potato salad and sauerkraut. The sauerkraut had a fantastic tang to it. The potato salad also had a tangy taste. The potatoes they used were tender and cut into huge pieces.

I got another drink while I was there. This time I got a bottle and I went for cider. I ordered the Zombie Killer. The cider had a distinct flavor of cherries and honey. It was sweet and a little tart. It was enjoyable after the saltiness of the kielbasa.

The Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten Bierhalle was a really fun place. It’s a great place to go with friends and family for food, beers, and unique music.

Check them out at www.asburybiergarten.com

Enjoy!

T

Asbury Park Ale House – Asbury Park, NJ

Asbury Park, New Jersey, has become a hot spot over the last few years. Developers have really come in and fixed up the area with shops, bars, and restaurants. I checked out one of those restaurants – Asbury Park Ale House.

The place was packed. I was able to find a seat at the bar. If you like beer this is definitely the place for you.

I went for the “Make your own Bloody Mary”. They gave me a menu with a ton of options to select from to make my bloody unique. I like more spice so I made sure to add hot sauce and horseradish. Where I had the most fun was with the garnishes. I selected blue cheese stuffed olives, slices of crispy bacon, and a pork roll sandwich. I was in New Jersey so why not get a New Jersey specialty.

This drink was also a mini meal. It was seasoned perfectly. It had the right amount of heat and saltiness. The pork roll sandwich was perfect to munch on.

Since I knew I would not be able to drink a whole other bloody Mary, I ordered a Mimosa. Hey, it’s the weekend!

I looked over the appetizer menu to get something else to eat. I went for the Drunken Bites. These were Dintalini pasta mixed with cheese then breaded and deep fried. They served it with a side of their homemade vodka sauce.

This was an Italian version of mac and cheese bites. They were nice and crispy on the outside. The pasta was tender and loaded with creamy cheese. It had good flavor on its own because of the cheese. However, when I dunked it into the vodka sauce the flavor intensified. The vodka sauce was spectacular. They make it fresh with actual vodka. I could have eaten an entire bowl of pasta if it was drenched in that sauce.

Since I was planning on hoping around to more places in Asbury Park I did not order anything else at the Ale House. I would go back again. They have tons of TV’s for watching sports and an eclectic menu offering everything from chicken wings to sushi.

Check them out at www.asburyalehouse.com

Enjoy!

T

Lobster Shanty – Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

I was hanging out in Point Pleasant, New Jersey when I decided to check out Lobster Shanty. It is right there on the water but since I was there at night I could not see anything.

They had a nice selection of unique cocktails that I was excited to try. I went for the Cucumber Smoother, which was Effen cucumber vodka, St. Germain, and lemonade. This drink tasted very fresh. The flavor of the cucumber really shined through.

I also tried the Manhattan. It used Segram’s Seven and cherries. I took a few sips but it was a little too strong for my taste buds.

I ordered one of their appetizers to enjoy with my cocktail. The Filet Mignon meatballs sounded decadent and delicious. The meatballs were covered in homemade brown gravy that was extremely savory. The meatballs were soft and very moist. They did not even need gravy to be enjoyed, nevertheless the gravy helped step up the dish.

They also included mascarpone cheese to the bowl. The cheese did not add any additional flavor but it did add creamy texture to the gravy. These meatballs were absolutely wonderful, five stars for sure.

I could not leave without trying one more cocktail. I went for the Coconut Mojito. They blended coconut rum, mint, lime, a splash of Sierra Mist, and fresh coconut shavings were sprinkled on top. It was a sweet drink. It acted like a dessert for me since I had a salty/savory snack.

The Lobster Shanty had some great cocktails and the food I tried was great. I want to make sure I go back to try some actual lobster. Check them out at www.pointpleasantlobstershanty.com

Enjoy!

T

Wharfside Restaurant – Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

I was visiting Point Pleasant, New Jersey and got to go enjoy happy hour at Wharfside Restaurant.

Since I was visiting in the winter I did not get to enjoy their outside deck. However, I was still able to enjoy the views of Manasquan Inlet from my table in the bar. They were amazing views.

Since it was happy hour I glanced over their menu of creative cocktails. I decided to start off with the Peach Fuzz Martini. This drink combined vodka, peach Schapps, orange juice and mango puree. It was not overly sweet. It had a nice subtle flavor of peach and mango.

I ordered the shrimp cocktail to enjoy with my cocktail. It is the classic appetizer. The shrimp were fresh and tender. They tasted wonderful in the homemade cocktail sauce.

Since the shrimp cocktail was just a small dish I ordered a cup of their Manhattan clam chowder. The vegetable soup broth was seasoned perfectly with a hint of spice that tasted like Old Bay. They loaded the soup with vegetables including big chunks of potato. They used a ton of clams in the soup as well. They were tender and cooked perfectly, not tough at all.

It was time for me to try another cocktail before happy hour ended. I wanted to try the Poison Apple Martini. They used apple vodka, cranberry juice, and a splash of Razzmatazz (which is actually raspberry schnapps). This was much sweeter than the first drink but still had a tart taste. I could taste the apple in each sip.

I decided to try one more of their soups, especially since it was cold outside. This time I went for a cup of the New England clam chowder. The broth was super creamy. They also used a ton of tender clams in this soup. It really warmed me up from the inside.

Wharfside Restaurant was a great place to go to for happy hour. They had great cocktail choices at reasonable prices. They also had a pretty good happy hour food menu. Check them out at www.wharfsidenj.com and see what they have to offer.

Enjoy!

T

Paneantico – Brooklyn, NY

I am a sucker for fresh made desserts. I got so excited when I walk into a bakery and smell all the sweet treats in the air. That is exactly what happened when I walked into Paneantico in Brooklyn.

This neighborhood Italian bakery offered up fresh pastries, assorted desserts, fresh baked breads, plus homemade sandwiches.

They have a few tables that you can sit at to enjoy your sweets there. However, I was on the go so I got my treats to go in order to eat them on my drive.

Everything in their cases looked delicious. I easily could have ordered one of everything but I limited it to what would actually fit in one box:

  • Cannoli (mini)
  • Carrot Cake
  • Napoleon
  • Black & White cookie
  • Éclair

I started with the black and white cookie. I could not wait to take a bite, making sure to get both the chocolate and vanilla icings. The cookie was definitely sweet. The cookie dough was soft but not too cake like.



The éclair was also pretty easy to eat while driving in the car. The chocolate icing on top was soft and gooey. The pastry was loaded with the vanilla pudding. The pudding was creamy and full of vanilla flavor.

The mini cannoli’s were a nice treat. The shell had a slight hint of cinnamon flavor to me. The filling was a sweet with a creamy texture. There were chocolate chips mixed through out to add a little crunch. The only downside is the filling did not go all the way through the shell. It stopped in the center.

So I took a break from eating everything in the car. I ended up saving two desserts to enjoy in the hotel. Once I got a fork I dug into the carrot cake. The cake was light and fluffy. It had a wonderful spice flavor and was loaded with fresh carrots. The cream cheese frosting was my favorite (it is always my favorite part). It was not too sweet and extremely creamy.

I saved the Napoleon for last. The layers of flakey dough were stuffed with the fresh cream filling. There was also the signature layer of icing that topped off the pastry. It was slightly hardened. When I went to take a bite the cream went everywhere. I ended up dividing it into two pieces, which made it easier to eat, plus using my hands verses a fork helped too.

I loved that I got to make a stop at Paneantico. Every dessert I had was fantastic. I would definitely make a detour back to Brooklyn the next time I am up in New York. They are worth crossing the bridge.

Check them out at www.paneantico.com

Enjoy!

T

Bella Mia – Bradenton, FL

I love Italian food. When I came across a little family owned restaurant called Bella Mia I wanted to make sure I stopped in for lunch.

I was greeted so warmly as soon as I walked in. As I walked to my table I noticed a wall full of pictures. These pictures captured years of customers enjoying the food created at Bella Mia.

The waitress brought over a full plate of garlic knots. This fresh made bread was loaded with melted butter and garlic. They also covered the knots with grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. After just one bite I knew these were addicting. I had to be careful because if I ate too many knots I would not have room for the rest of my lunch.

They offered a few lunch specials in addition to their regular menu. I went for the eggplant rollitini. It came with a side of pasta and a side salad. It was a large portion, especially for lunch.

The salad was a typical side salad. I got it with blue cheese dressing.

The eggplant was fantastic. It was thin slices of tender eggplant that was loaded with Ricotta cheese filling. The pasta sauce had wonderful flavor that was slightly sweet with a tanginess.

They gave a generous portion of pasta on the side. They covered it in the same pasta sauce. It was very filling and almost too much with the eggplant dish. It was rich because of all the cheese.

Bella Mia was a great little local place to get a quick homemade Italian meal. Check them out at http://www.bellamiafl.com

Enjoy!

T

Roux – Tampa, FL

I have written many times about brunch. Normally when I have brunch it’s on a Sunday. It’s a fun thing to do and enjoy time with friends. I was really surprised when I found a place that offered brunch on Saturday. Roux offers New Orleans cuisine in the heart of Tampa.

          

They are located in a small strip center and the parking lot is small. I got there right when they opened so it was not an issue but at dinner it could be a challenge. The good news is they offer valet parking. Though it looks small on the outside, they are fairly large inside. They have a huge bar so that you can enjoy a happy hour drink.

Since I got there early in the day getting a table was easy. However, I would recommend a reservation if you head there for dinner. My waiter mentioned that the evenings are usually very crowded.

   

I started brunch off with one of Roux’s BOGO mimosas. I had my choice of juice so I went with pineapple. I love pineapple juice; it makes the mimosa much sweeter than orange juice, which can make a mimosa sour.

Since they are a New Orleans restaurant they had boudin balls as a starter. They came with three jumbo balls filled with pork, rice, and seasoning; right in the center they were stuffed with pepper jack cheese. They were lightly breaded with a seasoned flour and there was a decoration of spicy mustard on the plate.

When I cut open the boudin ball, the melted cheese poured out. The spiciness of the pepper jack added extra flavor to the finely shredded pork that was used. The breading on the outside added a lot of crunch but it did not have a lot of flavor, but I used the spicy mustard for that.

Part of their brunch specials were $1 oysters. They naturally could be ordered raw, but it would not be a proper New Orleans restaurant if they did not offer char-grilled oysters. They can be ordered in 6’s and 12’s. I started off with 6, this way they would stay hot and if I got too full I would not waste any.

The oysters they use come from New Orleans, so they are a little sweeter. They came loaded with parmesan and Romano cheese and a house made compound butter.

As soon as the first oyster hit my lips I knew I was going to order another 6. The butter was loaded with garlic and each oyster was drenched in it. The cheese was melted in the center but the edges were crispy as they touched the hot shells. They were smaller in size which I prefer because it makes them easier to eat in one bite. Little pieces of grilled toast came with the oysters, which were essential to dip into the excess garlic butter.

If you have never eaten oysters before I can offer up one little trick. Make sure after you have eaten one you turn the shells over. This way you do not miss a single bite.

Roux offers up a very different brunch experience than I am use to. It was delicious and I would recommend them to anyone. They have many more traditional brunch items on their menu as well. You can check everything out at http://www.rouxtampa.com/

Enjoy!

T

 

 

 

Pizza & Calzone – Brooklyn, NY

I was enjoying my visit to Brooklyn. There were so many places to eat every where I looked. It rally came down to what tickled my fancy. When I saw people coming in and out of Pizza & Calzone constantly I figured they must be good.

As soon as I stepped through the door I was hit by that wonderful smell of pizza cooking in the oven.

They had several varieties of pizzas to choose from. Their slices were huge.

After looking over all the options I went for a Sicilian slice, Unlike regular slices of pizza that are cut in the traditional triangle shape, Sicilian pizza is cut into squares.

I also ordered one of their homemade calzones. I got a single one with just mozzarella cheese. What makes their calzones so special and stand out is that they are deep fried. This allows the dough to be extra crispy.

Since I was going to be heading back to Manhattan, I got my order to go. I figured I could eat it in the car on the way back.

The pizza had a super crispy crust. The fresh tomato sauce was amazing. It was sweet and full of the flavors of oregano and basil. Speaking of basil, they also added fresh basil on top for added flavor.

The crispy calzone was also amazing. Although it was deep fried, the outside was not greasy. The dough had a slight sweetness to it but it was masked by the saltiness of the creamy cheese.

Whether you are eating there or getting something to go Pizza & Calzone is a must visit. www.houseofpizzacalzone.com

Enjoy!

T

Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2019

Enjoy!

T

Ferdinando’s – Brooklyn, NY

I ventured over to Brooklyn to check out an Italian restaurant that has been serving up homemade dishes since 1904. I could not wait to check out Ferdinando’s.

It was in between shops and houses. It had that old school vibe both inside and out. From the cool original tile on the floor to the Holy Family statues displayed in the corner, Ferdinando’s was filled with a rich history.

It is a history of feeding generations of families with homemade Italian food, made with love.

I started off ordering a Manhattan Special. This is a coffee soda that is bubbly and sweet. They actually have it on tap, which I have never seen before.

The arancina special was calling my name as soon as I spotted it on the menu. I could not wait to dive into one of my favorite Italian dishes.

This rice ball was filled with chopped meat, peas, and sauce. Because I ordered the “special” my arancini was topped with Ricotta cheese and covered in a homemade tomato sauce. Naturally they also covered the sauce with grated Parmesan cheese.

I was in heaven as soon as I took a bite. The rice was tender and moist. The meat had the right amount of sauce to add flavor not just to the meat itself, but also to the rice. The peas added extra sweetness to the sauce that already was sweet.

All the cheese on top added a creaminess to the sauce and to the rice. This hands down had to be one of the best arancinis I have ever eaten.

I also ordered a Panelle and Potato special while I was there. I had never had this before. So Panelle is chick pea flour that is made into a patty and deep fried (almost like a potato pancake). The potato part of this special was a potato croquette.

These two elements are combined on a fresh made Italian roll, along with fresh Ricotta cheese. The cheese made the sandwich creamy. The panelle added crunch. The potato added the heartiness to the dish that made the sandwich quiet filling. Since I had already eaten an entire rice ball, I only ate half of the sandwich. Luckily I was there with a friend who I could share it with.

Ferdinando’s was an amazing place. It is full of a rich history of feeding hungry families across the generations. You have to experience this little piece of history when you visit Brooklyn.

Check them out at www.ferdinandosfocacceria.com

Enjoy!

T