Category: New Jersey

The Sawmill – Seaside, NJ

In 2012, the devastating Super Storm Sandy hit the New Jersey coastline. The beach community of Seaside lost practically everything. There was one spot that actually withstood the storm and that was The Sawmill. Located right on the boardwalk since 1977, The Sawmill stands as a symbol of New Jersey’s resilience.

5 years since the storm, I was able to visit and see how much the area has bounced back. I had to make a stop by The Sawmill to get some famous boardwalk pizza. They are known for their 27″ jumbo pizza but luckily they also sell them by the slice.

I got a classic slice of just cheese. It was so big I had to fold it in half in order to eat it. The crust was nice and crispy. There was the perfect proportion of sauce and cheese.

I washed down the pizza with a Mai Tai. It was the perfect blend of light and dark rum, amaretto, triple sec, pineapple juice, and orange juice. The drink was sweet and it went down smooth. It was a great choice to enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean. Unfortunately it was raining the day of my visit so I could not enjoy it outside.

I ended up staying at The Sawmill longer than I expected because I was enjoying the company around me. Instead of getting more pizza I decided to check out the rest of their menu. To my pleasant surprise I saw Polish kielbasa and potato pierogi listed. I was not expecting this and was excited to try these.

They sliced open the kielbasa which allowed it to be grilled on both sides. I loved the crispy grill marks because it added additional smoky flavor to the meat. The kielbasa was tender and did not have an abundance of fat mixed in which can sometimes make it chewy.

The pierogi were pan fried perfectly. The outside dough was slightly crisp which is my favorite way to have them prepared. They were stuffed with a ton of potato filling. They were cooked with a huge helping of caramelized onions. Having the onions always adds additional seasoning to the pierogi. I also loved that they sliced the onions super thin –  julienne style.

I had a blast visiting this 40 year old establishment. The food was amazing. I can see why it has been around for so long. If you are headed to the Jersey Shore, you need to make sure to stop by The Sawmill. Whether it is for a slice or a cold drink, you will have a great time.

Visit their website at http://sawmillcafe.com/

Enjoy!
T

 

 

The Cove – Bayville, NJ

New Jersey is a state that has everything from sandy beaches to cranberry bogs. New Jersey also has a wide range of food options, whether it’s fresh seafood, authentic Italian, or even boardwalk French fries. Everywhere I turned on my visit I found a restaurant. It was hard to make a decision, so I asked some friends who grew up in the area where they recommended. The Cove is what made the top of the list for fresh seafood.

Located in an actual cove off of Barnegat Bay, The Cove has been a hot spot for locals for years. In the summertime you can sit outside on their patio and put your feet in the sand; or you can pull your boat up to their dock after a long day out at sea. There is also plenty of inside seating if you need to get away from the heat.

The bar was hopping when I got there. It felt like the whole town was there. I started off with the red sangria called The Cove. I figured I needed to try the namesake drink. It was a blend of red wine and an assortment of tropical juices and liquors. It was not overly sweet. It also had a slight spicy after taste, which was probably coming from the oak essence in the wine. It was a great way to say cheers to a fun evening.

  

The group shared a few appetizers. The mozzarella sticks were pretty standard bar food. They were good, crispy, and cheesy but nothing out of the ordinary.

The fried calamari was nice and crispy. The calamari itself was soft and tender – not chewy – so I could tell it was fresh. I started off with the marinara sauce, which is typically how they were served. However, the breading did not have a lot of flavor so it did not taste right with the marinara. Something was missing. So I ordered a side of their Thai chili sauce. This sweet and spicy sauce was what the calamari needed. The sauce coated the breading much better and made the calamari itself more flavorful.

The coconut shrimp was an appetizer that could easily be someone’s meal. The shrimp were butterflied and coated with coconut flakes. They were fried really crispy. The flavor was sweet and when I dipped it in the coconut dipping sauce, the sweetness increased. I loved it, I did not feel it was overly sweet at all. I also loved the crunch when I took a bite.

I wanted to try their New England clam chowder. It was a large size bowl. The first thing I noticed was the soup base was not as creamy as a typical clam chowder. It was more on the lighter side but still had great flavor and a ton of fresh clams in it.

For my main meal (as if I had not eaten enough already) I ordered one of their daily specials – Salmon Piccata. It was a large fillet of fresh salmon that was char-broiled. It was drizzled in a lemon butter wine sauce and topped with a ton of capers. It also came with a rice pilaf and fresh vegetables.

The salmon was so fresh it was flaking apart as I was eating it. They added a generous amount of the lemon butter sauce. It was slightly sour because of the acid in the lemon but creamy at the same time because of the butter. The capers added a nice salty element to each mouthful.

The rice pilaf added a neutral element to the dish. It was not heavy in flavor, but it was great when I drizzled the extra lemon butter sauce on it. The fresh vegetables added a healthier element to the meal.

My visit to The Cove allowed me to enjoy a local band that played in the main dining room. The band FIASCO played a great array of music from the 70’s and 80’s. The really appeared to have a fan following.

   

While I enjoyed the music I ordered another drink – the white peach sangria. It was Pinot Grigio, peach Schnapps, fresh juices, and a splash of lemon-lime soda. This was much sweeter than the red sangria. I could taste the peach right away. It was a great dessert drink after all the salty food that I enjoyed.

If you are looking for a fun place to hang out and enjoy music or food with friends, then The Cove is a spot to try. You can check out the band schedule and their daily specials at the website http://www.covebarandgrill.com/

Enjoy!

T

 

Marie’s – Chatham, NJ

Tucked away in a shopping center is Marie’s, a quaint little Italian restaurant. When you walk in you are instantly greeted with the smell of fresh pasta sauce. It’s enough to make someone feel like they are walking into grandma’s kitchen.

DSC03003

I was excited to try their arancini, 3 huge rice balls filled with cheesy rice. Marie’s serves them with their homemade vodka sauce, rather than traditional red sauce. It was certainly a nice surprise. The crunch of the arancini was incredible while the creamy insides stayed extremely hot. I could taste hints of different cheeses in every bite. I know they classify this as an appetizer, but I am convinced that rice balls can be an entire meal.

DSC02994

I could not pass up the opportunity to try their mac n’ cheese. This too was classified as an appetizer so I expected a small dish; when it came out it was anything but small. The baking dish was still bubbling as it clearly just came out of the oven. A nice crispy layer of baked cheese laid on top. They used a combinations of 6 cheeses that blended together with perfection. The prosciutto added a touch of meaty saltiness that worked well with the creamy texture.

DSC02997

I was not planning on getting dessert since I was so full, but the waiter surprised me with homemade cannoli. That is not something to pass up. The filling was smooth and sweet. I could tell that the cannoli shell was fresh. A perfect ending to a great meal.

DSC03002

If you are headed to the New Jersey area make plans to stop by Marie’s for a classic Italian meal. Visit their website at: www.mariesdeli.com

DSC03004

Enjoy!

T

The Crab’s Claw Inn – Lavallette, NJ

I love going to New Jersey and having fresh seafood. My last visit I got  to go to a 40 year old restaurant called The Crab’s Claw Inn.

Inside did feel like an old Inn, one that you might find tucked away in the mountains, not near the beach. They had the fireplace going to help warm everyone up from the cold outside.

The table started off with a pitcher of sangrias. We went for the red. We also got it without ice so it would not get watered down. It was still cold when it came out so it still was refreshing. They used a dryer red wine so it was not overly sweet.

The crab dip was the first appetizer to arrive at the table. They used a generous amount of fresh crabmeat that was sweet. They blended it with cheddar cheese, horseradish, chives, and Old Bay seasoning. The seasoning and horseradish added a little spice but the creamy cheese calmed it down. I loved how much cheese they used. The crabmeat and cheese paired well together. They served tortilla chips on the side. They were perfect for scooping the dip and added the right amount of crunch.

The other appetizer that came out was the blackened tuna bites. They served large pieces of tuna. They were covered with blackening seasoning and cooked to the perfect medium. The seasoning gave the over bite a salty taste. It was balanced out by the creamy chipotle ranch sauce that they served on the side. The tuna was so tender I could tell how fresh it was.

My dinner came with a choice of soup or salad. I went for the Manhattan clam chowder. This is one of my favorite soups. The vegetable broth was loaded with fresh vegetables and nice chunks of potato. I love when soups have a lot of potatoes. It helps make the soup filling. The soup was also loaded with fresh tender clams. The soup had a great savory taste. It had a comforting feeling.

For my dinner I got the shrimp stuffed with crabmeat. They semi-butterflied the shrimp so that they could stuff the crabmeat mixture inside. The mixture reminded me of a crab cake. They used a lot of crab in the mixture as well.

They baked the shrimp in a little butter until the crab mixture became crispy on the outside. The shrimp were tender. I loved the crab. It was sweet and the filling added additional sweetness with a hint of savory from the spices. They also served some fresh carrots and a baked potato on the side to help make this a complete meal.

To finish off this wonderful dinner I ordered their homemade rice pudding for dessert. The pudding was creamy and sweet. It had a wonderful accent of cinnamon. They also topped it with a ton of fluffy whipped cream. Even the whipped cream had a sprinkle of cinnamon. It was delicious.

The food was fantastic at The Crab’s Claw Inn. I knew it had to be since they have been serving the area for 40 years. If you are in the area and wanting some fresh seafood, head on over.

Check out their menu at www.thecrabsclaw.com

Enjoy!

T

Denino’s South Pizzeria – Brick, NJ

New Jersey has a ton of Italian restaurants all over the place. While I was visiting Brick, NJ I stopped into one of those Italian restaurants called Denino’s South Pizzeria.

I could smell the pizza and pasta as soon as I walked in. I saw on the chalkboard of specials that they had Italian wedding soup that day. I knew I would be ordering that. It was a nice large bowl. It was filled with spinach, meatballs, carrots, and onions. The chicken broth had a pleasant saltiness that paired well with the earthy taste of the spinach. The meatballs were tender and absorbed the flavor of the soup.

I shared the homemade rice ball. There was no way I could eat one on my own because they were just too big.

They were crispy on the outside. On the inside was the tender, cheesy rice with a center that was loaded with meat and peas. I drizzled some of the pasta sauce that came on the side. That added extra flavor and moisture. The rice was soft, and I really like all the cheese they mixed in. The meat was tender, and the peas added a slight hint of sweetness.

The meatball sandwich was much larger than I was expecting. These large meatballs were covered in sauce and mozzarella cheese. They were then stuffed into a fresh made hoagie roll. I had to cut this sandwich in half in order to be able to pick it up.

The meatballs were dense but still moist. They were full of flavor from all the Italian seasoning that was mixed in. The cheese added a creamy element. The bread soaked up the sauce from the meatballs. This sandwich filled me up quickly.

This was a great place for lunch. They have a pretty extensive menu. Check them out at www.deninosbricknj.com

Enjoy!

T

Wharfside – Point Pleasant, NJ – Visit #2

I was looking forward to my second visit to the seafood restaurant Wharfside in point Pleasant, NJ. It was a nice evening along the water.

I ordered a sangria to start the evening. It was made with a dry red wine but the fruit and liquor they put in the wine helped make it sweeter.

The meal started off with several appetizers for the table. The tuna bites were the first thing out. The fresh tuna was blacked and served with soy sauce and wasabi. The tuna was seared on the outside and still pink on the inside. It tasted awesome with the soy sauce. The wasabi added a little heat.

The calamari were the second appetizer out. It had a great crispy breading on the outside. The calamari were extremely tender. The marinara sauce that they served on the side was the perfect accent.

The stuffed mushrooms were spectacular. They had a really crispy batter on the outside that created a great crunch and sealed in the heat. The inside of the mushrooms were stuffed with a crabmeat stuffing. This filling was delicious. The sweetness of the crab meat paired well with the earthy flavor from the mushrooms.

My meal came with a bowl of soup. I made sure to have the Manhattan clam chowder. The vegetable-based broth had the perfect amount of seasoning. They loaded the chowder up with fresh vegetables and lots of tender clams. It is the ultimate seaside soup.

I also got to try the clams casino. These fresh clams came out in their shells. They were baked with onions, peppers, and bacon. These clams were also very tender. The bacon gave them a salty and smoky taste.

It was now time for the main dishes to come out. I got the Canadian salmon. It was grilled up and topped with a caramelized rum glaze. The glaze accented the flakey salmon with an awesome sweetness.

They served a mashed sweet potato as a side dish. The combination of the rum glaze and the sweet potatoes was perfect. It was a sweet tasting side and the potatoes were so creamy.

If all this food wasn’t enough, a dessert came with my dinner. I got the homemade rum raisin ice cream. The ice cream was super creamy. It had a slight rum taste to it. There were a ton of raisins mixed throughout. It was the perfect end to the meal.

I am so glad I got to go back to Wharfside. The food was great and I did not leave hungry. Check them out at www.wharfsidenj.com

Enjoy!

T

Delicious Orchards – Colts Neck, NJ

Normally I would never write about a grocery store or market. However, I changed my mind once I visited Delicious Orchards. I was blown away when I walked in and saw everything they had to offer.

The first thing I saw was all their fresh made desserts. They had apple cinnamon donuts, pastries, and so many different types of pies. I grabbed a cherry pie to take back with me.  The crust was flakey and had a sweet taste. It complemented the tartness of the fresh cherry filling. It was one of the best pies I have ever eaten.

There were rows of fresh apples. I was so surprised how many different varieties there are.

Near the apples was some fresh apple butter. It tasted sweet and was awesome on a cracker.

They also had some of their fresh apple cider to sample. It was warm and full of cinnamon flavor. It really felt like the holidays in a cup. After tasting it I made sure  to buy a hot cup outside at the cider stand.

Also outside they were making fresh made apple fritters. The batter was loaded with chunks of fresh apples. Then they spooned it into the sizzling oil until it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They covered the fritter in powdered sugar. This little treat was amazing, especially with it still being so hot. They gave me three big fritters so you definitely need to share them.

For a little market I had a fun time visiting. The fresh apple items were delicious. And their pies are to die for! Check them out at www.deliciousorchardsnj.com

Enjoy!

T

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