Two farm-to-table restaurants, a new waterfront restaurant in North Jersey, and the choice for best talian restaurant in N.J. top our list for April
NJ.com has launched a new regular feature, "Where to eat now in N.J.," highlighting the most exciting restaurants of the moment, including places both new to the scene and ones that have been here a while but are still firing on all burners. If you'd like to recommend a restaurant to be considered for a spot on a future "Where to eat now in N.J." list, let us know in the comments section below.
Skratch is a farm-to-table restaurant that puts the focus on quality ingredients and the quality of their finished plates. There's no frills to the restaurant as a whole -- the decor is simple, the wait staff bedecked in flannel and denim. The focus here is simply on the food. If you're looking to kick things off proper, you cannot go wrong with one of their personal pizzas. The plain pie ($13) is a sumptuous symphony of quality mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh basil. On the entree side, you can't go wrong with the SK Burger ($14), the Silver Ferns Farms pasture-raised skirt steak ($28), or the Berkshire pork-based taco de pibil ($18). The ahi tuna entree ($25) made of togarashi, baby bok choy, lo mein, scallions, pea shoots, pickled wasabi stems, dashi, and sesame is fantastic. The fish and chips ($15) are no joke either, especially if you pair them with the heavenly Mexican street corn side dish ($7). If you've got kids, don't shy away from Skratch just because farm-to-table sounds fancy. It's extremely kid-friendly, and you'll probably find yourself picking at your child's dinner because it's so delicious (the mac and cheese is absurdly good). 649 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park, 732-455-5116.
The ahi tuna entree from Skratch in Asbury Park is a delightful and delicious option at the new farm-to-table restaurant.Abril Cocina, located in downtown Maplewood, bills itself as a modern Mexican fusion restaurant. Its menu takes inspiration from around the world and is interpreted through the lens of Mexican cuisine. Simply put, there's a Mexican twist to the flavor profile of each dish, from the Chilean sea bass Veracruzana ($26) to the the organic half chicken with green mole sauce ($22) to the Baja-style tuna tartare ($15). If you're a fan of tacos, Abril Cocina has got you covered. You can order up the simple taco such as a grilled chicken ($4) or brisket ($4.75), or the exotic taco -- the "Gobernador" ($5) features corn husk-smoked wild shrimp, asadero cheese and charred corn. Abril Cocina also serves lunch during the week, and brunch on weekends. 175 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, 973-327-2023
The Lobby in Elizabeth is a destination for partygoers and sports fans to kick back and have a good time -- but don't sleep on its menu. The Lobby is proud to be known for "its rich and authentic Latin-American cuisine," seen on menu items such as the camarones al ajillo (sauteed shrimp in garlic and white wine sauce, $9.95) or picada (combo plate of chicken, Colombian chorizo, steak, pork, arepa, yucca fries, tostadas and potatoes, $25.95), both appetizers, or churrasco ($24.95) or taco ($8.95-$10.95) dinners. If you don't feeling like having some Latin flair on your plate, there are options such as the New York Strip steak ($19.95), chicken Murphy ($14.95), or the popular "Don" hamburger ($11.95), which features sauteed crimini mushrooms, caramelized onions, refried black beans, pickled jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, and bacon. Outdoor dining at The Lobby begins on April 1. 821 Spring Street, Elizabeth, 908-469-8088.
The fish tacos are just some of the tantalizing menu items at The Lobby, a restaurant, sports bar, and nightspot located in Elizabeth.A farm-to-table experience that actually takes place in a farm house -- you can't get more authentic than that. The tavern is located in a renovated original 1800s farmhouse located on the land of the restaurant's farm partner Double Brook Farms (which provide a majority of the food for the tavern's menu). The vision of executive chef Greg Vassos (who once served as sous chef under celebrity chef Eric Ripert) is to source his ingredients as locally, sustainably and ethically as possible. Diners can sink their teeth into seasonal dishes such as the Double Brook lamb chops with butternut squash flan and smoked beet puree ($35), the Berkshire pork sirloin with fennel, turnips, charred leek spelt and a cranberry trio ($34), or a pom pom mushroom steak parsnip puree with romanesco "cous cous," and beet Bordelaise ($24). 130 Hopewell Rocky Hill Road, Hopewell, 609-333-9200.
Cafe 2825, which has been operating in Atlantic City for more than 30 years, was just named New Jersey's best Italian restaurant by NJ.com in our "Best of New Jersey" series. It took top honors because, according to our own Pete Genovese, "[it] outdistanced all competitors with its winning combination of old-school charm and high-end dining." The charm of the restaurant can definitely be found in the restaurant's signature table side Caesar salad ($12) and fresh mozzarella ($14). A highly recommend entree is "The Pork" ($32), described by Genovese as "a daunting, delicious pork chop stuffed with mozzarella and broccoli rabe," and don't forget the Sunday gravy, with braciole, meatball and sausage. 2825 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, 609-344-6913.
The pork ragu over polenta at Cafe 2825, which was named the best Italian restaurant in the state by NJ.com.An Indian restaurant in Cape May owned by a Scotsman. What sounds like the beginning of a quirky indie film is actually the true story of the Exit Zero Cookhouse. Owner Jack Wright brought the curry-centric restaurant (which also serves Thai, Caribbean and American cuisine) to this summer destination, which is 40 miles from the nearest Indian restaurant. For Wright, curry dishes back in his native Scotland are like pizza is to American diners -- it's comfort food at its finest. Curries on the menu include chicken curry pot pie ($18), butter chicken ($18), Thai chicken ($18), coconut shrimp ($18), and Thai lobster ($24). The rest of the menu ranges from light and playful (watermelon and feta salad, $8) to robust (lobster and crab pot pie, $24). 109 Sunset Boulevard, Cape May, 609-305-5203.
Orama immediately impresses with its absolutely gorgeous architecture. Builder Allen Myhren, architect Mark Virgona and artist Alex Morales pooled their creative resources to open their "forward-thinking vision" in Edgewater -- a two-story restaurant in the style of Mediterranean villa. The views of the Manhattan skyline are breathtaking, and the actual restaurant itself is just as captivating. The menu at Orama takes influences from American, Asian and Mediterranean cultures, with seafood being one of the major players here. It serves up a bountiful raw bar with a chipotle shrimp and crab cocktail ($28), and a "seafood surf" option ($52, $96) that sports oysters, shrimp, and king crab legs. The eclectic menu provides such delectable options as foie gras mousse with black truffles ($25), crab Rangoon ($15, $26), goat cheese-stuffed dates ($14), yakitori ($28), a 100 percent Angus ribeye ($54), and a pan-seared Maine lobsters ($56). Behind the bar they are serving craft beers, specialty cocktails, and an immersive wine list curated by sommelier Christian Galliani. 595 River Road, Edgewater, 201-945-2020.
New Brunswick's Easton Avenue is mainly known for two things -- college bars and pizzerias. But there are a few culinary gems hidden amongst the pilsners and pepperoni. Fritz's is one of them. Located in a renovated house from the 1880s (which you'll swear you've hung out at before), Fritz's serves excellent food. The restaurant describes itself as "fast casual" and the casual aspect we get. You go up to the counter, which is teeming with delicious desserts (smart move), and you order like you would at any deli or sandwich shop. But the "fast" aspect of Fritz's only applies to the speed with which you get your food. There is no sacrifice in quality in the food served to you here. For instance, the hot roast beef sandwich ($9.50) tastes like a sandwich you could easily get for double the price at a trendy Manhattan restaurant. The beef is seasoned magnificently, the baguette is crisped to perfection, and the cheese they use is heaven. The Reuben is no joke either. Using Pat LaFrieda corned beef and a muenster and Swiss cheese tag team, this sandwich rivals the great Reubens this state has produced (and it has produced many). Fritz's is a prime lunch location, and is definitely a great spot to eat on Easton Avenue. 115 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, 732-543-0202.
The hot roast beef sandwich with "Buffalo fries" is an excellent lunchtime choice from Fritz's on Easton Avenue in New Brunswick.Many a bar and restaurant has inhabited the building on the corner of Route 35 and Holmdel Avenue in Hazlet. Yet despite the name and theme changes, one thing has always remained the same -- top quality food. The Park Tap & Grill is the latest incarnation of this building, and the kitchen here knocks it out of the park (pun intended) with every dish. You can kick off your meal with any number of appetizers, but the hot pretzels are the way to go. Accompanied with a beer mustard and a cheese dip, you will thank the gods of all things carbs when you sink your teeth into these babies. The calamari and Buffalo wings are no joke either. For your entree, you definitely should be making the Sunday gravy a priority. This heaping helping of marvelously cooked pasta doused in rich sauce chock full of rich sausage and pork shoulder is to die for. Yes, we'll make the cliche "just like your grandma made it" reference because it is that good, and tastes just like home. The sushi bar at The Park is also highly recommended -- the rolls containing eel and the classic California are must-haves. 3352 Route 35 South, Hazlet, 732-739-2002.
Sunday gravy, a medley of rich meats and perfectly cooked pasta, served up daily at The Park Tap and Grill in Hazlet.There was a distinct lack of Irish pubs in the town of Somerset. Luckily this problem has been addressed. Sure, PJ Cavanaugh's is located in the Holiday Inn across from the Garden State Convention Center, but this hotel bar and grill comes from a long line of pubs from the Philadelphia and Delaware region dating back to the 1930s, and they know what they're doing. At the time we dropped in, the menu was still limited, but the menu has currently expanded to include more entrees and appetizers. Items now include blackened tilapia ($14.99), a N.Y. strip steak ($24.99), a big fish sandwich ($8.99), and a foot-long hot dog ($7.99) While we were there, we ordered up a plate of wings ($9.99), and they were everything you want in a wing -- meaty, properly sauced, and just the perfect amount of crunch-to-spicy kick ratio. No wonder they've won "Best in Philly." The burgers ($8.99) here are legit awesome. The meat is bursting with natural juices, and they grill their brioche rolls, so you're getting an added crunch to your juicy, sloppy burger. 195 Davidson Avenue (The Holiday Inn), Somerset, 732-356-1700.
Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.