Tap house, brick oven pizza, spicy Sichuan gourmet, a new East Brunswick eatery and more headline the top restaurants in New Jersey this month
Welcome to NJ.com's monthly feature, "Where to eat now in N.J.," highlighting the most exciting restaurants of the moment, including places 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, or e-mail: bodkinwrites@gmail.com.
BRIELLE ALE HOUSE: This sister restaurant of the Asbury Ale House and the Shore House in Point Pleasant is an excellent addition to the southern Monmouth County dining scene. The restaurant has a fun sports bar vibe (complete with sports games and a plethora of TVs), but don't even think about sleeping on the food. The guys behind the Ale House have made their food as big and bold as the fun they've created. The wings ($12) are a must. The mozzarella triangles ($9) are massive and bursting with flavor. As for entrees, you can go with the juicy Rise & Shine burger ($12), two burger patties covered in bacon and a messy fried egg. This is a big meal, so come hungry. The best meal on the menu is the Drunken Chicken ($19), an impeccably breaded chicken cutlet smothered in an extremely creamy vodka sauce and copious amounts of cheese. Every bite is rich and sumptuous. 601 Union Ave., Brielle. 732-722-8825.
Like spicy food? Check out the triple pepper chicken from Chengdu 23 in Wayne.CHENGDU 23: Chengdu 23's award-winning kitchen serves classic Sichuan daily. The team of owner/culinary director Kevin Lin and chef Yong Yi Jiang (winner of international Chinese culinary competitions) present Sichuan the way it is supposed to be served -- "ma la" style, which is all about spicy, tongue-numbing dishes. There are crispy scallops with hot and spicy Sichuan peppers ($19), spicy volcano chicken ($15) and stir-fried shredded beef with hot chili sauce ($17). 6 Willowbrook Blvd., Wayne. 973-812-2800.
THE BOILING HOUSE: The Boiling House in Cherry Hill serves up crawfish ($10 per pound), Dungeness crab, king crab legs, lobster, and snow crab legs (all market price), and if you're in a raw bar kind of mood, there are clams and oysters by the dozen. After selecting your shellfish, you pick the seasoning you'd like (garlic butter, Old Bay, lemon pepper, etc.) and how spicy you'd like it, ranging from mild to extra hot. They also serve wings ($10), noodle dishes ($7-$16), salads ($5) and fish tacos ($10). 1990 Marlton Pike East, #10, Cherry Hill. 856-751-2800.
MARITIME PARC: Acclaimed executive chef/owner Chris Siversen's modern take on the classic coastal fish house has become a staple in the revitalized Jersey City culinary scene, and the restaurant, located in Liberty Landing Marina, has breathtaking views of the New York City skyline. Maritime Parc's autumn dinner menu is a hybrid of hearty autumnal dishes mixed with the bounties of the sea. You can dine on littleneck clams for $2.50 a pop or go all out with the grand platter for $98. Starters here include pan roasted mussels with chorizo ($14), braised rabbit ($15), and pan-seared squid with bok choy ($14). Entrees range from pancetta-wrapped halibut ($25) to pepper-crusted venison sirloin with spaetzle ($26) to a 21-day aged dry steak ($45). There's brunch on weekends and a beer, burger and oyster special on Thursdays for $20. 84 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City. 201-413-0050.
THE BARROW HOUSE: This restaurant, bar and "parlor" looks as if it was ripped out of the pages of history. The rustic wood decor, combined with throwback cocktails such as the Prairie Home Companion and The Federalist, give it an old- timey vibe. The menu is anything but antiquated -- a blend of classic comfort food and modern New American cuisine. This culinary theme is apparent on appetizers such as the apple chutney quesadilla ($11), the grilled octopus ($15), and the crispy pig tails ($12). On the entree side of things, short rib pappardelle ($19), bacon-wrapped meatloaf ($17), and grilled pork chop with kale succotash ($18) highlight the fine line of comfort and creativity that is walked at The Barrow House. 1296 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. 862-336-7070.
CORNERSTONE KITCHEN & TAP: Jackson just isn't Great Adventure. This sprawling town has a nice little culinary scene happening, and its hub is the Jackson Crossing shopping center, which features the new Cornerstone Kitchen & Tap (area residents will know this location from previous eateries The Stadium and 21 South). The bar at Cornerstone is all about craft beers with everything from Ohio's Elliot Ness to New Jersey's Kane on tap. The dinner menu is varied mix of delicacies -- crab deviled eggs ($7), pork ramen noodles ($17), tomato-braised monkfish ($21), and pulled pork tacos ($10). 21 South Hope Chapel Road, Jackson. 732-994-5286.
TENDERHILL: The farm-to-table movement is strong at Tenderhill in Whitehouse Station. The menu at Tenderhill is currently a playful mixture of American, Asian and Italian influences. You can get pork buns ($8.50), spicy salmon buns ($9), Korean BBQ kobe burgers ($18) or ramen ($13) if you're into Asian fare. If you're feeling in the mood for Italian, there is a cast-iron pan pizza ($13), branzino ($32) and gnocchi ($18). For those down for a burger, the chef will hook you up with a 7-ounce Kobe beef burger with an egg on top ($18). The menu here does change with the season so check Tenderhill's social media for updates and specials. 405 U.S. Highway 22 East, Whitehouse Station. 908-823-0234.
The brisket sliders with loaded fries at Bar Louie in East Brunswick.BAR LOUIE: Bar Louie is mixture of upscale and casual -- you can easily put on some nice threads and take a date here, or you can drop in for a burger after a movie or shopping. The appetizer options are pretty diverse and the Bavarian pretzel sticks make for a great option, especially with its three dipping options: cinnamon butter, queso and fresh honey mustard. Bar Louie also serves a bruschetta appetizer in a massive martini glass that has to be seen to be believed. The sliders may be on the appetizer list but can easily be a meal. The beef brisket sliders are loaded with flavor -- and a lot of brisket. The burgers here are absolutely no joke. The "Fried Louie" is king here, a rich combination of perfectly cooked beef, juicy fried egg, and applewood-smoked bacon. End your meal with the chocolate cake, a 5-plus layer explosion of soft gooey chocolate goodness. 755 State Highway 18, Room 405A, East Brunswick. 732-353-2650.
REVOLUTION: Revolution is a "social brew house" that takes the vibe and cuisine of classic German beer halls and gives it a modern American twist. Like any good beer hall, there is a slew of suds to be had -- 40 beers on tap and 56 types of bottled beer. On the menu, the "first draught" includes items such as potato pancakes with house smoked salmon ($13), farmhouse bier mussels ($15), loaded pierogies ($9), and Belgian meatballs ($9). Revolution has a full "wurst" menu ($13-$20), and "haus specialties" include the Chatham cod and chowder feast ($18), braised short rib risotto ($15), and the thin-crust Revolution Wurst pizza ($10) -- that's pizza with wurst, Muenster and garlic spinach on it. For dessert there is a seven-layer German chocolate cake ($9) and bread pudding with whiskey sauce ($8). 9 South St., Morristown. 973-455-0033.
NUOVO CUCINA NAPOLETANA: With the chill of winter in the air, sometimes all you need is a little bit of red sauce, melted cheese and pasta to warm your bones and brighten your spirits. Nuovo Cucina Napoletana is a place for pizza and Italian comfort food. Chef/owners Joseph Catalano and Chris Delisio have created brick-oven delights such as the classic Margherita ($12), the nuovo (arugula and prosciutto, $14), quattro stagioni (ham, mushrooms and artichokes, $14), and biancaneve (speck, spinach and pecorino, $14). If you're not in the mood for pizza, there are plenty of other Italian classics for you to choose from. 633 Franklin Ave., Nutley. 973-798-2426.
Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.