A celeb chef's new Atlantic City outposts, a Mediterranean newcomer in Verona, a fast-casual Greek in Shrewsbury and a Westwood barbecue shack that specializes in '100 percent ridiculousness,' here are 10 places to check out 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. Our selections are based on personal visits, word of mouth, OpenTable availability, crowdsourcing websites and local food blogs. If you'd like to recommend a restaurant to be considered for a spot on a future "Where to eat now in N.J." column, let us know in the comments section below, or e-mail vhyman@njadvancemedia.com.
The Chonut 2.1 -- smoked brisket and more inside a glazed doughnut -- is Kimchi Smoke's cholesterol-defying specialty. The Westwood barbecue destination plans to open a second in Montclair. 1. Kimchi Smoke, Westwood
Pitmaster Robert Cho of Westwood's Kimchi Smoke calls his Chonut 2.1 "life-changing," and your cardiologist may agree: It's smoked brisket, smoked kimchi, bourbon chipotle sauce, cheese, bacon and scallions ($15). Did we mention it's all tucked inside glazed doughnut? For Cho, who moved operations from his Bergenfield barbecue shack to Westwood last year and plans to open a second location in Montclair (345 Bloomfield Ave.) next month, his melt-in-your-mouth 12-hour smoked brisket is merely a jumping-off point. Check out his Korean Redneck Tacos (smoked pork shoulder with Korean slaw or kimchi, $10 for two) or the smoked pork ribs glazed with a sweet and spicy gochujang (red chili pepper) sauce. 301 Center Ave., Westwood. 201-497-6333. kimchismoke.com
The pork carnitas taco at Taphouse 15 in Jefferon, owned by Tom Apostolopoulos, Bill Stathopoulos, and Angelo Kalavriziotis, the latter of whom co-owned the restaurant's predecessor, New Orleans Steak House. 2. Taphouse 15, Jefferson
Thirty years is practically a geologic age in restaurants, and New Orleans Steak House in Jefferson was feeling it. In 2015, the restaurant closed it doors and underwent an extreme makeover, emerging as the gastropub Taphouse 15, with a seasonal, global-inspired menu and two dozen rotating beers on tap plus 50 more in bottles. Fish tacos are a big seller, but don't miss what co-owner Tom Apostolopoulos calls the "left-of-center" offerings, from the fried Chicken and bacon cheddar waffles with chili orange maple syrup ($17) or the butternut squash and pancetta wood-fired pizza ($14). 75 Route 15 South, Jefferson. 862-437-1300. taphouse15.com
3. Greek Eats, Shrewsbury
When we say Shrewsbury's Greek Eats feels like a chain, we mean that in the best way: This fast-casual venture from the owners of Red Bank's Teak and The Bistro has a funky, industrial aesthetic, an easy-to-understand menu and a quick, assembly-line ordering system. (Co-owner Charlie Lyristis tells us they are in fact scouting for new locations.) The speciality of the house are gyros (spelled yeeros to reflect the correct pronunciation, $7.50) filled with grass-fed, hormone-free beef and lamb, spit-fired chicken or pork, or for vegetarians, fava bean hummus, spicy feta, or the tangy, squeaky halloumi griddled on the flat-top, topped your choice of eight sauces (try the sriracha tzatziki) and fixings. 89 Newman Springs, Road, Shrewsbury. 732-530-0777. gogreekeats.com
4. The Farm & Fisherman, Cherry Hill
The Philly food scene is flourishing, but Jersey has got one thing foodies there crave: the Farm & Fisherman Tavern + Market, which opened in 2013 as an offshoot of the popular but tiny and now-closed city BYO. The sprawling Cherry Hill F&F remains a terrific showplace for chef-owners Josh and Colleen Lawler's seasonal fare, from caramelized cauliflower with curried mushroom cream ($9) to pan-roasted red trout with quinoa, beets and tahini ($28), plus craft beer and speciality cocktails. The standing-room-only brunch has a can't-miss "chef's breakfast" with rotating selections but always a can of beer and a shot of bourbon ($22). 1442 Marlton Pike East, Cherry Hill. 856-356-2282. fandftavern.com
Jose Garces' Okatshe at the Tropicana features grilled skewers of meat, fish and veggies along with small, plates, sushi and ramen. 5. Olon and Okatshe, Atlantic City
Olon and Okatshe, celeb chef Jose Garces' chic new restaurants at the Tropicana, are the most exciting new additions to the Atlantic City dining scene since ... Jose Garces' last set of chic new restaurants at the now-closed Revel. Olon specializes in Jersey Shore classics and seafood with a South American twist -- five kinds of ceviche ($15-$18), fried shrimp with rocoto pepper aioli ($28), and a succulent wood-grilled salmon ($32). Okatshe, tucked behind a secret door, is a stylized Tokyo speakeasy with small plates (5-spice ribs, $11; chicken with yuzu mayo, $11), grilled skewers (pork belly, $2; scallops, $5), three styles of ramen ($18-$38 for large portions) and sushi. 2831 Boardwalk, Tropicana, Atlantic City. Olon, 609-340-4050, olonrestaurant.com. Okatshe, 609-340-4053, okatsherestaurant.com
6. City Perch, Fort Lee
The waitress at Fort Lee's City Perch Kitchen + Bar gave us at the hard sell over the bread board ($10), of all things, but boy, were we glad we caved, thanks to the cayenne and Parmesan popovers with sun-dried tomato butter and the orange sage biscuit with maple bourbon pecan butter, which I would happily eat for dessert. City Perch, in the brand-new Hudson Lights high-rise development, has a big-city vibe but distinctly homey pleasures, such as the French onion sup with braised beef short ribs ($10), the Gulf shrimp and grits ($19), and the evening's surprise hit, a caponata-like roasted cauliflower, sweet and sour and crunchy and addictive. 2023 Hudson Street, Fort Lee 201-582-7101. cityperch.com
7. Xina, Toms River
It was the first day of Lent, but that's not why Xina, the Toms River sushi bar and Chinese bistro hard by the Route 37 bridge to Seaside, was packed. It's the inventive, sometimes over-the-top dishes -- the crunchy coconut shrimp roll with lobster tempura and wasabi coconut sauce ($13), the everything bagel roll with crab, smoked salmon, cream cheese and scallion battered and fried with everything bagel seasoning ($12), and the not-to-be-missed bacon, egg and cheese fried rice ($13). It's been open for five years, but still expect a wait for your table and to strain your hearing in the riotous dining room. 3430 Route 37, Toms River. 732-279-6327. xinarestaurant.com
8. Heirloom Kitchen, Old Bridge
On first glance (and maybe the second, too) Heirloom Kitchen seems to be a little bit of Brooklyn in Old Bridge, from the tattooed chefs in throwback aprons to the artisanal tableware (for sale!) to the farm-to-table ethos. But if that means we don't have to drive to Gowanus for duck breast with sherry herbed barley, date puree and maitake mushrooms ($36), that's fine by us. It's a cooking school during the week and a supper club on the weekends, where diners who call ahead can sit at the chef's counter and watch the kitchen staff work their magic up close. 3853 Route 516, Old Bridge. 732-727-9444. heirloomkitchen.com
9. Zaferon Grill, Verona
Watch out, Montclair. The three-block stretch of Bloomfield Avenue that has welcomed Ariane Kitchen + Bar and Aroy-D: the Thai Elephant in recent years has a brand-new neighbor, the Mediterranean and Persian-inspired Zaferon Grill, where the owners have created a Zen-like space out of an old Domino's. The BYOB, which opened last month, emphasizes antibiotic- and hormone-free meat, wild-caught fish, organic produce and freshly-blended juices. The meal starts with the restaurant's hot, chewy flatbread, and the Persian influence is seen in the skewers ($21-$26) with a choice of chutneys (among them citrus fig and mango peach), and the saffron-infused braised lamb shank (Zaferon means saffon in Persian) with dried Persian limes, tomatoes and fava beans. 648 Bloomfield Ave., Verona. 973-433-7533. zaferongrill.com
Jumbo lump crab & avocado "cannelloni" with charred pineapple and melon and passion fruit vinaigrette at the Boulevard Seafood Company in Somerville. 10. Boulevard Seafood Company, Somerville
CIA alum Scott Snyder, who has won raves for his 11-year-old Boulevard Five72 in Kenilworth, and his wife Allison have branched out big time to Somerville, where they run the nearly-year-old Boulevard Seafood Company. (Next door is their third eatery, the casual breakfast and lunch Conlin's Cafe & Bakery). The cozy (okay, tight) brick-walled Boulevard Seafood has earned plenty of buzz for its creative seafood preparations, from the gulf shrimp corn dogs with spicy mustard sauce ($10) to the jumbo lump crab and avocado "cannelloni" over charred pineapple and melon with passion fruit vinaigrette ($16) to the seared day boat scallops and lemongrass pork belly duo ($29). 49 W. Main St., Somerville. 908-722-3300. boulevardseafood.com
Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook, and check out Remote Possibilities, the TV podcast from Vicki Hyman and co-host Erin Medley on iTunes, Stitcher or Spreaker, or listen below or here.