DINE AROUND - Top
Picks for Dinner & Roadtrips for Lunch!
INDULGE IN FABULOUS DINNER FARE!
Island Palm Grill – This Spring Lake Restaurant's Chef Dave Kruse worked with Bobby Flay at Mesa in NYC. His food is fun and distinctive, blending Latin & American cuisine with flair. It’s a savvy spot at once cozy & casual. Stroll historic downtown before or after and it’s a memorable ‘event’. Spring Lake. www.islandpalmgrill.com
Rod’s Olde Irish Tavern – It’s a scene ....a turn of the century old-fashioned saloon... one of the most popular destinations on the shore. Casual, lively and known for he-Man portions...Burgers & hand-cut steaks to salad & seafood. The biggest cocktails in the area with TV’s everywhere. Sea Girt. www.rodstavern.com
Matisse – Cuisine by Matisse, View by Mother Nature! (Zagat “Top Notch”). Chef/Owner Mark Wall pairs the oceanfront view with stunning dishes that have dash. He’s masterful at blending ethnic flavors with a profusion of the freshest seasonal ingredients. Belmar. www.matissecatering.com
Brennan’s Steakhouse – There’s something ‘Sinatra’ about the style, menu and sophisticated piano music. Rivaling the BEST steakhouses anywhere, begin with crusted onion soup or shrimp scampi, then indulge in a classic NY strip or filet mignon, colossal pork chops or rack of lamb. Happy endings are NY cheesecake, even chocolate chip cookies & milk! Neptune City. 732-774-5040
Brandl- Zagat ’07 says “...lavishly prepared food & fine service. Period.” Innovative American Cuisine where you can indulge in caviar, wild boar, exotically prepared dishes and adventure the globe with Johnson & Wales Chef/owner Chris Brandl. Belmar. www.brandlrestaurant.com
Black Trumpet – It’s smart & casual with epicurean flair. Duets and Trios of handsomely presented dishes, homemade pastas and distinctive ingredients make choosing your dinner an adventure. Bring your favorite Wine Spectator Pick and take time to savor the moment. Spring Lake. www.theblacktrumpet.com
The Breakers – It is the landmark oceanfront restaurant that transports you back to the luxe days of vintage Spring Lake, NJ (circa 1880). The grand verandah and intimate cocktail lounge welcome you. A classic Italian/seafood menu matches the refined stylized ambience. www.breakershotel.com
Shipwreck Grille – From Sushi Tempura to creative seafood delicacies, flawlessly prepared and presented. Imagine a butter-poached lobster over fresh saffron fettuccine! Add a killer view of Brielle’s Manasquan Marina. www.shipwreckgrill.com
Klein’s – Savor Atlantic-fresh seafood or Sushi on the Inlet. Don’t dress up. It’s a staple for locals & visitors. Lobster rolls and steamers...yummy! Lunch & Dinner daily, with a seafood market when you yearn to cook yourself. Belmar. www.kleinsfish.com
Whispers – The Zagat’s Top Elegant Pick ...tucked inside a 19th Century Spring Lake Victorian. This Jersey Shore restaurant is on everyone’s list as a culinary jewel, where food is a fine art. “Charming and a Mistake to Miss” (NY Times) Spring Lake. www.whispersrestaurant.com
Sunsets on the Shark River – It’s all about the Shark River view and the food. Locals and visitors love this Key West Style/casual eatery. Seafood specialties from Conch Chowder in warm bread bowl & Key West Grouper encrusted in macadamia nuts with rum fruit salsa. Open daily all year. Neptune. www.sunsetsdining.com
St. Stephens Green Publick House – Fun,
fabulous food with true Irish flair. The bar is
lively, the fireplaces welcoming and the music –
right out of an Irish novel.
www.ststephansgreenpub.com
Vivere at the Grand Victorian – Northern
Italian/Mediterranean country cuisine in an
oceanfront inn that features a Tuscany-inspired
menu for dinner with breakfast and lunch served
to the public as well as guests. Dine with an
ocean view on the wraparound porch!
www.grandvictorianspringlake.com
DAYTRIPPING FOR FUN AND FOOD
Allenwood General Store – Take Time for Tradition! Eat a pork roll sandwich and shop for dusty antiques in this 150+ year old wooden floored general store. Where 4 county roads come together, you’ll find area memorabilia and Philly cheesesteak. You’re on the honor system. Tell them what you ate and then pay! Open daily til 2pm. Allenwood. 732-223-4747
Avon Pavilion – Gourmet breakfast & dinner, fresh seafood lunch served on the boardwalk for those who cherish the simple divine pleasure of the Shore. Enjoy the Pavilion’s olde-fashioned ice cream parlor or the Boardwalk Grille without leaving your beach blanket. Closed for the winter. Spring Lake. www.avonpavilion.com
Bistro Ole – Spanish & Portuguese menu with pizzazz. Proprietor Rico Rivera attends to the authenticity, ambience and fabulous food in the heart of Asbury Park. Tapas of Sweet Plaintains stuffed with Manchego Cheese, or Fresh Clams in Green Sauce make the trip worthwhile. ‘The’ place for fun on the Jersey Shore circa 1930’s was Asbury Park. Lunch Tues-Fri. www.bistroole.com
Harrigan’s – “Enter a world of Irish hospitality where delicious food warms the heart and generous drinks lift the spirit.” Sizzling Garlic Butter Sliced Steak Sandwich & Fish & Chips with Ale are renowned. A comfy bar with fun loving bartenders, owners Bill & Kasey are true restaurant pro’s. Sea Girt. www.harriganspub.com
Hoffmann’s Ice Cream Parlor – Life should always include a little ice cream, especially when you’re on the Jersey Shore. The homemade flavors are endless, with combinations like caramel nut cluster and espresso mocha chunk. The ‘Bobsicle’ is an ice cream sandwich on a stick dipped in Chocolate and rolled in crunch. Yum! Spring Lake Heights. www.hoffmansicecream.net
La Nonna Piancone’s Cafe– Authentico Italian Family...An overwhelming and lively Ristorante where you’ll need a serious appetite. Don’t miss the irresistible mouth-watering Deli and Bakery. The ‘leaning tower of grilled eggplant and mozzarella’ set the tone! This is a must visit before traveling home to buy the best gourmet Italian dishes ‘to go’. Bradley Beach. www.piancone.com
Pete & Elda’s – Raves in for 50+ years, their thin-crust pizza and home-made Italian specialties are served daily for lunch, dinner and late-night Munchies until 1:15am. Who can resist a salami & provolone platter, fried ravioli or Stuffed jumbo shells! Neptune City. www.peteandeldas.com
Pier Village – It’s truly a little European Village by the sea ...elegant yet casual...transporting you to St. Tropez, Roma, Mykonos, Tuscany...within steps of each other. The collection of restaurants are fabulous, the shopping sublime. Spend a memorable evening dining and strolling or an afternoon of pure luxe indulgence. Long Branch. www.piervillage.com
Red’s Lobster Pot – The ‘Maine’ thing on the Jersey Shore. Waiting for one of 12 cozy tables is fun at the riverfront raw bar. Lobsters of all sizes for patrons of all sizes! BYOB and let the sunset do the rest. This is for folks who love rustic reality! Point Pleasant Beach. www.redslobsterpot.com
Union Landing – Pre-Revolutionary history equals the view overlooking the Manasquan Inlet. Ideal for a sunny Sunday afternoon, Thai Spring Rolls and Crabmeat Wontons share votes with Grilled Clams and Chilled Cherrystones. Open daily for lunch & dinner. Brielle on the Manasquan River. www.unionlanding.com
The Windmill – The legendary hot dogs say it all. “Even if the summer is over, the taste of summer never ends” with ¼ pound griddle cooked dogs your way, cheese fries, burgers, wings, steak & chicken sandwiches and fun! The original Windmill is in Long Branch but you can enjoy the same magic in Belmar. www.windmillhotdogs.com
Things to Do While Visiting Spring Lake:
