steakas

Can anyone elaborate further? Moonstruck is the next place on my agenda.

Where are decent Spanish restaurants in Monmouth? I'm looking for more authentic Spanish, something beyond what's served at a Mirasol or Portuguese Manor. Does it exist???

What's Your Beef (732) 842-6205 21 W River Rd Rumson, NJ 07760 I haven't been there in years, but one goes up to the cooler and selects their slab of beef.

I just had a wake-up call... For father's day I treated my Dad, future Dad-in-law and myself to steaks from John's. It was my first experience. We were all in agreement that our steaks were some of the best we've ever eaten. The steak was perfectly aged and extremely tender (bone in Strip). At $19/lb John's blows Lobel's away (who's more like $40/lb). Additionally I enjoyed John's steak better than Lobel's (sorry Evan). I will go back very soon. John's is worth the drive from anwhere in Norh/Central Jersey. edit: gramer

which category? they're probably serving a better steak than a large percentage of NJ restaurants. I agree, Outback's steak is decent. Besides, who cares about Zagat and Zagat's opinion!

Where's your best place to sit on a stool, eat clams or oysters and drink a draft with it?

My top 7 list for "NJ Restaurants I Want To Try This Year" in 2004: Saddle River Inn Moonstruck, Asbury Park Mignon, Rutherford (1/31/04) Frankie and Johnnie's, Hoboken (2/20/04) Kinchley's Tavern, Ramsey (1/11/04) Whispers, Spring Lake Rat's, Hamilton (3/27/04) My fourth stop was Rat's in Hamilton. I know it's over a month late, but basically our meal was great (winter menu). I'd say – 9.0/10. We each started with green salads. I ate a perfectly cooked boar entrée; she ate a complex sea bass special. Each tasted great. For dessert we each had homemade ice cream. I forgot what we had for appetizers. The steal of the night was that hot "bread" they cook. It was unbelievable – like something I've never had. They only came around like three times with it, which was totally teasing. I could've eaten it all night. I do remember that service annoyed me*. I was told after I ordered my meal that I've made a good choice. I was also asked (while chewing) how everything thing was. This was shocking. Besides that, everything else was great. Rat's is really a must-do for somebody who's never been there. The grounds alone are worth the drive from Monmouth. I'll attempt to make this spring's menu. Hopefully, then, I'll be back with a second, more detailed and better review. Hopefully, at that time, we'll get a more seasoned server. :D * I don't like it when somebody comes to our table and asks us questions during our meal. Just go away and let us eat … if I need you, I'll look at you. And if I made a good choice, that's wonderful – just go put my order in. This is a drawback, however acceptable at TGI-Friday's.

How was it?

C46 would be over an hour drive for me. I'll join you guys next time you all meet up there - that'll be worth it

You guys are always discussing this place... I'm guessing it's worth the drive? Thought I drove by it one day; is it in a place that resembles a diner (on 46W)?

Where is Halo? Thomas Sweet is simply a rip off but their stuff is good!

Is this "Chowder Pot" somehow tied with the old Rte36 location in Keyport, which was demolished about 10 years ago? edit: stupid gramer

we're moving right along here ... My top 7 list for "NJ Restaurants I Want To Try This Year" in 2004: Saddle River Inn Moonstruck, Asbury Park Mignon, Rutherford (1/31/04) Frankie and Johnnie's, Hoboken (2/20/04) Kinchley's Tavern, Ramsey (1/11/04) Whispers, Spring Lake Rat's, Hamilton My third stop was Frankie and Johnnie's in Hoboken. What I thought would be my last steak dinner in a while; I brought us to F&J's (cholesterol results the day before was 229). We arrived around 6:45 on Friday night and were seated immediately. If I'd arrived fifteen minutes later I would've had to wait. Nevertheless, Danielle and I had a festive steak dinner at Frankie and Johnnie's which included: Crab cakes Shrimp cocktail Steak for three Creamed spinach Flourless chocolate cake Warm apple crumb cake w/ice cream & Club sodas The crab cakes were steakhouse generic but had a good lump-to-bread ratio. The shrimp were "jumbo" and not overcooked but I've had better cocktail sauce. This place knows how to cook steak! The porterhouse was the most properly cooked slab of beef that was ever put in front of me; it was thoroughly charred on the outside and perfectly cooked in the center (see a picture of it – Danielle's side was the filet, which was cooked medium and my strip side was blue - bravo!). The steak ranks among one of the best, however it lacked big league characteristics. It wasn't as "fork-tender" as a Luger steak nor did it contain the prominent richness of properly dry aged steak. The steak is dry aged but it's clear when one examines the beef that it isn't quite the same prime that's served at a Luger or River Palm. The desserts were very good but, again, steakhouse generic. Their coffee is great. The before tip damage was $175. Not bad for a meal for 3. Anyplace in NY would've costed more for the same. From what I've eaten so far, I say F&J's servers the 3rd best steak in Jersey, behind River Palm and Strip House. :Steakas EDIT: I take that back ... I'd say F&J's ranks 4th in the state, also behind Pete Lorenzo's Café. :S

Yummy!

Thanks Tommy. I'll call them and let them know I'll be there. Hoboken it is.

Appetizers French Onion Soup Eggplant Rollatini Fried Calamari Chilled Clams/Oysters Tuna Tartare Clams Casino Crab Cakes Shrimp Cocktail Shrimp Italiano Mushroom Strudel I hear the Shrimp Cocktail is good. Any recommendations? And, how do they handle walk-in's? Thanks, :D

I'll ask the same question but I've been to neither. Which one would somebody who's been to both recommend? I'm going tonight and I'm favoring Hoboken, however the original location is on 45th in Manhattan. Pro's? Con's? Thanks :DDF

I've read other reviews (hanging on their wall) and most made comment about high prices. I suppose their just a pricy place. :Dave

I'm there! Thanks again!

We have a fantastic meal at the Frog and the Peach! I can tell you right now this place is going down as one of my favorites for 2004. She had the grilled shrimp salad ($15). The shrimp, served over greens, were not overcooked and very tasty. For a meal she had the seared sea scallops with truffled carrot and leek purees, crispy pancetta and julienne mushroom salad with buttermilk truffle vinaigrette ($27) - outstanding. I had the oysters with champagne and kiwi ($15) - very fresh and tasty. For a meal I had the root vegetable crusted lamb loin with goat cheese potato gratin, Julienne squash and parsley pesto ($34). The lamb was cooked to order and all the stuff paired together great! She got the chocolate cake, which oozed with molted chocolate when broken. It was paired with vanilla ice cream ($10). I had the chocolate sampler ($11). I second Rosie, as it "was a perfect ending to a faultless meal." What a great night, meal and B-Day gift. I'm drooling to go back! Thanks for the kick-off, Rosie. :Dave PS: is it true the former executive chef of the Frog and the Peach chef went to Lincroft Inn?

I've never been to Martini's. The seafood lasagna (see menu on their page) looks good. Have you been there before? Be sure to give us a report and let me know if it is worth a trip. Also, is it BYO? Martini's made for a pleasant night. It started off right; the menu given to Danielle didn't show prices and mine did (I later learned that priceless menus are given to the ladies all year). Live piano added to the occasion. The food was very good but the prices were steep. The appetizers were all $16. The selections were broccoli rabe, shrimp cocktail, buffalo mozzarella salad, and grilled Portobello mushroom. I had the mozzarella salad. It was served covered with warm balsamic vinaigrette, sided with marinara sautéed eggplant and roasted peppers - very good. She had the grilled Portobello mushroom, which was done up with sautéed spinach, roasted peppers, melted mozzarella and sun dried tomatoes, all served over baby greens - again very good. I got a special for a meal: slow-roasted lamb shank Portofino ($32). The meat fell off the bone and had a very 'lambby' flavor. It was done up with shallots, garlic, olive oil, Asiago cheese, sautéed artichokes and served over Arborio rice; Excellent! She got the Dover sole ($32), which was encrusted with almonds and served in a champagne sauce. I typically don't care for sole, however this dish was delicious and is something I would get in the future. Each of our desserts were nothing worth discussing ($10 each). The damage was, before tip, $136. I thought it was steep considering neither of us had alcohol. Despite the steep bill, we each enjoyed our meals and the ambiance. I recommend Martini's as a good place to bring a date. :Dave

I've learned last night that Martini's in South Amboy distributes a menu to the ladies that don't show prices. They use it all year. The food's expensive ($30-$40 ala carte), but pretty good. Live piano. Nice cozy place. Good place to impress a date.

What's that yellow stuff with the middle plate? It looks like cheez whiz.??

We're going to Martini's in South Amboy. Neither of us have been there.

Can anybody compare the Neopolitan pizza of Rose's to Una Pizza Napolentana of Point Pleasant? If so, who's better?