A Big Lewboski-inspired food truck, underground Ramen in Hub City, a slew of new Shore spots, and the Halal Guys are the top places to eat for June.
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.
ANCHOR TAVERN: Chefs International, the minds behind Jack Baker's restaurants and Escondido, unveiled its latest creation The Anchor Tavern in mid-May. The bar and restaurant sit on the corner of 8th Avenue and Main Street in Belmar, a site that once housed Connolly Station and Patrick's Pub. Currently, half of Anchor Tavern is open for business (the former "pub" area of Connolly Station). A massive outdoor bar and dining area is currently being built. The bill of fare at Anchor Tavern is American comfort food with some interesting wrinkles. Menu items such as flautas ($9), delicious deviled eggs ($5), pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches ($8) and its wood-fired rotisserie menu are not the stuff of your every day American restaurant. The rotisserie chicken ($15) is a succulent dish, with a crispy skin that could be served as a menu option on its own. The addition of sweet potatoes, gravy, cornbread, and a vegetable transports you from Belmar straight to mom's kitchen table. Its wood-grilled salmon ($14), complete with a bourbon glaze is a light yet filling dining option. 713 Main Street, Belmar. 732-280-2266.
THE HALAL GUYS: Legendary New York street food has come to Jersey. Halal Guys, which opened its first NJ location in East Brunswick in May, has gone from NYC food truck to a worldwide restaurant chain. The East Brunswick location has been absolutely packed since it opened, and for good reason. The food served here is absolutely delicious. We sampled the meat gyro (which with a soda will run you under $10), and it was heaven. The pita is perfectly grilled and is sturdy enough to carry all the gyro filling without being too heavy on the stomach. The meat is cooked marvelously and goes down smooth -- especially with the restaurant's terrific "white sauce." So for once, we're telling you to believe all the hype and go to this restaurant. 621 State Route 18, East Brunswick. 732-254-2525.
Comfort food like rotisserie chicken is the name of the game at Belmar's Anchor Tavern, which opened in May. HALIFAX: Hoboken's W Hotel opened its latest restaurant, Halifax, on May 23. The restaurant, named after the capital of Nova Scotia, is a collaboration between executive chef Seadon Shouse -- a Nova Scotia native -- and owner Michael Barry (a partner in ownership of The Standard East Village). The cuisine at Halifax is inspired by the farm culture and coastal cooking of the New England and Mid-Atlantic region. The restaurant focuses on sustainability and uses only Marine Stewardship Council Certified fish as well as locally-sourced meats, produce and dairy products. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has an extensive cocktail menu. Two of its signature dishes are clam chowder ($11) made with freshly shucked clams and topped with shaved Kentucky double-smoked ham, and the New Jersey lamb ragout ($24) made from lamb straight from the farm Michael Barry's father owns. With all its focus on sustainability and its attention to culinary creativity, you still cannot not go over $38 for a dinner entree (which is the cost of the herb-rubbed New York strip steak). At The W Hotel - 225 River Street, Hoboken. 732-253-2500.
THIRSTY TURTLE: The Thirsty Turtle is a name not unfamiliar to Jersey foodies -- there's a Turtle currently operating in Florham Park, and it was once a popular dining destination in Bernardsville. Recently, The Thirsty Turtle took over the location of the old Office in Cranford, and has planted it roots in the heart of the town's bustling culinary scene. The Thirsty Turtle walks the line between hometown bar and eclectic American restaurant. Belly up to the bar and you can enjoy an absolutely outstanding burger ($11-$13) while sipping on one of its innumerable craft beers and watching the ball game. Step into its dining room, and you and your date are primed for a romantic evening out. The decor is modern and inviting, as is the menu. You can order a macadamia-crusted tilapia ($15), a Bangkok stir fry ($13-$19) or a 12-ounce New York strip steak ($28). 1-7 South Avenue, Cranford. 908-324-4140.
The Long Island black sea bass is part of the exciting new menu at Halifax -- Hoboken's latest eatery, located at The W Hotel. THE DUDE'S MOBILE FOODS: We first stumbled upon The Dude's Mobile Foods at the New Jersey Seafood Fest in Belmar. The initial draw of this truck was its obvious references to the cult comedy "The Big Lebowski." Step up to order and you'll find your feet on a replica of The Dude's famous rug. Look at the menu and you'll be tickled at the names of the food being served. There's such items as El Duderino's swordfish tacos ($12 -- these are absolutely phenomenal tacos, bursting with flavor), the STFU Donny shrimp ($10), and the Over the Line mussels ($12). While waiting for your order, make sure to catch a glimpse of the man cooking your food. If you don't think he is a spitting image of Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, you are kidding yourselves. Based out of Holmdel. 732-546-1518.
GUY'S BAR-B-QUE JOINT: Guy Fieri is probably one of the most polarizing figures in food today. Recently, the spiky-haired chef and television personality opened his latest incarnation of Guy's Bar-B-Que Joint in Atlantic City. The restaurant is located in the newly revamped Wild Wild West section of Bally's Casino. This is the chef's second eatery at Bally's -- he opened Guy Fieri's Chophouse a few years ago. The Bar-B-Que Joint features three of Fieri's signature BBQ sauces from the National Barbecue Hall of Fame. Menu items include championship pork butt, smoked beef, blue ribbon chicken, smoked Italian sausage, and "Motley Que" ribs. 1900 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. 609-340-2000.
El Duderino's Swordfish Taco is available at The Dude's Mobile Foods, a food truck inspired by the Coen Brothers film, "The Big Lebowski." ELEMENTS: If you're a hardcore foodie, you know about Elements. You know this restaurant run by James Beard-nominated executive chef Scott Anderson is where you go for modern, eclectic cuisine. For the uninitiated, Elements is located above its sister restaurant Mistral in the heart of Princeton's culinary oasis, Witherspoon Street. Elements provides an interactive and personal dining experience as Anderson comes to your table to explain what you're being served. The restaurant is currently running a weeknight four-course menu ($79) in which all menu items are also a la carte. 66 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. 609-924-0078.
RAMEN NAGOMI: One of New Brunswick's best-kept secrets. Wander off George Street in the "court district" of Hub City, and you'll find Ramen Nagomi. This subterranean ramen shop is about as no-frills as it gets when it comes to decor, but you're not coming here for the atmosphere. A smart way to pre-game your ramen dinner is with the kakuni bao ($6) aka steamed buns. These buns are filled with an amazing six-hour braised Niman Ranch pork belly. The ramen itself is an absolute treat. The Nagomi shoyu ramen ($11) is bursting with deliciousness. The egg in the ramen is cooked marvelously, and the pork belly is heavenly. The soup, a slow-simmered Pennsylvania Amish chicken broth, has so much flavor it's nearly indescribable. If you're a fan of spice, go for the miso crab ramen ($12). Bring an extra napkin or two to dab your brow as you dig into the sumptuous crab and ramen combo. 49 Bayard Street, New Brunswick. 732-317-2623.
Tucked away in the court district of New Brunswick, Ramen Naomi serves up excellent dishes like the spicy Miso Crab Ramen. BARCODE: Barcode, a new nightspot and restaurant, opened its doors to the public over Memorial Day weekend. The venue sports interactive games such as mini bowling and pool, and there's plenty of nightlife-driven events coming up. But let's not sleep on menu. Barcode serves up your classic American bar fare, but with a Latin twist. Take its burgers for example. Instead of opting for a plain old cheeseburger, why not go for the Muy Bueno Burger ($10.95) which is topped with jalapenos, salsa, sour cream and pepper jack cheese, or maybe the Barcode burger ($10.95), which is covered with Doritos, onions, and a special sauce. Another signature item is its 22-inch crust pizza ($9.50-$24.95). 429 North Broad Street, Elizabeth. 908-528-1928.
BARRIO COSTERO: Barrio Costero is the newest kid on Asbury Park's culinary block, and it's already impressing the locals. Despite its infancy, Barrio made our Top 20 list for Asbury Park bars, receiving rave reviews on the food and such drinks as the blanco tequila and chipotle combination known as Jalisco Is Burning ($10). The restaurant and bar is located where Asbury Blues and The Press Room once stood, and is bringing a "creative and contemporary spin" on coastal Mexican cuisine. The restaurant's culinary director David Viana's mission is to change the region's view on "Tex-Mex" cuisine by using "lighter, brighter, and cleaner flavors" and mixing them with fresh Jersey-born ingredients. Tantalizing menu items include pulpo ($19), the pork belly Yucatan ($19), and pork costillitas ($18). 610 Bangs Avenue, Asbury Park. 732-455-5544.
Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.