Restaurants in historic train stations, racetracks, and golf courses, along with waterfront restaurants, and craft beer houses top our list 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.
DINKY BAR & KITCHEN: The Dinky Bar & Kitchen adds a new wrinkle to the already eclectic Princeton culinary scene. The restaurant is located at the original 1918 stone station house of Princeton's "Dinky Line" (which took passengers from Princeton to Princeton Junction). Dinky Bar prides itself on being a "welcoming and simple bar" whose menu is based around snacks and small plates created with locally sourced ingredients. Diners can choose to snack on charcuterie ($9-$21), or cheese plates ($7-$19), or they can dive into the unique menu. How unique? There's not that many places were you can find warm bar nuts ($4), fried sage leaves ($11), and salt and vinegar fingerling chips ($5) sharing menu space with organic turkey and zucchini meatballs ($11), sesame wings ($12), or a hot pot of steamed mussels ($13). 94 University Place, Princeton. 609-681-2977.
SEABRA'S MARISQUEIRA: If you're going to do Portuguese food right, Seabra's Marisqueira should at the top of your list. Since 1989, Seabra's has been a cornerstone in the Newark dining scene. The restaurant is known for its seafood, so if you are fan of Neptune's bounty, then you may find a little slice of heaven in the Ironbound. Signature dishes include acorda de marisco ($20.95), a traditional "dry soup" consisting of shrimp, clams, mussels, a poached egg, and cubed Portuguese bread topped with garlic, oil, and coriander sauce; and carne de porco a Alentejana ($16.95), which is cubed pork and clams braised in garlic, white wine, and coriander sauce. The restaurant serves up monkfish, lobster tails, paella, prawns, Alaskan king crab legs, and jumbo shrimp for those who are pescetarian-ly inclined. If seafood is not your thing, there's always costela de vaca na grelha (beef short ribs, $16.95), escalopes de vitela fritos ao Madeira (fried veal cutlets, $21.95), and bife a Portuguesa (steak topped with ham and an egg, $20.95). 87 Madison Street, Newark. 973-465-1250.
Klein's on Main is the latest venture for the iconic seafood restaurant located in Belmar. KLEIN'S ON MAIN: The name "Klein's" has been a staple in the Jersey Shore seafood scene since Ollie Klein Sr. sold fish from the back of his truck in 1924. This summer the owners of Klein's opened up a new location, Klein's on Main in Belmar. This family-friendly restaurant (which is mere steps from the original Klein's) serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you're looking for a delectable way to kick off your morning, the breakfast here is no joke. The 5th Avenue Delight ($7.50) is a Kleins-influenced play on the traditional eggs Benedict, as it replaces the ham with a piece of beautifully smoked salmon. The dill hollandaise sauce complements the richness of the egg and smokiness of the fish perfectly. If you're looking for a filling breakfast, then go for the breakfast burrito ($4.75), filled with eggs, meat, and pico de gallo. For lunch and dinner you can either opt for a laid-back meal of burgers ($10), lobster rolls ($16), hot dogs ($5), or a classic Jersey Shore seafood dinner, a 1-pound lobster ($18), 1-pound snow crab clusters ($16), or lobster mac & cheese ($13). 501 Main Street, Belmar. 732-556-6571.
Chef/owner C.J. Reycraft Jr. is bringing upscale hamburgers to Westfield with his latest venture, Butcher Block Burgers. BUTCHER BLOCK BURGERS: You can find a burger on the menu at nearly every chain restaurant, fast food joint, or American restaurant in the state. But it takes special love and care to create a burger that stands out from the rest. Chef C.J. Reycraft Jr., who some may remember from his French restaurant Amuse, returns to Westfield with his latest venture, Butcher Block Burgers. The menu is teeming with burger innovation -- the duck burger ($21) has a 6-ounce duck patty, spiced mango compote, and butter lettuce, and the Mangalitsa pork burger ($17) has smoked gouda, red onions, and habanero mayo on a pretzel bun. You can build your own burger too, choosing from wide variety of meats, cheeses, breads, and toppings. If you're not feeling a burger, you can order up a duck and foie gras sausage ($18), fish tacos ($12), or grilled cheese ($8). 39 Elm Street, Westfield. 908-317-2640.
MIDLAND BREW HOUSE: The sprawling upscale sports lounge celebrates its first year anniversary this month. If you love sports and a good libation, MBH has more than 60 TVs, more than 48 beers on tap (including New Belgium, Carton and Kane to name a few), and an extensive whiskey list. On the food side of things, don't assume because this a beer-centric venue that all the restaurant's creative juices are focused on which little-known craft beer to put on tap. The menu here is bursting with creativity (and mouth-watering options). Start at the top of the menu and you'll find appetizers like Brew House Bacon (thick applewood-smoked bacon with three sauces, $11), Thai peanut lamb ribs ($14), and ahi tuna and Scottish salmon Napoleon ($14). You've also got mini tacos, artisanal pizzas ($10-$19), crab cakes ($23), and the 40-ounce Midland Tomahawk Steak ($55), which serves two people. 374 North Midland Ave, Saddle Brook. 201-797-0070.
RED HOT & BLUE: The Memphis-style barbecue chain (which has locations in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and Missouri) has planted its first set of roots in New Jersey. Located at The Holiday Inn on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, Red Hot & Blue's mission is to serve up soul-stirring barbecue, ice cold libations, and red hot live blues music. Red Hot & Blue serves up St. Louis-style ribs ($14.99-$22.99) which are hickory-smoked and slow cooked for hours. You can order them up dry (Memphis-style), wet (slathered in Mojo Mild sauce), or sweet (covered in its Sufferin' Sweet sauce). If ribs aren't your thing but you love that barbecue flavor, you can also get pulled chicken, pulled pork, brisket, or sausage. And if you just aren't into barbecue, there are also burgers, sandwiches, or Southern specialties such as fried catfish ($12.99), or fried Gulf shrimp ($12.99). 2175 Route 70, Cherry Hill. 856-665-7427.
The ahi tuna at Jakeabob's Bay in Union Beach is one of the many surprises you'll find on the menu at the newly reopened restaurant and bar. JAKEABOB'S BAY: Four years ago Jakeabob's Bay, a thriving waterfront restaurant and bar in Union Beach, was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Four years later, the restaurant has re-opened. Sadly, the brick and mortar restaurant that stood on the waterfront of Union Beach is no longer there, but in its place is a fantastic tiki bar and expansive waterfront patio. The menu at Jakeabob's has retained some of its former favorites, including ribs ($18.95), wings ($8.95-$10.95), burgers ($11.95), and bar food. But just because this is a tiki bar, don't think you can't get some serious eats here. Clams ($6.95-$13.95), sesame ahi tuna with wasabi aioli ($12.95), buckets of steamers ($22.95), and crab cakes ($27.95) are just a few of the seafood dishes that go perfectly with the sea air. If you're more of a landlubber, you cannot go wrong with the bourbon-marinated hanger steak ($25.95) or clever chicken parm lollipop appetizer ($11.95). Desserts, particularly the cheesecake in a glass and the homemade cannoli dip (both $5.95), are delightful ways to end your meal. 525 Front Street, Union Beach. 732-264-3730.
IRON PIER CRAFT HOUSE: The Iron Pier Craft House, which opened earlier this year above the popular Cabanas on Beach Avenue, is Cape May's only gastropub. The word craft in the name of the restaurant isn't just in reference to its affinity for serving craft beer. Its chefs have taken a lot of time to craft the menu to stand out from your usual pub fare. There are a number of shareable plates served here such as cheese curds and marinara ($9), Bavarian pretzels with an IPA jalapeno cheese sauce ($9), a Kobe burger flight ($18), or Cape May Pearls (sour cream, vodka, caviar, mignonette sauce, $16). Iron Pier has also has sizable entrees, such as hanger steak ($18) and colossal crab on a bed of gnocchi ($22). The restaurant has a sushi bar where chef Harry Setiyaki creates marvels using tuna, mackerel, octopus, and squid. 429 Beach Ave, Cape May. 609-884-1925.
The peaches and squash at Restaurant Latour is one of the many epicurean delights found in this highly rated restaurant. RESTAURANT LATOUR: The restaurant, located at the picturesque Crystal Springs Golf Resort, was just named as one of 100 Best Wine Restaurants by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. This is no small feat, as Latour is the only restaurant from the Garden State to make this list. If you're wondering, Latour has more than 6,000 labels on hand. This is an upscale restaurant, so if you're heading there (reservations are essential), make sure you have the proper attire -- no jeans, and gentlemen should wear a jacket. Chefs Anthony Bucco and Martyna Krowicka pride themselves on highlighting some of the best New Jersey's farmers and foragers have to offer. Latour has two distinct dining options, the 5-course "anthology" menu, and the 7-course "chef's tasting" menu. The anthology menu is more of an a la carte dining option, while the chef's tasting puts your dining experience directly in the chef's hands. 3 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg Township. 844-225-4957.
BLU GROTTO RISTORANTE: Monmouth Park is more than just a racetrack. It runs food, cultural, and beer-based events throughout the summer, and now it has opened a fabulous new Italian steakhouse, Blu Grotto. The restaurant sports an expansive dining room, three decks and an open air biergarten. Chef James Corona has prepared the classics when it comes to the soup, salad, antipasto, and entree sections of the menu, but the most tantalizing part of the menu comes from the steak section. The steaks here are just mouth-watering, even on paper. You can order up a 14-ounce bone-in filet ($46), a 28-day aged, 28-ounce tomahawk steak ($48), a 28-day dry-aged New York strip steak ($34), and the granddaddy of them all, the 40-ounce bistecca Fiorentina ($100) which serves two people. 200 Port Au Peck Avenue, Oceanport. 732-571-7900.
Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.