If you enjoy discovering new culinary favorites from previously existing restaurants – or from newly opened area restaurants – as much as I do, 2022 was a good year for us. It was fun to look back and make a list of the most memorable dishes I ate. Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order.
Corbo And Sons Osteria, Shrewsbury
The Mushroom Grigliata ($16), a vegetable-based appetizer, showcased grilled local mushrooms dressed in an Italian vinaigrette with lemon and whipped ricotta. The satisfying, meaty texture of the mushrooms was enhanced by grilling, and the ricotta lent creamy richness to the dish for a tasty contrast. Mushroom lovers will be very happy!
Salt Creek Grille, Rumson
It is always a special treat when what tastes good is also good for you. The Superfood Salad ($16), a large portion of toasted quinoa, shredded broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, sunflower seeds, chunks of red beets, dried cranberries, cubes of apple and crumbled feta cheese with a lime vinaigrette, was delicious. The varied crunchy textures and interplay of a variety of flavors in each mouthful won us over immediately.
We were also enamored with the Burrata Flat Bread ($16); melted Burrata cheese, strips of roasted red peppers, a bit of tomato marmalade and pieces of grilled chicken, topped with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, sat upon pizza-like pieces of toasted flatbread. Again, the harmony of tastes and textures made for a great dining experience.
Beach Tavern, Monmouth Beach
Taro Tuna Tacos ($18) were an interesting variation on an oft-seen dish. Instead of the usual corn base, the tortillas were made from crispy taro root flour, which were then filled with diced, sushi-grade spicy tuna, mixed with avocado crema and Pico de Gallo (a fresh salsa made from chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapeno or serrano peppers, salt, lime juice and cilantro). A nice change of pace!
Maya, Long Branch
It was a balmy summer night, so the Stone Fruit & Heirloom Tomato Salad ($18) with local bee pollen, basil pesto and goat cheese dressed with a raspberry vinaigrette was a great choice. A combination of diced nectarines, pieces of plums and tomatoes, with crumbled goat cheese and pignoli (pine nuts) created a perfect warm-weather appetizer.
We also enjoyed the Arctic Char ($34), a thick slab of perfectly cooked, juicy fish with a beet-citrus salsa and dill, tomato bulgur wheat. The cubes of salsa of golden and red beets and fresh herbs provided a savory contrast to the crispy fish. This tasty fish is not seen on local menus frequently, so it was a nice treat on many levels.
Heirloom At St. Laurent, Asbury Park
From the entrée offerings, Skate Wing proved to be a memorable choice. A pair of perfectly cooked, filleted and skinned moist wings sat over a potato puree and were accompanied by daikon, kohlrabi, radish and a tangy pickled raisin brown butter sauce. Skate is also an infrequent offering in these parts, so it warranted a spot on the table and did not disappoint. Definitely a dish of the night.
For dessert, the Mango “Float” was a unique combination of toasted coconut cake, mango, sarsaparilla and puffed sweet rice. This spinoff of a traditional Filipino dessert was an unusual and refreshing finale to the meal.
Gaia, Monmouth Beach
An Apulian Meatball ($18), stuffed with taleggio cheese and mortadella sausage, was surrounded by a rich, tangy tomato sauce. The sauce was thick, but not overly so, and was impossible to resist soaking up with the accompanying toasted bread until it was finished. This delicious dish was generous enough to be easily shared by two.
Citrus marinated Seared Halibut ($38.95) called to me, and it proved to be my dish of the night. The thick slab of perfectly cooked halibut finished with a mandarin rum reduction, tarragon and sweet chili, sat on top of a square of fried Spanish polenta. The polenta was addictive: crunchy crusted on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside, it would have been a treat even on its own!
Sprig Market Cafe And Dining, West Long Branch
Crab Cakes ($20) from the appetizer offerings on the menu were plated with a very tasty and compelling cranberry relish, apple butter (a concentrated form of apple sauce), baby greens and a miso glaze. The large, juicy crab cake was almost all crabmeat, with very little discernible filler. The unusual combination of crab and cranberry relish was superb.
Maple Vinegar Chicken ($32) was coated with cranberry almond panko crumbs and shared the plate with oyster mushrooms and slices of pickled papaya. It was served on a bed of pecan wild rice and was sauced with a whiskey demiglace. This was also deemed very delicious and not to be missed.
2022 marked a re-entry for many restaurant diners who started to make their way back to indoor dining. Restaurants were still challenged by a shortage of staff and a sharp increase in the price of ingredients, which was reflected in higher menu prices. On the plus side, many of those that were able to remain open and adjust to the new facts of life were still able to provide good dining experiences. There were even a fair number of new restaurants that opened – a good sign! These were not the only enjoyable foods I ate in 2022, but ones that were the most memorable, and beckon me to return for them again.
Bob Sacks, longtime food and wine buff, writes about food, wine and restaurants in this column. Follow him on Instagram @dinnerwithbob.
The article originally appeared in the February 23 – March 1, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
