By Allison M. Perrine. Photo by Anthony V. Cosentino
If you’re looking to experience cultural cuisines but may not be able to afford the time or money for international travel, look no further. Here are some ethnic eateries in the Two River area to give your summer some intercontinental flavor.
Café 28, Red Bank
From Egypt to Red Bank, Café 28 offers several dishes of traditional Mediterranean meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mohamed Elbery grew up in Egypt and brought his cooking skills, which he learned from his grandmother, with him to England, France and Switzerland, and now the Two River area.
The most popular platter is the Café 28 Special, gyro, falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, grape leaves over mixed greens with pita bread.
Fattoush salad, romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green pepper, red onions, parsley, mint, and olive oil with crispy pita bread, is also a popular request.
Café 28 also serves specially blended Mediterranean coffee. Website: cafe28.net
Danish Café, Red Bank
Known for its open-faced sandwiches, the Danish Café serves up a variety of traditional Danish eats.
The eatery opened about six years ago by owners Lona and Claudie Kofod from Denmark.
About a year ago they partnered with Nikki Grandinetti and Chino Ablan.
The café’s most popular open-faced sandwich is the “Number 1,” roast beef with remoulade (a savory dressing) on rye bread.
As far as sweet treats, customers most often ask for the vanilla hazelnut danish, with the maple pecan coming in a close second. Website: thedanishcafe.com
Havana Tropical Café, Highlands
Havana Tropical Café and its owner Ralphy Amado have been offering authentic Cuban cuisine since it opened in 2007.
Despite a setback in 2012 after Super Storm Sandy hit Highlands, the renovated café is back to pleasing the palates of many.
The most popular dish at the made-to-order restaurant is the Lechon Asabo, a Cuban-style pork roast served in a mojo sauce.
Its most popular drinks are Mojitos – original, guava and mango – as well as Martinis.
Havana Tropical Café features salsa music on Saturday nights and a pig roast on Sundays in summer.
Website: havanatropicalnj.com
Neelam Exotic Indian Cuisine, Middletown.
Neelam serves Northern Indian cuisine at its Middletown location, and has been for about 20 years.
Malkit Malhi is the proud owner and head chef of the family-owned restaurant, alongside his wife, Gurbax Kaur, and their three children.
Neelam has had a very positive response from the community, according to Malkit, and said they “stand out by using nearly 20 spices in each dish.”
The most popular order is Chicken Tikka Masala, a tender, boneless white meat chicken dish roasted in the tandoor (clay oven) and cooked in a creamy tomato, onion and butter sauce. Website: neelamindiancuisine.com
RUNA Peruvian Cuisine, Red Bank
Runa means “people,” and that’s exactly what owner Marita Lynn had in mind when she opened the restaurant.
As a former resident of Lima, Peru, Lynn brought her culture to the area 25 years ago and eventually opened this Peruvian restaurant.
RUNA’s most popular smaller dish is La Huancaina, sliced potatoes topped with Aji Amarillo – a pepper and a staple in Peruvian cuisine – and a creamy cheese sauce. Its most popular “cebiche” dish is the Cebiche Clasico, the “Catch of the Day” marinated in Aji Amarillo and Leche de Tigre, a citrus-based marinade. Website: runaperuviancuisine.wordpress.com
Pho Le Vietnamese Cuisine, Red Bank
Lori Trang, originally from Vietnam, has been offering Vietnamese dishes in Red Bank for six years.
She has a list of repeat and loyal customers and also credits Red Bank as a “very hip town” that generates a lot of walk-ins.
For Vietnamese cuisine novices, she suggests appetizers such as Fresh Summer Rolls, with shrimp, pork and noodles, like a sushi roll, or Vietnamese Eggrolls.
Another popular item is the Vietnamese pancake – or Saigon Crepe – filled with shrimp, chicken, onions and bean sprouts.
The Vietnamese classic Pho, a noodle soup consisting of broth, noodles, with beef or chicken, is also a customer favorite. “It’s a quick comfort meal,” said Trang.
Website: pholeusa.com
Greek Eats, Shrewsbury
The Lyristis brothers opened their Greek eatery in 2015 and have been open seven days a week ever since.
As the owner of The Bistro at Red Bank and Teak restaurant on Monmouth Street, George Lyristis wanted Greek Eats to be different.
“It’s a healthy, fast, casual option,” he said. With all Greek items coming directly from Greece and everything made from scratch, there are several flavorful items to choose from.
Popular plates, according to Lyristic, include salad with fresh gyro meat on top, and traditional tzaziki sauce seems to be a hit.
Plus, ” our watermelon lemonade is killing it right now,” he added. Website: Gogreekeats.com
This article was originally published in the special Tastings section of the June 23-30 edition of the Two River Times newspaper.
