While it will forever be known as the location occupied by Park East, a lively bar and grill overshadowed by rowdy crowds and numerous police incidents, Hazlet has seen a slew of restaurants come and go at the intersection of Keyport-Holmdel Road and Route 35. Having lived literally up the street for 23 years, I…
Tag: New Jersey
Lidl IS Worth It
I cannot think of a more perfect business to have been built in the ashes of that dreadful Red Oak Diner. Despite months of protests and multiple appearances from a gigantic inflatable rat, consumers pour into Lidl, Hazlet’s new supermarket, in droves. As a mild fan of Aldi and regular disgruntled shopper at Shop Rite,…
Gabriella’s Italian Steakhouse Coming to Middletown
Spring is a time for renewal, and the same can be said about restaurants. This cold winter, we have already seen the coming and going of several. Some are chains, others are small businesses. This spring, there appears to be a wave of even more new restaurants arriving to our area of Monmouth County. The…
Hazlet Bids Farewell to Tim Horton’s
As reported today by The Journal, the Hazlet Tim Horton’s location has gone out of business. This comes without any warning or announcements. After a very brief three-year run, it seems the Canadian-based chain could not compete with the myriad Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, and more full-service Wawa’s and Quick Chek’s in the area. Since there…
Farewell to the Claddagh
Another beloved institution to its locale has bitten the dust. Demolition began a few days ago and continues today on the Claddagh, an Irish pub in Highlands, NJ. I only visited there once, probably four or five years ago, but it was a cool place and I enjoyed driving past it seeing a little piece…
Restaurant Review: Kelly’s Pub (Carteret, NJ)
They say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Well, when you are about to walk into a bar and read a sign near the door saying, “Pledge allegiance or get the hell out!”, I think your mind would begin to form certain images. I was expecting to see a raucous crowd of old, white men…
Photo of the Day: December 16, 2018
Saw an excellent performance of The Nutcracker last weekend at Red Bank’s Count Basie Theater (now renamed the Hackensack Meridian Health Theater).
Photo of the Day: December 7, 2018
The Clinton Station Diner is one of New Jersey’s best. The coffee is always fresh, orange juice squeezed to order, hand-cut fries, and homemade bread/rolls for their sandwiches. Justin had an excellent burger while I went with the chicken cordon bleu sandwich on this most recent visit.
Photo of the Day: December 6, 2018
The historic and iconic Red Mill in Clinton, NJ. Though the prices of items at their Christmas market were too expensive ($35 for a hand-carved wooden spoon?), it did do a lot to get us into the Christmas spirit early on. No matter how many times I visit this town, I cannot help but take…
Photo of the Day: December 5, 2018
The Main Street bridge in Clinton, NJ adorned with wooden soldiers. We were there in late November for their Christmas market at the Red Mill.
Photo of the Day: December 3, 2018
Red Bank’s Dublin House all done up for Christmas (taken last December).
Photo of the Day: November 30, 2018
Another one from Sichuan Cottage. I have been there several times now, and there is little reason to try anything new. Their beef with chili in hot chili oil is not quite the harbinger of doom it appears, but rather a complex blending of flavors and textures. The spice makes your mouth tingle rather than…
