From fine
gourmet dining to Irish pubs and funky cafes, there are
many restaurants
within 10 minutes of the inn – year-round. These are
the ones we like best. We test each of them and listen carefully
to our guests' reviews at breakfast! Please let us make reservations
for you - especially if you will be staying with us on a
weekend. Email us, capt@seacrestbythesea.com or call 800-803-9031.
Mill
at Spring Lake, Old Mill Road, Spring Lake Heights,
732-449-1800. The view from the Mill reminds one
of being at a chalet in Europe. Its absolutely gorgeous.
From your table you look at the Old Mill pond with
its swans, ducks and tree lined shores. Sit on the
deck in summer or be entertained with perhaps a blues
band inside during winter. The food here is fabulous
and well presented. Dressy $$$
Brandl,
703 Belmar Plaza, Belmar, 732-280-7501. Chris Brandl,
former head chef of the Mahogany Grill in Manasquan has
taken over Bella Luna and changed its name to Brandl.
That's it. The menu is fantastic and he has the type
of food that Sea Crester like. And...that's right, he
takes our reservations. Dressy casual. BYOB $$$
Scarborough
Fair off route 35, Sea Girt 732-223-6658 Very
English. They describe their food as eclectic. Twin
spiral staircases conceal vest pocket tables for two
and four. This is a romantic getaway with delightful
food. Dressy/Smart casual $$$
The
Breakers, Ocean Ave, Spring Lake Would
you like to be a King or Queen for an evening? The
Sardino family will treat you like royalty. Here
the view of the Atlantic is indeed breathtaking.
Sip wine while sitting in The Seashell Room enjoying
some old favorites on the grand piano. From their
Fettuccini Alfredo to the Veal Milanese you'll love
it here. The best part is its just a short stroll
down the boardwalk. Dressy $$$
Whispers,
200 Monmouth Avenue, Spring Lake 732-974-9755 Located
in the hotel Hewitt Wellington this five star Zagot stands
at the top in food preparation. Chef Dan may even visit
your table. Try the pepper dusted salmon. Art says this
place is too good to whisper about. Dressy/Smart casual.
BYOB. $$$
Matisse Ocean
Ave, Belmar, 732-681-7680 Right
on the beach in Belmar - beautiful ocean views from
their new location. The New York Times recently rated
it as one of the best restaurants on the Jersey Shore,
from the "three-tier appetizers to the five Asian
spiced seared duck breast". BYOB. Smart casual. $$$
Shipwreck
Grill, 720 Ashley Avenue, Brielle. 732-292-9380.
Fresh seafood entrees are their specialty. The lobster
bisque is worth the drive from NYC! The Captain already
has a favorite there – honey roasted salmon with
Dijon lobster sauce. And, good news, they have a well-stocked
bar! The location is great, too, right on a marina. Casual
- Smart Casual. $$$
Black
Trumpet 7 Atlantic Avenue, Spring Lake, 732-449-4700. This
has been a big hit in Spring Lake. The food is
top-of-the-line and the atmosphere is laid back.
And, you can walk from the Sea Crest. Try the cedar
planked salmon for a real treat. Try to save room
for their home-made desserts, too. Great Sunday
evening special menu. Smart casual, BYOB. $$$
Klein's
Grill Room; 708
River Road, Belmar 732-681-1177. Klein's
Grill Room and the Fish Market next door have the
freshest seafood at the Shore. They know how to
'keep it simple'. You can get any size lobster
you want - cooked to perfection. Casual sushi bar.
They now take credit cards and serve liquor. Sit
out on the deck on the river at sunset and watch
the fishing boats return to the marina. Casual. $$
Island
Palm Grill, 732.449.1909. The
flavors of the Caribbean have arrived in Spring Lake!
This spot is the newest addition to our short list
of favorites. Guests are raving about it, too. Open
for lunch and dinner. $$
Bayou
Café,
First Avenue, Manasquan. 732-223-6678. New Orleans,
French Creole, jambalaya, alligator bites, crayfish,
jumbo shrimp. Close your eyes and you are sitting in
a café on Basin Street. Tell Tim, the chef and
owner, that you are staying at the Sea Crest. BYOB. Casual. $$
Sunsets
302 South Concourse Neptune, NJ 732-775-9911. "This
is my kind of place" says Innkeeper Art. Sunsets
overlooks the Shark River. The service is good, the food
even better. Start with the Sunsets Sampler Platter if
there are four or more in your party. Conch Chowder in
a warm bread bowl is next. Follow this with Key West
Grouper encrusted with macadamia nuts and topped with
a fabulous spiced rum fruit salsa. Listen! Can you hear
the steel drums? Casual. $$
Brennen's Steakhouse. Hwy 35 Neptune City. This
upscale steakhouse takes 'surf and turf' to a new dimension.
Do you like your steak 'Pittsburgh' style (black outside,
raw & cool center) or 'Medium well"? You will
get it exactly the way you like it. And, have your steak
with lobster, scallops, chicken, shrimp, etc. Barb loves
the mushroom saute on the side! Smart casual. $$$
Harrigan's
Pub, Baltimore Blvd and Hwy 71, Sea Girt 732-449-8228. Now
that smoking is outlawed in NJ restaurants, we love Harrigan's.
This is a real neighborhood pub that happens to have
very good food. Try the sizzling steak. We once saw a
bride in her gown stop in to say 'hi' to her Saturday
night drinking buddies! Very casual. $$
Fratellos,
Corner Washington Blvd and Railroad Plaza, Sea Girt,
732-974-8833. The hot antipasto appetizer could
be your dinner; it is that good. Try the rigatoni baresi;
close your eyes and you're in Italy. Mama mia! They
only take reservations for parties of 6 or more but
we can get you in. Casual. $$
Avon
Pavilion , Boardwalk,
Avon-by-the-Sea, 732-775-1043.
By day, a beachy fun lunch & breakfast spot.
For evening, the candles come out for a more grown-up
atmosphere. Creative menu with lots of pasta and
seafood. The 'bay & booze' shrimp appetizer is
terrific. Boardwalk entertainment and ocean breezes
included, no extra charge! BYOB, Open Spring & Summer
only. $$
Rods
Olde Irish Tavern, Washington Avenue, Sea Girt. Our
most popular Restaurant. They have it all. From burger
platters to blackened sirloin steak. The biggest
cocktails at the Jersey Shore. Huge portions consistently
good. $$
The
Porch, Hwy 71, Spring Lake Heights. Another
watering hole favored by the locals. They have the very
best burgers around and Tuesday is '2 for 1' burger night.
You might have to push all the Spring Lake innkeepers
off their bar stools to get a seat but it will be worth
it! Very casual. $$
Asahi
Japanese Steak House, Hwy 71, Manasquan. Get
a small group together and have an hibachi-style dinner.
This has become very popular with couples and families.
Casual, friendly, bustling atmosphere. Large menu of
Japanese-American specialties. Next door to a good bakery
for some dessert sinfullness. Casual. $$
Who's on
Third, Third Avenue, Spring Lake. Biggest sandwiches
at the Jersey Shore. Good for take-out to the beach.
Diner-style menu - something for everyone. Mary Higgins
Clark holds court here when she is in town. Soup here
will cure a cold. Early supper in the summer only. Very
casual. $
Spring
Lake Pizza, 1110 Third Avenue, 732-449-9595. The
pizza is good but the Italian entrees are terrific for
a little pizza place. Have them deliver to the Sea Crest
and you can enjoy your food on our porch or we will set
you up in the dining room. Very casual. $ |
