Nothing makes for an intimate and memorable meal like Italian cuisine. Fortunately, there are plenty of great Italian restaurants in Asbury Park, New Jersey. We’ve put together this short list of our favorites in the area to help get you started.
Belmonte’s Ristorante
You’ll have to bring your own wine or beer when you show up for a meal at Belmonte’s Ristorante, but this fantastic local eatery will take care of everything else. Start your dinner off with an appetizer like Pasta Fagioli or a Caprese platter with mozzarella, roasted peppers, tomatoes, and basil. Or choose a salad with fried calamari and beans or spinach and goat cheese. Whatever you choose to whet your appetite, you can bet that the flavors will be fresh and authentic.
This is true for the entrees as well. We suggest trying the Penne Puttanesca, which is served with anchovies, capers, and black olives.
Jimmy’s Italian Restaurant
Enjoy a made-to-order meal at Jimmy’s Italian Restaurant. Make yourself at home in the golden light of the restaurant’s newly renovated dining room, where the elegant decor and lavishly prepared dishes will make you feel like royalty. Because dishes are cooked to your tastes, you have some flexibility with which to customize your order.
Jimmy’s specializes in both Italian pasta dishes and seafood. One of our favorites is the Sole a la Marisa: fish topped with a mouthwatering pink basil clam sauce. The restaurant also prides itself on its wine list, which has both house wines and vintages from Italy and the rest of the world.
Stella Marina
Take a pleasant stroll along the boardwalk to find Stella Marina. This bar and restaurant seeks to establish a trendy, hip atmosphere with its bottle-shaped chandeliers and casual decor. But the real star of the show is the food.
Rustic Italian cuisine is the specialty at Stella Marina. Make sure you try the escarole bean soup or calamari to get your taste buds activated before digging into a main course like the gnocchi with prosciutto and mushrooms or the filet mignon with gorgonzola cream and fingerling potatoes. Don’t forget to ask about the restaurant’s winter specials, which can include discounted meals and wine.
Pasta Volo
Get a casual bite to eat at Pasta Volo. This popular restaurant specializes in freshly prepared pasta and homemade sauces. Some of its unique creations include pasta infused with rosemary and pasta flavored with beer from a local brewery. Sauces range from classic marina to zesty pesto; ask your server exactly what would best complement your dish.
Everything is served in a portable container that’s perfect for takeout, but you are welcome to enjoy your meal right there in the restaurant too. Pasta Volo is also one of the few Italian eateries with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options on its menu.
Don’t limit yourself to the restaurants you already know, as Asbury Park rewards exploration with lots of new and exciting local options. Whether you are looking for classic Italian or contemporary innovation, you’ll find it at these restaurants.
Image by flickr4jazz is licensed under CC-BY 2.0
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