Elegance and energy in a restaurant are not often found on the Jersey Shore. This is the exception. This upscale, oceanfront restaurant in the Pier Village area of Long Branch serves up creative, well prepared French fare to patrons looking for the hot place to be.
The restaurant is two stories tall and looks out on the avenue and on the ocean through large Art Deco-style windows and glass doors. The cocktail bar and a raw bar are rimmed with mirror glass and shelves of multi-colored bottles. A glass enclosed fireplace is a nice touch to an attractive atmosphere vibrating with the young trendy, upscale crowd.
The kitchen is run by Executive chef, Dominique Filoni, formerly of Savona in Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania, where Food & Wine named him one of America’s best new chefs of 2004. His last position was at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C.
When available, the recommended entrees are: Branzino Fork Mashed Fingerling Potatoes, Niçoise Olives, Tapenade, and Fennel Salad; or the New York Strip au Poivre Potato Gratin, Creamed Spinach, with Green Peppercorn Sauce.
Save room for dessert, the recommended favorites include; Crepe Suzette Grand Marnier & Orange Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream; or the Chocolate Bread Pudding Brioche, Valrhona Chocolate, Mint Créme Anglaise.
This is not the place to go to for a cozy, intimate, romantic dining experience, the noise from the 'Le Club ' on the upper level tends to interfere with an otherwise pleasant, fine dining experience.
In the summer there is outdoor dining on the Terrace facing the beach and ocean.
The service is below par and tends to be a bit arrogant and slow during the peak hours.
Considering the excellent credentials of Executive Chef Dominique Filoni, and the impressive decor, ambiance, and it's location right on the beach and ocean, it's disappointing that this restaurant has received many inconsistent reviews from our readers and has not lived up to it's potentIal. |
