Cornerstone Kitchen & Tap, Jackson, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
21 South Hope Chapel Road
Jackson, NJ 08527
732-994-5286
Website
Restaurant Highlights
Fare: American Tavern
Price: Moderate - Expensive
Noise Level: Moderate - Loud (especially when a band is performing)
Food Quality: 1 1/2 Stars
Service: 1 1/2 Stars
Ambiance: 3 Stars
Overall Rating: 2 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 star = poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy simply prepared tavern food in a modern tavern setting.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who enjoy traditional neighborhood "bar food" and ambiance.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Filet au Poivre, a 6oz filet mignon with brandy green peppercorn sauce, and fingerling potatoes; The East Coast Pasta with Tri colored peppers, onions, Esposito Italian sausage, Garganelli Pasta, topped with fried breadcrumbs; and The CKT Burger with lettuce, tomato, American cheese, sesame seed bun, CKT special sauce, sea salt French fries, and pickles.
Liquor: Full Bar service with a large selection of on tap craft beers. Bar scene is vibrant
Restaurant Review
Opened in the Summer of 2016, the Cornerstone Kitchen & Tap is popular with diners who come to enjoy a modern tavern ambiance with a good selection of craft beers.
The ambiance at Cornerstone Kitchen would fit in nicely with the Asbury Park or Red Bank dining scene.
It is owned by Angel and Justin Hatch, as well as a silent partner. they have teamed up with General Manager Kevin Hunt and Executive Chef Salvatore Capobianco to create a well run operation
Prior coming to the Cornerstone Kitchen & Tap, General Manager Kevin Hunt ran the front of house at Avenue, The Bonney Read, and Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten, in Asbury Park.
Chef Capobiancois has an well seasoned culinary background having honed his skills in the kitchens of Gramercy Tavern and Marea in NYC. And later serving as Chef de cuisine at Pascal & Sabine, and at Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room in Asbury Park.
The American Tavern Menu at Cornerstone Kitchen is a notch above the many traditional taverns in the Western Ocean County area, though a notch below other Ocean County Jersey shore restaurants.
Their seasonally changing menu offers dishes simply prepared using fresh, locally grown ingredients (when available). Gluten Free and Vegetarian options available.
The ambiance has an attractive modern post-industrial atmosphere. The inside is done up with warm lighting and dark wood, with tables spaced comfortably apart. There is also an attractive outside bar by the entrance. The setting is elegant but comfortable and the bar is adequately separated from the restaurant.
The bar and dining area staff are friendly and attentive.
Cornerstone Kitchen offers an outstanding beer menu of frequently changing 28 - tap craft beers with many local, regional, and international beers.
During the warmer months there is outdoor dining on the sidewalk patio with umbrella equipped tables.
Cornerstone Kitchen offers all Night Happy Hours on Wednesday (4pm on), Tuesday's ½ price CKT Burger Night, and Thursday's Ladies Night featuring live acoustic guitar music. Note: The happy hour specials are not available in the dining room.
Cornerstone Kitchen is child friendly with a kids menu.
(updated: August, 2019)
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