- If you live in New Jersey's Monmouth County, or if you're just passing through, you might not realize there are some exciting Mediterranean dining options right around the corner. Monmouth County is home to miles of beaches along the Jersey shore where you can swim, surf and fish. It also has a significant horse racing industry as well as many bed and breakfasts and spas for you to relax. Among all of these great qualities, Monmouth County advertises its spectacular dining options as one of its strongest tourist attractions.
- Described as an American grill with a Mediterranean style emphasizing health and taste, this ZAGAT winner is one of the top dining locales in Monmouth County. The atmosphere is elegant and high-class without being to formal; the restaurant itself is located in a redone house that seats 300 guests, with three levels, a patio that wraps around the building and a relaxing cocktail lounge with a full bar and piano. Favorite dishes include vegetarian, Mediterranean-style pizzas; lamb quesadillas with Mexican and Middle Eastern influences; and Moonstruck's signature "homemade sweets," which include traditional Jersey delights and treats from the Near East.
Moonstruck Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge
517 Lake Ave.
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
732-988-0123
moonstrucknj.com - This restaurant offers traditional Mediterranean-Italian food in a lush setting. Beautiful gardens flank the establishment, giving diners something to look at while they enjoy their food. An array of antipasti salads are available, in addition to a robust assortment of wines, including some rare Italian vintages. If you are in a hurry or need to grab a bite after a long day at work, 2 Senza offers take-out and is open late. As an added bonus, the restaurant offers catering services for work events or parties.
2 Senza Ristorante
2 Bridge Ave. #516
Red Bank, NJ 07701-4607
732-758-0999 - The cuisine at Bella Luna is a combination of northern Italian fare with Mediterranean seafood dishes. Some top dishes include a lobster ravioli doused in a saffron-ginger broth peppered with an assortment of Mediterranean greens and spices, and a pan-cooked chicken breast served with potatoes and leafy greens. Another favorite is a tilapia filet sauteed with pine nuts and basil on top of pappardelle. As far as atmosphere is concerned, everything is bright and lively, with art adorning the walls and upbeat servers available to answer your every call. Patio seating extends from the restaurant front to a vibrant pedestrian walkway, helping to capture that very Mediterrean cosmopolitanism in the United States.
Bella Luna
703 Belmar Plaza
Belmar, NJ 07719
732-280-7501
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