What Wonderful Whorls
Circling back to favorites of the two weeks just past brings us to bowls and orbs of baked goods that deserve a round of applause.
The Avocado Update
What do you get when you zhuzh up a mash of your most favorite green food? Not exactly guac.
Wu’s Crab House (Xie Bao Crab)
The delicacy that is crab roe from China is the franchise player at a specialist restaurant in beyond-bustling Festival Plaza. It’s where you best can explore crab eggs’ interactions with less-showy staples such as noodles, tofu and rice.
Cassoulet de Bayshore
With respect for traditions as well as a true love of hometown culinary culture, a stew of justifiable renown gets a perk-me-up at an award-winning restaurant in Keyport.
24 Karrot Spread
You don’t have to be a carrot cruncher to appreciate a new spread on the market aimed at vegans but being embraced by all.
Yuan
A new and celebration-ready Chinese restaurant in the Newport neighborhood has the right idea for upscale dining that focuses on razzle-dazzle marquee dishes without leaving authentic family-style fare on the sidelines. It’s a happy new year spot year-round.
K-’chos
Take vegetables prepared for bibambap, a package of shrimp chips, cooked rice, shredded nori and, perhaps, some sushi-grade salmon or tuna spiced and ready to layer in handrolls and give it all a 180-degree spin to turn it into … Korean-style nachos. Ready them, set them out, and watch your game of choice or hours of entertainment on your streaming service.
Sergio Casal, The Complex
The newest inductee into TPW’s chef-picks-chef society of top toques takes Asbury Park to heart as he helms a trio of the city’s eateries that speak collectively to its 21st-century soul. His plans are all about moving forward in diverse, yet connective ways. Ed Sherry’s profile of a local hero explains why and how.
Byrd
A new restaurant from one of the Garden State's elite chefs aims to be relaxed and casual even as its menu stretches far and wide to reflect a worldly view. The concept's admirable, but the execution fraught with puzzling flaws.
Simply Sofrito
A year-old storefront that specializes in classics from Puerto Rico isn’t shy about wearing its soul on its sleeve. That’s thanks to its chef-owner, who knows a good base makes for great food.
Beauties from Winter’s Bounties
Don’t mourn what’s not in season, but revel in what’s here and astoundingly gratifying. Our five favorites of the past two weeks span type and style – and all deliver.
Mache, with Kishu and Scallops
The green that finds happy heartiness in winter is a seasonal match for a little darling of the citrus world and a type of shellfish that wears the Jersey insignia with pride.