Basil T's
A father and son duo is at the helm of Basil T's Italian grill. The team prides themselves on being the bearers of tradition--where everything is homemade including the sauces, mozzarella and even the beer. The menu changes seasonally with a variety of antipasti, pizzas, pastas and gnocchi that the restaurant makes from scratch daily. The appetizers feature extensive boards of charcuterie and artisanal cheeses, house=roasted peppers, olives and crusty, Tuscan-style bread. The pizzas are thin-crust and made with high-quality olive oil, cheeses and homemade sauce. Entrees include salmon, chicken and beef dishes. Fresh is the pride and joy of this restaurant, so tables are decorated with fresh flowers and overflowing baskets of fruit abound. The decor is traditional, with low lighting, dark wood furniture and crisp white linens. The bar offers six handcrafted beers, one of which is a seasonal selection and an impressive list of moderately priced Italian wines.
Basil T's
183 Riverside Ave.
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 842-5990
basilt.com
Carmen's Famous Italian Restaurant
Open late into the night, Carmen's is a great local pizza and Italian eatery. The room--complete with dartboards and neon signs--feeds neighborhood regulars with simple, comfort foods in a fun and relaxing setting. The pizzas are thin-crust and come in plain, special or super and are all pretty great. All of the above feature thin-crust pizzas with toppings like peppers, sausage and mushrooms. The rest of the menu is equally low key, offering sandwiches, snacks and pitchers of beer.
Carmen's Famous Italian Restaurant
96 Woodland Ave.
Highway 35
Neptune City, NJ 07753
(732) 774-6010
peteandeldas.com
Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant
Located on the Jersey Shore, Rooney's gives diners a unique opportunity to sit back and enjoy the views of Long Branch and the Atlantic Ocean. The raw bar is filled with numerous varieties of oysters, shrimp and crab. Weekly specials add to largely Italian-inspired menu of seafood, pasta and steak selections. The menu always features Italian staples chicken penne, served with roasted peppers and broccoli and pasta with vodka sauce. Several cuts of steak are always available. There is an outdoor patio that is spans two floors in addition to the large dining room that offers diners a more refined experience. The decor is nautical, with hues of blues and whites permeating the large open spaces. On Friday evenings, Rooney's offers live music to set the mood for a relaxing meal.
Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant
100 Ocean Ave. North
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 870-1200
rooneysocean.com
