Whispers Restaurant
Situated in the Hewitt-Wellington Hotel, a grand Victorian house, Whispers Restaurant is more like an intimate parlor with a cozy and classy atmosphere. The chef regularly changes the menu based on season and market. Local favorites include soft shell crab with purple potatoes, and skewered shrimp with pineapple and coconut. Other options include items such as butternut squash soup, garnished with cinnamon creme fraiche and toasted pumpkin seeds. Be sure to save room for dessert. The Lemon Napoleon is a lemon mousse layered between sheets of pistachio-dusted puff pastry, topped with a fresh blueberry and mandarin orange sauce. Open seven nights a week, Whispers is a bring-your-own-beer establishment. This non-smoking restaurant does not allow children under 12, except on Mother's Day. Reservations are a must.
Whispers Restaurant
200 Monmouth Ave.
Spring Lake, NJ 07762
(732) 974-9755
whispersrestaurant.com
The Black Trumpet
Located on the beach, The Black Trumpet, ranked as the number one restaurant in the "Jersey Shore Zagat Guide," is located in the Sandpiper Inn and offers a casual yet elegant environment. Open daily for lunch and dinner, The Black Trumpet often offers early bird specials. Start with an appetizer called Mesclun Salad, which features mesclun greens with beets, goat cheese, pecans, apples and balsamic vinaigrette; for dinner try the Bistro Steak, served as a grilled center-cut steak with golden beet-infused Italian polenta, Swiss chard and drizzled with Merlot demi glaze. Desserts change daily.
The Black Trumpet
1505 Ocean Ave.
Spring Lake, NJ 07762
(732) 449-4700
theblacktrumpet.com
Spring Lake Gourmet Pizzeria
Voted one of the best pizzerias on the Jersey shore, Spring Lake Gourmet Pizzeria is family-owned and operated. Just three blocks from the beach, the restaurant serves a variety of pasta, chicken, veal, fish and steak dishes, as well as traditional and gourmet pizzas, sandwiches, subs and appetizers. Pasta meals can be made with the traditional spaghetti, or for something different, try the ziti, penne, linguine or cappalini. Menu items include dishes such as the Veal Francese, a cut of veal sautéed in a lemon and white wine sauce. In addition to traditional subs, be sure to check out the Eggplant Parmesan, Pepper and Egg, or Mediterranean subs. The restaurant offers weekly specials, as well as free local delivery. Kids' menus are available. Make sure to bring your own beer.
Spring Lake Gourmet Pizzeria
1110 Third Ave.
Spring Lake, NJ 07762
(732) 449-9595
springlakegourmetpizza.com
