Deb Smith | Food | Restaurants

First look at the new Gourmand in downtown Point Pleasant Beach. 👀 We started with a gorgeous charcuterie board, followed by the Bronzino and their rich, flavor-packed Bouillabaisse, and ended on the highest note possible with the “Millionaires” Dubai Cheesecake. The space is just as impressive as the food, cozy booths, warm lighting, stunning fixtures overhead, and an open view into the kitchen that makes the whole experience feel intimate and alive. BYOB, beautifully designed, and the kind of spot that feels made for celebrations, anniversaries, or just a really good night out. A lovely addition to the Point Pleasant Beach dining scene. 👏👏 Follow @Exit98Living for the latest restaurant openings, local favorites, and spots worth checking out around your favorite little slice of the Jersey Shore. #pointpleasantbeach #oceancounty #jerseyshore #exit98living #jerseyshorelocal

🏈🍻 Sunday Football at The Sawmill in Seaside Park is on a whole other level! 🙌 Start the day with a wristband for the breakfast buffet at 11 a.m., then refuel with a full-on Pig Roast buffet at halftime. 🐷🔥You can purchase one or both. Or order a la carte starting at noon. 📺 Screens are labeled so you can easily find your game — no flagging down the bartender for channel surfing. 🏟️ Fans even deck out their tables like mini tailgates. The vibe? Pure all-day party mode. Go see what’s up at @thesawmillnj ! #jerseybites #njrestaurants #seasidepark

🎁🎄A great gift for any Jersey Shore fan! Order your personally inscribed and signed Jersey Shore Cookbooks for the holidays. Link in bio to order. . . . . . #JerseyShore #jerseybites #NJ #NewJersey #Jerseyshorecookbook #cookbook #holidaygifts #cookbooklover

🦞🐟🦀 It’s a gorgeous day for the Seafood Festival in Belmar at Ferruggiaro Park on Silver Lake. This free-admission event features over 30 food trucks, live music, and craft vendors. Festival Hours Saturday, May 16: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday May 17: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM📍 Location Ferruggiaro Park at Silver Lake Ocean Avenue (between 5th and 7th Avenues)Belmar, NJ 07719 #belmarnj #jerseyshore #monmouthcounty #jerseybites

The brand new @carriagehousemillburn at the @papermillplayhouse 📍is as delicious as it is stunning! After an 8.5 million dollar renovation it’s finally open to the public, prepare to be amazed ✨ See a show then walk the 20 steps to the restaurant, what a perfect date night! 🎭 🍸 #nj #essexcounty #play #foodie #restaurant

Welcome back, @carriagehousemillburn ! The long awaited return of this historic space is here. This restaurant is the perfect complement to a theatre day/night or to impress your date or bestie. I can’t wait to see the themed menus to accompany the shows! 🎭 #njfoodie #smallbusiness #dateidea #restaurantreview

📍 @carriagehousemillburn at @papermillplayhouse The Carriage House just reopened after a full redesign and expansion and for the first time it’s open to the public. No show ticket needed. Inside feels moody and cinematic, more downtown restaurant than pre theater spot, with cocktails, live music, and rotating experiences upstairs. Grand opening May 6. Reservations now open. Comment GRAND OPENING for details #njrestaurants #njdining #njeats #njtheatre #njfoodie

I’ve lived at Exit 98 for 25 years and somehow never stepped inside Allenwood General Store. 🤦‍♀️ I went for the pork roll egg and cheese, which absolutely delivers, but that’s not even the story. This place just keeps going. Way bigger than it looks from the outside, packed with antiques, random finds, cozy corners, and that old-school general store feel you don’t see anymore. It honestly feels like stepping back in time. All that’s missing is four guys at a table playing checkers. If you’ve driven past this a hundred times like I have, go inside. It’s worth it. And get the Pork roll, egg and cheese. 😋 #exit98living #allenwoodgeneralstore #jerseyshore

Our next stop is @halfmoonpoint in Point Pleasant, NJ! This beautiful and relaxing coastal restaurant with outdoor seating, just released a brand new spring menu! Their chef put so much thought and time into this new release, and everything was incredible! The presentation of each dish was beautiful, with high-quality surf and turf options, handheld items, and apps! I also love that they label everything that’s gluten-free, so you can feel safe ordering if you have an allergy! They also have great selection of cocktails and cocktails for the perfect summer evening! Their outdoor seating also has a stunning brick wall fireplace, and is surrounded by greenery, completely enhancing the relaxing sensation! I also loved that indoors, there are several different sections for guests to sit, so each setting is intimate! They also have live music on the weekends and are always hosting fun and interactive events throughout the summer! Warm weather is just around the corner, and I know one of my favorite ways to spend a cool night after a long beach day is to grab a delicious meal, and sit outside with family and friends. Let this be another must visit for your summer itinerary!💌

We got an early taste of the new spring menu at Maize Cocina & Cocktails 🍹and this one is worth the trip to Westfield. Full feature on JerseyBites.com. What we tried: APPS Pasilla Oaxaca Black Bean Purée Black bean purée, warm gordita, charred jalapeño sofrito Tropical Shrimp Skewer Coconut-dusted shrimp, fermented hot honey, curtido, guava yuzu Bao Pambazo Crispy chicken, hot honey, pickled mango, aji verde SALAD Pozole Verde Farro, snap peas, jicama, avocado cream, pistachio ENTREES Duck Breast Tamarind-chipotle glazed duck, hibachi-style farro stir-fry Pork Chop Milanesa Crispy cutlet, mixed greens, salsa criollo, nectarines Fish Veracruz Crispy haddock, seafood broth, olives, capers, vegetables Tamale Cazuela hearty meatless option DESSERT Caralota de Limón Tostada Coconut-lime mascarpone, white chocolate, salted pistachio A fresh, inventive spring menu from one of New Jersey’s most creative kitchens.

Back to back shoots on the water this week and couldn’t have asked for better weather. 🙏 Clip 1 @b2bistro_bayville Clip 2&3 @thesailhousetarrytown

Dinner and a show, reimagined. At the Carriage House, the menu moves with the stage. As Paper Mill Playhouse presents 1776, the kitchen draws from early American ingredients and traditions; featuring hearth-style cooking, heritage grains, and regional flavors refined for today’s table. A three-course prix fixe experience that begins with dishes like sautéed quail or hearth-roasted oysters, moves through mains like duck confit and wild boar tagliatelle, and finishes with selections like the Redcoat Reserve cheese board or classic colonial-inspired desserts. Unique, intentional, and designed to carry the evening from table to stage. Reserve your table before the show. . . . #MilburnNJ #PapermillPlayhouse #JerseyBites #NJDining #EssexCounty