{"id":57857,"date":"2017-08-28T13:38:02","date_gmt":"2017-08-28T17:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=57857"},"modified":"2020-12-19T01:29:08","modified_gmt":"2020-12-19T05:29:08","slug":"the-best-eats-in-red-bank-nj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/57857\/the-best-eats-in-red-bank-nj\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Eats In Red Bank, NJ"},"content":{"rendered":"

A woman approaches me in a Red Bank bar. \u201cExcuse me,\u201d she says. \u201cYou look so cute sitting there with your book and glass of beer. Like you\u2019re in New York.\u201d As I am visiting from Manhattan, I laugh. \u201cJust killing time before a reservation,\u201d I explain. We smile at each other before she returns to her group of friends and I my notes.<\/p>\n

Though New Jersey gets a bad rap amongst New Yorkers, this exchange is typical of unpretentious Red Bank, NJ<\/a>. Protected from ocean waves by the Sea Bright peninsula, Red Bank\u2019s location on the Navesink River gives the town coastal charm unspoiled by beachgoers. Quirky shops, friendly locals, and a walkable downtown further distinguish Red Bank from other North Jersey destinations. The town\u2019s incredible cuisine is the cherry on top.<\/p>\n

Red Bank\u2019s Food Scene<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Italian-American roots and close proximity to the sea are frequent inspirations for restaurants in Red Bank. Many employers grew up nearby; their authentic cooking attracts clientele from across the state. \u201cWe see lots of familiar faces,\u201d says Dominick Rizzo, Executive Chef at Catch. \u201cCouples return every other week to stay in town and go out to eat. It\u2019s a good halfway point for friends coming from South Jersey and New York, and it\u2019s easy to get to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rather than competing, restaurants cooperate, sending guests to neighboring locations after reaching capacity. Business owners are often personal friends. \u201cMost of us hang out together, get drinks, work on a lot of non-profit stuff to help Red Bank,\u201d says owner of Teak George Lyristis. \u201cJust last Christmas, the RBBA (Red Bank Business Alliance) donated close to $30,000 from our first holiday event soir\u00e9e.\u201d<\/p>\n

Red Bank\u2019s small size also makes it easy to enjoy several spots in one night. \u201cPeople start at Teak or Dublin House before making it to Catch or somewhere else for dinner. Then they\u2019ll move to a different bar.\u201d Dominick chuckles. \u201cYou can run into the same group of people three times.\u201d \u201cIs this one of those towns where everyone knows each other?\u201d I ask. \u201cDefinitely.\u201d<\/p>\n

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