As you may have heard, Ohana means family. This word is certainly brought to life at the family-owned restaurant of the same name in Lavallette. Owned by James and Dana Costello, Ohana Grill serves Hawaiian-inspired dishes to Lavallette guests and residents alike. Here’s why Ohana Grill should be on your list of must-try spots at the shore.
1. Island Vibes, Always
When you enter the restaurant, you’re immediately met with a Hawaiian vibe. The walls are adorned with pictures of Hawaiian treasures: palm trees, exotic flowers, and waterfalls, which are then translated to the menu. Dishes include selections from both land and sea. Land lovers will enjoy options like a ginger hoisin BBQ pork chop with sweet potato puree and seasonal vegetables or a blackened, 14 oz New York strip with blue cheese cream sauce, garlic smashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus.
The menu also features a variety of options sure to please if the sea is calling your name. One of my personal favorites is the pan-seared halibut served with grilled asparagus, coconut rice, and saffron corn cream sauce, pictured at top.
Other options include blackened Mahi mahi with coconut rice, mango chutney, and cilantro jalapeño crème fraîche, pecan Atlantic salmon in Maui honey maple butter, served with sweet potato puree and seasonal vegetables, and a spicy Thai seafood curry with shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, lime, atop coconut rice.
A word to the wise: order a dish with the coconut rice. You won’t be disappointed!
2. BYO and Stay A While
Forgot your bottle in the fridge? No problem! Ohana Grill is right across the street from Lavallette Liquors. Ohana is the kind of place where you uncork your bottle of wine, enjoy a great meal, and stay a while.
3. Get Service with a Smile
When you are at Ohana Grill, you are treated like family. The servers are warm and attentive, always willing to answer questions about the dishes or provide suggestions. Summer after summer, I’ve come to count on an exceptional dining experience at Ohana Grill.
Ohana Grill
65 Grand Central Ave
Lavallette, NJ 08735
732-830-4040
September: Thursdays through Sundays
October through December: Thursdays through Saturdays
Please call or check website for further details.
Image at top: pan-seared blackened mahi mahi over coconut rice and jalapeno cilantro crème fraîche, topped with mango chutney. Courtesy of James Costello, Ohana Grill.
