et al Fine Food & Events has been a food shop and catering go-to in Monmouth County for 15 years. The owner, Kim Ramin, and Martin, her husband, moved to Highlands from New York 21 years ago. While that does not afford one “local” status in Highlands, anchoring a business in the community for over 10 of those years just may do it.
For Kim, the et al journey began in 2010 in Allenhurst, NJ. Her next stop was Rumson, with a final stop in her hometown of Highlands. (The business is now in its second Highlands location.) Down Shore Drive is et al. You’ll see it just past the VFW, before you reach the Seastreak ferry to Manhattan.
Kim and team have always been known for creative, delicious, and high-quality fare. In the summer of 2024, they took the business to the next level by expanding to a bistro-style, dog-friendly restaurant with a cocktail bar. The cocktail bar serves local craft tap beer and seasonal cocktails made with fresh ingredients.
The shop has become a beloved gathering spot for the tight-knit community, offering unique events and high-quality food made with carefully curated ingredients.
The Restaurant
Menu items are often served with house-pressed juice, homemade iced tea, lemonade. Craft drinks are also available in cocktail form. Of course, no menu is complete without a perfectly crafted burger. The restaurant’s staple smashed patties often make regulars out of newcomers. And we hear customers can’t get enough of the grilled hanger steak frites with green beans, hand-cut fries, and a dipping aioli.
“That is the best smashburger in the immediate region,” said Owen Forrester, a Highlands resident. “There isn’t a better burger in Atlantic Highlands, not in Sea Bright. The smash is amazing.”
Many, like Forrester, go to et al for a great smashburger and handmade or hand-selected beverages with friends and loved ones. On Tuesdays, et al offers half of smashburgers along with a tap beer.
As fall turns to winter, Kim often sees customers’ interests shift to items like Fondue for Two.
“I love food—and all different types,” Kim said. “There’s always a story about it, and in some way, there’s a connection to each item. During winter, it’s the fondue pots and pretzel boards. I like the action, along with those items being delicious choices that can pair with wine, spirits, or craft beer.
Of course, et al has a charcuterie board on the menu, complete with artisanal items like saucisson sec and prosciutto and mortadella, and epic cheeses and fixings. For these experiences, Kim remains stocked with her favorite, hand-picked wines that she says pair well with the dishes, plates, boards, and pots on her menu.
On most nights, you can find et al specials as well. Kim likes to mix it up and make food that is honest and filling, to keep dishes seasonal and fresh.
Personal Touch
“On my 60th birthday, I, of course, was at the restaurant, so I threw my own party,” she said. “We offered a $60, three-course prix-fixe with my favorite things: tuna tartare, steak frites, and creme brulee for dessert. We also suggested a glass of wine for each course. It was great value and a fun idea.”
“Our beer selection is local,” Kim said, “with niche craft beers that the IPA-drinker enjoys. Our taps offer PBR to our local Carton 077xx, something for everyone.”
And it’s clear that local customers like Forrester know how to have a proper et al experience. “I like it for an evening cocktail with my wife, Ally,” he said. “They have deals for cheap espresso martinis or margaritas. And it’s always changing with good drink deals for happy hour. Sunset is nice by the koi pond and babbling brook. It looks sick, and it’s just chill.”
Kim’s plan is to make her restaurant a place where locals in Highlands and surrounding towns can frequent et al regularly—and for a range of reasons—for an event, for dinner, for the food store, and even for a catering order.
The Food Store
The food store is open all day. And customers like Forrester will swing by for coffee and homemade baked goods in the early morning.
“It’s the closest coffee for me, so I walk in there with [my dog] Hudson to get coffee and a blueberry scone,” Forrester said. “It’s become a ritual. Also, if you want real bread, not factory slices, et al has legit bread like ciabatta and baguettes.”
Catering by et al…
After leaving his photography job at the Wall Street Journal, Martin Ramin has come on board to offer his expertise and background as a pastry chef. He also employs a catering chef who manages meals on that front.
“He left his NYC job in May,” Martin said. “Now we can expand to a lot more that we’re excited about. We see this place as a neighborhood bistro all year round. The outdoor patio is enclosed, and with our new heaters, we hope it will be warm.” But, he adds, “People come with coats on for bourbon and fondue. It’s a funky spot. One of the customers said she felt like she was on the Lower East Side and in Vermont at the same time. I thought that hit the nail on the head.”
Today, et al is fully staffed with a strong team that can propel each facet of the business.
“I think that being friendly, warm, and honest with people has been working,” said Kim, who added, “I am the owner, and I am here every night talking to people. I think they see a hardworking person providing value and a great experience. So they come back often.”
et al Fine Food & Events
300 Shore Drive
Highlands, NJ
848-300-2076
