The New York Times awarded the Dauphin Grille a coveted “Worth It” rating in their September, 2011 review of the restaurant whose menu is described as “seasonal bistro fare with a European flare.” Dauphin’s Chef, Peter Connelly, was the owner of Pasta Fresca in Shrewsbury for many years, and as I recall, his fresh pastas were made daily and would quickly sell out. I used to drive up from Ocean County to score some of his fresh raviolis to finish off at home with his house made sauces. The Times review points out that his pasta dishes at Dauphin demonstrate his “sure hand with pastas and sauces.”
The restaurant’s commitment to fresh, locally sourced produce is easily seen through their own edible garden on the property as well as sourcing thru zone 7 and the local farmers who participate in the Asbury Park farmers’ market which resumes in June. “People really enjoy the purity of our food as well as, believe it or not, our ” Berekely Burger” explained owner Marilyn Schlossbach, “which is a house blend of meat and aged Gouda and caramelized onions.”Some of their more intriguing appetizers include Pumpkin and Asiago Risotto Fritter with spiced apple creme fresh, Mollusques “Cioppino” which includes a daily selection of Button Clams or Black Mussels served in a spicy tomato, shaved fennel and saffron broth and Grass Fed Beef Carpaccio with pomegranate drizzle, house made pork belly croutons, shaved Parmigiano and micro greens.
For main courses, how about the Grilled NY Strip Steak with fresh Thyme Gruyere Potato Gratin and Glazed Cipollini Onions or if it is fish you wish, Winter present Sustainable Catch of the Day with warm Farro Winter Vegetable Salad and, of course, the house made pasta dishes.
Deal Alert: Take advantage of our Deal on Dauphin running on 3SquareDeals.com now through March 18th to get $20 for $40 Towards Dinner at Dauphin Grille. Remember 10% of proceeds go to the Food Banks of New Jersey. Saving while sharing, it doesn’t get any better than that.
The Berkeley Ocean Front Hotel is home to Dauphin. Both the Hotel and The Dauphin Grille will be closed to the public for the Passover Holidays April 2- 17. The restaurant will be participating in Jersey Shore Restaurant Week when it re-opens on Wednesday, April 18th through Sunday, April 22nd.
Dauphin Grille
1401 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park
(732) 774-3474
dauphingrille.com
Deborah Smith , Founder and Executive Editor of jerseybites.com. Launched in 2007 as a home for her growing collection of recipes, Jersey Bites soon grew into a hub for all things edible in the Garden State. Deborah is also the owner of 3SquareDeals.com a Deals program that benefits Hunger Relief organizations in New Jersey. In her spare time, (Ha) she works as a Social Media consultant and speaker. You can learn more about her services and marketing through social media on her blog www.DeborahLSmith.com
Chili & Chowder Cook-Off, Saturday, March 10th from 12pm-4 pm. The Marquis de Lafayette Pub, Cape May, NJ. Some of the best restaurants and home chefs in the area will be spicing things up while preparing their tastiest dishes! All who attend not only have a chance to sample the delicious food, but also to judge the competition in various categories. Admission is $5 and benefits the Cape May Food Bank. For more information or to enter, call 609.884.5508 ext 102. Cook-Off
Garden State Cake Show, Saturday & Sunday, March 10th & 11th. The Garden State Cake Show will be held at Burlington Township Middle School at Springside to benefit the Burlington Township Food Pantry. This two-day event will offer classes, cake competitions, vendors, demos and much more. Ages twelve and up: $10 for one day/$15 for both, or $5 plus two canned goods for one day/$10 plus four canned goods for both days. Ages four to eleven: $2 for one day/$3 for both days. Ages three and under are free. For more information, log on to www.gscakeshownj.com.
29th Annual Atlantic Cape Restaurant Gala, Thursday, March 22nd at 6:30pm. Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino. The event celebrates food by highlighting thousands of hors d’oeuvres prepared by students at the Academy of Culinary Arts and showcasing the specialties of 40 of the area’s best restaurants at a progressive dining experience. The Gala raises money for student scholarships. There will be 3 lucky winners will share up to $15,000 in the 50/50 raffle. For tickets and raffle tickets, please contact Lauren Canzanese at (609) 463-4672, 
Beers on the Boards, Saturday, March 24th. Two sessions: 12:30pm-4pm & 6pm-9:30pm. A craft beer tasting festival on the boardwalk! With over 20 breweries and an all day gourmet buffet. Taste a tremendous variety of beer flavors. Buffet to include some cool beer inspired fare and different beer/food pairings to sample. Held Indoors at Martell’s Tiki Bar.For more information and tickets: 
Jersey Shore Restaurant Week™ Returns in April
Atlantic City Restaurant Week begins today. I hope you have your reservations! I have mine! To help kick off the event The Atlantic City Country Club was the place to be for the Taste of Atlantic City Restaurant Week Exclusive Preview Event. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefited the ACCVA Foundation, Alcove of Atlantic County, and Community Foodbank of NJ. Fifteen of the restaurants participating in Atlantic City Restaurant Week were on hand to highlight one or more of their signature dishes to hundreds of hungry diners more than happy to oblige.
Don’t miss this opportunity to sample over 760 wines from over 190 winemakers from around the globe in the Grand Tasting. The Expo is open on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon allowing consumers to take a tasting tour around the world. Several seminars will be available as well.
Atlantic City Restaurant Week, March 4th – March 10th. During the week, fine restaurants throughout Atlantic County will offer value priced three-course lunches and three-course dinners. A full list of participating restaurants, menu items, chef biographies and other details are available online. Restaurant Week hotel packages will also be available through the site, as well as the ability to book reservations online through Open Table at restaurants that use the Open Table reservation service. 
Belmar Restaurant Tour, Sunday, March 11th from 11am-4pm. Sample chefs creations at many of Belmar’s fine restaurants. Buy tickets early and save. For tickets and more information: 
29th Annual Atlantic Cape Restaurant Gala, Thursday, March 22nd at 6:30pm. Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino. The event celebrates food by highlighting thousands of hors d’oeuvres prepared by students at the Academy of Culinary Arts and showcasing the specialties of 40 of the area’s best restaurants at a progressive dining experience. The Gala raises money for student scholarships. There will be 3 lucky winners will share up to $15,000 in the 50/50 raffle. For tickets and raffle tickets, please contact Lauren Canzanese at (609) 463-4672, 
Beers on the Boards, Saturday, March 24th. Two sessions: 12:30pm-4pm & 6pm-9:30pm. A craft beer tasting festival on the boardwalk! With over 20 breweries and an all day gourmet buffet. Taste a tremendous variety of beer flavors. Buffet to include some cool beer inspired fare and different beer/food pairings to sample. Held Indoors at Martell’s Tiki Bar.For more information and tickets: 
The focus of The Atlantic City Beer Festival is the promotion of craft beers and the brewers that create them. Now in its 7th year the festival has taken a truly organic turn with the addition of original music from artists across the Tri-State area.
Let me let you in on a little secret. New Brunswick, an already dynamic and exceptional dining destination, just got even better. No, more parking lots weren’t added, but what has happened just might get you on the turnpike and over to the home of the Scarlet Knights! Under new Executive Chef and partner Zod Arifai, 
We began the evening with many appetizers to share. The tuna tartare ($14) was executed well and beautifully plated. The fish was fresh and simple, which allowed us to admire its quality. The duck meatballs were exceptional. Juicy, seasoned just right, and portioned perfectly for a beginning course. Another star of the appetizer round was the seafood dumplings. The delicate nature of the pasta was incredible while the seafood placed inside was bursting with flavor. Not to mention, the transformative nature of the broth: it began sweet from the coconut then ended with heat and spice. It was a dish that clearly displayed Arifai’s talent and attention to detail.
After clearing off our table, dessert menus were presented to us and we all, somehow, made room! And thank goodness we did, they were unbelievable! I was totally in love with my butternut squash-apple cake ($8) with walnut-raisin ice cream. The little loaf cake was beyond moist while the sprinkling of extra walnuts and raisins displayed the kitchen’s thoughtfulness when plating. The chocolate cake ($9) with peanut butter ice cream was outstanding. It was served warm and sported a fudgy molten-like middle that, when spooned with the peanut butter ice cream, created pure bliss. I was truly in awe, not only with the quality of the cake, but with the ice cream as well. The other dessert that had many smiling was the frozen mocha mousse ($9). And although I was not a particular fan, the dish was commendable in that the bottom was creamy and solid yet the top was brothy and silky. A dynamic dish that, if you’re not a traditional cake-eater, you would enjoy.
