With a comfortable pub-style atmosphere, Dunellen Hotel Restaurant & Rathskelleroffers a range of fare and consistent, solid service, whether you’re grabbing a table or sitting at the bar. For me, once summer turns to fall, it’s all about food and football, and Dunellen Hotel is the perfect place to sit back, order a beer and a burger, and watch the game. Here are a few things you’ll enjoy when you go!
1. Extensive Menu and Weekly Specials
When it comes to pub grub, nobody beats Dunellen Hotel’s menu. A few of my favorites are the pretzel crab meltaway, which is a braided soft pretzel topped and baked with a blend of cheese and crab; the flat iron steak salad, which includes flat iron steak over romaine lettuce with grape tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, green peppers, and red onions with a roasted garlic balsamic vinaigrette; and finally, the Rathskeller burger, which is an 8 oz. charbroiled black angus burger topped with Taylor ham and American cheese.
Dunellen Hotel also offers unique weekly specials. Currently, they’re featuring Octoberfest themed specials.
Salad with fresh scallops, from the specials
Guacamole shrimp wrap with sweet potato fries, from the specials
2. Dual-Ambiance Dining
Want to grab a beer and watch the game? Head down to the Rathskeller, which features a long wooden bar with beers on tap, high tops, TVs to watch the games, and a working, old-fashioned popcorn machine.
Looking to meet friends for a casual dinner? Then head to the dining room, upstairs from the Rathskeller. Both dining options are casual, comfortable, and inviting.
3. Friendly, Welcoming Service
The atmosphere at reflects the service. Once you’ve eaten there, Dunellen Hotel is the kind of place where everyone remembers you when you walk in. You’re sure to see familiar, smiling faces both behind—and at—the bar, and yes, everyone might just know your name.
Tooling around Caldwell in late summer, I noticed that a new restaurant had seemingly sprung up overnight in a small row of stores on busy Bloomfield Avenue.Kimchi Mama, owned by Leslie Newport and her family, offers traditional, slightly kicked-up-a-notch, delicious Korean cuisine.
Background
Leslie’s stepfather, Pyung Ho Hwang, went to culinary school near Seoul; but interestingly, he went to culinary school to master western food because he already knew how to make Korean food. Leslie explained that food is such a big part of Korean culture that you learn from your family. When he got to the United States, he realized that everybody wanted him to make Korean food, not American food. He worked as head chef in various restaurants in Bergen County, while Newport’s mother, Seung Ae Hwang, is an entrepreneur who has owned other restaurants.
Newport grew up in Florida, where she worked in the hospitality industry and social media marketing. When her mom opened the original Kimchi Mama in Fair Lawn about three years ago, she asked Newport to join her.
Dokbokki, a very popular Korean snack food
The Start of Something Good
I asked how they chose Fair Lawn and Caldwell for their first two restaurants, as Korean food doesn’t seem to be incredibly well known in those areas. Newport said that was precisely why those communities work so well.
Their mission is to make Korean food accessible, easy, and less intimidating to people who have little or no experience with it. They designed the menu accordingly. Even though all of their recipes are traditional, everything is geared toward making the experience very user friendly. In the beginning, they needed to spend some time explaining the food, both to staff and customers: which sauce goes with which dish, and how you don’t dump the rice in because it will soak up all the broth.
One big misconception people have around Korean food is that it’s all spicy. It’s not. Everything can be customized because they make everything to order. This is not conveyer-belt food. They start the cooking process when the customer orders, and all the produce, protein, and other components are brought in fresh and whole and broken down on site. Newport’s stepfather makes all of the sauces and kimchi in Fair Lawn and it comes to the Caldwell location, fresh every day.
Dumpling soup, also known as manduguk
In Caldwell…and Beyond
They’ve had a great reception in the Caldwell location, which opened earlier this year. In addition to the food being downright delicious, people have become aware of the many health benefits of Korean food, such as kimchi (a traditional side dish of fermented vegetables), which has gained immense popularity in recent months. For instance, on many menus you’ll see kimchi hot dogs or kimchi fried rice. Korean food is at the forefront of Asian cuisine now so Kimchi Mama’s timing is spot on.
On my first visit for lunch, I fell in love with the miso soup. Unlike any other I’ve had in various Asian restaurants where it’s usually a thin, bland, watery consistency, this was thick and fragrant and absolutely addictive. More, please!
Another hit was the dumplings—both the vegetable and the beef fillings were delicious—tucked into a very light and crispy dough.
When we went back for dinner, we ordered the Korean dumpling soup (homemade beef bone marrow broth topped with more of those great veggie dumplings!), the spicy pork bibimbap, and a wonderful stir-fried chicken (bokkeum). Everything was terrific! Tip: if you go and plan on enjoying beer or wine with your meal, bring your own glasses. Kimchi Mama only has plastic cups.
Leslie and her parents want people to know that family is everything to them. They make their customers feel like they are dining in their home, and their employees go the extra mile to make everyone welcome.
In the future, they might offer tastings, or hands-on classes to teach people how to make kimchi. But for now, The Kimchi Mama team is laser focused on customer service, food quality, and spreading awareness about the deliciousness and health quality of their food.
Just as I was putting this article to bed, I got a note from Newport letting me know they’ve just opened their third location in Palisades Park, a full sit-down restaurant. Caldwell and Fair Lawn are set up more for takeout and delivery, with minimal seating. The Kimchi Mama empire is growing!
Kimchi Mama 691 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, NJ
973-228-4371
Closed Monday
Tuesday to Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
7-09 Fair Lawn Avenue
Fair Lawn, NJ
201-703-2905
Closed Monday
Tuesday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
280 Broad Avenue
Palisades Park, NJ
201-585-1083
Call for hours
Famously known for its iconic ice cream trucks (and cart!),Lexyliciousopened the doors of its first brick-and-mortar location this summer. The business began when a teenage Alexa Hesse began making ice cream sandwiches from home. “It was honestly just a silly, fun thing at first,” Hesse says. “I was 17 and was making them for my friends. People started asking me for them so I decided to sell them. I told my parents at dinner and my sister said, “Call it Lexylicious!'” The rest is history.
A Big Day
When asked what the inspiration was for expanding into the retail space, she says, “I’d been looking for a store for a pretty long time and never really loved anywhere. I knew for years I wanted to be on Bay Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach, but for so long nothing came up. My cousins actually rented my store and were going to put something there, but changed their mind. They called me and I had to make a decision fast. I went for it!”
After spending several summers traversing the Jersey shoreline, Hesse officially opened the doors to her first store on July 6, 2018.
Smart Cookies
Lexylicious offers seven homemade cookie options, including classic chocolate chip, peanut butter chip cookie, sprinkle sugar cookie, jumbo Oreo wafer, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and marshmallow cereal cookie. The shop’s most popular cookie, the Fruity Pebbles and marshmallow cereal cookie, is a big seller. “Fruity Pebble cookies with vanilla ice cream is the most popular for sure, and the runner up is—of course—chocolate chip,” says Hesse. “Now that we have the store, we have 16 ice cream flavors.” This includes a vegan option. (Vegan flavors change often so check with the shop if you’re looking for something specific.)
With fall upon us, Lexylicious has moved into new sandwich flavors like apple pie (pictured at top) and cinnamon rolls. “All of our products are handmade with a lot of love,” she says. “We’re really focusing on expanding our menu and special items. Now that the summer is over it gives us a minute to focus on perfecting everything and creating some new fun flavors. I’m learning a lot as we go so I can only imagine what the future holds for us.”
We can’t wait to find out, either.
Lexylicious 512 Bay Avenue
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
732-451-2600
Tune in for an all new episode of the Two Fat Guys Show, where DJ Joe the Great and the One and Only Nicky D bring you the following segments and topic of the week.
This sponsored post is brought to you by FoodBizNJ.
The Details
On Tuesday, October 16, the NJ Food & Beverage Summit will take place at the Palace at Somerset Park, in Somerset, NJ. The free event will focus on the changing landscape of economic and workforce development within the food industry across New Jersey. Hosts include NJBIZ, in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJLWD) and the Rutgers Food Innovation Center (FIC).
According to Choose New Jersey, the Garden State is home to a $126 billion food industry and agriculture sector, employing more than 440,000 people.
“New Jersey is home to some of the world’s largest food and beverage companies and having a strong and well-educated workforce is paramount to keeping our state on top of the global food chain,” said Ken Kiczales, publisher of NJBIZ. “This event showcases the strategies and forward-looking thinking required to develop the next generation of employees that will drive the state’s food industry forward. Partnering with the NJLWD and FIC will ensure an insightful exchange of ideas on meeting New Jersey’s hunger for food industry talent.”
Jersey Bites will have a booth, so please stop by!
I almost didn’t have a place to sit, as it was a packed house on this happy hump day! With a not-so-large space to begin with, the bar was crowded, with some spots two layers deep and it was rocking! Live music was just about to start when I arrived. The bar offers prime seating and was filled with local music and sports fans who came to enjoy the best of both worlds—a great menu and games showcased on multiple screens.
Who Served Me
Mike. And well before I learned the most astounding fact (that he’s worked there for 26 years), I watched as he drifted easily and effortlessly, floating throughout the back bar: taking orders, socializing and serving drinks. It was all perfectly blended into what presented like a single task—attending to you, and you alone. Twenty-six years! He hardly looked old enough—and this is only his side hustle.
Bartender’s Favorite Bite
Mike suggests the smoked trout. I ask why. He explains, “‘Cause it’s delicious!” I guess it’s just that simple.
The Vibe and My Vantage Point
Full-on party! As you open the sticky door, the crowd almost greets you at the entrance. The intimacy, warmth, and good vibes wash over you the moment you step inside. It’s loud, and there’s lots of movement with servers whisking by, crowds of people waiting for tables or a bar stool, people moving toward the groove of the live music. The bar crowd is boisterous and rowdy but not overbearing.
I took the only open seat by the corner, just down from the hostess station, looking out toward the Navesink. The talented Dave McCarthy was just taking the stage to thrill us with an awesome acoustic set. He started with “Darling Be Home Soon” and delivered classics from the ’60s right on through current day. A talented musician, he brought interesting arrangements and continued to beckon whoops and cheers from the crowd.
What Quenched My Thirst
Hendricks and Tonic
Hendricks & Tonic, $10 Hendricks, tonic, and a lime
Sometimes a woman craves simplicity. I sat in the last seat at the bar, somewhat triumphant for the seat-score but a little wary from what already felt like a long work week. So I settled in to enjoy a few hours of adulting on this happy hump day and I wanted a simple, yet fully satisfying grown-up cocktail. So I ordered my fave. For those more interested in the specialty cocktail experience here at Barnacle’s it consists of daiquiris, the requisite mojito, and the Long Island iced tea. Enough said.
What Fed My Soul
Shrimp and Vegetable Dumplings
Shrimp and vegetable dumplings, $10.95
You may ask, “Why would she order such as dish,” typically reserved for menus at continental or Asian-inspired spots? Here’s why: I’ve heard they are a must and indeed they were. Six lightly pan-fried dumplings presented on a simple plate with a small ramekin of dipping sauce. In spite of its “burger joint” feel, Barnacle’s has its foodie moments and this is for sure one of them. Delicate, finely minced shrimp and cabbage perhaps some shallot fill the delicate wonton wrapper. Each was tender with the lightest crisp from the one side that was pan seared just right. The dipping sauce, while presenting as plain soy, even had its own little something special that made it worth a double dip!
Hamburger
10 oz Hamburger, $9.95 Served with cheddar cheese and sautéed onions
Burgers at Barnacle’s are solid! On a plate with a pickle spear and potato chips, this burger delivers what most don’t. Great ground beef, cooked how you ordered it instead of well done which seems to be the lazy default setting of most bar burgers. The onions, to my delight, were red, so the caramelization added a super sweet element to the experience. (The burger can also be ordered on an English muffin with bacon and cheddar cheese sauce, which I promise I will be coming back for!) I ordered the fries—they a first love, And they were steak-cut fries: crispy on the outside and creamy steaming softness on the inside. So good!
Fresh Sea Scallops
Fresh Sea Scallops, $22.95 (fried, baked or broiled)
Ordered broiled, these 10 plump and perfectly broiled scallops arrived in a steaming hot dish with a side of sweet potato fries. (They’re traditionally served with a baked potato). A large chunk of lemon on the side invited you to draw out the full flavor of the scallops. And indeed they were sweet and rich, with the essence of sea water gently touching the palate as I savored the full experience. The sweet potato fries offered an ideal crispness—a fully delightful and simple dish. So satisfyingly good. Sometimes simplicity just is.
Beyond the Bar
Located in the shadows of the Navesink-River-spanning Oceanic Bridge, Barnacle Bill’s is a staple of Rumson and offers private docking at its separate marina.
When to Show
Lunch served Friday to Sunday, starting at 11:30 a.m.
Dinner served daily, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Live music every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Know Before You Go! Barnacle Bill’s is open year-round. Please check the website for more information on specials, happy hours, and more. Hours, prices, and menus are subject to change.
Barnacle Bill’s 1 First Street
Rumson, NJ 07760
732-747-8396
This article was not paid for, nor influenced by, the restaurant/bar featured in this column.
A Lady Walks into a Bar™ is owned and trademarked by Gabrielle Garofalo.
Salt Creek Grille’s Operating Partner Hugh Preece has traveled the world learning about wine to bring his extensive knowledge to Salt Creek Grille – Princeton. A master in his field, Preece is one of only 44 U.S. Vinitaly International Academy Wine Ambassadors. He has brought in a collection of wine treasures to taste—along with the winemakers behind them.
Upcoming Event
Salt Creek Grille – Princeton hosts an exclusive tasting event featuring some of Italy’s most prestigious wineries on Thursday, October 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is a unique opportunity to meet the owners and principals of these brands, which capture the identity, quality, and diversity of Italian wines. Join us to explore, sample, and taste wines from over 20 vineyards and talk to the producers in person. This experience will couple with a cocktail-style reception with pairings from Executive Chef Wally Weaver and live music by Shadowland. Tickets are available for purchase online for $50.
The Big Brew Beer Festival pours back into Morristown onSaturday, October 6, 2018. Come on down to the Morristown Armory to check out over 200 styles of craft beer, fantastic music, delicious food, and wonderful vendors.
Get your tickets by Saturday, September 29, to lock in early-bird pricing on General Admission. Save an additional $25 when you order online by using discount code JERSEYBITES until noon on October 6.
Jersey City Wine Fest is your all-access pass to a range of new wines from around the world. On October 13, travel the world of wine at the Harborside Atrium, where you can take in the magnificent New York City skyline in all its glory. Enjoy over 150 styles of wine, delicious food, great music, and even a few games!
What?
The Jersey City Wine Fest is a perfect opportunity for wine enthusiasts to meet and hang out with friends as they enjoy a wide variety of wines.
With over 150 styles of wine, Wine Fest is the place to be if you want to discover new wines and speak to winery representatives. Wine Fest will also feature a range of interesting and talented vendors.
Guests will enjoy wine samples paired with live music and food from Mozzarepas, Angry Archies, Chavas Empanadas, Taste of Poland, and more.
When?
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Session Time
6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where?
Harborside Atrium and Waterfront Esplanade
34 Exchange Place
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
Entrance on Christopher Columbus Drive – Harborside Waterfront Esplanade next to the PATH station and the Hyatt Regency Jersey City
Calling all my fellow craft cocktail aficionados (and local history buffs, too)! There are some pretty exciting things happening on the bar and mixology scenes right here in NJ. Despite being home to the very first license to make liquor in the United States way back in 1780 (with over 350 producers popping up in NJ by the mid 19th century); liquor production in NJ had been outlawed since Prohibition. That is, until a recent law—in 2013(!)—brought distilling back to the Garden State.
Entrepreneurs Bob Hagemann of Corgi Spirits and Andy Karas and Zack Ohebshalom of Asbury Park Distilling each saw a fantastic opportunity: to create exciting local brands of spirits for New Jerseyans, while also providing a fun new experience for cocktail lovers. They not only make their own small-batch, hand-crafted liquors to sell wholesale, but also opened super-fun new cocktail spots in two of the hottest towns in the state: Jersey City and Asbury Park. As a local chef and cocktail recipe developer who’s fascinated by mixology and all things craft cocktails, I couldn’t wait to see some of the creative things that both places were doing with their house-made spirits and cocktail programs.
Asbury Distilling Company
Ohebshalom has over 10 years of experience in the wine and spirits industry and rather than choosing a location zoned for industrial use, which is the norm for distilleries, he made the bold choice to open in booming downtown Asbury Park just steps from Cookman Avenue. Bringing in master distiller Bill Tambussi, they use a gorgeous custom still from Germany’s oldest and most sought after fabricator, since 1869. Theirs is a hybrid model, with both pot and column, allowing them to produce all their spirits in one machine.
The distillery opened in 2017 with just vodka and gin being produced, and recently added bourbon and a uniquely flavored gin, aged in bourbon barrels. The highly creative seasonal cocktails are made from scratch with everything from the alcohol, bitters, amaros, juices, syrups, tonics, tinctures and accompaniments, all produced in house by their incredibly talented and creative bar staff. On recent visits their cleverly named cocktails (such as Dude, You’re Getting a Dill) featured exotic flavors like smoked honey, rooibos tea, Calabrian chili oil, cashew milk horchata, raspberry husk, and local Asbury Volan Cafe coffee brew.
The intent is to be an extension of the thriving Asbury Park arts and culture scene; even their logo was designed by local muralist Pork Chop. People magazine was right in shouting them out as “one of the top reasons to come to AP.” Open from Thursday to Sunday with a bright and beautiful retro-vibe bar, lively crowd, and charming bartenders, Asbury Distilling Company is a must visit.
Corgi Spirits
The only distillery in bustling Hudson County, Corgi Spirits was opened by Jersey City resident Bob Hagemann in 2018 in the rapidly growing Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood. Hagemann was looking to channel his creative passion for delicious drinks and cooking into a local project, with distilling as the perfect blend of art and science. Inspired by his love of dogs and all things Great Britain, Corgi Spirits was born! (Fun fact: The corgi is the dog of the royal family.) Corgi has the feel of an old English hunting club lodge, with Victorian-inspired art, velvet couches, and a lovely private-events room with a fireplace. Even their cocktail names are a nod to British culture, from the Killer Queen to the Clockwork Orange.
The Corgi team is comprised of talented locals who have all been part of Jersey City’s growth and have a major focus on giving back to the community. They donate a portion of profits to animal rescue groups in Jersey City, as well as a number of other nonprofits including Hudson Pride Center, the Community FoodBank of NJ, the JC refugee office, and the Jersey City Parks Coalition.
Drink Local
It’s the products that really set Corgi apart. They make and sell both vodka and gin, including the only Earl Grey gin on the market, which Hagemann says surprises people who thought they didn’t like gin. They also produce other creative seasonal flavors of gin like Very Merry, with the warm flavors of figgy pudding stilled with dried fruit and warming spices; Bee Blossom, with honey and delicate floral notes; Garden Party, with cucumber, citrus, and herbs. Open Thursday to Sunday, Corgi Spirits boasts a huge pet-friendly outdoor area that’s very popular for happy hour. You’ll also find a gorgeously decorated and cozy lounge—the perfect spot to rent for private parties.
Be on the lookout for both Asbury Distilling Company and Corgi Spirits at liquor stores and bars near you!
Fulfill (formerly known as The FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties) will host its 2018 Culinary Classic tasting event on Monday, September 24, at Doolan’s Shore Club from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests will experience over 30 of the Jersey Shore’s culinary legends, as they’re presented with an epicurean’s delight of food, wine, drinks, and desserts that will take them on a trip around the world!
Benefit
The event will benefit Fulfill, whose mission is to alleviate hunger and build food secure communities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The purpose of the event is to raise funds to help provide emergency food and services to over 130,000 individuals in the organization’s local communities.
Participating Vendors
B2 Bistro Point Pleasant Beach
Bar Anticipation
Camus Cognac & Lambay Irish Whiskey
Catering by Marilyn
Charlie’s of Bay Head
Chef Mike’s ABG
Chocolate Carousel
Clover Hill Coffee Roasters
Cousins Catering
Doolan’s Shore Club
Fedway Associates
FINS TropiCali Cuisine
Fratello’s Restaurant
Fulfill Culinary Program
Igloo Italian Ice & Ice Cream
Jerry’s Vodka
Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties
Local 130 Seafood
Nothing Bundt Cakes
The Rum Runner
The Salty Whale & Guesthouse
Scarborough Fair Restaurant
Shore Point Distributing Co.
Stop & Shop
Sweet Tease Tea Room
Swish Beverage
Taste the Cakes & Ice Cream
Waypoint Spirits
Wegmans
WindMill
And more!
Sponsors and Ticket Info
Fulfill’s Culinary Classic is the original, biggest, and best-tasting event in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The event is sponsored by Dave & Les Offenberg, The Jay & Linda Grunin Foundation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Frank’s Big & Tall, United Teletech Financial, Jersey Strong, Wakefern Food Corp., Manasquan Bank, NJM Insurance, and Jersey Mike’s Subs.
General Admission tickets are $75 and VIP Admission tickets are $125, which includes VIP cocktail hour, first access to tastings and provides seating with service.
On April 6th, National Cornbread Day, all Cornbread Farm to Soul locations will offer guests a free slice of their signature cornbread. National Cornbread...
2. Dual-Ambiance Dining
