Dining with Draz: Abbiocco
There have been big changes at the Channel Club of Monmouth Beach. Gone is the catering hall that hosted so many weddings and special events. The scenic marina is now home to Abbiocco, and that’s where we headed. This is the offspring of George Chrysanthopoulos,... Read More
Dining With Draz: A Salute
It was a spectacular weather day, so we decided to take the back roads to downtown Matawan to visit A Salute. Now, maybe it’s my many years in Catholic school, but I’m always a little cautious about going into a space that used to be a church, but... Read More
Orchard Park By David Burke
This is a story of love and hope. This June, the traditional month of blushing brides and watermark celebrations, New Jersey is coming back, and so are weddings and parties. So we celebrated with a visit to Orchard Park by David Burke, the new restaurant... Read More
Dining with Draz at Barnacle Bill’s
It was a beautiful spring evening, and we couldn’t resist taking the plunge into early waterfront dining, so off we went to Barnacle Bill’s in Rumson. This place has been there for years, and the wooden walls, dotted with touches of nautical-themed... Read More
Headed Back to the 80’s With a Delicious Meal at Nettie’s House of Spaghetti
As this year comes to an end, the Dining with Draz team sends five Js to all the incredible people who make up the restaurant community. From the servers to the chefs, the farmers to front and back of house staffs, the restaurant business is never easy... Read More
Dining Farm-to-Table at ‘Semolina Restaurant’ in Red Bank
With the spirit of the harvest season in our hearts, we headed off to one of the area’s most popular farm-to-table spots, Semolina Restaurant in Red Bank. Semolina is run by brothers Chuck and Tylar Lesbirel who have cultivated a fan club of people... Read More
Asbury Kitchen by David Burke Opens to Fanfare in the Face of Pandemic
It has been a hard year for restaurants, but the news is getting better. One of phoenixes of the culinary clan is the internationally acclaimed Chef David Burke, who courageously opened his new Asbury Kitchen in the face of the pandemic, and boy, are... Read More
Revisiting Via Avanti for an Outdoor Italian Dining Experience
Over the last few months, I have learned that New Jersey is not short on diners. What we need are more tables. We diners are eagerly waiting to get back inside. We started off by visiting a restaurant that didn’t take reservations and upon arriving... Read More
Dining with Draz at Via Avanti in Shrewsbury
Over the last few months, I have learned that New Jersey is not short on diners. What we need are more tables. We diners are eagerly waiting to get back inside. We started off by visiting a restaurant that didn’t take reservations and, upon arriving,... Read More
Highlands, Waterfront Eatery Proved to be the Perfect Spot for a Summer Night
We just had to have the summer at the shore experience, so off we went for a meal with a view at Proving Ground Waterfront Dining in Highlands. Everything was just right. The weather was great, so clear that we could easily see the Verrazano Bridge and... Read More
