DINING AROUND With Marilyn August 14, 2006

SoHo and the Village have come to Asbury Park!!  This is an absolutely fabulous do not miss one-of-a-kind restaurant!  This impressive restaurant is a global market of foods, wine/liquor, organic foods and a kitchenware shop housed in a beautifully renovated building with an open flow layout.   Chef/Owner Marilyn is brilliant!!  She has deliciously innovated dishes and paired them with an outstanding, extensive global wine selection with very reasonable prices.  Wines by the glass are $4.25 to $7.00. I can’t begin to tell you their amazing selections from South Africa, Spain, Chile, Italy, California and more... My friends and I started off with a Terra Dacia D.O.C. Recas 2005, (Romania) for $15.00!  that was palate pleasant and fruity with a crisp finish.  It complimented our sushi starters very well.

My two girlfriends and I dined on Sushi Samba Monday!  Sushi Chef Rham’s unique and refreshing sushi creations are paired with live Samba music; how much fun does that sound?  It was a blast!  For a Monday night and the place was hopping!!  We were greeted by a great staff, who gave us a tour of the entire facility so we could figure out where we wanted to sit... We checked out the outside organic edible bamboo garden in the back:  private and intimate.  For our beautiful summer evening, we opted for the sidewalk dining area where the duo, Virago was performing soothing and rhythmic Samba music.  This was an absolute delight!  (We even got to play percussion instruments with them on one song…big fun!!)

Ok, on to the food. We started with several sushi rolls: a Louisiana Roll (beer steamed shrimp, baby corn and cilantro with a dash of old bay seasoning) $10.00 and the Dynamite Roll (Mango, lobster, avocado, rolled and tempura fried) and both were fantastic!  And, of course, a classic spicy tuna roll for $6.00.  The next time I go back,  I want to try the Pheelly Roll (eel, smoked salmon and cream cheese with masago on top for $8.00.) The table next to us ordered it and it looked really tasty.  And the Tootsie Roll (soft shell crab, shiitake mushrooms, avocado and black bean sweet sauce on top, $15.00.) looks to be a ‘treat’ as well.  What really stands out about their sushi menu is they are not afraid to think outside the box.  Of course they have the classic sushi; nigiri, tuna, salmon and California rolls; but sushi is not just raw fish, it’s a talent, a true form of art.  So if you don’t like sushi because you think its raw fish, think again.  Try their rolls.  You will not be disappointed, and probably more enlightened!

Next were the “Palate Teasers.”  Fried green tomatoes served with roasted pepper and Vidalia aioli, were $9.00. ( Made me want to see the movie again!)  They were light, crispy and green which is what makes them so delicious and firm.  I have not seen these offered anywhere in my many years of travel.  A must try!  Oh, the Vegetable Gyozas; Japanese pot stickers, stuffed with fresh vegetables, either steamed or fried, and served with a lemony soy dipping sauce.  And smoked tuna served over grilled asparagus and grilled peaches in a wasabi crème fraiche, was $10.00.  We didn’t try these, but they sounded like fun poppers: Cuban fried olives, stuffed with cheese, breaded and fried, served with lemon basil aioli, at $9.00.   I’m salivating just writing about this and I haven’t even gotten to our dinner yet…

For the main course we had Roasted Garlic and Spinach Stuffed Gnocchi and Lobster, served in a roasted Heirloom tomato and fresh Jersey basil glaze for $24,00 ($18.00 without the lobster.) 
The Sugarcane Skewered Shrimp, grilled and tossed with a Beijing-style garlic chili sauce over a green papaya salad, was $20.00, And, a Thai Green Curry Shrimp Stir-fry, with sautéed shrimp served in a green curry broth with summer vegetables over green bamboo rice, is $26.00, or vegan style, for $18.00.  All of our dinners were sumptuous!

With such an exuberant atmosphere, combined with a passionate menu with great wine pairings, happening music and chatting with dear friends and other patrons on a beautiful Jersey Shore summer evening, before we knew it, four hours had passed!  After dinner we were so content with our coffee and aperitif’s we skipped dessert. It gave us something to look forward to on our next visit.

Oh, and I must mention our server Michelle, AKA “The Gazelle”.  Not only was she a “right on” server, she could gracefully leap up the step from the outside dining area into the restaurant, with an added in-air left leg twist.  Too funny!  She was great!

What an uplifting night!  All was right in the world. J

 
MARKET HAPPENINGS:   

Sunday School: 2-8pm
Happy day all day! 
Beer & Wine paired with delectable cheeses

Sushi Samba Monday 7-10pm

Tuesday Tutorial:  (Call for dining time)
Join their wine Gurus Robert, Dave and friends for tasting and wine knowledge.
Pre Fix Menu: $45.00.  Reservations a must!

Wednesday Clambake: (Call for dining time)
Lobster, cockles, Jersey corn & all the fixins!
Paired with light summer wines!
Pre Fix Menu: $35.00

***The Market is open for lunch everyday but Tuesday***
Angus beef, turkey or veggie burgers, Grilled chicken breast w/brie, granny apples
Panini Press Sandwiches…Hello!!, Cuban, tuna, veggie, cheese and Ruben.
Not to mention the wraps and good old fashioned deli sandwiches. 
Lunches from $3.00-$9.00.