Seafood Menus Abound Thanks to Jersey Shore’s Abundance of Fish
Even though we just concluded our popular Farm to Fork Week on 30th, we cannot forget that often Garden State produce that we highlighted that week is used to round out a meal featuring another New Jersey fresh favorite: seafood.
When our chefs plan their menus, most include several seafood selections for two reasons: a variety of fresh seafood is close at hand and South Jersey residents love fish. A lot of our patrons grew up on seafood servings and many have fishing as a hobby.
Jersey’s most popular fish.
Consequently, our patrons also know their fish!
We do too. We know that the local fishing industry offers us special opportunities to serve the freshest of seafood. Local fisheries fill their boats during the summer months with black sea bass, bluefish, bonito, flounder, mahi mahi, and tuna. Also plentiful locally are blue crabs and hard clams.
(Inside information: flounder is really fluke and mahi mahi is really dolphin. No, not the flipper kind of dolphin, but fluke and dolphin don’t sound appetizing.)
South Jersey diners are fortunate that we are so close to the sea they can be assured of fresh seafood. We are also fortunate that the Garden State Seafood Association is “Dedicated to the Sustainable Harvest of New Jersey’s Inshore & Offshore Waters” for a number of species can become endangered and need to be scientifically managed.
From July through September, when local fish is plentiful, our chefs take advantage of the fresh bounty. Flounder is arguably the most popular local fish, but other species show up in a variety of forms from tacos to fish and chips dishes. Those who favor deep-sea denizens are drawn to the flavors of mahi mahi and tuna, which are also included in the menus of several of our chefs.
Clams from the Jersey shore.
Shellfish are also favored on our menus. The crab cakes and clams on the half shell found as appetizers in many of our restaurants are a result of our proximity to scores of local fisheries. Clams are especially in demand in this area and our menus sometimes include those tasty morsels in chowders (Manhattan and New England-style), steamed, and with pasta.
As our summer restaurant week—Farm to Fork—approaches we salute 1st Colonial Community Bank for its yearlong support, and offer special thanks to Rastelli Market Fresh, our current sponsor.
And now that we have sparked your craving for fresh fish, it would be a good time to make your reservations at one of our restaurants
for some great seafood. We would be delighted to serve you.
