IN THE MIX – THE ASK

What is one dish that says
“summer has arrived?”

ANTHONY MCDONALD
MANAGER/NIGHTLIFE DIRECTOR OF PIER 115
{115 River Road, Edgewater; 201.313.2155; pier115barandgrill.com}

The one dish that says “summertime
has arrived” is definitely our Grilled Octopus. Four ounces of
octopus tentacle are grilled to a crisp while maintaining a tender
interior. It is then cut, cubed and paired with watermelon and feta,
and then topped off with freshly minced octopus in chimichurri sauce.
This is a customer favorite!

MICHAEL MONACO
MANAGING PARTNER OF THE PICCO TAVERN
{160 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack; 201.880.8750; piccotavern.com}

Homemade fresh warm ricotta with
honey-infused truffles with smoked prosciutto? Then again, a Jersey
tomato on white bread with mayo. I can smell summer coming. I’m asked
this question and I just bought some honey with infused Black
truffle. I am sitting on our outdoor patio thinking how I’m going to
answer this question and I see a single bee with that familiar
buzzing sound. I started to swat it away, but then I stopped when I
realized it made me happy summer is here. It reminded me about a
beekeeper in Cliffside 45 years ago. I was nine years old in the back
of big Sal Defiore’s house. He sold us meats in the first
restaurant I apprenticed in as a chef. This beekeeper lived on the
top of Oxen Hill in an old castle. It was the most beautiful piece of
real estate in Cliffside. The back of the Castle had at least 50 bee
hives. He showed me the hives and pulled out the draws to point out
the queen. I would buy honey from him. I think the property was sold
and the castle was knocked down. I know the beekeeper wasn’t happy
about it and he was a nice man. The property was sold and now Dr. Oz
lives there in this monster of a house on it with an indoor
basketball court!

MICHAEL KRYWUCKI
GENERAL MANAGER OF RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE
{1000 Harbor Boulevard Lincoln Harbor, Weehawken; 201.863.5100; ruthschris.com}

I would say out of all of our regular menu items, the crab stack appetizer is the most summery dish we offer. It’s a cold blue crab cocktail with fresh avocado, mango, cucumbers, and cilantro. It’s light, refreshing and perfect for summertime. It also pairs well with a white wine.

YORETT NEGRIN
GENERAL MANAGER OF LA TABERNA STEAKS AND TAPAS BAR
{31 West Madison Avenue, Dumont; 201.374.1661; latabernanj.com}

At La Taberna Restaurant, for a summer entrée to please your taste buds we offer our Salpicon de Mariscos. It’s a mouthwatering seafood salad with fresh avocado topped with shrimp, calamari, scallops, and octopus. It’s a refreshing meal that will beat the heat and leave you satisfied. Pairs nicely with a glass of our Albariño wine.

By Taylor Kelly