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
