Need restaurant recs! Central/North NJ

mrs.spunky1508

Ok so my mom has been pestering me for weeks about going out to celebrate my H's promotion with my parents and ILs. We finally settled on this weekend, preferably Sunday. We're in sorta-South Jersey (Burlington County, just south of Trenton), the ILs are just south of Morristown and my parents are in Sayreville, kinda between New Brunswick & Woodbridge but a little farther south. I'm looking for a place that's in between all 3 - but north of us is ok since both sets of parents are closer to each other than we are to them. Nothing Asian, Middle Eastern, Mexican or anything like that - my dad does not eat "exotic" foods AT ALL. DH is allergic to most shellfish, and deathly allergic to shrimp, so a seafood place is tricky. My FIL is a food and wine snob to put it lightly, so really good food is key. Any ideas?

cherylanddan0706

Might not be the area for this event but if you have a wine snob for future I recco trying the wine bar in atlantic highlands above harborside grill, or darrels wine bar in new brunwick.

reneel828

What about a steakhouse? I have heard that the place in New Brunswick that was Gabriels is really good. I forget the name though.

mrs.spunky1508

Daryl's is closed on Sundays! It was on my short list. That is posing a problem too, my H is insisting on Sunday.

reneel828

http://www.steakhouse85.com/ This is it.

allforyou

the bernards inn. great bar and dining. nothing exotic, and fantastic wine selection. it is about 20 minutes south of morristown and about 40 minutes north of trenton. not sure about how it compares to sayreville. this is where i am actually getting married. the staff is wonderful too

uppereastgirl

Is Pluckemin Inn too far for you guys?  It isn't far at all from your in-laws, and would definitely appeal to food/wine snobs.Or The Frog and the Peach?

mrs.spunky1508

The Bernards Inn is within walking distance from my ILs. We've been there before for my H's birthday. I've been past the Pluckemin Inn, will have to check out the menu. A friend of ours lived across the street from the Frog & the Peach and took his gf there for their anniversary and she got sick so that sticks in my H's head. Also on my short list LOL

cherylanddan0706

Frog and Peach I ditto, if traveling down to AH isn't a big deal, I'd totally suggest wine bar, BIL's friends own it, and my sis loved it, FI and I are big fans of harborside and according ot my sis its obviously 100% classier but has great food etc.   Around the area your asking for I can find out tomorrow from one of my directors he lives in the area.  Just remind me, here or on FB

mrs.spunky1508

There are 2 problems. Not everywhere is open on Sunday and not all good places are on Open Table, which is my go-to search place, and then there are idiots on Yelp who are giving seemingly-good restaurants (like elements in Princeton that I read amazing things about in NJ Monthly) awful or so-so reviews over stupid sh!t.

cherylanddan0706

Well wine bar is brand new.   If I had to suggest right now I'd say F&P.  My brain is not functioning to get more ideas even though I deal with the area so often.  Tomorrow I promise LOL

allforyou

i've heard good things about the frenchtown inn. i am not totally sure where it is compared to your locations though

Bigsurprises

Melting Pot in SomervilleOld Man Rafferty's in New Brunswick or HillsboroughSteakhouse 85 in New BrunswickMaggianos in Bridgewater (they have open table)Pierre's in South BrunswickSir Johns in North BrunswickChristies (the Restaurant at the Edision Clarion..well now I think it's a Crown Plaza)

hollyberry88

There is a new steak place that opened in New Brunswick that my FILs (who are food and wine snobs as well) are raving about.  Food was fantastic, service was great....loved the wine list.  They did say it was a bit pricey though.  Steakhouse 85.

JeannineG122

Vine in Basking Ridge

Meghana55

ditto Steakhouse 85 in New Brunswick Also - Catherine Lombardi's, Panico's and Due Mari all in New Brunswick. 

jtheiss

Verve in SommervilleCiao Cucina in Basking Ridge3 West in Basking Ridge

I <3 Seabass

I third Frog and the Peach. We just went to dinner there this past Sat night and it was very good. They are open on Sunday.Oh and I love Delta's right next door. Not sure if that would be considered "exotic" though. I believe they are also open on Sundays.

erikag23

Stage Left in New Brunswick~ they are always voted for having the best wine selection in the state. Food is fantastic~ it is pricey, but you get for what you pay for. Frog and the Peach and Delta's are also great restaurants in NB, too.