Monday Munchies: Moonstruck

For this week's Monday Munchies, I'm going with the tried and true, Moonstruck in Asbury Park. I really like this place and surprisingly it is not predominantly based on outstanding food coming out of the kitchen. Yes, the food is always pretty good and consistent, but it's really a mixture of things that do it for me here.

 I love the atmostphere. Set in an old Victorian style house with 3 floors and beautiful wrap around porches, it's a nice mix of relaxing and romantic. I love it for a special occasion, but then again I've gone with other couples and loved it as well. Sitting outside overlooking the lake, you really feel like you are away for a moment. 



The service here is also great. It's a big place but they definitely get crowded especially weekends in the summer, but they seem to always have everything under control. Even when they quote you a half hour or longer wait time, they give you a beeper, and more times than not, by the time you finish one drink at the bar your table is ready. The waitstaff as a whole seems to be friendly and helpful, and minus the attitude that I sometimes feel as a New Yorker visiting Jersey for the summer. 

I like the food here, I just feel like it's the aforementioned things that keep me returning time and time again. I like going with the seasonal items on the back of the menu. The other night we had a nice refreshing Watermelon Salad with feta and arugula and a whole wheat Margarita with greens on top. The White Bean and Caponata Bruschetta tasty as well. 

 For the mains we got the special white fish of the night, and a Grilled Salmon with lentil couscous. We also got a nice summer spiral shaped Pasta with grape tomatoes eggplant zucchini and fresh mozzarella cheese. Everything was in the above average category. Nothing stuck out for me to say you must order, but then again nothing was a flop either. 

My favorite dish of the night was the Black & White Creme Brûlée. Wow. Not sure what exactly was on the bottom of this, but it was a nice spin on a classic dessert. Now that'll keep me coming back for more.

Neighborhood: Asbury Park, New Jersey

Bite Mark: ***

Good For: Date Night, Out with Friends, Special Occasion 

Moonstruck, 517 Lake Street www.moonstrucknj.com