The Top 10 New Restaurants in Monmouth County

This year has seen a great amount of new restaurants pop up at the Jersey Shore. After a lot of eating out, here’s our list of the top 10 new restaurants in Monmouth County, listed alphabetically.

Benny’s Fattoria, Belmar
Owner Biagio “Benny” Schiano, from Mossutto’s Market in Wall and (we wish it was still there) Biagio’s in Red Bank is a master of Neapolitan pizza. The newly opened Benny’s – in the same space as Beach Haus Brewery – carries on the tradition of his two other restaurants while expanding his menu with homemade sausages and brats to pair with the beer from the brewery.

The Bonney Read, Asbury Park
There’s little more to be said about The Bonney Read that we didn’t already say here. Simply put, it’s a mid-century seafood house with the freshest ingredients around!

Porcini, Highlands
Another new hidden gem that we uncovered thanks to our readers! Talented chef/owner Chris Atamian has quickly created quite a buzz for his Bay Avenue Italian restaurant. His take on short ribs & pork osso bucco is enough to keep us coming back regularly!

Simply Southern Cuisine, Belmar
Chef/Owner Rita Simmons and her son, former NY Giant Rasheed Simmons have successfully taken a taste of the south and transplanted it into a strip mall in Belmar! Southern dishes like fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, crab cakes, oxtails and chicken & waffles are an instant trip back to a weekend we spent last year in Savannah, GA! There’s no other place like it around!

Tommy’s Tavern & Tap, Sea Bright
Since opening in July, Tommy’s has been mobbed! The 7,000 sq ft restaurant has been turning out some of the area’s best pizza, beer, wings and sushi. Now that the summer has ended we look forward to getting a table easier.

Trama’s Trattoria, Long Branch
The pedigree of Chef/Owner Pat Trama is an impressive one. Before he opened Ama Ristorante in Atlantic Highlands (then Sea Bright), chef cut his chops in some of the best kitchens around, with stops at the River Café in Brooklyn, Coco Pazzo in Chicago, Donatella in Manhattan and the Fromagerie in Rumson. 115 Brighton Avenue, Long Branch (732) 222-1121 http://www.tramastrattoria.com

Under New Ownership:

Zoe Bistro, Little Silver
Chef Laercio “Junior” Chamon has been turning heads since taking over this Little Silver bistro a few months ago. Their Chef’s Table is a feast that is not to be missed! And their $20 three course prix fixe on Monday is a steal!

Opening Soon:

Greek Eats, Shrewsbury
The Lyristis brothers of Teak & Bistro at Red Bank return to their roots with a fast casual Greek restaurant set to open this fall on Newman Springs Road. Judging on the gyro we’ve been lucky enough to try from them, they will easily be among the best new restaurants in Monmouth County the next time we make a list!