Woodbridge Township in New Jersey is a small town, full of parks, schools and close-knit neighborhoods. It was named in the top 20 of CNNMoney's best places for a healthy retirement in 2011. If you are looking for excitement, Woodbridge is only 40 miles from the Jersey Shore and Manhattan. As home to the Barron Arts Center, a community theatre and the Woodbridge Artisan Guild, the arts are an important feature in Woodbridge. The town also offers breweries, pubs, health food restaurants and cafes.
Ristorante Venizia is a family-owned-and-operated restaurant in Woodbridge. Open for lunch and dinner, Ristorante Venizia serves authentic Italian cuisine. Mirrors and sconces adorn the walls, and a large wooden wine case is in the middle of the dining area. The restaurant's selection of more than 200 wines is imported from Italy, France, California and Chile. The chef of this upscale restaurant prepares daily lunch and dinner specials, and their dinner menu includes pasta, chicken, veal, steak and seafood. Try the Ravioli Di Pollo with asparagus, arugula and Parmesan in a garlic and olive oil sauce. Just one of the vitello, or veal, dishes is "vitello Santa Elena," sauteed with artichoke hearts and mushrooms in a white wine sauce. To finish off your meal, order a dessert to share.
The Shannon Rose Irish Pub offers a traditional pub atmosphere along with good food, drinks and nightly entertainment. On tap are 19 beers, including Guinness, Harp, Smithwick's, as well as Scotch malts and Irish whiskeys. The Shannon Rose offers live entertainment, televised sporting events and special events on holidays such as St. Patrick's Day. The Pub is open daily for lunch and dinner and serves traditional Irish fare such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie and Guinness beef stew as well as American favorites like steak, burgers and seafood. A separate pub menu offers nachos, wings, disco fries, Irish corned beef, spring rolls and Guinness BBQ pulled pork fries. For dessert, try the homemade Irish soda bread pudding served with ice cream.
Amici Ristorante is located just 13 minutes from Woodbridge in Linden. This Italian restaurant is owned and operated by two brothers, Mario and Giovanni Lavorato, and their children. The large dining area is decorated in classic Italian style with grand chandeliers and wall-to-ceiling drapes. The menu is reasonably priced and features both hot and cold appetizers. Their spaghetti Genovese is served with scallops, basil and fresh tomatoes in a light sauce. They also offer full course dinners with your choice of an appetizer, pasta and main course. Desserts vary daily. The dress code is casual chic.
J.J. Bitting Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in Woodbridge since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. The three-story restaurant is housed in a 100-year-old restored brick building. Awarded "number 2 beer pub in America" by beeradvocate.com, according to their website, J.J. Bitting Brewing Company serves Victoria's golden ale, raspberry wheat ale, chocolate cherry stout, Doppelbock, Bitting's best bitter and Avenel amber. Dinner entrees served include salads, burgers, ribs, steak, chicken, pasta and Mexican favorites like tequila chicken enchiladas. The restaurant offers a special late night menu, and every Sunday is karaoke night at the Brewing Company.
