New Brunswick, New Jersey, is located only about 30 miles southeast of New York City and is home to Rutgers University and a load of excellent restaurants with many different cuisine options. The restaurants range in style and price, too, but many of them offer both top-notch cuisine and reasonable prices.
Daryl Wine Bar and Restaurant is in the business of pairing innovative and modern American cuisine with fine wines. The restaurant stocks more than 600 bottles of wine, which can also be purchased at the on-site wine shop. Approximately 60 of these wines are sold by the glass. Guests can enjoy their meal in the relaxing, upscale dining room or, by reservation only, in a private dining room that can seat up to 25 people. The menu is designed by Chef Chuck and begins by offering appetizers such as shortrib stuffed peppers and olive oil poached octopus. Main courses include Spring Vegetable Orzo, poached organic Irish salmon and prime flat iron steak. A number of dessert wines and liqueurs are available for after the main course, as well as desserts that include house-made cheesecake and walnut-pecan baklava.
Daryl Wine Bar & Restaurant
302 George St.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-253-7780
darylwinebar.com
The Frog and The Peach opened in 1983, the brainchild of the husband-and-wife team of Betsy Alger and Jim Black. The restaurant serves modern American cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere, with both indoor and outdoor seating as well as a wine and martini bar. The menu is stocked with meals that use local, fresh and often organic ingredients from nearby farms. Appetizers include marinated black mission figs and house-made smoked kielbasa. Some of the main entrees that can be ordered year-round are chipotle braised pork belly, line-caught swordfish, and local Griggstown Farm chicken breast. Dishes can be purchased a la carte or part of several prix fixe menus. The $25 power lunch menu includes a soup or salad, one main lunch entree and either a glass of wine or a dessert. For dinner there are two choices: the three-course Frugal Farmer (appetizer, entree and dessert) and the Zone 7 four-course, with or without a bottle of wine.
The Frog and the Peach
29 Dennis St.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1206
732-846-3216
frogandpeach.com
Hotoke is a concept restaurant based on the slew of Asian restaurants that opened up in the 1990s. In addition to being a restaurant, with candle-lit tables and a dark, cozy atmosphere, it has an interactive sushi bar, a full bar that features a wide array of premium chilled sakes and a lounge. The menu offers a mix of appetizers and entrees that draw from Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine. Appetizers include wok-seared lettuce wraps, steamed edamame and black pepper tuna tataki. Some of the entrees offered are grilled ginger chicken, 8-oz. Kobe steaks, pad thai and a variety of sushi and sashimi pieces, as well as traditional and house special sushi rolls.
Hotoke
350 George St.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-2010
732-246-8999
hotokerestaurant.com
