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Friday Night : Dinner for two friends who are chows but haven't chatted in a long time, Exit 109-82 on the parkway.

OK, so a friend I haven't seen for a long time will be passing through NJ to Philly on Friday and wants to have dinner. We definitely are adventurous eaters and have traveled in our times together from diners, dives and haute. But this will be a good food, catch up on talk (we are good friends, ex lovers). So suggestions please?

Several years ago I went to a Brazilian BBQ in Eatontown that he says was still existing last year. Anyone know about such a place? Asian is also a huge fave, any korean BBQ?

Hounds help me!

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  1. my rec would be taka in asbury park.. it is a byob asian fusion
    food is a little pricey but very good

    3 Replies
    1. re: boodie1821

      OK cool you have a website for them?

      1. re: Quine

        I agree...Taka is great! Couldn't find their web site but here is the menu;


        1. re: SusieQQ

          The website was www.takaapnj.com but it looks like the site is down. Here is their facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Asbury-...

    2. Your friend might be referring to Pezao Grill on rt. 36 in Long Branch. I've never been there (but will one of these days), but it got a pretty good write up from Brook Tarabour in the Star Ledger.

      BTW, I first heard about Kanji in her column, so she has a good track record in my book.

      8 Replies
      1. re: cantkick

        Quine - When I meet up with friends from the Philly area, I find that Bordentown is the best choworthy halfway meet up location. Two restuarants that have consistently received good reviews on this board are Oliver a Bistro and Under the Moon. Good Luck.

        1. re: bgut1

          Check a roadmap, bgut. :) If you plan on looking along the parkway, stick with the ends you mentioned. There is plenty in both Eatontown (105) and Toms River (82), and a couple places close to 109, but little in between. If you want something along the turnpike, trust bgut.

          1. re: cantkick

            Stupid me. I saw NJ to Philly (thinking Turnpike and Rt 195) and completely disregarded the post heading. My apologies. Understanding the requirements correctly, I would recommend Bistro 44 in Toms River (Exit 82) and Dish in Red Bank (Exit 109). Sadly, I am not aware of any Korean BBQ anywhere in the requested vicinity.

            1. re: bgut1

              b., The o.p. mentioned *Brazilian* BBQ, not Korean. There was a Rodizio in Eatontown, on 35 South. I once organized a group function there for an organization I used to belong to. The place closed several years ago.

              1. re: RGR

                Ok. I didn't think I messed up twice.
                "Asian is also a huge fave, any korean BBQ?"

                1. re: bgut1

                  Mea culpa, b.! I need to learn to read to the end of the graph.

            2. re: cantkick

              "There is plenty in Toms River"

              Please tell me where I've been searching for years!

              1. re: AC Captain

                Trust bgut and others. They keep raving about a few places in that area. (I have no personal knowledge of TR.)

        2. I suggest Daniel Bistro located on Broadway in Point Pleasant Beach. Exit 98 to Hwy 34 south over the bridge and then loop north for Broadway. Nice place, great food and service. This BYOB will require reservations. See > chowhound.chow.com/topics/629847

          3 Replies
          1. re: JerzeyShore

            Nikos Trapezi in Long Branch? Acapulquenos Mexican, also in LB. Thai Chilies in Eatontown. D'jeet in Shrewsbury...

            1. re: equal_Mark

              I do love Niko's, but the GSP strikes me as being a fair distance away from Ocean Blvd., in Long Branch.

              Photos of our recent meal at Niko's here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...

              1. re: RGR

                Get off at Exit105. Nikos is about 4 miles east on Rt 36. No further out from the GSP than any place in Red Bank or Asbury...

          2. Just off 105 is Sawa. I have not been there in 3 or 4 years but I do remember having good sushi there.

            1. There are unfortunately no Korean BBQs in that part of NJ that I'm aware of.

              The Brazillian BBQ joint you're thinking of is gone but there are several others in the area...but they all pale in comparison to what you can get in Newark.

              I think for the type of meetup you're describing, you would have a wonderful time at the bar at Nicholas. The atmosphere is casual and the food is superb. I don't know what your budget is but you can have a good meal + drinks there for around 50 bucks.

              If you're looking for something that won't break the bank, there are a bunch of Brazilian/Portugese/Mexican joints in Long Branch. I like Pearl of the Sea.