Hi everyone,

Hubby and I are off to NJ for a cruise to Bermuda. We'll be spending one night in Avenel and would like to get dining recommendations. We love all kinds of food. Looking for an inexpensive/moderate place (say average entree price is $20). I've been looking on line but haven't found anything that stands out. Someone recommended Dominic's.

Thanks!

Monica

ttt.

You also might check with the hotel for their recommendations. Look for a nice small place that is a BYOB (lots of them in NJ), and bring a bottle of wine. Italian and a good Chianti is a possibility. I wouldn't wander off too far.

Also, take a look at chowhound for a BYOB in the area.

You'll find a nice place. See ya on Saturday, flip-flops & all.

Hmm...not much as far as foodies go in the Avenel area. Jose Tejas on Route 1 in Woodbridge would be good for Mexican, alternately there's a Charlie Brown's in Woodbridge Center Mall for traditional American, Prime Rib and other staples. In Menlo Park Mall (just a little further down Route 1) you can find Cheesecake Factory and Champ's with good and varied choices. Up the hill a little bit from Menlo Park is a great Italian restaurant called Loucas. This area isn't exactly the culinary mecca of NJ. I live about 25 minutes north...there are better choices if you're willing to go out of your area a little.

Monica - GTG? Depending on what day of the week you're here, I might be able to convince Budman to come north! Trish

too funny. Budman and I were posting at the very same time.

My suggestion is to drive about 20 minutes away and go to Westfield for dinner. Westfield is a great little town with plenty of good restaurants.

I might suggest Ferraro's on Elm Street just off North Avenue. (Mapquest should provide the best directions.)

We had a really nice dinner there recently. It has two sides, a more casual "family" side and a bit more expensive dining rooms. it will definately fit your price range and the food is quite good. (It isn't a BYOB.)

Here's a link to their website:

http://westfieldnj.com/ferraros/

Westfield has an intimate downtown area with several good restaurants and shops.

Hey Trish,

Budman and I are meeting up on the Celebrity Zenith on Saturday - we're all off to Bermuda!! He won't be available for dinner - it's this Friday. Would love to do a GTG but it might not be possible at this time. Tony and I will be meeting a few others (also cruisers) that night.

Thanks for all the suggestions - will review them tomorrow.

See ya on Saturday Budman!! Only two working days left!

Monica

You might consider taking a ride to New Brunswick. Old Man Rafferty's and Tumulty's -- if they're still there -- are good for American, and Stuff Yer Face is good.

PS: Isn't there a Portuguese section near Avenel?

For Portugese, I'd want to go to Newark. I'm not aware of a Portugese area in Avenel.

Sorry we'll miss you this time, but have fun with Budman & Mrs. Bud on the trip!

I second Ryan's suggestion for Westfield (which is near my hometown)...lots of good dining there.

Let me know if you need directions.

Thanks. Not sure where we'll eat yet. Heading north in a few hours. I did check out mapquest and Avenel to Westfield is very close. Will have look further into Newark for Portuguese.

Monica

Good luck with your restaurant selection. I'm actually planning to have dinner in Westfield tonight with a friend.

E-mail me if you need quick info or directions. tpatricco at image-office dot com

"andrews"- Tumulty's is still in New Brunswick. That city has MANY good restaurants now, and I only go to Tumulty's if I want a casual snack. Not a bad place, though.

If you like Thai food, I enjoy Mei Thai on Main Street in Woodbridge.

I love Thai food - will keep that in mind for any future trip to Avenel.

FYI, we ended up dining at Dominic's. It was pretty good except I forgot that most restaurants are BYOB. The waitress did give each of us a glass of wine. Ugh, it tasted like cooking wine! My guess it was leftover wine from some other diner.

Monica