let's eat out

Recently I had dinner with several friends and inevitably we talk about the cost of dining out. I began to mention various local restaurants that offer special dining options at affordable prices. My one friend said I should blog about it, so here it is. The places I’m mentioning is where my husband and I have eaten. I’ll also mention other local restaurants with special menus, however, we have not eaten there recently or not at all.
 
If you’re looking for a simple meal out with great food you should try Black Swan Public House in Asbury Park, NJ. On Wednesday evenings they offer 2 for 1 burger. You get a burger topped with muenster cheese, onion, lettuce, pickles, Marie Rose sauce on a sesame seed bun along with steak fries ($25). If you’re like my husband and I, get there before 6 PM and enjoy 50% off all alcohol (except bottles of wine). Dinner for two including alcohol beverages (I love an old-fashioned with Buffalo Trace bourbon) costs us about $60 before tax and tip.  On Thursday night they offer several pasta dishes for $25 with a wine special. We haven’t try this yet. ​

My husband and I love Brandl Steakhouse in Belmar.  Tuesday night special is a 6 oz. burger served on a buttered brioche roll with lettuce, tomato, onion and choice of American Gruyère or blue cheese for $25.  Wednesday is lobster roll night, Thursday they have sliced garlic steak with frites, Friday is fresh catch seafood and lastly, Sunday, is gnocchi of the day. You can call the restaurant to see what type of seafood and gnocchi they’re preparing for that evening. These nightly specials are $25. (however, call the restaurant to verify as it’s not stated on their website).
 
Also, in Asbury Park are Belmonte’s and Moonstruck. On Monday and Thursday nights, Belmonte’s offer pasta entrees at 25% off. For heartier appetites, Moonstruck offers a price-fixed three course menu for $45 (not available to parties over 8 people) on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. I’m not sure of the official start date, but it’s usually late September/October through mid-May. The menu is posted Wednesday mornings and include choice of appetizer, entree and dessert. Note, that Moonstruck usually closes sometime around the Christmas holidays and reopens in time for Valentine’s Day.
 
Bar-A in Lake Como offers a wonderful steak night special on Thursday’s. For $15.95 you’ll get an 8-ounce steak along with mashed cauliflower and for an additional $2.95, you can get a sauce to accompany your steak. Tuesday night is 2 tacos for $7 and there’s a burger night. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find these dining deals on their website. I have heard that their Blue-Plate lunch specials are great. They’re $7.95 lunch specials are available Monday through Friday, 11 AM to 4 PM. Monday is a hearty Guinness beef stew, Tuesday is meatloaf, Wednesday chicken Parmesan, Thursday is boneless center cut pork chop and Friday is fish and chips. They also post daily specials on their website.
 
Mr. Shrimp in Belmar has lunch specials from 11 AM to 3 PM. Prices range from $9.99 to $12.99 and include fries or onion straws. Wednesday evenings they offer half price fish-n-chips (regularly $19.99). The offer is available starting at 11 AM.  Thursday Mr. Shrimp offers hot lobster roll with truffle fries (pricing not mentioned in Instagram ad).
 
Another place that I love is Shrimp Box Restaurant  in Point Pleasant, NJ. They offer a Sunset Dinners from 12 PM to 5 PM daily that include soup or clam chowder, dessert and beverage. My favorite meal here is their Coconut shrimp and their lobster bisque is to die for. Sunset menu prices range from $21 to $30. They close for the season just before Christmas.
 
Recently posted on Facebook was Klein’s Fish Market* and their Sunday special (dine-in only) for 1/2 price sushi. They also offer a happy hour menu at the bar Wednesday to Friday from 3-6 PM.
 
Another “bar only happy hour” with specials is La Dolce Vita* in Belmar. Happy hour is Sunday to Friday from 12-6 PM with drink specials and a $6 and $8 a la carte menu of food plus an $8 classic bar pie.
 
 Johnny Piancone’s* in Long Branch offers a “bar are only” happy hour. Check their website for days and times. The happy hour food menu changes weekly. Drink specials cover domestic beer $3.75, imports $4.25, house wine $6.50 and house cocktails $6.50. Review their web page for restrictions.
 
Seagrass* is another local restaurant located on Main Street in Ocean Grove. My husband and I used to come here regularly, but it’s fallen off our radar. Their winter dining promotions include: Prime Rib and Crab Clusters $35, half price Wednesday which covers half off all entrees and specials (call restaurant as in the past this offer was for cash only transactions) and Thursday is a pre-fixe three course meal for $40. I’ve included a screen shot from their Facebook page.
 
If you enjoy Mexican food, try 10th Avenue Burrito in Belmar. They offer different specials  each day of the week such as ½ price burritos on Mondays and $10 tacos on Tuesday to mention two.
 
 
Earlier this fall, Blend on Main* in Manasquan had a half page ad with the specials they were offering. Sunday through Friday (excluding Saturday), they have a sunset menu priced at $35 for three courses. You must be seated between 4:30 and 5:30 PM. If you’re a “senior,” they offer 10% off the dinner menu Sunday through Thursday (not combinable with other specials). Prime rib night is every Thursday from 5-8:30 PM. Are you an early riser that likes to enjoy breakfast out? Blend’s Peach Pit Cafe offers 20% discount on breakfast before 9 AM Monday through Friday.
 
Lastly, another way to save cash is to join a website called Neighbor Nosh Rewards. By joining this free sight and uploading your credit card, you can earn cash back on both dine-in and takeout orders. Go to their website and search either by location or restaurant/cuisine type. In order to receive the discount, Neighborhood Nosh will email you for your review of your dining experience. which will take a couple of minutes. You can also comment on the restaurant and upload photos. Once you complete the review, they’ll email that they have accepted it. Once you accrue over $20 in savings, the Dining Reward will be posted on your debit/credit card within three days. I’ve using this website for a number of years. Recently I received a $28.30 credit on my credit card.
 
*This restaurant is one that my husband and I have enjoyed in the past, but have not been here recently. ​