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Asbury Park Press

Watering Hole favorites of the Jersey Shore, Part 1

Mister C's Beach Bistro, Ocean and Allen avenues, Allenhurst: This is the creme de la creme of beachfront bistros. There are a few places at the Jersey Shore that can match the view from the bar, the food or drink. Karen Marzulli and Chico Perrotto are delightful hosts, spreading good cheer in their new building. Would you expect anything else from these two? This location is far better than their previous location in Deal. Don't get me wrong, Mister C's Corner Grill was terrific, but it was no match for the Allenhurst location, where you can watch the moon rise over the waves while sipping a martini named after the always cheerful Karen. In a word: delightful.

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Star Ledger for the week of June 29-July 5

Eating Out

Lunch and Dinner daily 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.;
closed Mondays - Tuesdays in January - February.

Area: Monmouth County

3 Stars

• Accept all Major credit cards
• Full bar
• Reservations recommended
• Romantic
• Casual attire appropriate
• Parking available
• Children's menu
• Vegetarian options
• Live music
• Outdoor seating
• Banquet rooms available
• Wheelchair accessible
• Open on Mondays

Mister C's Beach Bistro's jaw-dropping ocean view through the panoramic windows fronting the bar makes a visit to this contemporary Continental restaurant/lounge a must. The establishment relocated to Allenhurst a year ago after a successful 15-year stint in Deal. The voluminous, grander quarters accommodate admirers both old and new.

DECOR: The airy, expansive eatery is housed in a white building surrounded by parking spaces at the end of a residential street. There are several dining options: a romantic, tiered bar/lounge offering ringside-seat views of the beach ; a sophisticated, warmly lit dining room lined in wood, with tropical plants and a bar in the rear seating 200; an adjoining 150-seat alfresco tiki bar for balmy sunny nights.

STAFF: We were welcomed by Karen Marzulli, owner of the buisness with Chic "Mister C" Perrotto. Our server was sweet and savvy, but the busboys need direction: Diners should not have to be asked which person gets which dish at a restaurant of this caliber.

HOUSE SPECIALTIES: Start with a martini ($9.50) like a fruity Ocean Kiss (Grey Goose vodka, Chambord and pineapple juice) or tart Yellow Umbrella (Ketal-One Citron Vodka, Limoncello and sour mix). The menu has an Italian slant, with creative specials. A-plus appitizers included homemade potato slivers with dipping sauces($5). They were like steak fries sliced paper-thin crooswise, fried crisp and served with a spicy chipotle sauce and a chunky blue cheese dip. Pastas are available in half orders. Both the pasta Santo (sausage, broccoli rabe, roasted peppers and braided pasta in a tomato broth, $9/$17) and rigatoni Norma (pasta tossed in a basil-flecked tomato sauce and topped with riccota and tender chunky eggplant, $9/$16) were excellent. Also noteworthy: Garnet-like chunks of tuna tartare ($13) zested with a tangy ginger-lime mayonnaise.

BUT DON'T MISS: Terrific turf entrees: A grilled rare, nine-ounce filet mignon ($28) dressed in a tasty mushroom-brandy sauce over killer mashed potatoes a perfectly roasted chicken ($19) sided by heavenly orzo tossed with lemon zest, vegtables, goat cheese and olives. Underwhelming surf dishes. Barley cooked panko-crusted salmon ($23) improved by another stop in the kitchen and an herb aioli, served over baby spinanch; a nondescript pan-seared rare sesame-crusted tuna brightened by a Thai chill salsa over braised bok choy and shitakes. Decent dinner salads preceded the main courses.

ROOM FOR DESSERT? The kitchen-made peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream and outsourced Toll House cookie pie and Key lime pie ($7-$9) hit the spot.

-Reviewed by S.J. Gintzler, who may be reached at globalgour@aol.com.

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