Bites Nearby: Langosta Lounge

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

LANGOSTA LOUNGE -- Located on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, Langosta Lounge definitely has an ocean feel. Langosta is Spanish for “lobster,” which emphasizes its nautical theme. The placemats are woven and almost look like flat sombreros. The bar has random shells scattered under glass, a way to look quickly-put-together with a funky, edgy feel. With top notch cocktails, most notably The Fashionista (Absolut Ruby Red, Ruby Red grapefruit juice, Triple Sec, fresh lime and cranberry), and $5 margarita Wednesdays, this location is good for happy hour and appetizers, but has a wide variety of excellent entrees as well.

The dishes range from traditional Mexican to Asian, Italian, American, Indian and traditional tastes of the islands. I’ve frequented this restaurant, especially in the summer after a day at the beach. My friends and I usually order the guacamole and chips, edamame or the Mediterranean Platter for an appetizer. The platter is one of my favorite things to order there, served with chicpea hummus, black bean hummus, Feta cheese, roasted peppers, olives, greens and flatbread, drizzled with their Goddess dressing.  

Whenever I decide to treat myself to dinner here, my friends and I all like to try something new each time. I have had the pleasure of tasting what they call Caribbean Vacation – a traditional Jamaican dish of organic chicken breast, blackened and topped with mango, grilled onion salsa and a cilantro crème fraiche. It is served with garlic-smashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. The Hali’iimaile Rigatoni is their pasta dish made with shrimp, scallops, and asparagus in a cilantro and macademia nut pesto cream sauce (it is also available as a vegetarian selection).

One last sinfully delicious dish I must mention is the Sugar and Spice Short Ribs, a Vietnamese-inspired taste of sweet glazed boneless short ribs topped with scallions and a ginger soy glaze, served with Diablo mashed potatoes and sauteed brocolini. 

The rest of the menu is just as unique and does its best to represent a variety of tastes from around the world. The next time you want to treat yourself to a special meal, do yourself a favor and check out this restaurant. You won’t regret it!

1000 Ocean Avenue and Second Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. 732-455-3275. Lunch: Daily, 11am – 4pm; Dinner: Mon – Thu, 5pm – 10pm, Bar Menu 10pm – 11pm; Fri – Sat, 5pm – 11pm, Bar Menu 11pm – midnight; Sun, 11am – 10pm.

Found a great place to dine? Let us know about it in the comments.