Red Bank's Restaurant Nicholas Named To Magazine's 'Eat Here Now' List

RED BANK, NJ — If you're looking for elegant fine dining for a special occasion, look no farther than right here in the borough.

New Jersey Monthly published its annual list of 25 New Jersey restaurants where, the publication says, you should "eat here now," and Red Bank's Restaurant Nicholas is on the list.

The magazine notes:

“In their 17th year of embracing a banner many others shun, that of special-occasion restaurant, Nicholas and Melissa Harary and their all-pro staff actually seem to be raising their game. Their two large dining rooms, illuminated by extraordinary fixtures created by Belle Mead glass artist Robert Kuster, are as dramatic as any — and more tranquil and evening-long comfortable than many.”

Before you go out on that anniversary date, read this first. New Jersey Monthly has released its annual list of

Restaurant Nicholas, which opened in 2000, has received four stars from the New York Times and near-perfect scores in both food and service from the Zagat Survey.

This is no walk in from the beach restaurant; Restaurant Nicholas is high end. Dress code is business casual and no flipflops permitted.

Its current midsummer three-course prix fixe dinner menu features dishes such as pink peppercorn and cilantro-cured fluke sashimi, honeydew melon, and tequila lime sorbet as an appetizer, roasted rack of lamb with chickpea falafel, smoked yogurt and olive oil roasted tomatoes, and desserts such as dark chocolate ganache with brûléed strawberries and roasted banana ice cream.

There's an extensive menu of dessert wines and after-dinner drinks that supplements an equally extensive wine and champagne list.

There's a separate cheese menu, with names like "Sleeping Beauty" and "Pyramid Scheme."

And there's a separate bar menu for Bar N, which allows jeans and shorts in a slightly more casual atmosphere, is geared for those who are looking for a slightly less-pricey experience. It features many of the same dishes as the dinner menu but everything is ala carte. Reservations are not required for Bar N.

Restaurant Nicholas is at 160 Route 35 South, Red Bank. Call 732-345-9977 for reservations; the restaurant is open 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

To get the full New Jersey Monthly list, click here.

Photo via Yelp review