The BF Chef and I are HUGE fans of Chef Michael d’Ennery since we stumbled upon him at Trinity in Keyport a few years ago.  He moved on to ABG in late November and we couldn’t wait to get here.  The hours are limited in the off season but they will move to 7 days/week as the peak summer season nears.

We started with the NOLA style BBQ shrimp and the salt roasted beets.  Both were delicious, but the shrimp & grits were like nothing we’ve ever had before.  The pork belly followed and was also delicious.  The crispy skin can be difficult to cut and it might stick to your teeth but the flavor is soooo worth it.  And I love the tiny potato chips and black pepper peanut brittle.

I opted for the Peekytoe crab cake appetizer for my entree so I could enjoy a side of truffle cheese grits and the BF Chef had the NY strip.  The crab cake was seared to a perfect golden brown crisp on the outside and was full of moist flaky crab.  If you’re looking for a bready crab cake full of filler, this is NOT it.  The truffle cheese grits were creamy and cheesy but not overbearing.  The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare and the BF Chef couldn’t stop raving about the potatoes.  (I passed on a taste as I think they might have been to spicy for my palate.)

While we waited for dessert a small plate of gnudi arrived for us to taste.  They were soft little pillows of ricotta goodness with just the right amount of brown butter and salt.

I opted for one of the Chef’s standards: the malted chocolate panna cotta.  I’m a sucker for salty sweet desserts and the chocolate shell with the sea salt delivers.  The BF Chef kept it simple with the chocolate ice cream from the Bent Spoon (Princeton, NJ).  It was wonderfully creamy and chocolaty without being too sweet.  (Side note: we’ve been to The Bent Spoon and highly recommend it.)

We were also treated to a small sample of the apple fritters.  Perfectly fried, light, with the right amount of cinnamon & sugar on the outside.  Oh, and the white chocolate macadamia surprise that comes with the lemon-lime tart?  Very cool & unique but no, I won’t spoil it here.  Go & find out for yourself.

Atlantic Bar & Grill
24th & Central Avenue
South Seaside Park, NJ 08752
732-854-1588