Dining
w it h Draz
Diners know getting a table anywhere in the summer is hard, and this year, due to
smaller staffs, it’s an even bigger challenge. So this month, we broke the mold
and had a hybrid lunch/dinner at Cuzin’s Seafood Clam Bar. I must say that if
easy parking.
Cuzin’s doesn’t miss a trick. The sophisticated, neo-classic decor has a city feel.
There is a huge mural of the restaurant’s logo on one side and a sleek, wall-long bar
on the other side. Between are well-chosen seating areas and furniture, shimmering
pendant lighting suspended from open-beam ceilings and a big glass meat-aging
locker where you can peek at those enormous tomahawks and other big steaks. Even
a large wine and cocktail menu.
Our server was fantastic. You could tell she has had a happy history at Cuzin’s as
she comfortably rattled through all the menu options from her head. We were served a
big basket of thick, warm ciabatta bread as we
ordered three appetizers. The Napoleon is a
tasty tower of beefsteak tomato and half inchthick
slices of fried eggplant and fresh mozzarella
with a balsamic glaze and a basil pesto
drizzle. We also had the Clams Casino. Their
herb pancetta did not overpower the tender
clams. Then there were those Sherry Roasted
Brussels sprouts with pancetta, dressed with
me back! These were so darn good I could eat them every day. I’m a Brussels sprout
fan, so I know a good one when I taste it and these are it.
COST – Moderate to high
WHAT WE LIKED – The super fresh seafood and the big menu, the stylish, New
York-inspired décor and accents, the big meat case, the long bar and the big
drink menu, the delicious bread, the tableware and comfortable seating, the
knowledgeable and friendly wait staff, the sturdy take-out containers and the
parking lots.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER – This place is just about perfect, but it does get a little
loud when they near capacity.
36 AUGUST 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY LORI DRAZ
Cuzin’s Seafood Clam Bar
We give Cuzin's Seafood Clam Bar four and three quarter Js
Now for the entrées. Diner one and two chose lunch
the Crispy Flounder Sandwich on a long, toasted brioche
-
ly breaded and fried just before serving, and it was crispy,
set off superbly with that tangy sweet pickled tartar sauce.
Diner two chose a Lobster Club which is assembled
on more of that delicious ciabatta bread. It is a huge sandwich,
so limber up your jaw to open wide enough to enjoy.
It has beefsteak tomatoes, romaine and, of course, the su-
saffron mayo and crispy prosciutto. Our healthy eater could
only tackle half the sandwich, and the take-home half was
just as good.
snow-white halibut, sitting atop deep green sautéed spin-
polenta with frizzles of crispy shallots on top. The halibut’s
golden sear was the seal of a perfect cook, and it was a beautiful
dish to see and eat.
I picked the Stuffed Chicken Breast with wild mushroom,
herbed goat cheese and a brandy citrus cream sauce,
and light at the same time. My vegetables were al dente, so
ask for more cook time unless you like them really crunchy.
We ended our meal with two desserts. Cuzin’s offers
chocolate ice cream is full of crunchy hazelnut brickell,
mouth. The cream and crunch create real sensory satisfaction.
We also tried the Peach Crumble. It’s a simple dish
and easy to tell it was homemade. It’s not the kitchen’s fault,
but the peaches were not ripe. Still, the dish was well-made
and would be tasty
with raspberries or
Cuzin's also has
-
ing menu. The bathrooms
are large, the
coffee is tasty, and
there’s plenty of parking
with valet available
at peak hours.
/TheJournalNJ.com