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Post by novillero on Jan 30, 2008 21:07:13 GMT -5
South Street, across from the steakhouse is a new business, where the bookstore used to be, then Angels & Hope.
As its name implies, it is a steakhouse and a BBQ. It is very nice inside, although I got takeout. I talked to the guy there (not the owner), they are going for a Spanish/Portuguese/Brazilian flavor. But keep in mind that it is those things as a BBQ mostly.
The guy I talked to mentioned Brazilian Rodozio on the weekends. That is when they keep coming at you with huge meat on a skewer, one right after the other.
I ordered takeout - a whole order of BBQ chicken and pork ribs. Both were good. A whole order - as opposed to a half order - can feed 3 adults, I was told, and that seemed about right. These orders came with fries and rice (carbs and carbs). I had to laugh as the menu siad it also came with vegetables. That must've meant peas a smattering of diced carrots in the rice. Or it could have referred to a few pickled vegies on top of the order (pickled carrot slices and some pickled cauliflower). Overall, I thought the food was good. No complaints. The steakhouse across the street has nothing to fear, each is aimed at different crowds.
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Jan 31, 2008 10:00:58 GMT -5
I LOVE BRAZILIAN BBQ!!!! So Novilllero fi it is not prying, again what did you order and what was your take out bill??? South Street, across from the steakhouse is a new business, where the bookstore used to be, then Angels & Hope. As its name implies, it is a steakhouse and a BBQ. It is very nice inside, although I got takeout. I talked to the guy there (not the owner), they are going for a Spanish/Portuguese/Brazilian flavor. But keep in mind that it is those things as a BBQ mostly. The guy I talked to mentioned Brazilian Rodozio on the weekends. That is when they keep coming at you with huge meat on a skewer, one right after the other. I ordered takeout - a whole order of BBQ chicken and pork ribs. Both were good. A whole order - as opposed to a half order - can feed 3 adults, I was told, and that seemed about right. These orders came with fries and rice (carbs and carbs). I had to laugh as the menu siad it also came with vegetables. That must've meant peas a smattering of diced carrots in the rice. Or it could have referred to a few pickled vegies on top of the order (pickled carrot slices and some pickled cauliflower). Overall, I thought the food was good. No complaints. The steakhouse across the street has nothing to fear, each is aimed at different crowds.
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Post by admin on Jan 31, 2008 17:09:00 GMT -5
Nov, thanks for pointing this new place out, I did not know it was there. Brazillian is good, I will try it.
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Post by novillero on Jan 31, 2008 20:38:57 GMT -5
I LOVE BRAZILIAN BBQ!!!! So Novilllero fi it is not prying, again what did you order and what was your take out bill???South Street, across from the steakhouse is a new business, where the bookstore used to be, then Angels & Hope. As its name implies, it is a steakhouse and a BBQ. It is very nice inside, although I got takeout. I talked to the guy there (not the owner), they are going for a Spanish/Portuguese/Brazilian flavor. But keep in mind that it is those things as a BBQ mostly. The guy I talked to mentioned Brazilian Rodozio on the weekends. That is when they keep coming at you with huge meat on a skewer, one right after the other. I ordered takeout - a whole order of BBQ chicken and pork ribs. Both were good. A whole order - as opposed to a half order - can feed 3 adults, I was told, and that seemed about right. These orders came with fries and rice (carbs and carbs). I had to laugh as the menu siad it also came with vegetables. That must've meant peas a smattering of diced carrots in the rice. Or it could have referred to a few pickled vegies on top of the order (pickled carrot slices and some pickled cauliflower). Overall, I thought the food was good. No complaints. The steakhouse across the street has nothing to fear, each is aimed at different crowds. My bill was $24.00, but as noted above it was 2 full orders, one chicken BBQ, one ribs. And it fed 4 adults and 2 children with some to spare for lunch today. They gave me free coffee while I waited. I've been to the Spanish/Portuguese/Brazilian takeout BBQs in Newark, and this is comparable. Looking at the prices, they definitely were reasonable (IMO). I want to go back for the rodizio on the weekends, but I would suggest calling them first if you are bent on it. I'm not sure from my conversation that it is every weekend, although they made me feel that it was.
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Feb 7, 2008 9:57:20 GMT -5
I tried this place the other day for lunch. I split a pork sandwich and a steak sandwich with someone. The vote: pork sandwich was good, steak sandwich okay - it was unanimous. Both orders came with fries.
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Post by admin on Mar 18, 2008 7:31:01 GMT -5
The wife and I finally made it to this new place and have no regrets. It was very good. Prices were moderate and all the food was very good.
I had Spanish Sausage for and appetizer and the wife has clams. We tried each others plate and both were delicious.
For the main course I had steak with a Cheese sauce and shrimp. The wife had a seafood combo. Again, it was all very good. The portions were just right.
The desert menu was limited. We both had the flan which was also decent. There must be a theme here because our coffee was free. ( I think Novellero mentioned getting free coffee too)
The service was very good. The waitress earned a nice tip from us. I do not know if it is her or a reflection of the establishment.
Now for the strange part of the night. This is a Latino establishment. It was not busy but there was a mix of people coming in and out. That includes local Latinos. Like many restaurants, this one had a television set on. I noticed early on that Lou Dobbs, Mr Anti Immigrant, was on the set the whole time we were there.
At the end of the night as we were leaving, a noisy group came in. I did not look at them until we were leaving and who do I see? None other than upstanding resident Frank Argote Freyre.
Maybe it is just me, but it was weird eating in a Latino establishment with Lou Dobbs on the TV and FF sitting right behind me. I strange mix indeed.
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Post by novillero on Mar 18, 2008 8:44:54 GMT -5
It's a sticky wicket, isn't it? This is the economy we are in, and we are stung no matter what we do, huh?
Should we:
Boycott something because of a perception that the people running it and employed in it are illegal? Chances are that somewhere in there they may be employing illegals, as we assume that most of the restaurants in town are doing...
Or do we become customers, and support the businesses that have taken a chance here, put money into their business, and are paying taxes in town. Remember that this particular restaurant used to be a bookstore, and a lot of money has been spent on a place that has been empty for a few years. Empty storefronts and failed businesses make the town less attractive to other investors/entrepreneurs. And empty storefronts with the combo of immigrants hanging out make the town even less attractive.
One way, we we stand up for something (legal immigration, etc), but shoot ourselves in the foot (empty storefronts).
The other way, we are hypocrites (supporting businesses that may support illegal immigration, etc), but we reap the benefits (a town with thriving businesses).
What to do?
When I talked to people at this restaurant, the owner was from Newark and I believe they said he was Portuguese (I am supposing legally here). The people I talked with had no problem with the English language, although they were Hispanic and not Portuguese.
I am reminded of the call to boycott Japanese cars and electronics in the 80s. The problem was that such a boycott hurts Americans. It hurts importers, the shipping industry, dock workers, American car dealers selling those cars, American mechanics specializing in those foreign cars, etc. Japan even up-ped the ante by putting Japanese car manufacturing plants here in the U.S., so a boycott on Japanese cars would have also affected American workers.
In my opinion, boycotting the restaurants may have a certain feel good affect, but it probably hurts the Freehold citizen taxpayers more than the illegals. The taxpayers have a dollar investment in this town through our homes and we can't let this town to rot further by hurting the last type of business that keeps this town going. There are hardly any retailers left, no manufacturing... we are a service based town: we have county offices, law-centered businesses (including bail bondsmen as well as lawyers) and we have restaurants.
So, I guess my actions are the direct opposite of yours. I always try to eat in Freehold when possible (when I eat out), and avoid giving my money to restaurants in the surrounding communities. I want the businesses downtown to thrive despite their actions.
Perhaps there is a way we could both win, like the FCP making a pact within its membership to only hire legal workers...
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Post by novillero on Mar 18, 2008 8:50:18 GMT -5
p.s. for lunch, the picadillo is also good. It is, I think $10.00, but can easily feed 2 people - no problem. I imagine some of the other lunch items that are similarly priced may do the same.
Also, when I have gone in this restaurant during lunch, it has usually been empty. So I can not tell you who else this restaurant is appealing to (aside from myself, Fiber, LS, Brian and Frank Freyre).
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Post by admin on Mar 18, 2008 10:27:34 GMT -5
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valetudo71
Novice
"America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity." ~ President James Madison
Posts: 12
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Post by valetudo71 on Mar 6, 2009 6:31:35 GMT -5
I love this place! My lady treated me to dinner there for my birthday and we had the dining room all to ourselves (a week night when business is slower). The owner and chef are extremely friendly, and bent over backwards to make sure we were taken good care of. We ordered the fried calamari for the appetizer, which came with a red sauce and lemons. Excellent! Warm Portuguese bread was also brought to the table.
I had the skirt steak and jumbo shrimp, with the homemade fries, for my entree. One of the best steaks I've ever had. My lady had a burger *yawn*... We finished the meal off with homemade flan which was very good. I highly recommend this place.
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Post by novillero on Mar 6, 2009 10:39:38 GMT -5
Definitely a good spot. Good food and good prices. As I mentioned above, I have used this place to pick up trays of food for parties and get-togethers. I have never eaten there. And, I have - on more than one ocassion - gotten a free espresso while waiting for my order.
As for the rodizio (brazilian BBQ meats coming around), it never seemed to have gotten underway.
They had also told me about music on the weekends, but I don't think that ever happened. BUT what a great idea if several restaurants had live music on the weekends - Bayou Cafe seems to be doing it already... If you add the Taste with flamenco guitar (maybe dance) or Portuguese folk music -- maybe a mexican place has some traditional music --- Cafe 360 having a singer-songwriter, or some blues -- MAN, what a great scene it would be!
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Post by admin on Mar 6, 2009 17:38:01 GMT -5
We can never talk about this place enough. It is one of the best places in town. The other day I was in Zebu Forno with a friend. On the way out he mentioned the Taste and also said it is one of his favorites. He also said that it is quiet when he goes in. That is why we need to talk about it, to get them business and make sure it stays open! Nov, your ideas about entertainment are right on. I have often said (and will keep kicking and screaming about it), that he arts and music in this town are never highlighted enough. These restaurants can help that a lot. here is a lot of talent right here in this town. Funny you should mention Flamenco guitar. I have been studying it. Maybe I will be the lucky one to play at the Taste.
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