Locale (Italian - Little Silver, New Jersey)
Locale is a family-owned Italian restaurant in Little Silver, New Jersey, and a true staple in the area. Walking in, the vibes were inviting and welcoming. You can feel a friendly warmth in this place and in the food.
For my first course I had the 'Guava Daq', which is a special cocktail at this place, and it contained Diplomatico Planas White Rum, Guava Chinola (liqueur), lime, mint and simple syrup. The drink looked nice to look at and was delicious as well! It had a lot of guava flavor and was extremely sweet and refreshing. Moreover, it was light rather than heavy, something I really liked since sometimes with drinks you end up feeling full before even eating, lol. The problem is that this drink isn't a permanent menu item and it should be!
For appetizers, I ordered the 'Meatballs with Ricotta' and 'Eggplant Caprese.' The meatballs were well-seasoned, full of flavor, and tasted homemade, which is just what I hope for at a restaurant. The ricotta was very light and whipped, and this also came with pomodoro and basil.
The 'Eggplant Caprese' came with cherry tomatoes, stracciatella, grand padano crisp, and basil. I thought this was a really clever menu item idea. It had everything I look for in a caprese. Plus, I love breaded eggplant, so that was a big win for me! Breaded eggplant is great because it tastes amazing, but it always leaves me wondering exactly what that flavor is, lol.
For dinner, I ordered two dishes to try because why not! The first was the 'Bucatini Cacio E Pepe,' made with bucatini, pecorino romano, and cracked black pepper. Honestly, I loved the pasta here! It was creamy, and every bite melted in my mouth. If you want pasta at Locale, this is the dish to get!
The other main dish I had was the 'Nonna's Chicken Parm'; it had pomodoro, mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, and basil oil. The chicken parm is Locale's signature dish, and after eating it, I totally understand why! It was oozing with cheese, dripping in sauce, and stacked with layers of chicken cutlets. Truly a chicken parm lover's dream!
At Locale, customers can order appetizers, pizza, soups, salads, panuozzos (brick-oven sandwiches), pasta, entrees, drinks, desserts, and more. Besides Little Silver, there are two other locations known as Locale at Livoti's, nearby in Brick and Middletown. For all things to know about Locale, such as the hours, reservations, gifts, takeout, catering, and more, head to their website at www.localenj.com, and you will find everything you are looking for and more. If you are looking for an authentic Italian meal out that feels like homemade cooking, then Locale is the spot you need to check out!
Rate: 10/10
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