"The magazine New Jersey Monthly polls its readers each year to determine their favorite places to eat throughout the state.
The results form this year's poll, the 6th Annual Reader's Choice Restaurant Poll, have been announced.
The Southern New Jersey choices, unfortunately and surprisingly, included only one from our southern Ocean County circulation area, which includes Long Beach Island and the mainland, from Bayville to New Gretna.
The Water's Edge in Bayville is the one that made the list, and not only did it get on the winner's list, but it made the top-five " Best of the Best."
Curiousity naturally arose, and so we took a trek to Bayville. Water's Edge is located on the edge of the Barnegat Bay, and the long ride out Bayview Avenue is well worth the effort. It appeared as though a lot of others thought so, too and for this reason reservations are suggested.
The management has gone a long way in creating a classy, more formal ambience and, for your information, shorts are not allowed on Saturday night and the apparel seemed to dress up as the evening moved into night.
We had no reservations, but were seated promptly, and the waitress, friendly and efficient, came right over to offer cocktails and a menu.
The smell of Francaise dishes filled the air and we noticed the offering on the menu leaned toward the more gourmet dishes. Looking around, every dish looked exciting and tempting. So, though the prices may be on the higher scale, the quality of the food is superb.
If you dare, go for the Lobster Tails...several people seated next to us ordered them, and the chef cracked, prepared and cooked them right there in the dining room. The smell was out of this world.
We ordered Clams Casino and six clams were brought out, prepared with the minced peppers and bacon strips, served with lemon and drawn butter. Tasty is the word and we thoroughly enjoyed each savory clam.
Blackboard specials, written on the board upon entering, were repeated to us by the waitress, and explained, We ordered one of the offerings, the Blackened Swordfish, which was cooked perfectly. This is juicy, steak-like fish blackened to create a zesty, delicious dish.
This came with a choice of baked potato, Nu' potatoe (broiled red variety) or rice pilaf and a salad.
I chose the Baby Lobster Fra Diavolo a chef's special on the menu. About four baby lobsters are placed on linguine and smothered with clams on the half shell and shrimp with a thick tomato sauce that was not too spicy.
I had never tasted "baby lobsters" before and found it to be almost identical to the big ones, if not alittle more tender. The other shellfish was absolute perfection and this meal, too, came with a salad.
The salads, by the way, are also worth mention. Fresh with a garden variety and Feta cheese started the meal out just right. Bread, warm from the oven, was also put on the table with the salad.
We had a couple of people with us, who ordered the Stuffed Flounder. They said it was great and mentioned coming back to the Water's Edge.
Coffee finished the meal and a chocolate peppermint stick was put on the table to satisfy that need for something sweet.
For the four of us, our bill came to $90.43, and we made a pact to come check it out again when we could complete our meal with an after dinner drink outside on the dock.
We could see why people voted the Water's Edge into the "Best of the Best" category for New Jersey Monthly's peoples choice contest. The atmosphere is classy, the food is top of the line, and the bay which surrounds this establishment doesn't hurt at all".