Herringbone
King Crab Legs, Mexican White Prawns, Ahi Tuna Poke, Octopus Ceviche, Prime Sirloin
Stadium Nachos, Pico de Gallo, Jalapeno Peppers
Shrimp Cocktail – Mexican White Prawns, Sambal Cocktail Sauce
Boardwalk Fries – Old Bay, Malt Vinegar Aioli, Ketchup, Herbs
Lobster Roll – Maine Lobster, Lemon, Chives
Guacamole, Pico di Gallo, Tortilla Chips
100% Beef Hot Dog with Ketchup, Mexican Street Corn, Pork Ribs with Carolina BBQ Sauce
Grilled Pacu Ribs, Ahi Tuna Poke, Octopus Ceviche
Suckling Pig with Carolina BBQ Sauce, Potato Roll
Two Handed Burger – Applewood Smoked Bacon, Cheddar, Onion Jam, Aioli, Arugula
BBQ Wings – Carrots, Celery, Ranch Dressing
Having survived 37 years without attending a Superbowl party, at least two episodes of “The Big Game” missed entirely thanks to dining out while traveling, it was largely for the sake of experience that a couple of seats were booked on February 4th at Herringbone, a sold-out All You Can Eat event with no shortage of TVs showing one of the most exiting games in years to a mixed group of fans both indoors and out.
Designed as a modification of Herringbone’s ever-popular weekend Brunch, a small indoor Raw Bar set up near the door where a lengthy grill manned by three Chefs continued to turn out new items through the first three quarters of the matchup, it was with tickets purchased online that guests were welcomed by hostesses with hands stamped afterward, the Drinks already flowing ninety minutes before kickoff and several fans becoming inebriated by way of bottomless packages long before Justin Timberlake took the stage at halftime.
Offering ten made-to-order items from the menu in addition to the Shellfish, Barbeque Specials and Nacho Bar, Wings available in BBQ or Buffalo-style an expectedly popular choice as were King Crab Legs and Cocktail Shrimp that ran low quickly, it was with these items plus tender Octopus and Tuna that a first plate was filled, slices of Sirloin the first of several grilled Meats that got better and better up to, through and including meaty Pacu Ribs with crispy Skin.
Offering par-for-the-course Tortilla Chips with peppered melted Cheese and accoutrements, the Guacamole made-to-order in the kitchen and delayed early on as hundreds of guests were placing orders, it was alongside the creamy Avocado Spread that hand-cut Fries arrived hot and well-seasoned, the Lobster Roll a little skimpy in terms of the Meat but appropriately made otherwise using a grilled, split-top Roll and plenty of Seasoning.
Adding Ribs to the spread as announcers prattled on, the Big10 Championship also watched at Herringbone almost preferable for lack of Cris Collinsworth, it was with flesh lightly coated in Carolina BBQ Sauce falling from the bone that appetites were whetted for Chef Nicholas Aoki’s own halftime show where two Suckling Pigs were broken down and served with the same sauce, crackling Skin and plenty of juicy Meat.
Rounding out the spread with snappy Beef Hot Dogs and Burgers from the grill, though those paying attention quickly realized a better option was available by way of two meaty patties from the kitchen topped with Bacon, caramelized Onions and Aioli, it was ignoring a Caesar Wrap that Vegetables were accounted for by Corn on the Cob, though if one asked nice the toasty Kernels were upgraded to Mexican Street Corn by way of Mayo, Cotija and Tajin.
FIVE STARS: Had Tom Brady walked away with another Lombardi Trophy this rating may very well be lower, but since that did not happen the event was an unmitigated success and thus as highly recommended as what Herringbone is offering day-in and day-out.
RECOMMENDED: Pacu Ribs, Suckling Pig, Pork Ribs, Boardwalk Fries, Two-handed Burger.
AVOID: N/A, though they only gave Dessert to a party celebrating one member’s birthday and that was sort of lame considering the low cost of Pastries.
TIP: The new menu from Chefs Bernardo, Aioki and recently hired Marty Red DeLeon Lopez launches late March.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.herringboneeats.com
