THE NJ MONTHLY’S ANNUAL LIST OF THE ABSOLUTE BEST RESTAURANTS TO EAT IN NEW JERSEY. CONGRATULATIONS
The patio overlooking the inlet off the Hudson River is the place to ogle the towers of Lower Manhattan, but wherever you sit, chef/owner Chris Siversen is going to bring your attention back to the plate.
Maritime Parc’s name, its location in Liberty State Park within sight of the Statue of Liberty, and the rope cleats and nautical railings in architect Stephanie Goto’s airy design send a clear message: It’s the seafood, stupid. And it is, starting from day one six years ago.
But while retaining crowd-pleasers like grilled oysters with leeks and bacon cream, Siversen charts new courses, like this summer’s brightly engaging pan-seared branzino with sunchoke purée and stinging-nettle sauce. Yet landlubbers are never relegated to steerage—not with primordial pleasures like duck-fat fries or the massive pork porterhouse with potato-leek purée and cherry-port demi-glace.
With a shipshape cocktail program and John Sauchelli’s fetching desserts, every voyage here begins and ends on a happy note. 84 Audrey Zapp Drive, 201-413-0050.
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