BELMONTE’S: EXTRAORDINARY ITALIAN CUISINE SECOND TO NONE Lynn Azzolina Posted:02/23/09
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ASBURY PARK – Many of you may have known this upscale restaurant as Isabella’s, but it was purchased recently by Bobby Belmont, a renown restaurateur. If you loved the food before you will still be very satisfied as the same executive chef is still in the kitchen preparing the same delicacies that brought you here before. If you haven’t dined here you don’t know what you are missing, so be sure to make your next culinary experience is here at Belmonte’s. You will be glad that you did as there is something for every individual flavor.
Chef Rubin is a creative, innovative chef who designed an Italian menu with a metropolitan touch to compliment the area. He makes his own pastas to order with a special pasta cooker, and he buys everything fresh frequently. Among his favorite dishes are Bolongese Sauce and Pork Tenderloin with sautéed apples in a port wine sauce. Although the menu is very diversified, Rubin aims to please and he will honor special requests as long as he has the ingredients in the kitchen.
The restaurant has a contemporary Manhattan feel which is very pleasant and was completely renovated upon opening in 2006. The scene features a partially open kitchen, beautiful polished wooden floors, tables and chairs. Interesting paintings highlight the walls.
Everything from the exciting appetizers, creative entrees and luscious desserts were made to perfection, and will entice you to return soon to sample other menu items.
Upon entering you will notice many happy and content faces who are thoroughly enjoying their selections. The majority of Belmonte’s patrons are loyal, returning again and again. Piped music will also put you in a festive mood.
I always love any of Chef Rubin’s creations as he puts a lot of love and care into anything that he makes. The Calamari here is exceptional, lightly fried to a golden hue with a pleasant touch of spice, and a very tasty home-style marinara sauce.
We loved the Portobello topped with fresh spinach, fontina cheese and eggplant. This was exceptional, almost a meal, as the portobello was hearty, enhanced with the other ingredients, a superb choice.
The entrees were just as enticing, especially the Chicken Giavonni, a succulent chicken cutlet topped with grilled eggplant, creamy goat cheese, and roasted peppers, finished with a demi glace and a touch of cream. Don’t miss it!
Another dish of distinction is Salmon Pave, a generous, fresh tasting and flavorful grilled salmon set atop a mound of mashed potatoes, enhanced with roasted tomato, fennel and olive oil.
Among the other tried and true entrees are: Papperdelle, shrimp, mushroom and asparagus; Tagliatelli Bolongese; Veal Capriosa; Sole Graceann, and Pork Tenderloin. The above are only a few of the many selective and enticing dishes on the menu as well as nightly specials. I always like to try something new here, and whatever I order I am completely satisfied and I know that you will be as well. Buon Appetito!
ADDRESS: 632 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park TEL: 732-776-7500 FAX: 732-776-7505 ENTRÉE PRICES: $16 – Chicken Philadelphia (shallots, mushrooms, cognac demi glace in cream sauce) to $24 – Filet Mignon Dirlei (shallots, cream marsala topped with foie gras TUESDAY NITES: all pastas 1/2 price
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