Gail Gerson Witte's Wine Dine and Leisure Time

IL COLOSSEO: 2 Locations in Brooklyn & Red Bank Voted Best Sicilian Specialties, Daily News, May 202Il

BROOKLYN:

The results are in – the original Il Colosseo of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn is a dining superstar & for the last 34 years, the leading Brooklyn Southern Italian “Go To,” according to the Metro Press Club & my readers in the Daily News. Here, the excitement comes from the intriguing food, presentations & wonderful greeting of the client. The customers are thrilled with exquisite preparations resulting in spectacular catering & endless specialties for daily dining. This historical spot, originated by Lorenzo Mannino & now directed by son Giulio, delighted our press party with dishes that I am so anxious to experience once again. I loved the tasty GNOCCHI BOLOGNESE, the exquisite SEAFOOD SALAD & the unforgettable SPICY CHICKEN VODKA PARMIGIANO. Never before did an artichoke taste so exciting as the CARCIOFI ALLA GIUDIA which is a twice deep-fried artichoke that originated in the Jewish community of Rome...

RED BANK:

This four-star global Italian with hand crafted pastas, sumptuous seafood, exquisite entrees, one of a kind drinks & differently delicious bedazzling desserts, is the hottest new reservation in the Monmouth County, New Jersey area. They draw daily raves from the harshest critics & now the rigid Metro Dining Press Club has reported, “Giulio’s cuisine is sumptuous & sensual, a treat for both the eye & the palate.” Congrats to a very caring professional staff that includes Host-Owner Giulio Mannino, Chef Oscar & servers, Paul, George & Henry. Il Colosseo translates into style, casual elegance, luxurious appointments & delicious cuisine & takes the diner on a culinary adventure that pulsates with the rhythm & energy of the best of the authentic cuisine of Sicily. Drinks include a hand selected new & old world wine list, along with rare Bourbons, noteworthy beers & craft cocktails such as the awesome FERRERO ROCHER MARTINI with Hazelnut Rum, Vodka, Frangelico, Bailey’s & Nutella...

Gail Recommends Angel of the Sea B&B in Cape May, NJ

BOTA SUPPER CLUB: Power Parties and Dazzling Dishes, Daily News, October 2024

This iconic new supper club, with a first-class kitchen directed by owners Imer & Antonina, believe in the slogan “Keep it simple, work with great ingredients.” From its tasteful décor, to their smooth, nicely liveried servers, to a versatile & intelligent wine list & sophisticated kitchen, Bota is everything a refined dinner club should be. Although many of the dishes seem familiar, they are designed with a creative & very modern flair, that contribute to a singular & memorable dining experience. The award-winning menu is accompanied by a superb wine list and seems to blend Italian, Greek, French & Continental American cookery amid an exciting very vivid & very stylish décor...

ROCCO STEAKHOUSE: Superb Service & Dazzling Steaks, Daily News, November 2024

Located inside the prominent Dorchester co-op, at 106 East 57th Street, our press party enjoyed Rocco’s well known charisma & expertise, at this new location, much to the delight of those in midtown Manhattan. Drawing from over 20 years of steakhouse experience (like Wolfgang’s) & of course their prestigious Madison Avenue restaurant, owners Rocco Trotta & Pete Pjetrovic, assisted by head waiter Edin, who carefully presided over every element of our press tasting, insuring flawless service as we selected a varied menu of food and drinks. Decidedly amorous the surroundings may be, it is the excellent Italian influenced cuisine that keeps patrons coming back for more. We learned about their in-house dry-aging program, supervised by Executive Chef Dominick Pepe who also is an accomplished butcher...

BENJAMIN STEAK HOUSE: Classic Steakhouse with Dazzling Decor & Four Star Menu, Daily News, May 2024

They treat all who enter like family & are truly accommodating & where the finest ingredients are handled with consistent care. “Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” You will want your dad to have the best steak you can buy, cooked perfectly & you can accompany your lunch (weekends) or dinner, with a great bottle of wine. Here you can choose from 600 options and that’s what this steakhouse is about. They love to cater in house, either on the outdoor patio, the multiple private rooms, or by the alluring fireplace in the Main Dining Room. Whether personal celebrations, birthday parties, anniversaries, private business meetings or special family gatherings, they are all about providing the best beef encounter. The talented owners, Benjamin Prelvukaj & Benjamin Sinanaj who founded this eatery in 2006, with Executive Chef Arturo at the helm, believe in making almost everything from scratch & savoring & caring about the food. Chef Arturo’s superior culinary preparations are as contemporary as today’s newspaper...

ZACHARY'S: The Dining Gem of West Long Branch, Daily News, February 2025

The remarkable food at this local dining champion is built on sturdy principles - buy good stuff, preferable locally, prepare it well and serve with LOVE. The story started with the Parliaros family from Andros, Greece, with the father George & mom Terry (who has passed) who believed that “True Love is a full plate & a happy stomach.” Their legacy is brilliantly carried on by sons Demetrios, his wife Neda, brothers Yanni, talented Dessert Chef Francesco & Louis, who are all owners & participants in sustaining this family-friendly eatery, as the very best of its class in the entire area. The staff, including our server Autumn, are all knowledgeable & caring...

RAVAL STEAKHOUSE / MAR BELO: Readers Choose Top 10 Romantic Restaurant, Daily News, February 2025

MAR BELO:
They treat all who enter like family, are truly accommodating & utilize the finest ingredients in every single dish. The blend of owners JP Custodio & Paulo Barateiro represent a bright star among the Monmouth County eateries. “People come here from everywhere & with good reason,” Zagat reported. “Still reliable after opening in 2013, they offer the best for your dining buck.” Ray of ‘What’s Your Plate’ wrote, “The SKIRT STEAK could not have been more perfectly presented & the huge PAELLA MARINARA WITH LOBSTER had my mouth smiling for days.” Wall Street’s Barbara was thrilled with the tasty bread from Balthazar that enhanced the sumptuous BEET SALAD, flavored with Feta Cheese, Walnuts & Oranges...

RAVAL STEAKHOUSE:
Step into a little dining palace, that arrived on Nov. 11, 2024, with an individual cooking style, where the excitement comes from the intriguing food, and all the while, you are coddled by the attentive staff. They have handsomely redecorated, with comfy leather chairs, a stunning cocktail lounge & bar & an infinity light tunnel which is fun to experience. Raval was a hidden place outside of the city’s walls, where people used to sneak out for a fun night & didn’t have to obey the rules of the city,. Naz, a history buff, hoped to provide this unique vibe in the dining room & I believe he has accomplished this...

ALLENDALE STEAKHOUSE / MATISSE 167: Readers Choose Top 10 Romantic Restaurants, Daily News, February 2025

ALLENDALE STEAKHOUSE:
This very tasty Vaseli family affair, where every dish tells a story & where passion meets the palate, should be on your must try list. You can definitely taste the love & expertise of Host-owner Ron Vaseli & Chef Javier, who have artfully created an enchanting palette of flavors. Opened May 1, 2024 & pulsating with the rhythm & energy of Manhattan, they are about wonderful dinner parties, good conversation & creating new food memories. Host Owner Ron Vaseli grew up in the business & has worked with his father, Eddie Vaseli (who worked with Frank Amen at Portobello) & opened the neighboring, well-regarded Mezza Luna in ’94. Ron has been in the business over 40 years. The culinary prowess of Chef Javier attracts foodies that are perfectly attuned to the cornucopia of specialties, like the luscious EXTRA THICK CUT all the rage BACON, or the very creamy LOBSTER BISQUE, truly of epicurean quality...

MATISSE 167:
There is definitely a reason why this restaurant has been named “MOST ROMANTIC” not just in NJ, but in the entire US, by a plethora of respected magazines & newspapers. Chef-owner Greg Power celebrates life, love & the art of good eating. He blends the best of Italian, Greek, French & Continental American cookery to produce seasonal, award-winning, full course dining menus. Matisse serves a pre-fixe dinner menu with 4 courses for $125. You can choose 3 delectable dishes & one dazzling dessert. For the First-Course, I urge you to try the SEARED OCTOPUS, enhanced by Chorizo & Lemon Caper Butter. Abbey recommends the BURRATA CHEESE & LONG STEMMED PAN FRIED ARTICHOKE WRAPPED IN SPECK HAM & Christine just raved about the HAMACHI CRUDO with Lemon & Lime, Chili Oil, Wasabi Vinaigrette over Micro Greens. We were so happy with the first course and awaited the next...

KEO KU KOREAN BBQ / SEA CREST GRILLE: Readers Choose Top 10 Romantic Restaurants, Daily News, February 2025

KEO KU:
If you choose Keo Ku restaurant for a differently delicious Valentine Celebration either for two or 20, prepare to indulge your senses, nourish your romantic soul & be transported to a world where food is a celebration of Host Brian Kim’s love of his guests & he will always insure a very “foodie” experience. Brian feels his exquisite CORN SOUP is a lot like a good relationship, as each ingredient enhances the other & like a good relationship, needs time to simmer & reach full flavor.
Open since April 1, 1993, owners Jim Hong, Brian Kim & General Manager Jean Choi believe eating is truly a necessity, but proper cooking is an art. Here, they only use fresh vegetables from their garden for their famous side dishes or BANCHUM & the finest grades for steak, pork & chicken...

SEA CREST GRILLE:
THE SEA CREST GRILLE is everything a proper romantic dining destination should be & you can even book a room at the newly decorated hotel, to enhance your experience. Located in the Shore Club, (formerly Doolan’s restaurant & hotel), this heartfelt dining adventure has become very popular. The romantic holiday décor & an amazing romantically decorated Cupid’s Hideaway will be available through February 18th. Here you can make a love connection with one delicious dish at a time, because their secret ingredient is the love they pour into every dish. We loved the prime, dry-aged FILET MIGNON WELLINGTON, the tasty GRILLED PRIME PORK CHOP & luscious CHILEAN SEA BASS...

SCARBOROUGH FAIR / DON COQUI: Readers Choose Top 10 Romantic Restaurants, Daily News, February 2025

SCARBOROUGH FAIR:
It’s easy to fall in love with this beautifully appointed & decorated eatery which encompasses cozy booths, a charming dining room & very charismatic bar & lounge with each bestowing its own unique warmth & intimacy upon those in search of a romantic repast. And be sure to stop by at the bar for a preprandial libation & a bit of culinary foreplay during cocktail hour.
The embroidered banquettes, specialty cocktails, lovely fireplace & magical Valentine’s decorations set just the proper mood for the amorous dining experience yet to come. This charming 1800’s restored farmhouse is so romantic. Close to GS Pkway & Rt 35, at the Jersey Shore, Michael & Eva Fotinos have been presenting farm-to-table natural foods for 40 years. Food at Scarborough brings people together on many different levels...

DON COQUI:
The new Don Coqui in Edgewater, equals panache, informal sophistication, splendid appointments & mouth-watering cookery, taking one on a Latin gastronomic journey. They import fish, buy directly from the docks & present award-winning Latin Caribbean cuisine prepared by celebrity Chef Ricardo Cardona. He is the foremost Chef of Latin cuisine, who cooks for the Yankees, Mark Anthony, the Knicks, the Giants & much more. They present three bars, with talented bartenders & a wine list from a multitude of countries at pleasing prices. This perfect ‘Dining Chateau’, serves dishes prepared with the best raw materials, one can buy, prepared with painstaking detail amid exquisite views. Open since December 16, 2024, the dream team consists of General Manager Jay Gonzalez, Chef Ricardo Cardona & Pastry Chef Francesca Perez...