Ramen isn’t as ubiquitous at the Jersey Shore as it is in other parts of the Garden State. Oni Ramen, which opened last month in the former Wild Bamboo spot at 8 Ocean Avenue in the Pier Village eating-shopping-residential community of Long Branch, is the first in town. The proprietor is chef Frank Caponi, who worked at Eno Terra in Kingston. The menu sports the expected buns, bowls and ramen dishes. Lunch and dinner are served daily. BYOB. 732-222-2893.
P.S. Be mindful of the signs dictating instructions for paying for parking; pay stations here need feeding throughout normal dinner hours.
Other openings:
- Chopt, a fast-casual chain with a 40-plus national empire, has opened its first eatery in New Jersey. The salad maker is located at 176 Columbia Turnpike in Florham Park. The restaurant is open from 10:30 am to 9:30 pm daily. BYO. 973-845-2440. choptsalad.com.
- Surf City Hotel has expanded its culinary offerings with the opening of Surf City Bistro, an American restaurant located inside the hotel at 800 Long Beach Boulevard in the borough on Long Beach Island. Surf City Bistro joins the Clam Bar, the Beach Club bar and a full-service liquor store in the hotel complex. Its menu leans traditional, with seafood, pasta, burgers and salads. Lunch and dinner are served daily during the summer. 800-353-3341; surfcityhotel.com.
Coming soon:
California Tortilla: Mexican (319 North Avenue, Garwood; 908-233-0399, californiatortilla.com). BYO
Capricorn Island: American (105 Franklin Street, Belleville; 862-621-6255, apricornisland.com).
Dolce: Italian (161 Main Street, Flemington; 908-237-1221) BYO
Moving:
Italy, a restaurant located in Phillipsburg, is moving to 201 Strykers Road in the western Hunterdon County borough; its previous home had been at 306 Rosebury Street. It will be temporarily closed during the moving process. 908-454-1216, italyrestaurant.com.