Jimmy’s Italian Restaurant- Asbury Park, NJ
Don’t be fooled by the location of this restaurant; though it is on the outskirts of Asbury Park on Asbury Ave., this authentic Italian restaurant, Jimmy’s, has been around since 1982 and brings to you one of the best Italian cuisines by the shore.
The bartender here is legendary and whips up insane cocktails! You ask for it, he makes it. The food menu here is full of amazing choices which are so hard to pick just one from! Let’s start with appetizers. The clams casino was spectacular as well as the clams oreganato. Additionally, the fried calamari is always a safe, but good choice! Eggplant rollatini is a great appetizer as well if you’re looking for something more hearty. I am boring and love the shrimp fra diavolo over penne. It’s not on the menu, but I always ask for it when I am in the mood for it. I am obsessed with fra diavolo sauce because it is hearty red sauce with a touch of a spicy kick to it. The shrimps are large and delicious. Penne is cooked to perfection al’ dente as is all the pasta. I’ve also had the veal parmigiana, which is very good. I am a tough critic with Italian food since my grandmother and mother are two of the best Italian cooks ever, but Jimmy’s delivers every time.The veal chop, stuffed with fontina cheese with shallots in a burgundy sauce, is probably the best around and one of their best entrees on the menu! All entrees are served with a house salad. Desserts are amazing. The waitress comes over with the dessert tray to show you your options; how could you refuse at that point? The cheesecake is creamy and delicious. I would definitely recommend that. They do have some seasonal options as well.
The atmosphere here is awesome because it is like walking into the movie Goodfellas. The vibe is old-school Italian. Though the bar area is small, the dining room is larger than you would expect. There is an elegance to the establishment without making the guests feel as though they need to be dressed to the hilt. I especially like coming around Christmas time. They have all the white lights around the bar area, and it really just makes me feel so “merry” for the holidays.
Customer service is great. The waiters and waitresses are attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu. They are happy to be there and are enthusiastic. The customer service is great from the valet parking guys to the hostess, all the way to the waiters and waitresses. Yes, by the way, there is valet parking. You don’t want to be driving around Asbury Avenue looking for parking. Take advantage of it because it is complimentary.
Jimmy’s Italian Restaurant is a true gem tucked away from the heart of Asbury. There is a reason they have sustained since 1982, and it is because they are consistent and one of the best! This is a must try!
