Travel the Culinary Globe With Some Long Branch Eateries

One of the best things about living in Long Branch is the cultural diversity of the area, including the local restaurant scene.

Whether you are in the mood for sushi or souvlaki, a great international restaurant is probably no further than a few miles from your home. You can go through an entire week of dining out in Long Branch and not eat the same kind of food twice.

I have been living in the area for most of my life and have frequented these international eateries, and now I thought it would be a good idea to share them with the readers of Long Branch Patch. 

Here is a list of three Long Branch restaurants that are serving more than just hamburgers or hot dogs, and are helping bring the delicious cuisine of places such as Mexico, Japan and Greece to the Jersey Shore.

1. Izu Sushi Japanese Restaurant: 31 Montgomery Ave., Long Branch; 732-870-0807

This place is a hidden jewel worth discovering in Long Branch, especially for fans of Japanese food.

Izu is tucked away on Montgomery Avenue, just off of Ocean Boulevard and near the Windmill. If you have already found this wonderful restaurant, then you know that it serves some of the best sushi around.

Izu offers sushi (fish with vinegared rice), sashimi (thinly sliced fish served only with dipping sauce) and maki, better known as sushi rolls. For those who have never tried any type of sushi before, this would be a good place to start. 

Izu serves both cooked and raw sushi for both the timid and adventurous diners. You can get more traditional fish such as salmon or tuna or try something a little off the beaten path such as octopus or sea urchin. I have to admit, I have tried almost everything on the menu, with the exception of the sea urchin....I'm still building up my palate for that.

All the sushi at Izu is fresh and never tastes too fishy. That is sign of high quality fish that is prepared by excellent sushi chefs. It is common practice to dip sushi into a small tray of soy sauce, but I often do not do so, as I like the smooth texture and mild flavor of the fish  mixed with the slightly vinegary taste of the sushi rice. Sometimes I feel the saltiness of the soy sauce masks the unique taste of the fish.

I usually go for the sushi rolls and try to have a different roll every time i visit Izu. The rolls range between $5 and $12, depending on the type of fish used in the roll. For example, a roll with eel and cucumber costs about $5, but a roll containing tempura lobster or shrimp and spicy tuna costs about $12. 

For those who don't like sushi, you can also get other Japanese favorites such as teriyaki or tempura shrimp, chicken or beef. However, the real star of the show is the sushi, and it should not be missed.

2. Casa Comida Mexican Restaurant: 336 Branchport Ave., Long Branch; 732-229-7774

Nothing satisfies me more than a delicious Mexican meal complete with a burrito, rice and beans. You can find all three of those things and more at Casa Comida in Long Branch.

Casa Comida has every kind of Mexican dish one can think of. There are fajitas, chimichangas (a burrito with a deep-fried tortilla) and enchiladas (soft flour tortillas filled with chicken, seafood, pork or beef and smothered with a spicy sauce). All of these dishes are done right at Casa Comida and whatever filling you choose to have is always perfectly seasoned. 

Casa Comida's burrito's are the type you need to eat with a knife and fork, as they are huge and covered with sauce and cheese. One trip, and there's  a good chance that you will never venture near a Taco Bell again. 

The drinks are also delicious, and the signature cocktail is the margarita. You can have your margarita in any flavor you can imagine and can have it frozen or on the rocks. The margaritas are the perfect combination of sweet and sour and the powerful kick from the tequila and citrusy flavor of the Triple Sec or Grand Marnier work together to create a drink that is very refreshing and satisfying.

With weekly specials such as buffet nights on Tuesdays and happy hour specials Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., diners don't have to break the bank to enjoy Casa Comida.

3. Niko's Trapezi Greek Taverna: 444 Ocean Blvd., Long Branch (Ursala Plaza); 732-222-4600

I've only eaten at this restaurant once, but I knew from the first visit that I would be coming back several times. 

Greek food is sometimes underappreciated and misunderstood by some people. It is not just about lamb and feta, it's also about unique dishes such as moussaka and spanakopita and souvlaki.

These are some of the staple dishes of Greek cuisine and Niko's makes them all. Niko's dishes are full of some of the staple flavors of Greek cooking including lemon, cinnamon and anise. 

For those who have not tried moussaka, my personal favorite Greek dish, the best way to describe it is "Greek lasagna." It is layers of baked eggplant, potatoes and seasoned ground beef topped with a creamy bechamel (a white sauce made from flour and milk) and baked to perfection. It is simply delicious as all the flavors settle together and bechamel forms a creamy and sweet topping for all the ingredients below.

Niko's also has dishes that many people are familiar with including gyros and Greek salads, and those are as good as it gets as well. 

My advice to anyone who is visiting Niko's for the first time is to dive right in and try something different that sounds appetizing to you. The menu does a good job of explaining all the ingredients each dish contains and makes it easy for rookie Greek cuisine eaters to understand what they are about to eat.

That's it for this week's column, check back next week for three local bars where you can enjoy St. Patrick's Day!