Not Just Locals Only



Hello my friends and compatriots, and welcome. It  seems like forever since I last imparted my words of wisdom. This  is largely for two reasons , one because I was too lazy and two because I feel I had nothing of import to report. I am sure that is alliteration or something, I should have paid more attention to Mrs Donahoe in my eighth grade English class instead of hurling spitballs.   Anyway  I’ve gotta tell you about my current crush,  the very fine rustic Italian restaurant Locale, located right here ( 51 Oceanport Ave) in Little Silver. I know what you are thinking , just what we need ,one more Italian Restaurant added to the other  2869  located on most  every corner , in every town in the state. Yawn. I get it , and you would not be wrong. You may ask. How is one supposed to navigate the open seas of underwhelming  spaghetti sauce? Well my peeps , that is what you have me for and I take my non paying job quite seriously. Where was I ? Oh , yes “Locale”. Now I am not really sure how to pronounce the name of this place  but I think it is LO - CAL like a diet food. Though I asked our server and he said LOCAL- E , though due to the fact he did have  a bit of an accent so it remains unclear. No matter what you call it , this spot  really seems to be making its  mark here .The cosy farmhouse digs and welcoming  vibes alone would have been enough  to bring you in even if the food wasn’t fantastic, which it is. As the name implies , everything at Locale  is, well,” Local” , with nearby   sourcing  as much as possible , including organic  vegetables grown  from their own  garden, fresh seafood  from the nearby  Highlands, and fine meats from the illustrious  Butcher Block , in Long Branch. Add to that an easy welcoming family vibe,  pro wait staff and the only liquor license  in town and you my friends have a recipe for success . Which by the way,  I am sure did not come easy to  owner Giuseppe Ottaiano Jr spending the last 10+ years honing his craft  at his family’s pizzeria and Italian restaurant “ Calabrese” in  Livingston. Here he is joined by his brother , former NFL player Tom, and sister Natalie as well as executive chef Anthony Palermo with whom he shares his farm to table vision. Locale , my friends,  is truly a labor of love and you can taste it. I for one had the Ragu Alla Bolognese there, a dish I have made often and ordered   hundreds of times and I must say, it was the best I have ever tasted. Not only was it Uber delicious, but the dish was perfectly cohesive,with all the flavors balanced and working in unison.  On my next visit, I plan on trying the Chicken Parmigiana tied for best in the state in the Jersey Chicken Parm Rankings ( Yes, it's a thing) , as well as their creamy and super authentic Cacio e Pepe, yum. Now I must mention that Locale seems to be a bit on the pricey side , but if you ask me and kinda do , it is worth it. You know top notch ingredients do cost more. Besides, you can’t take it with you, so you might as well eat it . BTW  I also might high tail it over there before Netflix comes into fruition with its  billion dollar ( and billion people ) influx , just saying. I went there on a Thursday night by the time I left, it was already jam packed.  So put it on your “bit of a splurge list”, and as always , live a life that makes your neighbors jealous. Reporting from Food Central, Harry Over and Out. 

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