NJ’s best Italian restaurant will join nearly 75 restaurants in this year’s Jersey Shore Restaurant Week. The week serves as the perfect way for restaurant-goers to stop in to their favorite spots or check out new ones!

Falling in November, Jersey Shore Restaurant Week serves as a prime chance for food enthusiasts to take a load off before the bustle of the holiday season and enjoy delicious food with great atmospheres. Guests can enjoy a three course menu priced at just $30.11, complete with three choices of appetizers, entrées, and desserts.

The goal for diners is to experience restaurants they may not have heard about or been to yet and to be able to do that at a great price,” said Jim Flynn, chairman of Jersey Shore Restaurant Week. “For restaurateurs, it is an opportunity to boost their business at traditionally slow times of the year and to ‘show off’ their talents to people who haven’t enjoyed their restaurant yet.”

As Jersey Shore Restaurant Week has evolved into a community highlight, the best Italian restaurant in NJ is excited to join the impressive roster of top-notch restaurants along the Jersey Shore coast. The event has grown since its start in 2009, which initially attracted 56 restaurants.

NJ’s Best Italian Restaurant in Jersey Shore Restaurant Week

Basil T’s, the best Italian restaurant in NJ, is a must for New Jersey restauranteurs. In addition the mouth-watering menu, the restaurant also offers an array of delicious beers made on-site. With several plasma TVs and an inviting atmosphere, the restaurant is a top spot for catching the next big game.

And, as the perfect pair for watching a sports event, the restaurant offers unbeatable Sunday and Monday night specials. Whether it’s mouth-watering tapas on Sunday or a juicy, chargrilled burger on Monday, there’s always something tasty for visitors.

Visit the best Italian restaurant in NJ November 4 through November 13 for delicious food, drinks and fun. For information about Basil T’s or Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, call (732) 842-5990.

Come into Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill on Sundays to enjoy the new Italian tapas for just $6! Football games will be even more enjoyable when you are dining on any of the four exquisite flavors from NJ’s best Italian restaurant. Their famous Wings Diavlo, Meatball Panino, Seasonal Ravioli, and Sausage Giambotta are fantastic Tapas that pair perfectly with our famous pumpkin ale!

End the weekend on a high note with our Sunday specials at Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill. When you visit NJ’s best Italian restaurant, you’ll find tapas and pumpkin ale in a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere!

Best Italian Restaurant In NJ Has Unbeatable Sunday Specials And Pumpkin Ale

Just because the weekend is over doesn’t mean you have to be stuck with a case of the Mondays. Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill is offering even more specials on Monday nights! While the amazing pumpkin ale is still available, these specials include a hearty burger. For just $15, you will dine on a juicy Angus beef burger, spectacular French fries, and a beverage of your choice, including the pumpkin ale. Why go anywhere else but NJ’s best Italian restaurant to melt away your Monday blues!

No matter when you are dining at Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill, be sure to check out their Mug Club. The best Italian restaurant in NJ features six handcrafted beers, including the amazing pumpkin ale seasonal brew, in different sizes and combinations. Five brews are always on tap and there is a new favorite for everyone to discover. Rosie’s Tale Waggin’ Pale Ale, Ms. Lucy’s Weimaraner Wheat, Basil’s Rocket Red Ale, Maxwell’s Dry Stout, and our seasonal brew will tempt beer drinkers everywhere.

No matter the occasion, come to Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill for unbeatable specials, brews, and food. Take advantage of $6 tapas every Sunday and $15 burger and drink meals on Monday! The dishes at NJ’s best Italian restaurant pair perfectly with our pumpkin ale. Eat, drink and enjoy fall at fabulous prices at Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill! For more information about Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill, NJ’s best Italian restaurant, please call (732) 842-5990 or visit http://www.basilt.com/ today!

Experiencing a case of the Mondays? Chase away your blues with a fantastic Monday Night Special at Basil T’s Brewery and Grill, the best Italian restaurant in NJ.

The restaurant is proud to present their valued customers with Burger Night. With such a deal, it’s no wonder Basil T’s is the spot to be for a Monday night football game. For only 15 dollars, customers will be blown away with what they’ll get, complete with a satisfying glass of wine or delicious mug of beer brewed on site.

Customers can find one of the tastiest burgers in the area at the best Itlian restaurant in NJ, made with high-gade Black Angus beef char-grilled to juicy perfection. It’s served on a crispy Panini roll and topped with fresh Romaine lettuce and a fresh tomato. The burger is paired with Basil T’s renowned sea salt shoestring fries, the perfect addition to complete a delicious meal. It doesn’t stop there, either! Customers will also get a starer salad before their burger and fries.

Unbeatable Weekday Specials at NJ’s Best Italian Restaurant

In addition to Monday night football, Basil T’s is also a hot spot for Sunday night football! As the season is in full force, the best Italian restauarant in NJ invites customers in to relax, root on their team, and enjoy delicious food. Basil T’s offers their new Italian Tapas for just 6 dollars during Sunday football games. Customers can choose from a variety of succulent flavors like Wings Diavlo, Meatball Panino, Seasonal Ravioli, and Sausage Giambotta.

With 12 big flat screen TVs, delicious food, great prices, and an inviting atmosphere, why go anywhere else for Sunday and Monday night football but the best Italian restaurant in NJ?

Even if you’re not a football fan, Basil T’s is the perfect spot to start your week off right. Fall into the autumn spirit with the return of the brewery’s Pumpkin Ale! The seasonal favorite is available now and is the perfect way to complement delicious Sunday Tapas or a juicy Monday burger.

The beginning of the week doesn’t have to be a bore! Visit the best Italian restaurant in NJ, Basil T’s Brewery and Grill, for a fantastic night out. For more information about Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill, NJ’s best Italian restaurant, please call (732) 842-5990 or visit http://www.basilt.com/ today!

NJ residents can quench their thirst for fall with the return of a Basil T’s seasonal favorite. The tasty Pumpkin Ale is now available at the best Italian restaurant in NJ. The golden-brown beer has been satisfying visitors season after season with its mellow, spicy flavors and underlying tones of nutmeg, pumpkin and other spices.

The popular beer is the ideal brew to accompany two of the restaurant’s hit specials—Sunday Night Tapas and Monday Night Burgers. As football season is in full swing, Basil T’s Brewery offers unbeatable Sunday Night Specials that are great to enjoy while visitors root on their favorite NFL teams.

And, for customers looking for a fun way to start the work week off right, Monday night is Burger Night at Basil T’s! For only $15, customers can enjoy mouth-watering burgers and their favorite drinks.

Enjoy Seasonal Ale & Specials at NJ’s Best Italian Restaurant

Football fan or not, customers are invited to stop in to the best Italian restaurant in NJ to try their new Italian Tapas. The fan-favorites are on special for $6 during the games, with four flavors to choose from including Wings Diavlo, Meatball Panino, Seasonal Ravioli and Sausage Giambotta. The flavorful tapas are perfectly paired wit Basil T’s Pumpkin Ale.

For Monday customers, $15 will get them a full plate without breaking bank. The star of the special—a juicy, char-grilled Black Angus beef burger— is a fan favorite. It’s served on a fresh Panini roll and is topped with crispy Romaine lettuce and a ripe slice of tomato. To accompany the burger, customers will love the best Italian restaurant in NJ’s sea salt shoestring fries. To complete the dish, customers can enjoy a starter salad and their choice of Principato Vini di Casa wine or one of their smashing micro-brewed beers—with the Pumpkin Ale a prime contender, of course!

Stop in to Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grille to start your week off right! Enjoy the crisp autumn weather with the return of Pumpkin Ale at the best Italian restaurant in NJ. For information on Basil T’s microbrewed beers and delicious specials, call (732) 842-5990 or visit http://www.basilt.com.

Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill is offering delicious, new Italian Tapas for only $6 during Sunday football games! The best Italian restaurant in NJ is proud to offer this great Sunday football special during all NFL games. There are four flavors to choose from that will excite anyone’s taste buds! Their famous Wings Diavlo, Meatball Panino, Seasonal Ravioli, and Sausage Giambotta are fantastic Tapas everyone will fall in love with.

Find 12 large, flat screen TVs at Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill to watch every NFL Sunday game while you enjoy the $6 Tapas specials. A great addition to the Tapas is one of Basil T’s freshly made microbrews. Make NJ’s best Italian restaurant your favorite hot spot for Sunday football!

NJ’s Best Italian Restaurant Has Amazing Sunday Football Specials

While you are enjoying the Sunday football specials at Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill, be sure to check out their Mug Club! The best Italian restaurant in NJ features six handcrafted beers, including a seasonal offer, in different sizes and combinations! Five brews are always on tap and there is a new favorite for everyone to discover. Rosie’s Tale Waggin’ Pale Ale, Ms. Lucy’s Weimaraner Wheat, Basil’s Rocket Red Ale, Maxwell’s Dry Stout, and a seasonal Scottish Ale will tempt beer drinkers everywhere!

These exquisite brews are offered by the Pint, Mug, Growler, or Basil’s Sampler. The Basil T’s sampler includes 5 oz. of all five of NJ’s best Italian restaurant’s classic, hand-crafted brews, plus a seasonal offering! You get 30 oz. of Basil T’s finest beers for just $8.95! This offer is an ideal way to sample all the great beers Basil T offers while watching your favorite NFL team play and enjoying $6 Tapas.

If you already have a favorite brew from NJ’s best Italian restaurant, why not purchase the Original Basil T’s Growler. For $24, you will get a 2-liter German-style glass bottle that can be refilled with your favorite brew. After your initial purchase, you will pay just $12 for refills every time you come back to Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill! It won’t matter if you want to try all of Basil T’s brews or bring your favorite home, NJ’s best Italian restaurant has the perfect solution for you!

Be sure to join Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill every Sunday for great NFL football specials! Try their famous Wings Diavlo, Meatball Panino, Seasonal Ravioli, or Sausage Giambotta Italian Tapas for only $6 each! Pair your delicious Tapas with a fresh microbrew to complete the meal. NJ’s best Italian restaurant has the food and drinks you want while watching your favorite NFL team play their Sunday games!

For more information about Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill, NJ’s best Italian restaurant, please call (732) 842-5990 or visit http://www.basilt.com/ today!

So what will you get for $15 on Burger Night at the best Italian restaurant in NJ?  Customers will get a feast, complete with a nice glass of wine or one of their tremendous beers brewed right on site!  First, enjoy a char grilled Black Angus beef burger that will make the taste buds open up.  The burger is served on a fresh, crispy Panini roll along with crispy Romaine lettuce and a ripe tomato.

Customers will also get a nice side of Basil T’s famous sea salt shoe string fries.  On its own, this meal would be a bargain but it doesn’t end there!  They will also add in a nice starting salad along with a nice glass of their Principato Vini di Casa or one of their fine micro-brewed beers, all for $15!  No misdirection or pump fakes; this deal is impressive and will leave your stomach and wallets full!

Best Italian Restaurant In NJ Has Top Burger Night

Burger Night at the best Italian restaurant in NJ is a big hit with customers.  Enjoy a great burger as the premier football game for the week is played on their array of television screens.  Stop in for a quick burger or hang around and enjoy the game with friends.  Basil T’s is noted for its service, quality food, tremendous micro-brewed beer, and great bar.

The Original Basil T’s, the best Italian restaurant in NJ, is Zagat rated, has more than 23 Open Table awards for our menu, atmosphere and wine list, and is also considered one of Monmouth County’s best bars. Take any seat at this rustic bar and you’ll be offered a wide selection of wines by the glass, one of their many award winning micro-brewed beers all while you watch your favorite game on any one of the 12 large flat screen televisions for the perfect view.

The “Basil T’s Mug Club” is the largest in America with 1,000 members. Come by The Original Basil T’s, and see why we’re are proudly celebrating our 25th year!  For more information about Burger Night Mondays, please call (732) 842-5990 or visit http://www.basilt.com.

Homemade pasta is like a fluffy white cloud: light, soft, tender and delicious. Good pasta makes the sauce come to life and if done correctly, forms a beautiful harmony like a great Beatles tune. About 10 years ago during a visit to Italy, I stopped at the Bottene factory in Vincenza then at Molino Caputo in Napoli. After seeing the facilities with my own eyes, I knew I could make homemade pasta, gnocchi and ravioli with the same ingredients and machines used in Italy.

I was told by all the pundits it could not be done but I would prove them wrong and succeed in making the best homemade pasta, ravioli and gnocchi in New Jersey, and possibly the entire East coast.

Pasta has been made by hand “fatto a mano” for many, many centuries with one simple recipe: flour, water, salt, and eggs if desired. But its simplicity has inherent complexities. What type of flour? Why that flour? How much water? Eggs or no eggs? Then comes the choice of machine, of which there are plenty to choose from, but only a few that process the dough with hand-like movements.

So I am going to reveal some of my own research to help pasta lovers around the world.

1. Use Caputo flour. I use Caputo “00” pasta fresca e gnocchi flour mixed with Caputo semolina flour. Based on your water, mixer, etc. you will have to judge what’s best for you. Caputo has many flours, with different millings and protein contents.
2. The machine: clearly doing it by hand with grandma’s Imperia hand crank machine is the preferred method, but when you are making pasta for busy restaurants you need something automatic. I love the Bottene machines (we own 6) because they are made very well and priced very fairly, but maybe not so well priced right now with the euro at 1.48 at the time of this writing. Bottene machines are work horses and they have a 100 different dies. The magic here is the dies (the piece that the pasta extrudes from) are all brass, a very soft metal that dings and dents and gives the pasta its identity, and more importantly makes the pasta rough so the sauce sticks to it, yummy. Buy Bottene the machines, they are worth every penny.
3. Always use sea salt.
4. Don’t be shy, an egg or two makes great pasta better.
5. Leave the dough wet, it is hard to handle and work with but makes lighter pasta.
6. When making gnocchi use impastata ricotta. It is drier than regular ricotta, so you need less flour, and use less flour for lighter gnocchi. My trick: use 1 egg per 3 pounds of cheese. Please only use Caputo gnocchi flour.

The sauce choices are unlimited: pesto, pomodoro, puttanesca, bolognese, marina, alfredo, carbonara, norma …. Sit down and decide to do it right! Bring some wholesome goodness to your family and friends. Make some homemade pasta with your favorite sauce, open a bottle of wine and float up to pasta heaven.

www.bottene.net

www.molinocaputo.it

We will be serving St. Josephs Pasta all week

Saint Josephs Day March 19, 2010

A note from Victor Rallo Jr.

My Father loved this day and would always cook a feast for family and friends. I grew up eating pasta con sarde and the traditional sfinge on St. Josephs day. After my father passed away in 2002 I promised to keep the tradition alive, please join us and enjoy this special occasion.

Customs of the Day

St. Joseph’s Day is a big Feast for Italians because in the Middle Ages, God, through St. Joseph’s intercessions, saved the Sicilians from a very serious drought. So in his honor, the custom is for all to wear red, in the same way that green is worn on St. Patrick’s Day.

Today, after Mass (at least in parishes with large Italian populations), a big altar (“la tavola di San Giuse” or “St. Joseph’s Table”) is laden with food contributed by everyone (note that all these St. Joseph celebrations might take place on the nearest, most convenient weekend). Different Italian regions celebrate this day differently, but all involve special meatless foods: minestrone, pasta with breadcrumbs (the breadcrumbs symbolize the sawdust that would have covered St. Joseph’s floor), seafood, Sfinge di San Giuseppe, and, always, fava beans, which are considered “lucky” because during the drought, the fava thrived while other crops failed (recipes below).

The table — which is always blessed by a priest — will be in three tiers, symbolizing the Most Holy Trinity. The top tier will hold a statue of St. Joseph surrounded by flowers and greenery. The other tiers might hold, in addition to the food: flowers (especially lilies); candles; figurines and symbolic breads and pastries shaped like a monstrance, chalices, fishes, doves, baskets, St. Joseph’s staff, lilies, the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, carpentry tools, etc.; 12 fishes symbolizing the 12 Apostles; wine symbolizing the miracle at Cana; pineapple symbolizing hospitality; lemons for “luck”; bread and wine (symbolizing the Last Supper); and pictures of the dead. There will also be a basket in which the faithful place prayer petitions.

The cry “Viva la tavola di San Giuse!” begins the feasting and is heard throughout the day. When the eating is done, the St. Joseph’s altar is smashed, and then three children dressed as the Holy Family will knock on three doors, asking for shelter. They will be refused at the first two, and welcomed at the third, in memory of the Holy Family’s seeking of hospitality just before Christ was born. This re-enactment is called “Tupa Tupa,” meaning “Knock Knock.”

The day ends with each participant taking home a bag that might be filled with bread, fruit, pastries, cookies, a medal of St. Joseph, a Holy Card and/or a blessed fava bean. Keep your “lucky bean,” and let it remind you to pray to St. Joseph. (The Litany of St. Joseph would be most appropriate today! You can download the Litany, in Microsoft Word .doc format, in English and in Latin).

Recipes:

Pasta di San Giuseppe (pasta with breadcrumbs that symbolize sawdust)

Bucatini or Perciatelli pasta

Sauce:
2 TBSP olive oil
5 cloves garlic, chopped
pinch of red pepper flakes
2 cups chopped fresh fennel
2 cups crushed tomatoes
2 TBSP tomato paste
1 TBSP chopped fresh basil
4 cans of drained, skinless, boneless sardines

Heat oil in large pot, and saute in it the garlic and pepper flakes. Add the fennel, tomatoes, paste, and basil. Cover and let simmer 30 minutes ’til fennel is tender. Add the sardines and simmer a few more minutes.

Topping:
1 TBSP olive oil
1 cup fine homemade breadcrumbs

Heat oil, and add crumbs and heat until golden brown. Pour sauce over the pasta, then sprinkle with the breadcrumbs.
Traditional St. Josephs Reading

Sermon 2, On St Joseph
By St. Bernardine of Siena

This is the general rule that applies to all individual graces given to a rational creature. Whenever divine grace selects someone to receive a particular grace, or some especially favoured position, all the gifts for his state are given to that person, and. enrich him abundantly.

This is especially true of that holy man Joseph, the supposed father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and true husband of the queen of the world and of the angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father to be the faithful foster-parent and guardian of the most precious treasures of God, his Son and his spouse. This was the task which he so faithfully carried out. For this, the Lord said to him, “Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.”

A comparison can be made between Joseph and the whole Church of Christ. Joseph was the specially chosen man through whom and under whom Christ entered the world fittingly and in an appropriate way. So, if the whole Church is in the debt of the Virgin Mary, since, through her, it was able to receive the Christ, surely after her, it also owes to Joseph special thanks and veneration.

For he it is who marks the closing of the old testament. In him the dignity of the prophets and patriarchs achieves its promised fulfilment. Moreover; he alone possessed in the flesh what God in his goodness promised to them over and again.

It is beyond doubt that Christ did not deny to Joseph in heaven that intimacy, respect, and high honour which he showed to him as to a father during his own human life, but rather completed and perfected it. Justifiably the words of the Lord should be applied to him, “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Although it is the joy of eternal happiness that comes into the heart of man, the Lord prefers to say to him “enter into joy”. The mystical implication is that this joy is not just inside man, but surrounds him everywhere and absorbs him, as if he were plunged in an infinite abyss.

Therefore be mindful of us, blessed Joseph, and intercede for us with Him Whom men thought to be your Son. Win for us the favour of the most Blessed Virgin your spouse, the mother of Him Who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit through ages unending. Amen.

April 1-10

3 Course Pre-Fixe Dinner $30.10

ANTIPASTI & INSALATE

Caesar: fresh romaine, traditional Caesar dressing shaved Reggiano, foccaccia toast

Escarola: crisp escarole, granny smith apples, candied walnuts and shaved provolone

Peperoni: Bufala mozzarella and house roasted peppers with extra virgin olive oil, fresh basil & ciabatta toast

Cozze: fresh black shell mussels, garlic, white wine, ceci beans, Italian parsley

Calamari: golden fried calamari, with homemade marinara sauce

PIATTI DEL GIORNO

Rigatoni Melanzane: House made rigatoni, crispy Parmigiana coated eggplant, filetto di pomodoro and fresh mozzarella

Frutti di Mare: House made chitarra pasta, mussels, clams, calamari, pomodoro fresco, basil &

extra virgin olive oil

Malfadine Bolognese : Northern Italian meat sauce with veal, beef and pork over house made ruffled papardelle and finshed with mascarpone cheese

Scarpariello – Bell and Evans Frenched chicken breast, Italian sausage, hot peppers, capers, olive oil and red wine vinegar, served over rapini flowers and fingerling potatoes

Pollo Francese – Tender chicken cutlet, white wine, capers and lemon with creamy

spinach risotto and lemon gremolata

Sogliola Milanese – Fresh hand cut filet of sole, breaded and pan fried in extra virgin olive oil, arugula and red onion salad, beefsteak tomato and grilled lemon

Salmone – Grilled King Salmon filet, with sautéed fresh Swiss chard and golden and red beet salad

Saltimbocca – Pork tenderloin pounded thin with Prosciutto di Parma, fresh sage, sauté escarole, and crispy fingerling potato

Costata di Manzo – Slow roasted beef short rib, with root vegetables and Chianti wine, sweet potato puree and brussel sprouts with pancetta

DOLCI

Cannoli– Miniature chocolate and traditional cannoli filled with homemade cannoli cream

Panna Cotta– Vanilla Italian custard, with fresh berries

Tiramisu – The classic “pick me up” espresso mascarpone custard with lady fingers, milk chocolate and fresh cream

No substitutions
Gratuity added to parties of 6 or more
Menu Subject to Change Without Notice

Served Until 7pm on Saturday

A Brief Introduction by Bobby Rallo

My brother, Victor, decided that we should head to New York City for a prestigious wine tasting of Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Brunello di Montalcino hosted by the author and creator of Windows on the World Wine Course, Kevin Zraly. But first, we had to make the commute to NY with our pal, Anthony Cammaratta, and a large eggplant parmigiano for his staff at Salvatore Ferragamo. It was an interesting commute, to say the least! Cars, planes, trains, busses and stairs, we managed to get to our destination…with large eggplant parmigiano in tow.

After a light breakfast and coffee, we arrived at the Hilton for a very elegant wine tasting. (Although, if I may add, the staff at Basil’s knows how to pour and serve wine better)! The wine flights selected by Zraly from a blind tasting he did in Italy were his 12 favorites and were as follows (top 9): Vic and Bobby’s Ranking

4 things you can taste: sweet, sour, bitter, salt. No salt in wine,what’s left: sour, bitter and sweet.
10,000 known smells, 200 smells in wine. The nose is a very important part of wine tasting.

La Madonnia. Chianto Classico DOCG 2007 Riserva $20 rated #3
90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and Colorino
Exceptional vintage fresh cherry, clear, excellent color, tannins and a very dry to the finish, very acidic. Sometimes the first wine you taste especially Sangiovese is very acidic should taste with food. First wine tasted light to medium body

Fontodi, Chianti Classico DOCG 2007 Riserva “Vigna del Sorbo $60 rated #2
100% Sangiovese Greater extraction then first wine
Nose was pretty, fresh cherry and black fruit. Dry on the finish with balanced acidity and fruit. You feel the tannins you cannot taste tannins. Medium to full bodied.

Castello di Ama, Chianti Classico DOCG 2007 Retail $45 rated #1
80% Sangiovese 20% Malvasia Nero, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Nero
Mushrooms, musky nose, dry and full bodied. Cherries, color slightly unfiltered, powerful, fruit, balanced acidity and tannins. Blackberries in the finish on the back of the tongue. Probably the best Chianti of the three for aging.

Salchero Vino Nobile di Montepulcino 2007 $35. 50,000 bottles100% Sangiovese
Exceptional year. Light to medium body. Black pepper and spice on the palate less tannic and acidic then Chianti. Tannins dried out my mouth. Cherries very tannic, great age ability.
Riserva In Italy the age is guaranteed by the DOCG. California and France Riserva has no aging rules.

La Baccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2007 $27 190,000 Rated #2
90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot
Exceptional year. Alcohol in the nose, elegance in fruit. Ample tannins that blocked out fruit in the wine. Tight fisted, not ready to drink. Very good age ability

Poliziano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2007 $31 180,000 bottles Rated #1
80% Sangiovese, 20% Colorino, Canaiolo, Merlot
Exceptional year, great maturity in the nose nice toasty smell. Deep dark and extracted full of fruit. Leather, great balance and an explosion of fruit. Long tannins at the end in the back of the palate.

Pinino, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2006 $60 41,000 bottles Rated #2
Lightest color, fresh cherry and great fruit and oak. Medium acidity and oak tannins. Buttery and refreshingly elegant.

Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2006 $65 230,000 bottles Rated #3
Fennel notes in the nose bright and vibrant color. Very round with nice fruit, higher tannic acid and oak tannins. This wine needs more time in the bottle. Remember good Brunello’s can age for 20-30 years.

Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2006 $62 22,500 bottles Rated #1 Best of current vintages
Deepest in color and complexity, Musty leather nose with nice balance of fruit. Very deep extraction with up front fruit, total balance of fruit, acid and tannins. Best wine tasted. Extremely long Finish bottles Andrea Cotonesi is a friend and I believe him to be one of the best up and coming winemakers in Montalcino.

Principe Corsini Fattoria Le Corti Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva Don Tommaso 1999 (1.5 liter) $150 1,200 bottles Best Chianti
Smoky oak (oxidation) in a good way round and elegant with tons of fruit and still very acidic and with pronounced oak tannins. Ready to drink, excellent wine and drinks perfectly today!!!

Dei Vino Nobile di Montpulciano DOCG 1999 Riserva $145
Subtle leather, more cherry fruit, autumn leaves, tar like, an aged wine with tons of fruit, and tons of tannins still very young for its age. Great elegance.
Col D’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 1991 $200 Best of the Tasting
The oldest wine tasted today, to me this is exactly how Brunello should age! Mushrooms in the nose, color is still excellent. Ready to drink, tannins and acidity in balance with fruit. Ready today or age with grace for 10 more years. Absolutely delicious.

Everyday, Wine Society Members can purchase these wines for half off the prices shown below.

Wine Society Exclusive List

Everyday, Wine Society Members can purchase these wines for half off the prices shown below.

Vini Rossi

Grimaldi Dolcetto di Diano D’Alba 2007 (Piemonte)
100% dolcetto
$33

Colli di Serrapetrona Vernaccia Nera 2007 (Marche)
100% vernaccia nera
$34

Dimajo Norante Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Molise)
100% cabernet sauvignon
$38

Campo Al Mare Bolgheri 2006 (Toscana)
60% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 20% cabernet franc
$65

Colle dei Venti Barolo 2004 (Piemonte)
100% nebbiolo
$70

Cavalier Bartolomeo Salonotto Altinasso Barolo 2005
100% nebbiolo
$70

Mauro Molino Barolo 2006 (Piemonte)
100% nebbiolo
$80

Vini Bianchi

Falesco Est! Est! Est! DOC 2008 (Lazio)
60% trebbiano, 30% malavasia, 10% roscetto
$30

Inama Soave Classico Vin Soave 2008 (Veneto)
100% garganega
$32

Wine Society Exclusive List

Everyday, Wine Society Members can purchase these wines for half off the prices shown below.

Vini Bianchi

Pieropan Soave 2008 (Veneto)
85% garganega 15% trebbiano di soave
$33

Principessa Gavia Gavi 2008 (Piemonte)
100% cortese
$35

Re Manfredi Bianco 2008 (Basilicata)
70% muller thurgau, 30% traminer
$36

Nozzole Le Bruniche Chardonnay 2009 (Toscana)
100% chardonnay
$38

Terlan “Classico” Bianco 2009 (Trentino)
60% pinot bianco, 30% chardonnay, 10% sauvignon blanc
$38

Donnafugata Anthilia Bianco 2008 (Sicilia)
50% ansonica, 50% catarratto
$39

Bertani Due Uve 2008 (Veneto)
50% pinot grigio, 50% sauvingon blanc
$45

Vini Dolce

Maculan Dindarello 2006 (Veneto) 375ml
100% moscato fior d’arancio
$26

Principe Pallavicini Stillato 2006 (Lazio) 500mL bottle
100% malvasia
$28

Planeta Moscato di Note 2006 (Sicilia)
100% moscato
$40

Ornella Molon Bianco di Ornella 2004 (Veneto)
50% sauvignon blanc, 50% verduzzo
$50

Hello sports fans. Our Burger Night is taking a quick break on the bench so we can bring you some great specials for the start of Football Season!

Monday Night Football Specials

$10 Pizza Napoletana
$8 Calamari Fritti
$8 Wings Diavlo
$8 Meatball Sliders
$8 Mesculino Salad
$8 Rigatoni Pomodoro

$3 pints of our micro-brewed beer

These specials are good until the Monday night football game is over, or until our kitchen closes

Basil T’s is no stranger to great beer and delicious food. The results of the 27th Annual Readers’ Choice Restaurant Poll recently honored the Red Bank brewery and Italian restaurant as it won best in Central NJ in both the Best Beer and Best Pub categories. The Italian restaurant in New Jersey offers six handcrafted beers (which includes a seasonal offering) by the Pint, Mug, Growler or Basil’s Sampler. Basil T’s is ready and excited to participate in this year’s Jersey Shore Restaurant Week. You can expect a full array of beer, wine and great Italian meals to be on hand during the entire event. For more information on Jersey Shore Restaurant Week or to buy tickets to the event, please visit this link: http://www.jerseyshorerestaurantweek.com/

Learn More About One of the Top NJ Restaurants

The Original Basil T’s is all about tradition. Everything is homemade, from the sauces and dressings to the mozzarella cheese, as well as the spectacular desserts and award winning beers. Visit this Italian Restaurant in New Jersey and experience truly unequaled culinary delights that only generations of dedication can produce. To the Rallo family, the Original Basil T’s is much more than a restaurant. . .it is life itself.
To view menu options or to make a reservation, visit Basil T’s online here: http://www.basilt.com/

New Jersey Monthly’s 27th Annual Readers’ Choice Restaurant Poll awards the brews of the Red Bank brewery and Italian restaurant as the winner in the Best Beer and Best Pub categories in Central Jersey.

Inside Jersey’s Best of N.J. Restaurants feature listed Basil T’s as the winner for Best Brew Pub in New Jersey.

Basil T’s continues to impress critics and guests with its fresh Italian meals and homemade beer.  The 24-year-old restaurant has become a local favorite and one of the best restaurants and bars in Red Bank.  The Red Bank microbrewery features a minimum of six hand crafted ales each season.

All of the beers are brewed by Gretchen Schmidhausler, who is only the second Head Brewer in Basil T’s history.  She has been brewing beers for over 14 years and is a graduate of the American Brewers Guild’s Craftbrewers Apprenticeship Program, in Woodland, CA.

Basil T’s was recently featured in Draft Magazine’s Online Exclusive: Top 10 Beers Brewed by Women, honoring Basil T’s brewer Gretchen Schmidhausler.

Gretchen and Basil T’s have also received recognition for The Original Basil T’s Maxwell’s Dry Stout:

• Gold Medal Winner, 2006 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), “Classic Dry Irish Stout”
• Bronze Medal, 2003 GABF, “Coffee Flavored Beer”
• Gold Medal, 2002 GABF, “Coffee Flavored Beer”

The next time you’re looking for an evening out, Basil T’s will not disappoint you.  Plan an evening in Red Bank to enjoy a fresh, authentic Italian meal and a refreshing, cold, award-winning beer at one of the finest restaurants and microbreweries in New Jersey.

Wine Society Exclusive List – Updated for August 2010

Everyday, Wine Society Members can purchase these wines for half off the prices shown below.

Wine Society Exclusive List

Everyday, Wine Society Members can purchase these wines for half off the prices shown below.

Vini Rossi

Villa Rocca Pinot Nero 2008 (Veneto)
100% pinot nero
30

Grimaldi Dolcetto di Diano D’Alba 2007 (Piemonte)
100% dolcetto
33

Sottimano Mate 2007 (Piemonte)
100% brachetto
34

Odoardi Savuto 2004 (Calabria)
45% gaglioppo, 15% greco nero, 15% nerello cappuccio, 15% magliocco canino, 10% sangiovese
36

Dimajo Norante Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Molise)
100% cabernet sauvignon
38

Cusumano Benuara 2006 (Sicilia)
70% nero d’avola, 30% syrah
38

Statti Gaglioppo 2006 (Calabria)
100% gaglioppo
38

Terre Borboniche Ciro Rosso 2004 (Calabria)
100% gaglioppo
38

Castello Di Luzzano Carlino 2006 (Lombardia)
100% croatina
39

Smeriglio “Baracchi” Merlot 2006 (Toscana)
100% merlot
40

Meso Buio 2005 (Sardegna)
100% carignano
41

Oddero Barbera D’Alba 2006 (Piemonte)
100% barbera
42

Mazzei Bronzone Morellino di Scansano 2004 (Toscana)
100% sangiovese
44

Mascarello Dolcetto D’Alba 2005 (Piemonte)
100% dolcetto
48

Principe Pallavicini Amarasco 2005 (Lazio)
100% cesanese
48

Cantine Ciolli “Cirsium” Cesanese 2003 (Lazio)
100% cesanese
60

Colle dei Venti Barbaresco 2006 (Piemonte)
100% nebbiolo
60

Tolaini Valdisanti Toscana IGT 2006 (Toscana)
75% cabernet sauvignon, 20% sangiovese, 5% cabernet franc
80

Garda Classico Rosso 2004 (Lombardia)
85% groppello, 10% sangiovese, 5% barbera e marzemino
80

Lungarotti San Giorgio 2000 (Umbria)
50% cabernet sauvignon, 40% sangiovese, 10% canniolo
90

Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot 2005 (Toscana)
100% merlot
90

Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2004
100% sangiovese
100

Domus Vitaes Brunello di Montalcino 2004 (Toscana)
100% sangiovese
100

Vini Bianchi

Mandarossa Fiano 2008 (Sicilia)
100% fiano
29

Cataldo Sauvignon 2009 (Sicilia)
100% sauvignon blanc
29

La Rocca Pinot Grigio 2009 (Veneto)
100% pinot grigio
30

Allegrini Corta Giara Chardonnay 2008 (Veneto)
100% chardonnay
30

Alios Lageder Pinot Grigio 2007 (Alto Adige)
100% pinot grigio (Oak Aged)
32

Re Manfredi Bianco 2008 (Basilicata)
70% muller thurgau, 30% traminer
36

Attems Pinot Grigio 2008 (Friuli)
100% pinot grigio
40

Edi Kerber Colliio Bianco 2008 (Alto Adige)
70% friulano, 15% malavasia istriana, 15% ribolla gialla
60

During her stay in Bavaria, one of the world’s true beer meccas, Gretchen visited Wurstkuchl, a tavern situated along the Danube River . Wurstkuchl (pictured, right) has roots that date back to the 12th century when the location provided slow-simmered meals for stonemasons, dockers and crane workers.

Though now geared largely toward visitors, Wurstkuchl serves much the same purpose it did hundreds of years ago: providing its patrons with delicious food and drink.

While there Gretchen enjoyed Bavarian wheat beers, dark and golden lagers, and Rauch (smoked) beers. The tastes and aromas will serve as inspiration for future beers brewed at the Red Bank bar Basil T’s.

Never satisfied with producing anything less than the best, Gretchen is always looking for ways to improve an already award-winning selection of beers at Basil Ts.

Visit the Basil T’s website to view its world-class authentic Italian menu and to learn more about its six, handcrafted beers: http://www.basilt.com/

Learn More About One of the Top New Jersey Bars

Stay current on all the latest news, including Gretchen’s adventures in the brewing world, here and at: http://www.basilts.net

A Jersey Shore Restaurant Week Special Event

Burgers, Bloodies and Brews

April 24 from 12-3 ONE DAY ONLY

Choose a Burger made with Black Angus beef, an Award Winning Micro-brewed Beer (brewed in house) or a Bloody Mary of your choice. $12

Burgers:

“Big Vic Burger”

Grilled Black Angus beef, provolone cheese, hot peppers and sautéed onion

Served with tomato salad and French fries

PLT Burger

Grilled Black Angus beef on a house made panini roll, crisp pancetta, romaine lettuce, blue cheese

Served with tomato salad and French fries

Arugula Burger

Grilled Black Angus beef on a house made panini roll, Coach farms goat cheese and fresh arugula. Served with tomato salad and French fries

Formaggio Burger

Grilled Black Angus beef on a house made panini roll, with your choice of American, Mozzarella, Swiss or provolone cheese. Served with tomato salad and French fries

Our Beers:

Ms. Lucy’s Weimaraner Wheat
A filtered American-style wheat beer with a refreshingly clean character. Blond in color and lightly hopped with Saaz hops.

Rosie’s Tale Waggin’ Pale Ale
A classic American Pale Ale characteristically well-hopped with Cascade hops. Fermented cool for a dry, crisp quality

Basil’s Rocket Red Ale
A medium-bodied amber ale with a nice malty flavor accented with caramel malts and well-balanced with Crystal hops. 5.0% abv.

Maxwell’s Dry Stout
A classic Stout with roasted barley bitterness and a dense, creamy head. A touch of coffee adds to the rich, complex character.

Our Seasonal Beers change accordingly and include a wide array of styles. Please ask your server or bartender about our current seasonal brew.

Bloody Marys:

The Standard

Tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, a touch of Tabasco and salt and pepper. With Tito’s Vodka and fresh squeezed lemon and lime.

Vongole Mary

Clam juice, tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, a touch of Tabasco and salt and pepper. With Tito’s Vodka,fresh squeezed lemon and celery stick.

Diavlo Mary

“this one is spicy” tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, hot pepper puree and salt and pepper. With Tito’s Vodka,fresh squeezed lemon and lime.

If you walk into the kitchen of our Italian restaurant in NJ, you won’t see any bags of pasta, but you might spot bags of flour. That’s because we make all our pasta, from scratch, in house.  We make the dough, we cut the rigatoni, we ruffle the pappardelle. Doing this adds a unique freshness and authentic taste to all of our pasta dishes we serve at our NJ restaurant.

Walk around a little more, and you’ll see tomatoes. Lots and lots of tomatoes. Here in the Garden State, we take advantage of the abundance and freshness of our state vegetable, the Jersey Tomato. We purchase all our tomatoes from local farms whenever they are in season and are proud to say that Jersey tomatoes make some of the best Pomodoro sauce around. All our tomatoes are ripened in our NJ restaurant for the juiciest, most flavorful taste possible. Many places will use tomatoes as soon as they receive them, but we know you can’t rush perfection.

Jersey tomatoes aren’t the only seasonal ingredients we include in our menu. We carefully select every element of every dish, and compliment our menu with items like dandelion greens, broccoli rabe, ramps, wild mushrooms, fava beans, watermelons, cantaloupe, apples during their peak of freshness and seasonality. We also only use fresh, never frozen hand-cuts of seasonal fish, and avoid farm raised seafood products as we believe the quality and taste are sacrificed.

After you’ve had the homemade pasta topped with the homemade sauce, you’ll probably want to wash it all down with, you guessed it, our homemade beer. (Our gold medal, award winning, homemade beer to be precise.) With five deliciously distinct styles and our many seasonal brews, there’s a beer for every taste and a Sampler if you’d rather taste every beer from our Red Bank brewery.

Last but certainly not least, is dessert (if you’ve managed to save room for it) made by our own pastry chef. Our house made pastries are inspired by authentically Italian recipes from places like Attanasio Pastry Shop in Naples, birthplace of the Sfogliatella. Basil T’s owner Victor Rallo wanted to make sure our recipe was authentic as possible, so he dropped in on the kitchen of Attanasio on his last trip to Naples.

At Basil T’s, we have a passion for everything we serve. Our approach to dining embraces the entire spectrum of fresh and homemade in order to bring that passion to you. That’s why when we say fresh and homemade, we mean Fresh and Homemade!

Our customers asked us about Basil T’s famous pasta fagioli, so we decided to film Victor Rallo making his famous Italian dish. An addition to Basil T’s video recipe series, Victor Rallo shows Red Bank Italian food lovers how he puts together his pasta fagioli in under six minutes.

Using only the freshest ingredients and a top notch extra virgin olive oil, Victor explains which ingredients give you the best flavor and insists to cook like an Italian by not being shy with your basil or sea salt. Victor is committed to using homemade ingredients for his pasta fagioli, but offers alternatives to Red Bank Italian food fans as well.

Once you watch Victor Rallo prepare his pasta fagioli, how about try it yourself? We would love to see pictures or your own version of homemade pasta fagioli. Send pictures to BasilTmail@gmail.com, or post them to our Facebook page.

Red Bank Italian Food Fans Are Buzzing About Basil T’s

Get a glimpse of Victor Rallo doing what he does best and watch him make his famous pasta fagioli through Basil T’s video recipe series. Come by Basil T’s restaurant in Red Bank to taste it for yourself and see why our customers are raving about all of Victor’s Italian dishes.

March is almost over, have you taken advantage of Basil T’s Anniversary Roll Back Specials?

Italian food lovers in Red Bank only have until the end of the month to get to Basil T’s where they have rolled back their prices to what they were 24 years ago when Basil T’s first opened its doors. Basil T’s is celebrating their 24th anniversary with amazing restaurant specials for Red Bank Italian food fans.

Amazing Red Bank Restaurant Specials For March

Stop by Basil T’s in Red Bank from Monday to Thursday for the rest of the month and get the famous lasagna al Forno for $12 along with a mug of the award winning house made micro brewed beer for just $3. Finish off with any of our delicious $5 desserts, like Big Vic’s mouth watering tiramisu.

The entire menu at our Red Bank restaurant is featuring roll back prices, so enjoy your favorite Basil T’s meal at just a fraction of the price. Check out the entire rollback menu and we hope to see you soon!

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week 2010

April 16-25

Saturday Nights Until 7pm

3 Course Pre-Fixe Dinner $20.10

ANTIPASTI & INSALATE

Caesar: fresh romaine, traditional Caesar dressing shaved Reggiano, ciabatta toast

Mesculino: mesculin greens, pignoli nuts, ceci beans, house made balsamic vinaigrette, provolone

Caprese: fresh mozzarella and plum tomato with extra virgin olive oil

Cozze: fresh black shell mussels, garlic, white wine, ceci beans, Italian parsley

Calamari: golden fried calamari, with homemade marinara sauce

PIATTI DEL GIORNO

Rigatoni Rapini: House made rigatoni, fresh broccoli rabe, Italian sausage, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and Parmigiano Reggiano

Frutti di Mare: House made chitarra pasta, mussels, clams, calamari, pomodoro fresco, basil &

extra virgin olive oil

Spaghettini and Meatballs: Big Vic’s Famous meatballs slow cooked in Italian tomato

sauce with house made spaghettini

Pollo Parmigiana – Pan fried chicken cutlet (not deep fried), with fresh mozzarella,

house made tomato sauce and house made spaghettini

Sogliola Milanese – Fresh hand cut filet of sole, breaded and pan fried in extra virgin olive oil, arugula and red onion salad, tomato oregenata, and grilled lemon

Pollo Francese – Tender chicken cutlet, white wine, capers and lemon with creamy

spinach risotto and lemon gremolata

Saltimbocca – Pork tenderloin pounded thin with Prosciutto di Parma, fresh sage, sauté escarole, and crispy fingerling potato

Salmone – Grilled King Salmon filet, with sautéed fresh escarole, scarlotti beans, garlic and extra virgin olive oil

DOLCI

Cannoli Biscotti – Mini chocolate and traditional cannoli filled with homemade cannoli cream and fresh baked biscotti

Cioccolati – Flourless chocolate cake with fresh cream and seasonal berries

Tiramisu – The classic “pick me up” espresso custard with lady fingers, milk chocolate and fresh cream

No substitutions
Gratuity added to parties of 6 or more

Every week day, we’re bringing you a different and delicious Happy Hour buffet. Complimentary with the purchase of a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine at the bar.

MONDAY- Our Famous Wings Diavlo, fresh carrots and celery sticks, blue cheese dressing, and Caesar salad

TUESDAY- Mini meatballs and Baked Ziti, house baked rolls, and Italian salad

WEDNESDAY- Malanzane parmigiana, house baked rolls, Caesar salad

THURSDAY- Chicken Cacciatorre, house baked rolls, Italian salad

FRIDAY- Our Famous Wings Diavlo, fresh carrots and celery sticks, blue cheese dressing, and Caesar salad

Cheers!

Come to Red Bank Italian restaurant, Basil T’s, for our wonderful Wine Society — “an exclusive in-house club for all diners with a passion for wine and elegant Italian cuisine”.  Membership is $25 and includes numerous perks, such as:

•    A subscription to the Wine Society Newsletter, keeping members updated with information, reviews, and exclusive pricing on featured wines of the month
•    Invitations to wine tasting and Wine Society events
•    Weekly wine dinner specials, including half priced bottles of any wine every Tuesday
•    Continued access and updates to the Basil T’s wine list, which received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 3 consecutive years
•    Free, limited-edition Wine Society wine key corkscrew

The wine society was created for both novices and wine connoisseurs alike.  In an attempt to create a larger pool of wine aficionados, the wine society will provide a space where wine lovers and experts can come together to learn about the origins of wine and expand their knowledge, in order to gain a fuller appreciation for Italian wine.

The wine society will also provide members with tips on wine and food pairings, discounts on glasses and bottles (in an attempt to allow drinkers to further explore other tastes), wine guides with tasting tips and information, and access to special pricing on their award-winning wine list — a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence recipient for the past three consecutive years.

Italian wine lovers who are interested in learning more about the Wine Society, can call (732) 842-5990 or stop by Basil T’s Riverside Avenue location in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Links:

http://www.basilt.com

http://www.basilts.net/

http://www.basilts.org/

BIG VIC’S

24^thANNIVERSARY “ROLL BACK” SPECIALS

MONDAY THRU THURSDAY IN MARCH

BIRRE & VINI

Vini di Casa: Vino Rosso – Vino Bianco  $4

Birre: a mug of Award winning house made micro brewed beer  $3

Bevande: Pepsi, seven-up, diet pepsi $1

ANTIPASTI & INSALATE

Caesar: fresh romaine, traditional Caesar dressing shaved Reggiano, ciabatta toast $6

Mesculino: mesculin greens, pignoli nuts, ceci beans, house made balsamic vinaigrette, provolone  $7

Mozzarella e Zucchini Grigliate: fresh mozzarella and grilled fresh zucchini with xv olive oil  $7

Melanzane: golden fried eggplant, filled with ricotta, topped w/ tomato sauce, ciabatta toast & basil  $7

Calamari Fritti: golden fried fresh calamari served over house made marinara sauce $7

Vongole: fresh little necks, white wine, garlic, lemon and toasted bread crumbs  $7

PIATTI DEL GIORNO

Spaghettini Pesto: House made spaghetti, rapini pesto, broccoli rabe, pignoli nuts, olive oil &

Reggiano Parmigiano  $12

Rigatoni Melanzane: House made rigatoni, filetto di pomodoro, fresh mozzarella &

crispy fried fresh eggplant  $12

Cozze Marinara: House made spaghetti, fresh black shelled mussels, pomodoro fresco, basil,

garlic & extra virgin olive oil  $14

Spaghettini and Meatballs – Big Vic’s Famous meatballs slow cooked in Italian tomato

sauce with house made spaghetti  $12

Lasagna al Forno – House made lasagna pasta, layered with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses,

baked in the oven served with ciabatta toasts  $12

Ziti e Salsiccia – Old fashion style baked ziti with crumbled Italian sausage, ricotta cheese,

parsley and Reggiano Parmigiano served with ciabatta toasts  $12

Pollo Francese – Tender chicken cutlet, white wine, capers and lemon with creamy

spinach risotto and lemon gremolata  $14

Chicken Parmigiana – Pan fried chicken cutlet (not deep fried), with fresh mozzarella,

homemade tomato sauce and house made spaghettini  $14

Sogliola Milanese – fresh hand cut filet of sole, house made bread crumbs

pan fried in extra virgin olive oil, with roasted tomato oreganata & arugula salad  $15

Salmone: Grilled Fresh Maine salmon, cannellini bean, spinach and tomato zuppetta  $15

DOLCI

Cannoli: Fresh filled chocolate cannoli, sweet cream and chocolate curls $5

Tiramisu: “pick me up” Big Vic’s recipe  $5

Torta di Mele: house baked Tuscan apple cake with powdered sugar and fresh cream  $5

Caffé, Té & Espresso:  $1

Unfortunately, we are giving you less of one thing on Burger Night: the price. Burger Night will now be only $15. That’s your choice of three delicious soups, char grilled Black Angus burger, our famous sea salt shoestring fries, a pint of our homemade micro brews or glass of Principato Vini de Casa, all enjoyed in front of 12 large flat screens around our lively bar scene for $15.
We’re giving you exactly what you asked for, so come out every Monday to enjoy more Burger Night than ever!

Valentines Day – 2010

AntiPasti

Mesculino
A mix of hand picked spring greens, with ceci beans, julienne red onion, provolone, house made balsamic vinaigrette, Tuscan toasts served in a country wooden bowl.
14

Caesar
Traditional Caesar, romaine lettuce hearts, Reggino – Parmigiano, Tuscan toasts served in a country wooden bowl.
13

Mozzarella Caprese
Florida vine ripe beefsteak tomatoes, hand rolled creamy fresh mozzarella, red onion, fresh basil, Sicilian olive oil and sea salt.
15

Insalata di Zucca e Mele
Roasted butternut squash, endive, walnuts, fall apples, gorgonzola, and sherry wine vinaigrette
15

Insalata di Arugula e Pera
Fresh rocket arugula, bartlett pears, red onion and shaved Parmigiano – Reggiano with lemon and extra virgin olive oil.
14

Barbuta
Fresh roasted golden and red beets, fresh string beans, red onion, Coach Farms goat cheese, Sicilian olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
14

Insalata di Gamberi
Four jumbo shrimp, baby arugula and julienne Fuji apples with a spicy cocktail sauce.
17

Calamari Fritti
Fresh calamari, lightly battered and golden fried and served with homemade tomato sauce.
15

Zuppa di Clams
Fresh littleneck clams, Italian tomato,garlic, white wine, parsley, chili flakes and toasted ciabatta bread.
16

Suprema
Classic antipasto, Prosciutto di Parma, Salumeria Biellese salami, breasola, and soppressata, fresh roasted peppers, Bella cerginola olives, Parmigiano – Reggiano, and Tuscan toasts.
serves one or two 18

Prosciutto di Parma
18 month aged Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano and cerginola olives.
16

Piatti Del Giorno

Pappardelle Bolognese
Homemade Northern Italian meat sauce, with veal, beef and pork, fennel seeds, San Marzano tomatoes, and finished with creamy mascarpone cheese.
26

Rigatoni Melanzane
House made rigatoni, fresh mozzarella, filetto di pomodoro, and crispy parmigiana coated eggplant.
24

Gnocchi Pomodoro
Housemade ricotta gnocchi, pomodoro fresca, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, roasted zucchini, fresh mozzarella and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
26

Rigatoni Rapini
Homemade rigatoni, fresh broccoli rabe flowers, sweet Italian sausage, San Marzano tomatoes, garlic and olive oil, finished with grated Reggiano – Parmigiano
26

Frutti di Mare
House made ” guitar string pasta” with fresh littleneck clams, calamari, baby shrimp, tomato, garlic, chilis, parsley and extra virgin olive oil.
28

Ravioli
Homemade ravioli filled with fresh lobster meat and besciamella, served with light fresh tomato sauce and crispy basil.
30

Solgiola Livorenese
Fresh hand cut filet of sole, Italian capers, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and cockle clams with house made spaghetti.
32

Gamberi
Jumbo shrimp sauted with fresh baby artichokes, lemon, white wine and garlic seared over Sardinian fregola pasta.
32

Salmone
Grilled fresh salmon filet, fresh zucchini, yellow squash and grape tomato, extra virgin olive oil and garlic
30

Chicken Scarpariello
Pan roasted chicken, sweet Italian fennel sausage, cherry peppers, red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, capers, fingerling potato, and rapini flowers.
28

Costoletta di Manzo
Slow cooked beef short rib with red wine and root vegetables, sautéed brussel sprouts, fingerling potato and pancetta.
35

Bistecca alla Fiorentina
16 ounce grilled Black Angus sirloin, Sale Mediterraneo, sauté spinach, with house made spaghettini pomodoro
38

Pizza Napoletana
Fresh mozzarella, homemade tomato sauce, Sicilian olive oil, Parmigiano – Reggiano.
18

Due to availability of fresh items. Menu is subject to change without notice.

We here at Basil Ts, Red Bank’s popular Italian grill and brewery, are extending our services to offer repast restaurant packages for nearby funeral homes Thompson Memorial Home and John E. Day Funeral Home.At Basil Ts in Red Bank we can accommodate parties of up to 50 people, and our location next door to Day Funeral Home and one mile from Thompson Memorial makes our restaurant an ideally convenient spot for an after funeral reception in Red Bank.

Our Zagat rated Grill and Brewery has lunch and dinner specials, complete with a large selection of micro-brews and a collection of 250 wines.  With a menu that features over forty appetizers and entrees, there is sure to be something for every palate.

Customers who are interested in learning more about Basil T’s Funeral Repast Packages can call Mary Lyn at 732-842-5990 or visit http://www.basilt.com/banquet.php

New Years Eve – 2009

AntiPasti

Mesculino
A mix of hand picked spring greens, with ceci beans, julienne red onion, provolone, house made balsamic vinaigrette, Tuscan toasts served in a country wooden bowl.
14

Caesar
Traditional Caesar, romaine lettuce hearts, Reggino – Parmigiano, Tuscan toasts served in a country wooden bowl.
13

Mozzarella Caprese
Florida vine ripe beefsteak tomatoes, hand rolled creamy fresh mozzarella, red onion, fresh basil, Sicilian olive oil and sea salt.
15

Insalata Di Zucca e Mele
Roasted butternut squash, endive, walnuts, fall apples, gorgonzola, and sherry wine vinaigrette
14

Barbuta
Fresh roasted golden and red beets, fresh string beans, red onion, Coach Farms goat cheese, Sicilian olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
14

Maryland Crabcake
Jumbo lump crabmeat, foccacio crusted and pan fried golden brown, spicy fire – roasted pepper remoulade and baby greens salad.
17

Calamari Fritti
Fresh calamari, lightly battered and golden fried and served with homemade tomato sauce.
15

Vongole Oreganata
Fresh littleneck clams, oreganata bread crumbs, Sicilian virgin olive oil and grilled lemon.
16

Suprema
Classic antipasto, Prosciutto di Parma, Salumeria Biellese salami, breasola, and soppressata, fresh roasted peppers, Bella cerginola olives, Parmigiano – Reggiano, and Tuscan toasts.

serves one or two
18

Piatti Del Giorno

Pappardelle Bolognese
Homemade Northern Italian meat sauce, with veal, beef and pork, fennel seeds, San Marzano tomatoes, and finished with creamy mascarpone cheese.
26

Gnocchi Pomodoro
Housemade ricotta gnocchi, pomodoro fresca, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, roasted zucchini, fresh mozzarella and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
26

Rigatoni Rapini
Homemade rigatoni, fresh broccoli rabe flowers, sweet Italian sausage, San Marzano tomatoes, garlic and olive oil, finished with grated Reggiano – Parmigiano
26

Ravioli
Homemade ravioli filled with beef ragu and mascarpone cheese, fresh tomato, cream and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
26

Halibut
Fresh east coast Halibut filet, fresh tomato, green and yellow zucchini with a potato croquette.
32

Chicken Scarpariello
Pan roasted chicken, sweet Italian fennel sausage, cherry peppers, red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, capers, fingerling potato, and rapini flowers.
28

Solgiola Livorenese
Fresh hand cut filet of sole, Italian capers, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and cockle clams with house made spaghetti.
30

Rotelle con Gamberi
House made wagon wheel pasta, baby shrimp, fresh escarole, cannellini beans, garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
28

Costoletta di Manzo
Slow cooked beef short rib with red wine and root vegetables, sautéed brussel sprouts, fingerling potato and pancetta.
35

Pizza Napoletana
Fresh mozzarella, homemade tomato sauce, Sicilian olive oil, Parmigiano – Reggiano.
18

If you’re looking for a tasty new seasonal, we have a Honey Brown Ale  — made with 50 lbs of local honey — coming up at the end of November. Mid-December, look for the return of Red Ribbon Ale, made with Star Anise. A Gingerbread Ale made with molasses, ginger and cinnamon will follow around the New Year. Hope you have some time during this busy season to join us for a pint (or two). Cin Cin!

-Gretchen Schmidhausler
Brewmaster, Basil T’s

Take a look at where the magic happens on our video brewery tour with Gretchen!

Basil Ts in Red Bank is a favorite location for Red Bank holiday parties of all sizes.  We feature a warm and welcoming space for parties of up to 50 people along with festive holiday décor and music. Basil’s is a Zagat rated restaurant that is hailed for our exclusive micro-brewery and award winning selection of over 250 wines, which are a guaranteed hit at any holiday party.

Customers who are interested in learning more about holiday party pricing at can call Susan at 732-842-3880 or visit http://www.basilt.com/banquet.php

Basil T’s owner Victor Rallo, Jr. will offer Urban  Outfitters customers a free pizza when they come in for lunch or dinner with an Urban Outfitters store receipt from that same day.  Rallo says, “We love that Urban Outfitters will draw more shoppers into Red Bank.  When they are done with their day of shopping, they can walk a few blocks and come to Basil T’s for a homemade pizza and a glass of wine or a freshly made beer.”

The free pizza promotion is for dine-in customers only and limited to one pie per table, per day.  Your Urban Outfitters Receipt must be dated the same day as you dine.  Offer expires on December 30th, 2009.  We hope you’ll stop in after a long day of shopping to relax and enjoy some homemade pizza at Basil T’s.

Businesses in Red Bank:
Morgan Stanley
Urban Outfitters

More video recipes coming soon…

Ingredients

Before you start, you’ll also need…

• Pot of boiling water for tomatoes
• Bowl of ice water
• A large appetite and preference for Fresh cooked Italian food

Take the tomatoes and remove the core using a knife.  Slice an X on the bottom of the tomato so that the skin will peel off after parboiling or blanching. Place tomatoes into a pot of boiling water for about 1 minute. Remove the tomatoes with a scooper and place them directly into the ice water. After they cool for a minute or so, take them out and peel off the skin. With the X you cut in the tomato skin before, the skin should peel off easily in four sections. After peeling the tomatoes, slice the tomatoes however you prefer (we recommend dicing them into half-inch squares) and place them in a bowl. Next, skin and dice the whole onion (we recommend a large Spanish onion). Next crush 3-4 cloves of garlic using the side of a large knife. Now you’re ready to cook.

Coat the bottom of a large pot in olive oil and add the diced onions and crushed garlic to the pot. Cook at a medium heat for 3-5 minutes until the onions are translucent and golden brown. At this point, your neighbors will smell you cooking fresh tomato sauce, so you may want to lock your doors accordingly. Add the chopped/diced tomatoes to the pot, as well at some pepper, (fresh ground works best) salt, and some chopped basil leaves. Stir pot a bit and let it cook for 5-8 minutes at a high heat, stirring occasionally.

You now have a fresh, homemade tomato based sauce (always better and fresher than a canned sauce) which can be used for a multitude of dishes in Italian cooking such as pasta, tomato based soups, chicken cacciatore, and many more. Buon Appetito!

Red Bank River Center is sponsoring “Dine Downtown,” a restaurant promotion during the month of October. Every Tuesday and Wednesday evening in October, sixteen Red Bank restaurants will be offering special Prix Fixe menus, which include an appetizer, entrée and dessert, ranging in price from $15-$30.

Basil T’s is proud to be a participating restaurant and offers a delicious menu of all fresh and homemade food at the fixed price of $25.  Take a look at the Basil T’s Dine Downtown menu on our website and Enjoy!

Come to Basil T’s in Red Bank and enjoy Monday Night Football like never before: your choice of three delicious salads, char grilled Black Angus burger, a pint of our homemade micro brews or glass of Principato Vini de Casa, all enjoyed in front of 12 large flat screens around our lively bar scene.  Best part – all this for $20.  Monday Night has never looked better.

The “Wine Professor” Anthony Verdoni and “The Tasso” Victor Rallo, Jr. weigh in with their thoughts on the Wine of the Week, Fattoria Vignavecchia Chianti Classico 2004.

Anthony Verdoni (AKA “The Wine Professor”)

Value: B+

You’re buying more than wine here. You’re buying history. The handsome, bearded man on the label is Odoardo Beccari, who founded Vignavecchia in 1876. He retired to this estate in Radda after a life as an explorer, botanist, zoologist, and ornithologist. In his commitment to scientific research, he made arduous journeys to such distant lands as New Guinea and Sumatra – and he later brought this intellectual curiosity back to his vineyards. His descendants run the winery today, adhering to the high standards that Odoardo set so many decades ago.

Radda is one of Chianti Classico’s most important and historic villages. The Sangiovese here is powerful and complex, much as it is in Montalcino. The wines age well. The 2004 vintage was superb, bordering on spectacular. Vignavecchia Chianti Classico is rounding into shape. It is perfect when decanted or when it is served in large, balloon glasses.

All of the flavors of the Merlot are well integrated into the oak and Sangiovese. Balance is everything! The color is ruby to purple, an almost brilliant eggplant hue. The taste is peppery with dark fruit nuances from the Merlot. The best part for me was the prolonged, lingering, fruity finish. You can hold this wine for another 3-5 years, if you have the patience. Treat yourself. Buy some history.

Victor Rallo, Jr. (“The Tasso”)

Overall quality: B+

Value: A

When you meet Orsola Beccari you know immediately the Vignavecchia makes great wine. She is dynamic, fun and energetic just like the wines her family produces, and the 2004 Chianti Classico is no exception. This wine is an excellent bridge wine, the infusion of 15% merlot when blended with the oak aged sangiovese produces and international style Chianti Classico that appeals to the American palate. This wine has excellent balance, beautiful fruit and a delightful finish. A great choice with hard cheeses, roasted meats and even a pizza.

#ShoreTweet Tweeters outside Basil T's

Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill in Red Bank, New Jersey was proud to host the Central Jersey  #ShoreTweet community’s first tweetup! (A tweetup is a meet up organized through twitter to bring members of specific twitter communities or of a specific area together.)  The #ShoreTweet hashtag was started by Colleen Curry to plan the tweetup, and was the tag for dozens of posts from enthusiastic central Jersey tweeters.

Last night (a week after Colleen announced the tweetup) 14 of central Jersey’s finest Twitter users came together for the first time at Basil T’s.  The first half-hour  set the tone for the evening as people gathered around the table near the bar and met the faces behind the user names.  Introductions like “Oh, you’re ShoreFlicks!  I love your taste in movies!”  showed in a nutshell the value of these types of events to the Central Jersey online community.  The entire two hours (and then some) were filled with constant conversation over some complimentary pizza and micro brews, among which the Red Rocket Ale seemed to be everyone’s favorite.  You can view some wonderful pictures taken from the event here thanks to @Navesink!

Basil T’s looks forward to being an active participant in the growing online Central Jersey community through events like this and the upcoming Jersey Shore Restaurant Week.  Below is a list of the tweetup attendees.  If you attended and are not yet on the list, please send a DM to @BasilTs or @HelloPresto. 

Thanks again to everyone who came out and made this possible!

@CurryColleen
@AsburyPop
@EatontownBB
@MarioB1895
@Kevin1895
@LKcoach
@ShoreFlicks
@Navesink
@NJFilm2009
@JerseyDebMadey
@InFreehold
@HelloPresto
@tlabetti

The award winning and authentic Italian cuisine of Basil T’s in Red Bank will be highlighted during the Jersey Shore Restaurant week.

Basil Ts Italian Restaurant in Red Bank has made it official; they will participate in this year’s Jersey Shore Restaurant Week™ which takes place November 6-15, 2009.

Restaurant Week offers diners a chance to experience the area’s finest restaurants at a fraction of the price. During Restaurant Week, participating restaurants will offer a three course meal with three appetizer, three entrée and three dessert choices for either $20.09 or $30.09.

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week™ is presented by BestWeekends.com.

Victor Rallo Jr., co-owner of Basil T’s in Red Bank is excited about the weeklong event. “Any event that promotes dining out and offers guests a chance to experience our cuisine and what it’s like to dine at Basil’s is a great thing!”

For more info on Basil T’s, visit http://www.basilt.com

For more information on the Jersey Shore Restaurant Week™ visit www.jerseyshorerestaurantweek.com

“Rispasso” means “to pass through a second time, to overhaul.” It implies polishing up, perfecting. When applied to Valpolicella wine, Ripasso signifies that the wine has been refermented in contact with Amarone, the region’s most prestigious red.

“I knew what I was looking for in my first Rallo wine: quality, value, a wine to enhance my food, a wine to please my customers,” Rallo said. He went on to add, “I even knew the specific type of wine, but I had to find the right partner in Italy to make it to my specifications.”

“It has the power of Amarone and the grace of Valpolicella,” according to Mr. Rallo. “It is made from Corvina and Rondinella grapes. These are two important varietals, very local, very Italian. My wine is aged for at least 18 months in large oak casks, also very traditionally Italian.”

To find the right supplier, Victor traveled to the Lessini Hills, just east of the Lake Garda near the fabled city of Verona. He interviewed several wineries. When he met Mara Castellani and her father, Sergio, of the Corte Mary Estate in Marano di Valpolicella, Mr. Rallo knew that he had found the right associates.

“This is an exciting wine. It is concentrated, intense, and flavorful. It will age well, but I like it as it is, young and very lively.”

Rallo Valpolicella Classico Superione Ripasso will be available at Basil T’s and Undici Restaurants in September. You can enjoy this full, warm, rich, dry red with roasts, cheeses, or pasta dishes.

Soon to follow will be Victor Rallo, Jr’s dry white wine selection and an ultra premium red. We will keep you posted.

To see the full wine list for Basil T’s, visit http://www.basilt.com/

Contact:
Preston Porter
prestondporter@gmail.com

We’re excited to announce our new Wine Club membership, featuring discounts and special events. Basil T’s is a hub for New Jersey wine enthusiasts and has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 3 consecutive years.  Please continue reading for the full news story!

Limited Edition Basil T's Wine Society Wine Bottle Opener

Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill in Red Bank is pleased to announce the latest addition to its award-winning wine list: The Wine Society at Basil T’s. Registration for this exclusive, in-house club is now open to all diners with a passion for pairing fine wine with elegant Italian cuisine. Membership privileges include:

• Discounts on featured Wines of the Month
• Invitations to regular wine tastings and Society events
• Monthly lunch and dinner specials
• A free, limited-edition Wine Key corkscrew
• Continued access to a wine list that’s received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 3 consecutive years.

The inaugural edition of the Wine Society at Basil T’s will run from September 1, 2009, through August 30, 2010. The yearly membership fee is just $25. Diners can join the Society by phone (732- 842-5990), at basilt.com, or by visiting the restaurant at 183 Riverside Avenue in Red Bank.

Jersey Fresh Tomatoes at Basil T's

It’s the time of year that is truly special when you’re talking about fresh tomatoes, especially in the Garden State (to be even more specific, in Red Bank).

There are two places in that hold possibly the greatest tomatoes in the world.  One of those places is San Marzano on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius in Italy.  The other location is New Jersey, and the local farms throughout the Garden State.

At Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill, the best Italian Restaurant in Red Bank, we get daily deliveries of Jersey tomatoes from local farmers.  They ripen in eye’s view and are used in many of our specialty salads.  The tomato bowl with Jersey tomatoes and cucumbers, red onion, calamata olives, red wine and extra virgin olive oil is an all time favorite.  The Caprese salad is an Italian summer time tradition, which  pairs Jersey tomato with hand rolled mozzarella, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, and a touch of sea salt.

As the tomatoes ripen more fully, they make their way to the kitchen and into every tomato based sauce that we make (how Italian food was meant to be— homemade).

Come enjoy a summer time favorite, were fresh is fresh and homemade is really homemade at The Original Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Grill in Red Bank New Jersey;  home of the best tomatoes and Italian food this side of Mount Vesuvius.

Check out the whole menu and more at BasilT.com