INDULGE: Innovation meets Creativity

  By Dawn Straccia

  Along the Jersey coast in Pier Village at 16 Laird Street Long Branch is where you will find that Miami &Las Vegas have collided.  Upscale contemporary in design that is paired with an eclectic menu of fare, the Jersey Shore has yet to experience.    

  When walking into Indulge to the right is the lounge area complete with high back white leather couches, little alcoves separated by shears of fabric that is beautifully draped, mirrors, and blown glass chandeliers. To the left a mirrored back bar that is stocked with top shelf liquors.  A cool collective atmosphere combined with rich colors and dark wood tones  that you will only feel in Miami and Vegas, "until now".

  Indulge should be referred to as a “Martini Lounge” where you can watch your favorite game on one of their six-50” flat screens or just to sit back and enjoy an afternoon cocktail while noshing on one or more of their delectable bites in a calm, relaxing environment or better yet take advantage of the outside seating area with the cool breeze blowing off the beach.  On the weekends at the stroke of eight, Indulge brings the Miami beat to the dance floor complete with DJ’s rocking the night away.   

By no means, is this your typical Bar-Lounge that is serving tidbits of fried food as appetizers and a run of the mill beer off tap.  Like their liquors we are Indulging on a menu of many different ingredients infused together. 

  Pair it with an extensive beverage menu that includes Frost Bite Martinis where the liqueur & glass are chilled to -2 degrees, several choices of Beer, Red & White Wine, Champagne, to Margarita’s, Chic & Unique combinations with titles like En Fugeo, French Toast, Millionaire, The Induction, and The Kings Lunch which includes Van Gough PB&J “All Naturally Infused” Vodka, Adult Chocolate Milk, & Banana Liqueur that is fit for a King.  Ripe & Fresh bearing fruit infused Vodka cocktails, to Classic Indulgence, or better yet, The Ultimate Indulgence of Black Forest Cake & Tiramisu just to name a few.

  After sitting for a few taking in the sights and sounds decided to order, which I was very excited about after looking over their beautifully orchestrated menu.

  For cocktails it had to be the Double Cross "Frost Bite Martini".  Chilled to the perfect -2 degrees and topped off with not one, but 2 huge Olives stuffed with blue cheese!  Smooth to the palette and just right taking bites of the  olive after every sip.

   For sampling,  the Salmon Sliders, “The Indulge” Bar Pie, & the Cucumber Wrapped Tuna Tartare were the choices. 

  While waiting our server Allie, who is very pleasant, friendly and knew the menu by heart brought us out The Nacho Sliders to start, explaining how they are the most popular and we just had to try them. 

  All their sliders are served three on a plate and made with Prime Beef.  The Nacho Sliders are blended with Habanero Jack Cheese, topped with a tortilla chip, avocado salsa, and cheese sauce. After taking the first bite I now know why they are the most popular!  Juicy, tender Prime Beef combined with all the flavors were insanely over the top!  After devouring the three was wishing there were more, not for any other reason but because they were that good!  Not long after we had finished the rest of our order was up.

  The Salmon Sliders are these delectable little Salmon Cakes that were topped with Mango Salsa, a Dried Lemon Slice and Pesto Aioli on a whole grain bun.  Moist, delicious and gently seared made these running pretty close to the Nacho Sliders in my book!

   The Tuna Tartare when ordering it, I had just assumed it was going to be four to six individual bites of Tuna that were individually wrapped with Cucumber Slices. To my surprise it was a centerpiece on a plate that could have easily served 2-4 people as an appetizer or enough to be replaced as a main entree. Bite size pieces of Tuna with thinly sliced Cucumber surrounding the massive mound, topped off with cracker noodles, and then drizzled with Sweet Chili Sauce & Wasabi Dressing all around.  The Tuna was the freshest I have ever tasted, making it a light fare and the perfect combination of flavors!

  As for “The Indulge” Bar Pie, like everything else this establishment has to offer, was a collaboration of flavors and not your typical bar pie at all.  Thin crust that was dressed with a Marinara Sauce, then topped with Sun Dried Tomato, Arugula, Ricotta, and Fresh Mozzarella & Basil.  All the flavors melded together with a bite of pepper from the Arugula which was then taken over by the Ricotta Cheese that was smooth as silk. 

To end this delectable tasting there were several desserts to chose from including the classic Ice Cold Milk & Chocolate Chip Cookies, Berries & Cream, Raspberry Torte, Red Velvet Cake & Sugar Glazed Waffles that could be drizzled with Chocolate Sauce! 

  Owners Joseph Squillaro, Kal Zohni and Ted Kutzen knew exactly what they were doing when opening INDULGE.  A vision that was planned years prior by bringing flavorful fare, an extended cocktail menu and combining it with the flare of Miami & Las Vegas all wrapped up in one. Christina the designer behind the decor took the vision and turned it into a reality for the three partners.  Slated to open in July it took a couple of more months to get it to perfection.  Now that the doors are opened there is no way you would not want to “INDULGE”  

As they say “all good things come to those who wait” as for the Jersey Shore, it has waiting long enough for a hot spot like this to plant roots.  

Don't miss the "GRAND OPENING"

                            Thursday Sept. 27th, 2012

                          8:00                     

INDULGE

Pier Village
16 Laird Street Long Branch
732-963-9352
Open 7 days a week

11:00 AM – 2:00 AM

http://www.indulgeloungenj.com/

Happy Hour

Venue can also be booked for any event Anniversary, Birthday, Showers, Holiday Parties, Company Parties, Launches, etc.  

Prices: Comparable
Service: Excellent