The Butcher’s Block is an insanely popular restaurant located in Long Branch, New Jersey. The first time I visited I was a guest of one of their best customers for a group dinner. Richard Trenk is a huge fan of “The Block” as it’s called and I was blown away when I joined him a few months ago for a schmancy business dinner. But recently I went again, this time with my BF and I loved it even more. Here are the deets…
This sprawling steakhouse has indoor seating, outdoor seating and porch accommodations but no matter the day or time, every table is taken. We visited on a gorgeous September weekend so we opted for a sunset two top outside. It was perfect. (Knowing full well that the portions are huge and sharable, it’s best to visit with a large party or expect to take home lots of leftovers. We were prepared.) Each table starts with a complimentary loaf of warm, crispy, to die for garlic bread coated in a salty parmesan snow topper. Try not to eat more than one piece even though it’s completely addictive and messy. Remember you’re trying to save room. But yum!
Instead of ordering salads and apps, (the Caesar Salad with cracked pepper, anchovy, capers, and breadcrumbs is legendary and I loved the Pan Seared Octopus with fennel parsley salad and a white wine caper butter sauce last time) we jumped right into the main course. I ordered the massive Australian Wagyu 16 oz. Skirt Steak for myself and couldn’t wait to taste it. This monster was perfectly cooked, so tender and the absolute best tasting steak I’ve ever had. (Sorry Frank’s Steaks in Jericho. This one has you beat!) He had the Snake River Farms Wagyu Kansas City Strip cut in house to a thickness of two inches. His portion was gargantuan and I’ve never seen Michael happier about a cut of meat.
The sides were terrific too. We ordered the house favorite impossibly Crispy Potatoes with Block seasoning, duck fat, fried rosemary, parmesan and cracked pepper, and the Brussel Sprouts that came with Cap’n Crunch, hot honey, and parmesan. Both were so so good!
We could barely squeeze in dessert but we had to share a hunk of the Chocolate Silk Pie with a rich mousse filling, mountain of whipped cream, and an Oreo crust. And it was even better than it looked which was indeed dreamy.
jenslittleblackbook.com 