Shoal Harbor Lobster House

It's on a deserted not far from a romantic stormy bay . History and hauntings abound. It features fresh made chowder and newly caught lobster. No, it's not some Cape Cod eatery. It's the Shoal Harbor Lobster House along the Raritan Bay in Port Monmouth , New Jersey. This restaurant is a cousin to what you'ld see in Cape Cod , the Hamptons and even Cape May. However unlike those restaurants this is not far from New York City. In fact you can take a nearby ferry from Manhattan's southern tip to indulge in their great seafood.

I arrived there today , well afer the lunchtime crowd had disappeared. I was dying for lobster but unfortunately Shoal Harbor was out of it. Despite it's isolated address, it is popular with locals and visitors alike. I settled for a veggie and clam rich Manhattan style chowder. It didn't have the over spiciness of other chowders that are usually redolent with bay leaf and thyme. This was delicately flavored with large chunks of clam.A cup of hot chowder was perfect on a chilly day like like today which was rainy and misty . I am planning on trying some of the flounder and crab cakes on a later visit along with Shoal House's famed fish stew.

Shoal Harbor also sells seafood such as tilapia, flounder and other fish cuts. There are also oysters and clams to bring home and steam as well. The lobsters come directly from the nearby Atlantic .I heard some fishermen unloading them as I sat outside and ate. There are also lobster traps galore piled four to five high all around. The pricing is good and probably on a par or even less with local supermarkets. There were a few people coming in to buy seafood for their weekend meals.

If you want New England or even Cape May style seafood go the Shoal Harbor Lobster House. This is a great place for seafood lovers from North Jersey or even Manhattan. You can get
fresh caught lobster or fresh made clam chowder all within driving and even sailing distance of this charming and affordable lobster house.


Shoal Harbor Lobster House - 909 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth NJ.