For starters, @hungryonion how can we change the title of this thread to Judy and Harry’s (formerly Heirloom) @ the St. Laurent, Asbury Park? (The restaurant concept changed but space and the Beard-nominated chef/owner remain as they were.)
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a week of eating out VERY well and very often, but WOW, did I make up for lost time this past week! It was a big birthday, and my friends know how I like to celebrate.
Dinner on Friday was at Judy and Harry’s, the updated iteration of Heirloom Kitchen at the St. Laurent in Asbury Park. I live a block from the hotel and while I’ve been to Harry’s (the bar/lounge) since the change last year, I hadn’t had dinner there yet - mostly because the focus is on Italian food ‘with a Jewish twist’ - and it’s very rare for me to go out for Italian food. We live in NJ - it’s everywhere, but now I have two places within reach doing it in the most interesting way (the other being Nettie’s).
There were 6 of us and we had a late res, so we started at the bar. I had a Common Ground, which, iirc, was vodka, gooseberry, honey, and elderflower. LOVED this, esp the unexpected cacao on the finish! Another friend tasted mine and ordered her own, so I wasn’t alone in that. 
For dinner, we basically went for it… shared foccaccia, which was insanely light and airy (made in house), octopus, the latkes (DO NOT SKIP THESE), and an order of pork ribs, which was the only thing I didn’t get to try. Sadly, their website doesn’t look like it’s 100% updated with this new menu, so I may be forgetting something from the starter course.
Entrees: 3 of us ordered the orechiette w lamb sausage, the 2 vegetarians shared the eggplant parm, and the last had a different pasta dish - I think it was pappardelle. The lamb dish was phenomenal, mostly due to the beautiful surprise of a tang/acidic addition that I couldn’t put my finger on. Turns out it’s the cheese (this is from their IG): What is la dama sagrada you might ask? It’s a phenomenal aged Spanish goats cheese that we’re getting from our pals at @cestcheesenj here in town! Holy WOWSA was that a great dish. We also shared broccoli rabe and brussels sprouts - both perfectly prepared.
For dessert, we shared the tiramisu and the sundae (ridiculous in a good way!); my only complaint about their dessert menu was a) they have pumpkin cheesecake in February (huh?) and b) a little too much chocolate in the mix - but that’s a me thing. The tiramisu was exceptionally good.
Half of us drank a couple of bottles of Lambrusco and the others had wines by the glass and beer.
Can’t post this without acknowledging the excellent staff and the true feeling of hospitality, which this restaurant group insists upon at all of their places. It’s such a glaring difference when it’s done right!
I wasn’t allowed to see the bill, but I know it was an expensive night; I’m guessing with drinks it was $150-$200pp but worth it (even if I had paid my share). Can’t wait to get over there again for ‘snacks’ in the bar (Harry’s).
