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The Jersey Shore's guide to
Shopping,
Restaurants,
Entertainment,
Services and
Places to Stay!
Dining, Bars, Nightlife, Clubs, Transportation, Traveling, Hotels, Motels, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and a great Business Directory. Limousine, NJ Car & Shuttle Service.
NJ Shore towns like Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, Sea Bright, Deal, Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, Ocean Grove, Avon By The Sea, Belmar, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Manasquan, Brick, Point Pleasant, Pt. Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, Mantoloking, Lavallette, Ortley Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Island Beach, Long Beach Island.
Site by: Ian Skuby, Maxx Technologies - Artwork: Chris Majowicz, An Artist From Jersey
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 A’ la minute, is French for “in the minute”. In a fast paced world,
minutes run our life. From the moment we rise out of bed, a hectic
schedule awaits us. We live in the minute, constantly planning our day
but feeling behind at every step. But as soon as you step foot into Via
45, “in the minute” evolves into something more pleasurable. Simply
put, food prepared in the moment. From the earth to your plate, nothing
is planned or cooked in advance. And for the first time, it is
reassuring.
Co-owners Claudette Herring and Lauren Phillips Daly
pride themselves in this approach. It allows them to have flexibility
and cater to the tastes of the patrons. Above all else, it brings a
freshness to the plate and allows the beauty of the ingredients to take
center stage. You won't find a hard bound menu. What awaits you is a
handwritten menu created at the farm table that sits in the center of
the restaurant, just hours before you arrive.
From chocolate chip peanut butter biscotti to owning
a restaurant, their journey together has been a showcase of fate at its
best. Lauren was a dedicated patron at Claudette's restaurant in Old
Bridge, A Tavola. There they became friends after Lauren brought samples of
her famous biscotti. Immediately Lauren's talent was recognized. Soon
after, Claudette went to be an executive chef at Vivere Ristorante in
Spring Lake, and Lauren came along to take her skills to the next level.
It is there Lauren found her passion and talent for cooking
professionally. And it was there they both realized how well they
compliment each other. Then in April of 2009, they decided to embark on
their biggest adventure together, opening Via 45. It seems fitting Via
translates into "road" because despite the economic conditions their
restaurant has paved way for a successful partnership.
 They took the space, once occupied by Thyme, and
made it their own. The décor is warm. The walls, lovingly painted with their four hands in hues
of what one can imagine would be in a Tuscany sunset. The furniture
pieces are dominant with an antique meets shabby chic style; all of
which were hand selected. The walls are adorned with art from local
artists and are changed frequently, each time bringing a different
energy to the room. Once we were all settled at the corner bistro table,
it was time to begin the feast. Our server, Pierre had uncorked the
wine and generously filled our long stem balloon glasses. Something
about a man with a French accent and debonair persona pouring two ladies
a glass of wine is, well, sexy. The only thing missing was a fireplace
but the tea light candles filled in nicely.
 To begin, Chef Claudette hand delivered the first
course of a Tomato Lentil soup with an infusion of pancetta and thyme. Served in Italian café cappuccino
cups; small ribbons of kale and halved grape tomatoes swam in the broth.
The first bite was like spring dancing in our mouths. The lentils were
served al dente allowing for the silkiness of the tomato broth to shine.
The grape tomatoes were only slightly stewed providing a delightful
burst of sweet juice with every bite. The next course was an antipasto of sorts. The plate was full of
little tidbits of heaven; pistachio encrusted goat cheese, French brie,
eggplant caponata, marinated garbanzo beans, whole baby roasted red
pepper, plump red grapes, crisp butter crackers, balsamic reduction and
the last but certainly not least, a drizzle of truffle infused honey.
Yes you read it right, truffle honey. It was gloriously sweet with the
punch of truffle we all know and love.
 The finale was a seafood duet plate of White Salmon and
Weak Fish. The White Salmon was served with a white wine lemon sauce and
topped with halved grape tomatoes and gigante beans. The Weak fish was
prepared skin on with a subtle basil pesto. Roasted asparagus with a
drizzled balsamic reduction, balanced the plate with a little crunch. By this time we had indulged in an entire bottle of
wine and Pierre was helping us to pick out another bottle from list
provided by the Wine Cellar, a local wine shop down the street (that
delivers wine free of charge). They will soon be partnering with them to
host monthly wine dinners where guests can purchase the selected wine
pairings. While waiting for our bottle, Chef Claudette allowed us to
take a rest from the food induced coma she so kindly placed us into.
Upon arrival of the De Sempre Dolcetta from Italy, Chef Lauren and Chef
Claudette came out to toast to their successful meal. But wait, there
was still dessert.
 After a few sips of wine, Chef Lauren brought out a
sampling of her creations. A hearty pear, poached with a hint of
cinnamon and bay leaf; topped with a sweetened mascarpone cheese.
Raspberry toffee brownies caught my guest's attention. They were
slightly fruity and chewy, with a perfect amount of richness. Lastly, a
marble pound cake, sparing no butter, topped with plump blueberry
compote. A wise person once said, "a silent table is happy table". The
only words shared were a few "mmmm"s between bites. But all good things must come to end. Food euphoria
had set in there was not a drop of wine left. As we sat and reflected on
the meal, we discussed how dining at Via 45 reminds you that eating-out
does not always have to be a shortcut to a quick meal, but a chance to
have a unique culinary experience. Or as they would say, “come to our
table to please the palette & excite the senses”. We could not have
said it better.
Via 45
45 Broad Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
(732) 450-9945
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Red Bank is a noted social and commercial destination, filled with
boutiques, designer clothing and home stores, parks, and restaurants.
Many events such as the Kaboom fireworks on July, 3rd occur throughout
the summer. Monmouth Street is a noted commercial and residential street in Red Bank. It is the home to numerous trendy stores, the Count Basie Theatre.Broad Street is one of the central streets in the bohemian community. The street can be seen in the film Chasing Amy. Broad Street has also become famous for its lavish Christmas decorations, which appear on the street during the Holiday Season. They are lit on Black Friday, during which the street is closed to traffic for a free concert by Holiday Express, after which the lights are all lit. Boating, sculling, sailing, and fishing are popular outdoor activities in Red Bank; in the winter, ice boats sail on the frozen Navesink. The Monmouth Boat Club, Marine Park, and the slips of the Molly Pitcher Inn provide access to the Navesink and, from there, the Atlantic Ocean.
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