Sea and Sand … It’s the crisp whiteness of the building, coupled with the gorgeous array of fall flowers in the garden in front that first grabs your attention.
Once inside the foyer, it’s the rose petals and candle in water on the table, and the soft music welcoming you to a terrific restaurant that makes you want to go inside.
Once inside, it’s the smiling faces and warm welcomes of any of a number of different members of the staff, the spotless tablecloth covered tables and the soft lighting that all make you happy that you stopped in. There are even comfortable rooms in front of the fireplace if it’s necessary to wait for a table or an order pick-up.
Sea and Sand Restaurant opened last week on Bay avenue in Highlands and already, this India Fusion restaurant is making its mark in the culinary skills world.
Sea and Sand is more than an Indian restaurant, it’s a fusion restaurant , meaning the menu is crammed full of a variety of tastes, blending the elements, tastes and produce of culinary traditions from all over India, north and South. That means it blends spicy and mild, cheeses and yogurt, meats grilled and baked.
It’s a large menu at Sea and Sand and cleverly written to be fun to read as well as tempt your taste buds. Best to get an order of Naa or roti, flatbread that can either be plain or soaked in butter, garlic or cheese. To start and relax and really pore over the menu. Divided for ease in choosing as well as clever, the large variety of offerings are listed under “the First Sip” or Crunch to Conversation” for appetizers, or soups, or In Crust we Trust for naans and roti . A variety of rice, its own, with lamb, chicken or more are all listed under Grains of Glory and some of the main courses are listed under Meat the Heat, from Farm to Flame, or Grill ‘me all. If you’ve room for dessert, you find them under Happiness Served Last .
The grilled meats are fantastic, served on grills so hot that you can hear the sizzling a long time after you’ve been presented with your entrée, along with a dinner platter and even tongs for transferring your meat from gill to dinner plate. (more fun, if you’re careful not to touch the grill, is picking up perfectly seasoned lamb chops directly from the grill and sampling the cabbage slaw with onions on which the chops rest.
Although the menu is heavy with chicken, lamb, goat, beef, and both rice and vegetarian dishes, this is the Shore, its name is Sea and Sand, so naturally there are several seafood entrees as well. Salmon with yogurt and Indian spices is only $24, Goan Curry is fish of the day marinated in lemon and cooked in a rich coconut or there’s also Shrimp Goan Curry marinated in lemon and soaked in coconut sauce. The Shrimp Dum Biryani might be my choice on my next visit; a combination of prawns and saffron basmati rice cooked with whole spices.
While Sea and Sand does not yet have a liquor license, they certainly don’t mind your bringing your own until that next phase of their thriving business kicks in. But their beverages are unique in this area, and tempting. The Mumbai Masala Charis a $5 tea made with aromatic Indian tea leaves. And their Virgin Mojito is a tasty blend of fresh mint, lime juice and sparkling water. Or there’s s Mango Lassi, a sweet mango pulp blended with creamy yogurt and a touch of cardamom. Complete with ice cubes and a straw, it’s smooth and refreshing
Prices are more than reasonable in this day when every restaurant is raising its prices and most entrees in many hover in the $34 to $50 range. At Sea and Sand, the vast majority of entrees are in the $18 to $28 range, and the desserts, should you have room, are $6 and either ice cream, friend dumpling or cottage cheese balls in a sugar syrup, definitely a distinct change from desserts elsewhere. There’s also a dessert platter with an assortment of what the chef says are the best Indian sweets around.
There’s plenty of diversion in Indian cooking, and Sea and Sand seems to cover it all. They’re open seven days a week, from 10:30 every morning, until (9:30 every night from Monday through Thursday, and until 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. They do a great take-out business as well, and can be called in advance for reservations or takeout at 732-204-2173.
Want to know another remarkable thing about this newest restaurant in the Bayshore! There’s plenty of parking in the restaurant’s parking lot just behind the restaurant.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
sea and sand
