Wayne Magazine May 2016 | Page 63

FEELING BLU? Have a Blu Cosmopolitan, Code Blu Burger, Blu Kabobs, or a Mixed Berry Salad to lift your spirits. BLU ALEHOUSE 92 Route 23 North, Riverdale 973-831-4258 blualehouse.com y f om n e g hpv For Daytime Dining and Nighttime Mingling T WRITTEN BY ADRIANA MARIELLA he Blu Alehouse restaurant and bar located on Route 23 North in Riverdale offers familyfriendly dining by day and a sports bar atmosphere at night. From Blu filet mignon kabobs for dinner to the “drunken sailors” mussels at happy hour, the expansive New American menu created by executive chef Ken Stark (previously of Ruth’s Chris and Morton’s steakhouses) meets the needs of many different tastes. For starters, try the Avocado Eggrolls (filled with avocado and sun dried tomatoes) served with tamarind cashew sauce, the Tuna Tartar or the Babyback Sliders (topped with BBQ sauce and fried pickled jalapenos). On the dinner menu is a wide selection of sandwiches, burgers, salads, seafood and steaks. The Code Blu Burger (on a breaded fried macaroni and cheese bun with bacon, cheddar, lettuce and tomato) is one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. Blu Shrimp (pan fried shrimp, angel PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE-MARIE CARUSO hair pasta, garlic and tomato cream sauce), Lobster Mac & Cheese, French Onion Sliders (topped with caramelized sherry onions and gruyere cheese), Ahi Tuna (pepper crusted served with asparagus), and the Cowboy Ribeye (20 oz. bone-in) are also favorites on the dinner menu. On the lighter side, try the Chilled Asparagus Salad (roasted red pepper, goat cheese and pecans over baby arugula in a house-made sherry vinaigrette). The menu also offers a significant selection of gluten-free options, many of which are modified versions of the regular menu’s offerings. Dessert lovers will want to try the Fried Cheese Cake (fried Jersey shore style with fresh strawberries and strawberry sauce) or the Cookies & Cream (classic Oreo cookie dipped in batter and fried, served with cookies and cream ice cream, fresh whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles). During happy hour, Monday through Friday from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the bar, you can enjoy any of the 35 beers on tap, as well as some of the restaurant’s small bites such as cheddar-bacon deviled eggs, mini chicken quesadillas or pulled pork tacos with slaw. According to Jared Shababb, Blu Alehouse’s marketing manager, “Blu Alehouse is a family restaurant first, geared toward a great dining experience. And, if our guests prefer, they can come to eat, and stay for the party.” At Blu Alehouse, guests receive a free entrée during the week of their birthday. Half-priced bottles of wine are available on Wine Wednesday, and new Brew Flights (a selection of your choice of four different beers) can be purchased. Outdoor seating is available in good weather. For late-night fun, every Thursday night is Country Night featuring guests from the country radio station NASH FM 94.7, and every Friday and Saturday are Top 40 nights featuring DJs from 92.3 AMP Radio. There’s no cover charge, food is served until midnight and drinks are available until 3 a.m. ■ MAY 2016 WAYNE MAGAZINE 61