Cacio e Pepe returns to Oceanport, NJ

There are many great dishes to choose from in New Jersey. Yet, nothing will compare to the Italian heaven served at the Blu Grotto restaurant in Oceanport.

It's called Cacio e Pepe and it's actually prepared in a cheese wheel.

As Blu Grotto Assistant General Manager Casey Kehres tells New Jersey 101.5:

"We offer Cacio e Pepe as a special every day of the week we are open, Wednesday-Sunday. We don't offer it on Holidays."

Via @Blugrottonj on Instagram

"Our Cacio e Pepe is one of Chef James's Specialties. Cacio e Pepe translates to Cheese & Pepper. The dish hails from Rome, Italy. We make ours with House Made Pasta in the kitchen then we finish it tableside in a Pecorino Romano Cheese Wheel."

Via @Blugrottonj on Instagram

You cannot watch Cacio e Pepe being prepared and not want some. Hell, I'd even pay to scrape the cheese wheel at the end of the night!

The Blu Grotto has been open for six years this coming July. They are owned by the Horseman's Association of New Jersey. Kehres talks about some of their other great dishes:

"We offer Modern & Classic Adaptations of Regional Italian Favorites. Scratch-made pastas & dishes, as well as Prime Steaks. Chef James Corona only uses the best possible ingredients available."

Via @Blugrottonj on Instagram

"We also have an Open-Air Beer Garden with rotating beer taps, scratch-made Neapolitan style pizza, cooked in our custom pizza oven imported from Italy."

Chef James Corona and General Manager Elvin Kehres have been with The Blu Grotto since opening. Elvin's son, Casey Kehres just joined as Assistant General Manager last summer after a Stint at David Burkes Drifthouse in Sea Bright.

You can check out the Blu Grotto at 200 Port Au Peck Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757 and follow along with them on Instagram.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Steve Trevelise only. Follow him on Twitter @realstevetrev.

You can now listen to Steve Trevelise — On Demand! Discover more about New Jersey’s personalities and what makes the Garden State interesting . Download the Steve Trevelise show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now:

The Ultimate Guide to New Jersey Brewpubs

From the website that gave you the "Friendliest bars" and places to watch the game, comes the ultimate guide to New Jersey brewpubs.

So what's a "brew pub"?

According to Thompson Island's Article on the differences between a craft brewery, microbrewery, brewpub & gastropub, it says:

"A brewpub is a hybrid between a restaurant and a brewery. It sells at least 25% of its beer on-site in combination with significant food services. At a brewpub, the beer is primarily brewed for sale inside the restaurant or bar. Where it's legally allowed, brewpubs may sell beer to go or distribute it to some offsite destinations."

New Jersey has tons of Brewpubs, some of which have been around for years and some that have just opened in the past year.

Here is a full list of the 21 brewpubs in New Jersey according to New Jersey Craft Beer:

Gallery Credit: Jordan Jansson