Restaurants in Ewing

Locally sourced vegetables, meats, and fish are the stars at this unassumingly elegant eatery, which has been open for nearly two years. Taking fresh asparagus, sea scallops, and wild mushrooms from area purveyors such as Shady Brook Farm and Hesh Seafood, chef-owner Justin Kaplan creates seasonal dishes that will fill diners' plates, bellies, and dream journals—in that order. Justin's menu changes frequently as he brainstorms new and innovative dishes that will sate his patrons' appetites.

The chefs at Ume No Hana II draw on Chinese and Japanese influences to craft a lengthy menu of Asian dishes, ranging from specialty sushi rolls to Chinese lo mein to spicy szechuan beef. A BYOB eatery, Ume No Hana II also readies its cuisine for delivery and takeout, where the burden of service lies on friends forced into being your butler after losing a bet.

The Sandbar's cooks help bring a tropical atmosphere to their landlocked lounge with signature dishes that incorporate Caribbean flavors. Their crab cakes arrive with a citrusy side of key-lime rémoulade and the corn-tortilla nachos get loaded with spicy tuna tartare, fresh avocado, and a sweet soy glaze. In addition to the beachside eats, cooks also smoke pulled pork over apple-wood chips and build sandwiches around hamburger patties, Louisiana-style fried catfish, or jerk chicken breast shaped like the Sandwich Islands. Behind a full bar, staff members mix signature margaritas and mojitos for patrons to nurse as they enjoy open mics, live DJ sets, and karaoke nights scheduled throughout the week.

Using traditional Mediterranean and Indian culinary techniques, Cumin Cafe’s chefs infuse dishes with piquant, rich flavors. Bits of beef or lamb shank simmer alongside spices and vegetables in a clay pot in Mediterranean tajine stews; Greek spanakopita layers spinach and feta cheese between a flaky pastry crust. Chefs add a splash of rose water to prawns flavored with ground spices in golden korma curry, and use tandoori-style ovens to cook chili naan, making a perfect scoop for goat biryani rice dishes or a heating pad for diners’ sore shoulders.