New restaurant adds some spice to Keyport
Drew’s Bayshore Bistro offers Cajun, modern American dishes
BY KAREN E. BOWES
Staff Writer

Drew’s Bayshore Bistro in Keyport features Cajun and new American cuisine, is nonsmoking. The sign outside welcomes diners every day except Monday.

KEYPORT — Drew’s Bayshore Bistro could easily be the perfect date place.

The newest edition to Keyport’s downtown scene, the tiny building on Broad Street is as romantic as it gets in Keyport.

“It’s casual and comfortable,” said chef and owner Andrew Araneo. “And, yeah, it is a little romantic.”

Word of Araneo’s jambalaya has spread fast in this little town, keeping the bistro bustling with curious locals.

PHOTOS BY KAREN BOWES

“I guess it is my specialty,” Araneo admitted, “but I don’t want people thinking it’s all Cajun food. It’s mostly new American.”

New American is a culinary term that describes modern American cuisine.

While the menu features only a handful of Cajun dishes, the spicy jambalaya and less spicy shrimp Creole stand out as choices for anyone looking for a flavorful but delicate dish.

Araneo is most proud of his seafood entrees, noting he buys his fish daily at local markets and never stores his raw materials in preservatives.

The seared day-boat sea scallops over summer corn is his signature dish.

“The scallops are sweet, like candy almost,” the chef said. “They match up really well with the Jersey corn.”

For a unique appetizer, he recommends the barbecued pork strudel. It’s just like it sounds: picture an apple strudel filled with shredded barbecue pork and cheddar cheese.

“Nobody does anything like that,” said Araneo. “I just thought it up two weeks before we opened. I wanted to find a way to utilize my pork recipe on the menu.”

Sharing a dessert is a must. Araneo is an accomplished pastry chef, having worked five years as such at Joe & Maggie’s Bistro in Long Branch.

Every night the chef features a dessert special based on what look goods to him at the fruit market that morning. Lately, customers have been feasting on fresh Jersey peach crisp with vanilla ice cream.

Available every night are a flourless chocolate torte, lemon Napoleon mousse, and that old standby, crème brûlée.

“My favorite,” Araneo said of the warm custard.

Valedictorian of his class at culinary school at Brookdale, Araneo worked for years as a roofer before finding his calling as a chef. Born and raised in Keyport, Araneo now lives in Holmdel with his wife, Tracy, and 10-year-old son, Andrew Jr.

Asked why he chose to open shop in Keyport, he answered proudly, “It’s my hometown. Keyport is ready for a restaurant like this.”

The Bayshore Bistro is located at 58 Broad St., on the corner of West Front Street. Menu prices range from $6 to $18. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday 5-10 p.m., and on Sunday 4-9 p.m. Reservations are encouraged for Saturday.

Call (732) 739-9219 for more information.