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The restaurant group behind 618, Mezcal: A Modern Mexican Steakhouse, Elizabeth’s Italian and Jersey Freeze-Colts Neck partnered with Esposito Construction to open a cowboy-themed bar that also has a full sushi bar.
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Luckies Bar and Grill in Farmingdale has a different vibe than its elevated counterparts. There are cowboy hats and horseshoes welcoming you into the dining room, Western and Japanese murals adorning every wall (including the bathrooms) designed by Raul Rubio, and a sushi bar in the back where you can watch the chefs at work.
STAFF PHOTO / Dill Breaker
618 cemented the restaurant group’s reputation for over-the-top cocktails, and Luckies is no different. During preview weekend, we tried the Dill Breaker pickle martini, which admittedly could have used a little more pickle juice added to the vodka. 618’s classic Pistachio Martini can be ordered as a cocktail or mocktail. The High Horse is Luckies’ version of the popular espresso martini. The Old Fashioned is owner Matt Borowski’s favorite drink, but this take is a Japanese version, with Suntory Toki whiskey, ginger and Sichuan peppercorn. The restaurants are known for interesting glassware, too, and some drinks are served in cowboy boot-shaped glasses.
STAFF PHOTO / Veggie Fruit Maki, Shrimp Tempura, Dragon Roll
The sushi menu is a vast collection of hand rolls, special maki rolls, sashimi, nigiri and sushi boats. The true sushi lovers in our group went for the straight shrimp tempura roll and a very pretty Dragon Roll (tempura shrimp, cucumber, avocado and freshwater eel). The vegetarian opted for Veggie Fruit Maki, which has avocado, cucumber, carrot, mango, apple and lettuce wrapped almost inside-out.
STAFF PHOTO / Foot-Long Mozzarella Stick
There’s also a creative collection of apps, like the foot-long mozzarella stick (we were tempted to measure it, but it was definitely huge), Yucatan pork tacos, chorizo mac & cheese and pickle-brined chicken nuggets.
STAFF PHOTO / Shrimp Po Boy
There are salads, flatbreads, wings, Pat LaFrieda burgers, sandwiches and entrees on the regular menu, curated by legendary Chef Christopher Dutka. We tried the Mushroom Burger with gruyere, onion jam and truffle aioli; the shrimp po boy with Old Bay tavern chips; and the Philly roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone. The food definitely had the quality of the other restaurants in the Death of Hospitality group.
STAFF PHOTO / Mushroom Burger
Other options include Nashville hot chicken, bangers and crispy spuds, 8-ounce filet mignon, and Thai salmon.
STAFF PHOTO / Bourbon BBQ Wings
Luckies offers daily specials, like: half-priced wings and $7 Stateside Vodka mixed drinks on Mondays; kids 12 and under eat free off of the kids menu on Tuesdays; $7 sangria and house wine and half-priced select sushi on Wednesdays; all-day happy hour on Thursdays; half-priced flatbreads at the bar on Fridays; half-priced pistachio and espresso martinis on Saturdays; and $5 Miller Lite and Super Lyte beers on Sundays.
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Happy Hour is 3-6 pm Monday to Friday, and all day on Thursday, with a selection of $10 apps, including some hand rolls, along with discounted sangria, house wine, well drinks, beer and specialty cocktails.
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There’s a fun atmosphere here, too. The bar is lively. The music is loud. The TVs are on every wall. The servers wear red and black flannels, but on Sundays dress in their favorite football jersey. It will be a hot spot for football and other big games.
STAFF PHOTO / Sushi Boat
Like all Death of Hospitality restaurants, kids are most welcome – and get to order off their own menu with a cheeseburger, pasta, chicken nuggets or flatbread.
STAFF PHOTO / Banana Mousse Cookie Butter Cheesecake
And no time spent at the ranch is complete without dessert! Though some of us wanted to try the mega s’mores sundae, piled high with two brownies, s’mores gelato, peanut butter hot fudge, graham cracker crumbles and toasted marshmallow fluff, we tried the banana mousse cookie butter cheesecake – and it did not disappoint!
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Luckies Bar and Grill is located at 90 Adelphia Rd. in Farmingdale. The restaurant opens to the public on Wednesday, September 23. Hours are 4-10 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4-11 pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 12-9 pm Sundays.
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