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Fernandes, on Fleming Street, is a bit off the beaten Ironbound track. Speaking
of tracks, the proliferation of railroad tracks in the 1800s gave the area its
name, although some argue it was the presence of iron forges and steel
fabrication plants.
The massive vault in the foyer? The restaurant is housed in a former bank. Walk
upstairs to the attractive, greenery-decorated, Spanish-tiled-ceiling dining
room. "Fried shrimp?" Boehm needled Jones on his choice of entree. "You can go
to Long John Silver's."
Whole lotta love on the Big Dog this summer.
You'll love the sangria here, especially the blue sangria, smooth and
seductive. In fact, Fernandes gets our vote for the day's best sangria
overall.(...)
The broiled seafood combination was a boatload of marine munch - lobster,
scallops, clams, mussels, jumbo shrimp, flounder. Daunting and delicious. The
filet mignon, served smoking and sizzling on a cylindrical stone, was better
than average.
No Ironbound food excursion is complete without a round of rodizio, the
Brazilian meat-on-skewers fest. The meat comes fast and furious; doggy bags, to
discourage those who might order mounds of meat just to bring it home, are not
allowed.
... there is plenty to recommend - the marvelous filet mignon wrapped in bacon,
the juicy beef kabobs, the terrifically tender pork tenderloin.
The dinner was capped off with that traditional sugary sendoff, grilled
pineapple. Loved the cinnamony, smoky dusting, but the fruit itself could have
been sweeter. "I've never experienced anything like this in my life - even,"
Jones said, pushing himself back from the table.
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Friday
August 6, 2004
By
PETER GENOVESE
STAR-LEDGER
STAFF
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