Reviews From Jersey Shore Spring Restaurant Week 2012 [PHOTOS]

I have never eaten so well in my life as I did this week. Yesterday was the last day of Jersey Shore Spring Restaurant Week, and my friends and I took in every moment that we could.

If you don't know about JSRW, it's a great chance to try a 3-course meal for $20.12 or $30.12 at some of the best restaurants in our area. All the places I went to were for $30.12 meals, and it was more than worth it!!

It started with the Kick-off party last week at the Breakers in Spring Lake. I knew from that night we were in for a week of amazing eats. We sampled food from several participating restaurants, eating things like Ahi Tuna Watermelon Kumquat Ceviche from 709 Point Beach and sous-vide bistro steak from Remington's...and who could forget the cupcake bar from Sugarush in Red Bank?? And the wine, my God, the wine!!

-Friday night, we kicked off JSRW with our friends at Fratello's in Sea Girt. An amazing meal and I knew I was in for a week of deliciousness.

-After Sunday's martini contest, a friend and I headed to Tre Amici in Long Branch. We both started with duck confit and goat cheese ravioli with beet jus and chive oil. We had tried that at the kick-off party and it was absolutely phenomenal. One of the best appetizers of the week for sure.

-Monday night, I was off to Rooney's in Long Branch, who you voted as Best Restaurant at the Jersey Shore. This is the only night I forgot to take pictures...sorry, I was too busy eating. The tomato and mozzarella salad with aged balsamic? Amazing.

-Wednesday night was without a doubt my favorite of the week. 7 of us headed to David Burke's Fromagerie in Rumson. One of my must-try restaurants, this place never disappoints me. Not only did we get to MEET David Burke (Total Foodie OMG moment!!), and thank Chef Phil for his incredible meal, we had a blast with our waiter Greg too. For such a fancy place, they make you feel completely welcome. It was really just a fun night with friends.

And let's just take a minute to talk about the donuts at Fromagerie. Probably my favorite dessert of the week, I chose the warm donuts with assorted sauces. Words cannot describe how much I loved them. Just go get them. Immediately.

-Thursday night, we were off to Raven and the Peach in Fair Haven. Uber-fancy, I won't lie, I was nervous that I wouldn't quite fit in as I'm not exactly a card-carrying member of the country club set. It's a beautiful restaurant though, and the appetizer and entree were two of my favorite things from the entire week. (Filet mignon as an APPETIZER?? Heaven!!) The snapper was perfectly cooked, the sauce was beautiful, the rice perfectly complemented the dish. If you have a special occasion coming up, I cannot recommend this place enough.

-Saturday, I headed to Firefly in Manasquan. They started us off with delicious warm pretzel rolls (yummy!) and it was another great meal. Love the fact that it's BYOB as well. The atmosphere in there is great too.

-We closed out the week at another of my favorites, Brandl. in Belmar. Another BYOB, YOU NEED TO GO HERE. Get the lazy lobster. Thank me later. As for last night's meal? Crispy bass with roasted carrots and bread salad, and a chocolate pot de creme with chocolate chip cookies that I have not been able to stop thinking about. I would coat myself in it if I could. A VERY close second to those donuts. I pray that Chef Brandl will keep that on the menu for a while!!

Considering it would cost $50+ per person for the meals we enjoyed this week, I cannot rave about Restaurant Week enough. It will return this fall, I urge you not to miss it!

The hardest part is not feeling like a gluttonous mess the whole week, but I'm proud to say I only gained a pound, and it was worth every ounce. (I would have taken more pictures, but again, I was too busy eating...)

Did you go out for Jersey Shore Restaurant Week? Share your reviews below!