If you are in the mood for an amazing dining experience, look no further than Surf located at 37 Navy Pier Court, Staten Island, New York. Whether you’re in the mood for something from the sea, the land or the vine, Surf is wood fire cooking at its best.

Location is everything and when it comes to views, Surf brings it. Located on the North Shore waterfront, Surf provides what might arguably be one of the best views in New York City. At night the lights from the Verrazano provide a breathtaking back drop for an exquisite meal. By day, (Sundays for brunch 11am – 2pm only) the working waterfront has a movie-like quality, framed perfectly by floor to ceiling windows.

The interior of the restaurant is a canvas of brick, metal and natural wood reminiscent of an old fishing wharf. In contrast, the polished wooden slats curved along the ceiling makes one feel they are dining underneath an overturned boat.

As good as the view and the interior looks, the food is that much better. Surf offers a limited selection of appetizers and entrees all packed with limitless flavor from the wood burning grill pit.

The Butternut squash soup appetizer ($11) features roasted squash simmered to a silky perfection and topped with jalapeño crema and cornbread croutons. The fire grilled calamari appetizer ($14) is cooked to a tender perfection and served with chickpeas, torn bread and Marcona almond Romesco sauce.

The eight Smoke and Fire entrees are cooked using only oak and fruit woods. They include a flavorful New York Fisherman’s stew ($33) containing half of a generous lobster, shrimp, mussels and calamari simmered in a seafood stock with fennel, carrots and piccolo farro. From the land you can choose from several steaks and chops including a 28 ounce Cowboy steak certified Black Angus aged 21 days (market priced) or Organic half chicken ($28) which is lightly smoked then crispy fried served with a chipotle marinade, white bean stew and cilantro.

Not that hungry? Try a Grilled vegetable sandwich ($16) of zucchini, fennel, asparagus, roasted pepper, pickled onion, eggplant, goat cheese topped with balsamic vinaigrette atop a perfect brioche roll; a Pulled Pork Sandwich ($16) served with Boc Choy apple slaw, perfectly seasoned barbecue sauce and rosemary potato chips or a savory Pastrami sandwich ($17) served with caraway kraut and Patriot pickles.

Brunch includes many of the great tastes from the regular menu but also includes Brioche French Toast ($15) and the “B.E.C” Sandwich ($15) containing farm scrambled eggs, green onion, house cured pork belly bacon, Jasper Hill Farm “Vault” cheese served on a brioche roll with potato chips.

The menu identifies the locally sourced ingredients used in creating these magnificent dishes so you will know exactly where your food has been before it lands on your plate.

Libations include a great choice of local beers, lagers and IPAs as well as several unique cocktails.

Surf is closed on Mondays. Food service is provided Tues – Thurs: Dinner 5-10pm and Sunday from 4-9pm. The bar is open until 12am except on Sunday closing at 11pm. Brunch is served Sunday 11am-2pm. I highly recommend Surf for a unique dining experience.

If you are a restaurateur seeking a place in Staten Island, have a look at this listing – http://casandraproperties.com/815-castleton-avenue-staten-island-ny-10310/ then call me at 718 816-7799.