“If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff.” – Remy (Patton Oswalt) in “Ratatouille” (2007)
So the hubby, two of my coworkers and I decided to try Gus’ Last Word. This restaurant is inspired by the owners’ (the Maroulakos brothers) grandparent’s 1950’s cellar bar. The bar & dining room capture the essence of the era with a fun, modern twist along with a seasonal backyard Garden. Their menu features classic American bar fare, comforting entrees & (thin) crust pies, with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. Their beverages feature plays on classic cocktails, along with16 draft beers & wine focused on a mix of domestic and international offerings. They are located in Wood-Ridge, NJ.
Tzatziki Fries with cucumber, tomato, olives, banana pepper, parsley 
Peach Caprese with local burrata, prosciutto di parma, basil, balsamic 
Fried Chicken Lollipops with Hot Honey and Blue cheese
Let’s start with the appetizers. All three were grand slams! The fries… loved them!! The fries had a lot going on, but in a good way! Loaded with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and black olives, with a very unique tasting Tzatziki sauce. Yum! The Caprese… loved the presentation! The saltiness of prosciutto, the creaminess of the burrata, and the sweetness of the peaches worked so well together! Great combination of different flavors ? Finally the Chicken Lollipops. They were absolutely amazing! The drumsticks were lightly breaded and fried to a perfect golden crisp, drizzled in honey. It tasted fresh, crispy, yet tender inside, with a hint of delicious honey. It is not overly sweet, just lightly accented which was great!
Cajun Mac and Cheese with Blackened Shrimp, Andouille, and gremolata breadcrumbs 
Crispy Skin Salmon with local spinach, couscous, green goddess 
Irish Grilled Cheese with Corned beef, swiss, mozzarella, coleslaw, pickle, and rye
The Cajun Mac & Cheese was well seasoned and creamy with small bits of sausage and blackened shrimp. For me, the Cajun style pasta had just the right amount of kick and was tasty. The Salmon was flavorful, not overly cooked (if it gets overly cooked it can be extremely dry ?). It had a nice crispy outside texture and on the inside it was juicy and moist. The couscous and the greens complemented the salmon very nicely and it was a nice change of what salmon is usually paired with; which either can be rice or mashed potatoes. Finally the Grilled Irish Cheese… I didn’t have a chance to try it, but according to my coworker, she loved it! She said that it tasted like a Reuben and that it was a nice twist on a grilled cheese. She would definitely order again!
S’mores Cheesecake 
Cappuccino in a “We are happy to serve you” ceramic cup.
So I was a little skeptical on the cheesecake, (not a big fan of marshmallows) but I was convinced! I’m glad I was because it tasted heavenly! The Ceramic cup that held my cappuccino was so cool. (I soooo wanted to steal the cup and take it home?)
Signature Drink, Gus’ Last Word, Ford’s Gin, Green Chartreuse, French Herbal Liqueur, Maraschino Liqueur, Lime, Peychaud’s 
Flamingo Serenade with Banhez Mezcal, Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur, Aperol, Strawberry, Lemon
Gus’ Last Word signature cocktail is a Gin based drink with a flowery, fresh, and citrusy aroma. Loved it!! I then decided to try the Flamingo. It was light, fruity, and fun! Both drinks were balanced, boozy, and well crafted.
My first visit to this restaurant was great! Both the cocktails and the food were fantastic. We devoured the apps and each person in my group enjoyed their meals. The servers were very friendly and I got a kick out of the décor! Can’t wait to go back!