Island Central Filipino Cuisine Restaurant Review

Island Central a Filipino Cuisine restaurant located at 329 Central Avenue in Jersey City Heights is a gem in the raw that's starting to blossom. When I learned it was going to open on Central Ave, I thought it was a good idea. Central Avenue in the heights has over 50 food establishments and people are now smelling the aromas from them.

When you pass this establishment, you are graced with large picture windows which draws your eyes deep inside to a warm atmosphere. It's not a large restaurant but just enough to feel at home. Pictures on the walls and a painting of central avenue is the highlight you must see. Immediately you are welcomed by the staff and offered a table of your choice to sit at. Since it's a small restaurant, I suggest you make reservations.

The menu has a large variety of Filipino's selected comfort foods. However, they do specialize in teas/smoothies (fresh fruit) that average restaurants do not serve such as: Coconut Milk Tea which is so rewarding, Chai Tea and about ten others including bubble teas. We were offered the Coconut Milk Tea which had fruits in the bottom of it which we really enjoyed. After that we were offered the menu and like I said there was a lot to select from. Our appetizer was Dynamite Pepper. It is a large green chilli pepper stuffed with cheese, wrapped with egg roll wrapper and then deep fried. Yesssssss. Next was Pancit Palabok chicken sauteed with onion, garlic in vegetable broth with vermicelli noodles cooked with scrambled eggs and cornstarch. This was so great. Next was, Lechon Kawali boiled with garlic, black pepper, bay leaf and then deep fried (deep fried pork belly), great choice. Then there was Chicken Adobo cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, whole black pepper and bay leaf. This is good! Our dessert was, Turon with banana and jackfruit wrapped in an egg roll and then deep fried then topped with ice cream. Chef Fely did and excellent job and also came out to meet her guests. Kyle the partner, and Sheryll who is the brains behind everything did great jobs.

I must say the overall experience with music playing in the background, pictures on the walls put Island Central on the culinary restaurant map. I understand on Saturday nights they have open mic. Not meeeeee. Excellent front of the house service from the staff and great food from the chef makes restaurants become successful. When it comes to rating between 1-10, Island Central gets a 10, because they are on their way to the top for great hospitality. I suggest stopping by and enjoy a great experience. Tell them Chef Rene Hewitt sent you.