NJ.com has launched a new regular feature, "Where to eat now in N.J.," highlighting the most exciting restaurants of the moment, including places both new to the scene and ones that have been here a while but are still firing on all burners. If you'd like to recommend a restaurant to be considered for a spot on a future "Where to eat now in N.J." list, let us know in the comments section below.

THE KITCHEN STEP: The latest creation of Battello's Cory Checket, Joseph Calafiore and executive chef Ryan DePersio opened in February and is located in Jersey City's Van Vorst Park Historical District. The Kitchen Step's mission is creating "thoughtful market-inspired cuisine" in an intimate and inviting atmosphere. The menu includes tantalizing appetizers and small plates including peekytoe crab crostini ($9), chorizo mac and cheese ($9), crisp duck confit ($14), and a half dozen oysters on the half shell ($18). Entrees range from comfort food (buttermilk-baked chicken breast, $24), to Italian (DePersio's signature ricotta gnocchi, $19) to the exotic (Moroccan-braised chicken, $23) to the creative (pomegranate chili-glazed pork chop, $25). The Kitchen Step also serves brunch on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 500 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City. 201-721-6115.

NETTUNO: The Roman god of the sea won't be found in the ocean, but in a converted milk truck from 1955. Nettuno is run by a husband-and-wife team striving to bring "the sea to the street" through their "local, Italian, market-driven" restaurant on wheels. The breakfast at Nettuno is bound to get any sleepy-eyed diner amped for the day. They create innovative sandwiches such as speck (smoked prosciutto), egg, cheese and aioli, or an egg, cheese and sauteed escarole. If you're not in the mood for a sandwich, there's always the lemon olive oil cake with Sorrentine lemon jam. For lunch or dinner you can try the polpo croccante (crispy octopus served either as a dish or on a roll), panino al tonno (fresh seared tuna salad on sourdough), salsiccia (parsley and cheese sausage patty with provolone on a roll), or merluzzo oreganata (cod cake oreganata with arugula and watercress). Those are just four of the many fresh options you can choose from. Located in Asbury Park. 201-741-0607.

Avocado eggrolls at the brand new Blu Alehouse in Woodbridge. The restaurant is located in the old Shannon Rose, off Route 35 and St. George Avenue.

BLU ALEHOUSE: Central Jersey now has an excellent new addition to its culinary scene. Blu Alehouse opened in late July, occupying the location where the old Shannon Rose once stood. If you remember anything about that restaurant, prepare to have your mind blown with the renovations. A massive wall of televisions occupy an extensive bar filled with craft beers on tap. The vibe here is multi-faceted -- it can be a sports bar, a nightspot, and a place to take a date or the family. The food is excellent and reflects the vibe of the establishment. You can have a casual night out with a plate of meaty wings ($11) and an absolutely juicy burger ($11-$15), or you can get a little fancy with the phenomenal lobster risotto ($24), or the scallops Rockefeller ($24). There a number of gluten-free dining options for those with allergies. If you're in North Jersey, the original Blu Alehouse is located in Riverdale. 855 Saint George Avenue, Woodbridge. 732-750-4258. | 92 Route 23, Riverdale. 973-831-4258.

HOAGITOS: At Hoagitos, big flavor comes in small sandwiches. The restaurant has been a staple of the Asbury Park Boardwalk scene for years. In 2016 it has taken its mini-sandwich empire to Belmar, opening a storefront restaurant in Belmar Plaza. Hoagitos can start your day off with small versions of the traditional Jersey breakfast sandwich ($4) -- egg and cheese with bacon, sausage or pork roll. For lunch or dinner you can wrap your hands (or hand) around such awesome items as the brisket with pickled jalapenos ($6), roast beef ($6), soppressata with Brie ($5), or the BLgT (applewood bacon, arugula, tomato and basil mayo, $6). There are also daily specials such as small fried chicken sandwiches, and packed-to-the-brim cheesesteaks that make your mouth water. Restaurant: 807 Belmar Plaza, Belmar. 732-556-6617. | Boardwalk Stand: 3rd Avenue and Boardwalk, Asbury Park. 732-361-5454.

55 MAIN: Chef-owner Jonas Gold's 55 Main is a New American restaurant located in Flemington. It incorporates multicultural influences into the classic American style of cooking. The lunch menu shows off a little bit of Asian influence with Thai chicken pot stickers ($7.75), Korean BBQ tacos ($10), and vegetable spring rolls ($7) sharing the menu with a black Angus burger ($9.25), an open-faced corned beef Reuben ($9.25), and a pulled pork sandwich ($8.25). Dinner mixes American fare with more of an international flair. Duck and foie gras pate ($11) rub elbows with gnocchi Bolognese ($9.50), Moroccan-spiced rack of lamb ($29), skillet roasted half chicken ($20), and a toasted sesame-glazed salmon rice bowl ($24). 55 Main Street, Flemington. 908-284-1551.

La Loteria is a new Mexican restaurant in Asbury Park located in The Complex, which also houses Capitoline and Bond Street Bar.

LA LOTERIA: La Loteria is part of The Complex, an expansive multi-restaurant venue that holds La Loteria, Bond Street Bar, and Capitoline. To create La Loteria's Mexican street food-inspired menu, the owners collaborated with the team over at the popular Plaza Tapatia (located on Main Street in Asbury). The concept of street food means two things here -- low prices and reasonable portions. You will not receive gargantuan portions of food like you may at more Americanized cantinas. The portions here mimic the on-the-go style that you'd get from a street vendor in Mexico. Simply put, it's quality, not quantity here. The burritos, which come in either traditional or bowl form, are a delightful mix of marinated meats (we recommend the chicken, $9), and fresh vegetables. The quesadilla ($6) is a mix of cheddar, pepper jack, and mozzarella cheese, and it is absolutely glorious. In short you'll definitely hit "la loteria" (the lottery) when you sit down for dinner here. 632 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park. 732-445-3610.

RESTAURANT SERENADE: It's been quite the busy summer for the team at Chatham's Restaurant Serenade. On July 14, chef-owner James Laird appeared on The Food Network's "Beat Bobby Flay." On Aug. 11, Serenade will host its 15th annual Tomato Extravaganza. This dinner features five courses of tomato-centric dishes paired with specific wines. 2016 is also the 20th anniversary of Restaurant Serenade. In the past 20 years the restaurant has been on the cutting edge, embracing culinary trends early on, including farm-to-table, ancient grains, gluten-free, and butter-less, flour-less and cream-less dishes. 6 Roosevelt Ave, Chatham. 973-701-0303.

The coconut rice pudding served at Buddakan located at The Playground at Caesar's in Atlantic City.

BUDDAKAN: One of Atlantic City's go-to spots for outstanding Asian cuisine. Buddakan, located at The Playground at Caesars, is a gorgeous restaurant. The elegant, and dramatic decor will have you in awe as you await your food. Meals can be kicked off with a variety of appetizers such as hoisin glazed pork belly (steamed buns), Wagyu beef satay, or Szechaun pork dumplings. The main courses are appealing to both hardcore Asian food connoisseurs as well as those who may be a bit skittish. Main courses include black bean scallops with Chinese bacon, char-grilled aged beef, kung pao monkfish, ponzu chicken, and the spicy wasabi-crusted filet mignon. One thing you should not sleep on at Buddakan is the desserts, which change seasonally. Chef Domonic Tardy concocts such delectable dishes as the coconut rice pudding, strawberry and kaffir lime cheesecake, and the sweet cream-filled "Zen-ful donuts." 1 Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City. 609-674-0100.

HEMINGWAY'S CAFE: Seaside Heights is one of the most underrated dining scenes in the state. When you think Seaside, you probably don't think of sushi, New York strip steaks, or a spot to take someone for an anniversary. Hemingway's Cafe, located on Boulevard, is the shining star of the Seaside food scene. Yes, it's a popular nightspot and sports bar, but the restaurant side of things is absolutely awesome. If you're looking for a casual night out, you can fill up on some of its outstanding sushi ($5-$9) or brick oven pizza ($9-$14). The eel avocado sushi roll and the chicken parm pizza are your best options. If you're looking for something more hardy and traditional, there's always the Chilean sea bass ($28-$32), 8-ounce center-cut filet mignon ($32-$36), surf and turf ($23-$26), or the Bell and Evans French chicken ($17-$19). 612 Boulevard, Seaside Heights. 732-830-1255

CAP'N CATS CLAM BAR: Dress causal. Get messy. Cap'n Cats Clam Bar has been a go-to spot for South Jersey to roll up its sleeves and eat shellfish since 1986. For three decades the Cap'n has been serving up heaping helpings of crustaceans, and the sheer volume you can order them in is astounding. Like shrimp? You can order up 12 ($8.97), 40 ($17.94), 55 ($26.92), or 80 ($32.48) pieces of steamed shrimp. If that's not enough, then order five pounds of shrimp for $64.25. It also offer huge amounts of raw or in-the-shell items such as top or little neck clams. You can order these in increments of 12 ($5), 50 ($17), or 100 ($32). There are also regular entrees available here, including 16- to 20-ounce lobster tails ($37.99), Dungeness crabs ($21), and the famed Cap'n chowder ($12). 311 Delsea Drive, Franklinville. 856-694-9888.

Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.