Chopped champion Franco Robazetti is bringing some of his winning Food Network dishes to Zeppelin Hall for its Surf & Turf Barbecue Fest.
Last June, Robazetti won Food Network’s Chopped competition. The episode centered around surf and turf dishes, one of Robazetti’s specialties.
Now through April 21, diners can order from 19 new dishes at Zeppelin Hall. The Surf & Turf menu includes everything from Beef Ribs & Lobster to a BBQ Salmon Fillet.
Jersey City Upfront was invited to sample the dishes and here’s our rundown of our favorites.
BBQ Deviled Eggs & BBQ Popcorn
Though it looks like it belongs on Zeppelin Hall’s Bacon Fest menu, the Bacon Fat Popped Corn is one of the most addictive bowls of popcorn you’ll ever have. It includes crunchy bits of bacon, grilled Nori paper seasoning, and a house-made BBQ rub. The BBQ Deviled Eggs (separate dish) are smoked and topped with bacon bits and smoked sea salt.
BBQ Salmon Fillet
Salmon may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think BBQ fest, but Zeppelin Hall is currently offering a super moist and flavorful BBQ Salmon Fillet as part of its Surf & Turf menu. The fillet is seasoned with a BBQ spice rub and then slow smoked until the salmon skin is blackened and crispy. It’s served on a bed of grilled zucchini with buttered fingerling potatoes. It’s the perfect way to indulge while keeping your waistline in check.
BBQ Turkey Wings & BBQ Brisket
These are two separate orders on one plate. The BBQ Turkey Wings feature three oversized wings that are smoked and topped with pickled red onions. (Each wing is about the length of a small sub). The 1/2-pound Austin-Style Brisket is slow smoked for 17 hours over hickory wood. It’s succulent, juicy, and tender as butter — you won’t need a knife to cut this meat.
Surf & Turf (Beef Ribs & Lobster)
The rockstar of Zeppelin Hall’s Surf & Turf menu — the Beef Ribs & Lobster is inspired by Robazetti’s winning dish during the Chopped competition. It’s a mix of Flintstone-sized bone-in beef short ribs paired with half a grilled lobster. Corn and potatoes also come with the dish, but you’ll want to save your appetite for the tender ribs and meaty lobster.
