Serving Up Delicious Dishes at Seabrook

When Cindy Malmo moved to Seabrook, an Erickson Senior Living Community in Tinton Falls, N.J, she was working full time and loved knowing that, after a long day in the office, dinner would be easy and fun. 

"I came home, and the dinner was prepared. I didn't have to go grocery shopping and I didn't have to cook or clean the dishes," she says. "Even more satisfying was the quality of the meals. The chefs are extremely creative and put so much thought into the menus."

The variety of delicious, made-to-order meals prepared at the community's five restaurants remain one of Cindy's favorite aspects of living at Seabrook.

Variety is the spice of life

The Signature Dining program, which focuses on cooked-to-order entrees made with the finest ingredients, empowers Seabrook's chefs to create fresh, seasonal menus; new takes on classic dishes; and innovative fare.  Menus are modified every two weeks to give residents new dishes to try.

"Our chefs use vetted recipes that provide nutritionally sound options," says Mary Beth Sheehan, Seabrook's director of dining services. "They also plan weekly specials and theme nights that add even more variety to what our residents and their guests can enjoy." 

Seabrook's newest venue, The Cove, is the go-to spot for happy hour or watching the big game. Offering an assortment of delicious appetizers like shrimp cocktail, crab dip with pita chips, and an artisanal cheese board, The Cove also serves lunch and dinner. Popular entrees offered include baked macaroni and cheese with bourbon sauce, salmon cakes, and a variety of paninis, flatbreads and burgers.

Seabrook's casual dining option, The Tides Cafe, provides residents with a variety of hot and cold lunch and dinner offerings. Examples include a full grill for hot dogs, Philly cheesesteaks, and beef, turkey, veggie burgers, with all the fixings. Deli offerings include a variety of sandwiches or freshly baked pizzas with gluten free and cauliflower crust options.

The Fireside Restaurant features 20 made-to-order entrees including a selection of signature salads, and has offered cottage pie, beef bourguignon over mashed potatoes, New England baked cod, pan-seared salmon, and mussels marinara served with linguine.

The Princeton offers a relaxed dining experience perfect for enjoying different soups like gazpacho, chicken Florentine soup, and a variety of fresh salads. The contemporary menu has included orange-sesame chicken over rice, chickpea meatloaf, grilled basa with chickpea salad, coconut shrimp, and Salisbury steak.

The eclectic Essex Pub features a full bar for pre-dinner cocktails and an extensive menu of favorites like a loaded burger, shrimp salad sandwich, and chicken quesadillas. Larger entrees have included carved ham with raisin sauce, Aunt Millie's meatloaf, seared salmon, sauteed shrimp with penne and pesto, and oven-roasted chicken.

Residents can also order take-out from the Tides Cafe or the Essex Pub. Delivery is available from all restaurants. 

Input welcome

After she retired, Cindy joined Seabrook's Resident Advisory Council (RAC) serving first as liaison for the dining services committee, and now as the group's chair. 

"I have a degree in nutrition, and I used to run the dining operations for a large cafeteria," she says. "I think we're very fortunate at Seabrook to have so many different restaurants and so much variety."

The committee works closely with Seabrook's dining team to ensure residents are happy. In addition, QR codes on table cards give individual residents the chance to provide feedback about specific menu items, table service, and the atmosphere. Chefs and management also visit residents as they dine to ensure their meal is satisfactory. 

"We are always looking for resident feedback to improve our program. Our partnership with the RAC's dining services committee helps ensure the quality of the dining experience," says Sheehan. "Listening to our residents and taking action are extremely important."

With entrees cooked to order, residents can easily make modifications according to their preferences or sensitivities. They're helped by the My Erickson app, which provides daily menus for all restaurants as well as nutritional information.

"The app is easy to use, and our residents can learn about everything we serve in our restaurants," Sheehan explains. 

Seabrook's restaurants are perfect for dining with friends or family members. "Our restaurants enable residents to enjoy a good meal in the company of their neighbors and friends, while also providing opportunities to meet new people, make connections, and develop relationships," Sheehan notes. "We often find residents who were first introduced at a meal become regular dining partners."

Residents also enjoy meeting the high school and college student servers who work in the community's restaurants. The resulting intergenerational relationships continue for many years. 

Cindy applauds the food at Seabrook. "The quality is remarkable. I love Seabrook. I love the people, I love the staff, and I love the variety that our five restaurants offer."

To learn more about the benefits of moving to a maintenance-free community, request more information today.