Murasaki — Restaurant in Middle Township

Let me tell you about the culinary rockstar that is Chef Pete at Murasaki. This man doesn’t cook food — he performs it. I came in hungry and left spiritually fulfilled… and mildly singed (in the best way possible).

From the moment he lit the grill, I knew we were in the presence of greatness. Flames shot up like he was trying to summon a fire god, and suddenly I was at dinner AND a pyrotechnics show. Honestly, I didn’t know whether to eat or offer him a Grammy.

Chef Pete flips shrimp like he's training for the Olympics. One flew into a guest’s mouth across the table like it had GPS. He made an onion volcano that smoked like it had a secret. The man cracked an egg mid-air, spun his spatula like a ninja, and somehow managed to keep a straight face when my uncle asked, “Is this chicken or steak?” (Spoiler: it was shrimp.)

The fried rice? Fluffier than a baby panda on a cloud. The steak? So juicy it probably cried when it was cooked. The vegetables? Let’s just say I willingly ate zucchini, and I don’t even like zucchini. That’s the Pete Effect™.

Also, let’s talk about his jokes — dad-level puns, rapid-fire wit, and just the right amount of sass. I laughed. I cried. I nearly choked on a perfectly grilled scallop.

Chef Pete isn’t just a hibachi chef. He’s an experience. A legend. A teppanyaki tornado in an apron. If Murasaki doesn’t put this man on a billboard, I will — right in...

Stopped in for a late lunch after traveling down to the area for a weekend getaway and picked items off their lunch menu. Our server was apparently new and it was obvious. It was nothing alarming or anything and it something that happens from time to time and did not effect my overall rating. I was happy to see someone from who I presume was from the kitchen come back to table and verify the order just to ensure everything was correct.

We started lunch with the Thai Crispy spring rolls which came out hot and where tasty.

I ordered the Thia Basil chicken which also was tasty and it comes with rice and a soup or salad. We also ordered the noodles with beef and the noodles woth vegetables. Overall it was a great meal that we thoroughly enjoyed and us a place we return to whenever we are down in the area. We did not try the hibachi, but based on food quality, I'm sure it is a win as well.

Murasaki is a minutes off Exit 9 on the Garden State Parkway close to the Wildwood's, Cape May, and Stone Harbor area and while a bit off the beaten path, is a nice break from all the hustle that is often found in the tourist area where crowds are all to common.

Murasaki is a solid spot and someplace worth...

I want to leave a review about the NOT hospitality of the restaurant. My family and I, 4 people, went for dinner, a man met us at the reception and when we asked where we could sit, he said that we needed to wait 20 minutes, while 3 tables were occupied in the restaurant. to the question “why can’t we sit at a table that is empty at the moment?” the man, in a nervous and unfriendly manner, replied that this is a table for 6 people, and we need to wait to be seated in a separate corner where there is practically no distance between the tables, and people sit very close to each other since there are tables for 4 people. .. that is, with an empty restaurant hall, it is impossible to have dinner with the family in a normal environment, because their table is for 6 people!!.. seriously???!!! Is this the hospitality of Japanese cuisine?? Maybe the food here is delicious, but we weren’t able to try it because of the strange rules of the establishment... absolutely unhospitable and nervous man at the reception! That is, the restaurant’s policy is to lose 4 real visitors for the sake of 6 invisible ones?.. We had dinner at another place with nice friendly staff...