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The Rushes
197 East Avenue (Route 40 East), Woodstown, NJ 08098
856-769-2222
Nestled between Cream Valley Custard and Heritages Dairy Store on Route 40 in
Woodstown, barely visible from the road, is a wonderful restaurant at The Town
and Country Golf Links called The Rushes.
Sitting on top of a hill overlooking the golf
course, it has the look of a traditional country club with its glass and brass
doors, stone fireplace and leather overstuffed chairs in the reception area.
Dark wood and paintings of open countryside and wine bottles hang on the walls
inside.
Deep shades of burgundy and tan are added
touches. You might think this was a dark interior but it had a very rich and
soothing feeling.
The restaurant offers a diverse lunch and
dinner menu with specialized buffets. Tuesday night is a create-your-own pasta
night featuring all you can eat pasta made the way you like. Thursday is a
family buffet for $12.99 and there is also a Sunday breakfast buffet.
The menu offers several interesting items such
as an appetizer of crab stuffed pretzels. Appetizers range in price from $7.99
(Beer Cheese and Flat Breads) to $11.99 for the stuffed pretzels.
Other items on the appetizer portion of the
menu include Tuscan Steamed Littlenecks, an Eastern Shore Style Crab Dip,
Sesame Encrusted Chicken, Oysters on a Half Shell, an Oyster Sampler,
Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops, and Rushes' Clams Casino.
A variety of soups round out the menu. All but the Seven Sea’s Bisque ($4.99 -
$5.50), were $2.99 a cup and $4.50 a bowl. Salads range from $2.50 for a
petite caesar or garden salad, up to $11.99 for Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna.
Entrees range in price from $14.99 for Chicken
Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo up to $28.99 for Filet Mignon with a
dark rum sauce. Other entrees include Bayou Catfish, Roasted Duck, Boursin
Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast, Asian Glazed Scallops, Veal Cutlet, Crab Cakes,
Seafood Chesapeake, Sesame Seared Tuna, Pineapple Bourbon Glazed NY Strip, and
Shrimp and Crab Risotto.
Bistro fare includes meatloaf, crab cake, cedar
plank salmon, roast pork loin, chicken parmesan, fiery tilapia tacos, and Old
Bay parmesan encrusted chicken breast. Prices on this section of the menu
start at $9.99 and go up to $13.99.
Sandwiches include burgers, wraps, paninis, and
tuna selections. Prices range from $7.99 to $10.
My daughter and I traveled just down the road
to Woodstown on a Thursday at 5:30 p.m. When we arrived, there were only a few
people eating at the approximately 20-table restaurant. But within 20 minutes
the place was three quarters filled. The family buffet was very popular that
night with the young and old alike.
My daughter and I split the Eastern Shore Style
Crab Dip which came with a bubbling hot cheese topping. This easily fed two
people with leftovers. But you might want to ask for extra pita points.
Rolls on the table are not to be missed. They
were delicately crusty on the outside with a warm, soft, yeasty inside.
My daughter ordered the Asian Glazed Scallops.
It was served with rice and stir-fried vegetables. There was a decent amount
of food on the plate. The golden sea scallops were pan seared with a ginger
soy reduction.
I ordered the Shrimp and Crab Risotto. It came
in an enormous hot bowl filled with an equally enormous serving.
The dish featured medium sized shrimp and huge
chunks of crab. No shredded crab here. It came in creamy risotto cooked in a
seafood stock.
Neither of us was able to finish our meals. But to keep everyone informed, we
forced ourselves to eat a dessert.
The waitress came with a platter of six or
seven different selections. We both wanted tiramisu but that was only
available for the buffet. Instead we chose to split a pineapple rum cake
slice. The frosting was light but the cake a little dense. But we (or I)
finished it anyway. The things I have to do for a story.
In all, the wait staff was polite and efficient
without being intrusive. The view overlooking the greens of the golf course
was wonderful. There is an outside patio area and also a large tent for
outdoor functions such as weddings.
There is also a full bar but you must be a
member of the restaurant to be served. To become a member you must pay $5 and
fill out a form. After waiting 72 hours, you are issued a card. This card will
cover ordering for yourself and nine other people.
The meal, including two non-alcoholic beverages, one appetizer, two nice
entrees, two coffees and one dessert came to $59.39. We had enough leftovers
for lunch the next day. And my dish even tasted better.
I have been to the restaurant before and would
obviously go back again. For those that like to dine out, they have a frequent
diner card so you can save a little on your next meal. There is also a $5 off
$25 coupon at Recyclebank that you can order to even save more.
 If
you want to eat at a restaurant that welcomes children but has a menu with a
fresh up scale variety, I would definitely make a reservation. And I’ve heard
the golf course isn’t bad either.
Rushes is open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 12
a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Reservations can be made by calling
856-769-2222.
Catering is also available and the restaurant
can be sectioned off for parties and events.
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