Proving Ground Waterfront Dining

56 Shrewsbury Ave, Highlands
(732) 872-2266

Recent Reviews Order Online Reserve

Customers' Favorites

Oysters Clams on the Half Shell

Bavarian Pretzel Sticks

Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Mediterranean Sampler

Crab Crusted Grouper

Mussels Fra Diavolo

Little Neck Clams

Aegean Farm Salad

PG Chicken Wings

Pan Seared Salmon

Beer battered shrimp, bacon, fresh avocado, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, sriracha aioli, and jalapeño wrap. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

Baked 3 Cheese Mac

Oven baked with our 3 cheese blends and crispy panko. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Chicken Pot Pie

Homemade with carrots, onion, and peas, topped with a buttery crust. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Brew Burger

Cheese sauce, Guinness onions and bourbon BBQ sauce, and pretzel bun. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

PG Tacos

Served with crispy cabbage, avocado, pico, salsa verde, and sriracha aioli. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Turkey Burger

A turkey burger topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion and a horseradish mayo. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

Blackened Chicken Sandwich

Avocado, bacon, mozzarella, sriracha mayo, and brioche bun. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

Cobb Salad

Mixed greens, grilled chicken, avocado, bacon, red onion, tomatoes, olives, hard-boiled egg, croutons, oven-roasted tomato, and buttermilk dressing. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Mom's Meatloaf

Homemade Meatloaf with a brown onion gravy served over mashed potatoes and fresh vegeatbles

Brisket Sandwich

Slow-roasted with cheddar cheese, pickles, caramelized onions, BBQ sauce, and pretzel bun. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

Bam Bam Burger

Bacon, avocado, mozzarella, lettuce, and farmhouse roll. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

Tuna Poke Bowl

Sushi grade tuna, steamed sushi rice, diced avocado, cucumbers, edamame, cabbage, and seaweed salad. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Pasta Bolognese

Rigatoni with a house-made bolognese sauce made with beef, pork, and veal. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Short Rib Entree

Slow cooked short rib over mashed potato with fresh vegetables and a red wine demi glaze

Pan Seared Salmon

Seared Salmon with a honey gochujang sauce with basmati rice and fresh vegetables. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Buffalo Cauliflower

Buttermilk marinated caulifower tossed in buffalo sauce with pickled celery and blue cheese dressing

Crab Cake Sandwich

Lettuce, tomato, onion, lemon aioli, and brioche bun. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Sea scallops, brown sugar bacon with a horseradish glaze. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Salmon BLT

Pan-seared salmon, bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, lemon aioli, and brioche bun. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

Handhelds - Zone of Action

Blackened Chicken Sandwich

Brew Burger

Chicken Vodka Parm Sandwich

Chicken breast, homemade vodka sauce, melted mozzarella on garlic bread . Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

Salmon BLT

Turkey Burger

Crab Cake Sandwich

Dynamite Wrap

Bam Bam Burger

Brisket Sandwich

Cajun Grouper Sandwich

Baby greens, lemon aioli, and toasted garlic bread. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

Veggie Burger

Dr. Praeger's veggie burger with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and avocado spread on a vegan pretzel bun. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy. All sandwiches are served with fries.

French Onion Burger

Our signature blend burger with carmelized onions, melted swiss and a french onion jus served with french fries

Soup & Salad - Briefing

Lobster Bisque - pint

Creamy and smooth with a hint of sherry wine, loaded with lobster. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Kale Caesar Salad

Baby kale, romaine, capers, croutons, anchovy dressing, and shaved Parmesan. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Cobb Salad

3 Cheese French Onion - pint

Crouton, melted Swiss, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Garden Salad

Romaine mix, tomatoes, onion, cheese, cucumbers, and croutons. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Aegean Farm Salad

Cucumbers, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onion, green peppers, feta cheese, capers, EVOO, vinegar, oregano, sea salt, and pepper. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Shareables - Free-Fire Zone

PG Chicken Wings

Quesadillas

Served with sour cream and house pico. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Tuna Poke Bowl

Crab Dip

Made with crab, cream cheese, and cheddar served hot and bubbly with 2 bavarian pretzel sticks. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Bavarian Pretzel Sticks (3 pcs)

Served with warm cheese sauce. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Mediterranean Sampler

Hummus, tzatziki, roasted eggplant salad, stuffed grape leaves, grilled pita, and veggies. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Buffalo Cauliflower

Buttermilk marinated caulifower tossed in buffalo sauce with pickled celery and blue cheese dressing

Burrata

Proscuitto, roasted red peppers, blistered tomatoes, crostini and balsamic glaze . Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Edamame

Sea salt, pepper, and garlic. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Little Neck Clams

Lemon, garlic, white wine, and chopped bacon served with garlic toast. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Fried Calamari

Fried Calamari served with lemon, tartar sauce and marinara. Can also have it buffalo style or balsamic

Octopus

Grilled octopus, pearled cous cous, black olive powder, roasted peppers and garlicky kale

Peel & Eat Shrimp

1 dozen, served with housemade cocktail sauce. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Mussels

Spicy marinara or white wine sauce served with garlic toast. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Sautéed - Red-Con-One

Pasta Bolognese

Shrimp & Grits

Andouille sausage, white wine, lemon, bacon, and fresh corn served over corn grits. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Cheese Tortellini

Tri color tortellini in a lemon cream sauce

PG Tacos

Entrées - Afloat

Crab Crusted Grouper

Grouper topped with lump crabmeat and finished with a lemon butter sauce with basmati rice and fresh vegetables. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Pan Seared Salmon

Entrées - Ashore

Baked 3 Cheese Mac

Chicken Pot Pie

Roasted Chicken

Roasted airline chicken breast, chicken jus, artichokes and lemon served with basmati rice and fresh vegetables

Baked Flounder Oreganata

Baked flounder with toasted panko & lemon butter sauce served over basmati rice with fresh vegetables. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Before placing your order please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.

Short Rib Entree

Slow cooked short rib over mashed potato with fresh vegetables and a red wine demi glaze

Etoufee

Sauteed shrimp in a spicy cajun broth with celery, carrots, peppers and garlic served over rice

Mom's Meatloaf

Homemade Meatloaf with a brown onion gravy served over mashed potatoes and fresh vegeatbles

Desserts

Brownie

Homemade delights.

Mini Cannolis (3 pcs)

3 mini cannolis. Homemade delights.

NY Cheesecake

Homemade delights.

Black Cherry Cheesecake

Homemade delights.

Handhelds

Rise & Shine Wrap

Scrambled eggs, peppers, onions, tomato, and bacon with melted cheddar in a wrap. Served with home fries.

The Recovery Breakfast Sandwich

Fried egg, cheese, and your choice of applewood smoked bacon or pork roll on a brioche roll. Served with home fries.

Brunch Burger

Angus burger topped with a fried egg, melted American cheese, and Trenton pork roll on a kaiser bun. Served with home fries.

Short Rib Sandwich

Slow cooked short rib on garlic bread with melted mozarella and carmelized onions

Salads

Burrata Salad

Sliced prosciutto sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, baby greens, and balsamic glaze with crostinis.

Kale Caesar Salad

Baby kale, romaine, crispy capers, croutons, shaved Parmesan, and anchovy dressing.

Favorites

Chicken & Waffles

Buttermilk fried chicken (thigh) on top of a waffle with hot and spicy maple syrup. Served with home fries or grits.

Avocado Toast

Sourdough, avocado, blistered tomatoes, fried chickpeas shaved carrots and arugula with a citrus vinaigrette. Served with home fries or grits.

Meat Frittata

Bacon, sausage, and ham with cheddar and Monterey jack served on a bed of wilted greens. Served with home fries or grits.

Steak & Eggs (12 oz)

NY sirloin with two fried eggs. Served with home fries or grits.

Stuffed French Toast

Stuffed with sweetened cream cheese, cinnamon, walnuts, and vanilla, topped with an apricot glaze and fresh berries. Served with home fries or grits.

PG Breakfast Skillet

Sautéed onions, green peppers, bacon, ham, sausage, and home fries, topped with scrambled eggs, melted jack, and cheddar cheese. Served with home fries or grits.

Smoked Salmon Breakfast Flatbread

Scrambled eggs, capers, red onion, lemon, cream cheese, and parsley. Served on grilled flatbread. Served with home fries or grits.

Biscuits & Gravy

Homemade andouille sausage gravy served on top of freshly baked biscuits topped with fried eggs. Served with home fries or grits.

Goat Cheese Blueberry Flatbread

Flatbread with goat cheese, fresh blueberries, apricot jam and hot honey drizzle. Served with home fries or grits.

Smores Waffle Stack

Layered with marshmallow sauce and brownie butter. Served with home fries or grits.

Jersey Bennie

2 fried eggs, pork roll and hollandaise on english muffins. Served with home fries or grits.

Vegetable Frittata

Fresh veggies with cheddar and Monterey jack served on a bed of wilted greens. Served with home fries or grits.

Thai Cauliflower

Buttermilk marinated cauliflower tossed in sweet thai chili sauce with sesame seeds and fried noodles

Dutch Baby Pancake

A baked pancake topped with fresh berries, lemon curd and poppyseeds. Served with homefries or grits.

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Recent Reviews

First time eating here. The atmosphere was great. Lobster bisque was excellent. Mussels in white wine absolutely delicious. The garlic bread served with the mussels was amazing. I had the crab cake dinner. It was very good. Would get again. Husband had linguine scampi with shrimp, also very good. Service was wonderful. Great dinner. Definitely on my list to return.

October 2025

How do you screw up a Vodka martini? The place has great views so they uptick the costs and you get low quality food. Service was average, not warm and friendly or engaging. The manager came around as we were getting up, i bit my tongue as we wanted to get outta there.

October 2025

The Proving Ground is a solid choice for eating on the coast of the Jersey shore. The back patio is nice, the seafood fresh and the service was on point. The food, while being ok, just didn't wow me and we ordered lobster rolls, French burger, a shrimp wrap and crab cake sandwich. All ok and edible, just the side of fries were basic and no substitutions were allowed. We skipped alcohol drinks and dessert, but the calamari and the mussels apps were tender and again, super...

August 2025

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Proving Ground Waterfront Dining

Customers' Favorites