What reviewers said about the Jai Alai

The full review

An out-of-the-way culinary jewel

“… a perfect way to end a day… in the quiet ambiance of this out-of-the-way culinary jewel.”

The review, published by the local Dover site dover_nj.com, describes the Jai Alai from the front door inward:

“On entering you will most likely be met by either Saul or Nick Cenicacelaya, who will introduce you to the finest in food and wine. Their homemade sangria is superb, either white or red. If you want seafood at its very best, prepared in the Basque tradition, you will find a favorite place.”

“Paella a la Vizcaina — a classic Basque paella with fresh lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, squid, chicken and chorizo over saffron rice, served for two — is a perfect way to end a day in the quiet ambiance of this out-of-the-way culinary jewel.”

dover_nj.com is no longer online, so the review is quoted here in full rather than linked. It describes the restaurant during its operating years; the Jai Alai has been closed since the fire of September 2023.

What the review singled out

• The welcome. Saul and Nick Cenicacelaya greeted guests and guided them through the food and the wine.
• The sangria. Made in house, superb in either red or white — and, as the menu card noted, with no sugar added.
• The seafood. Cooked in the Basque tradition and, in the reviewer's words, at its very best.
• Paella a la Vizcaina. The classic Basque paella for two, with lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, squid, chicken and chorizo over saffron rice.
• The room. Quiet, low-key and worth the detour — an “out-of-the-way culinary jewel”.