Local Stuff at or around the Jersey Shore
This document last modified November 26, 2007.
Restaurants
Asbury Park
Market in the Middle "Good to great" food, with a nice variety on the menu. Upper-midrange prices. The clientèle or staff are occasionally a little "over-the-top" for a general-public restaurant, but that's to be expected in this section of Asbury Park.
The Brick Wall Tavern and Dining Room. "Fair to poor" food, but a great place to hang out for a beer. Order simple dishes, because this kitchen has an amazing ability to screw anything up.
Mattison Park Most of the time, this is a "comfortable" place to hang out, with rare jazz acts. Drinks are pricey, as they're really trying to be a martini bar with an upscale menu. The one time that I ate there, the food was downright awful. But some friends have given it rave reviews, so I'll give them another chance, eventually. Check the schedule before going there, though -- I've had the misfortune of walking into the place while they were having a Halloween costume party, and it wasn't even close to October 31! ("Drag night") Scary! (Welcome to Asbury Park!)
Bistro Ole is one of the best restaurants in Asbury Park. Mediterranean/Portuguese/Spanish cuisine -- with great seafood! Upscale prices and atmosphere. You'll usually need reservations in the summer or on weekends. BYOB.
Moonstruck offers fine Italian dining in a romantic atmosphere. Upscale atmosphere and prices.
Taka. Sushi, steak, tempura. I've been there twice and it was excellent both times, including the very best NY Strip steak that I've ever had. I've heard nothing but good reviews from others. BYOB.
Carmine's has good-to-great Italian food in a comfortable atmosphere. Has a friendly bar, too.
Old Man Rafferty's is the new kid on the block. Of the four times that I've been there so far, the food has been "fair," "good," "excellent," and "fair," and I've heard similar reviews by others. Hit and miss. Good luck.
Isabella's is an Italian restaurant on Cookman Avenue. I've been there twice, and the food was fair-to-good both times. BYOB.
The Harrison is also on Cookman Avenue. Decent bar, good food, and a little pricey. Nice atmosphere.
Plan B on Cookman Avenue is a tiny little culinary delight. The food is pricey, but you'll definitely get your money's worth. Check it out. BYOB.
The Salt Water Cafe on the boardwalk by Convention Hall, in the old Howard Johnson's building. I had dinner there once -- got a couple of 2.5 inch crab cakes for $20, with no sides. They were good crab cakes, but I thought I was ordering a more complete meal, and not just an appetizer. I also had brunch there one Sunday, and was entertained by a nice Jazz trio, which helped to explain the $30 worth of breakfast and coffee that I had. Nice view of the ocean, though.
America's Cup Coffee Company on Cookman Avenue is my latest favorite breakfast/brunch spot on weekends. When I finally wake up and get out of the house, I'll trek down there with my laptop and surf via their wireless connection, sprawled out on a sofa or lounge chair, chowing down on a bagel and drinking coffee until I've had my fill. Life's tough.... ;)
Other locations
Giamano's in Bradley Beach is without question the best Italian restaurant in the area. A little pricey, but well worth it.
The Lake House in Loch Arbour is walking distance from my home, so I go there pretty regularly. The food is usually good -- no better, no worse -- and the staff are all great people. Has an outdoor bar and dining during the summer.
Mister C's, at the Allenhurst Beach Club, is typically good-to-great, usually great. Throw in outdoor dining and a bar during the summer, or sit at the indoor bar overlooking the beach during the off-season, and you have a pretty nice place to wine and dine. Recommended.
McLoone's Riverside offers great fare, and occasionally hosts
Bobby Boyd's Jazz Trio. (Bobby is an old friend from Jason's Jazz and Blues Club.)
Where to Stay
Ocean Grove, NJ is a beautiful little Victorian shore community, about a mile south of my apartment.
The Bellevue Stratford Inn,
located in Ocean Grove, is a great place to stay. This place comes
highly recommended by one close friend who stayed there, and I can
attest to the hospitality of hosts Barbara and Jim.
Ocean Grove, New Jersey area Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns on Bed & Breakfast Inns Online. If the Bellevue Stratford is full, here are a number of other good places to stay in Ocean Grove.
Other Nearby Sites
Asbury Park, NJ -- a little photojournalistic history about the city
to the south of my town.
Fort Hancock, NJ is the decommissioned Army Base located with the boundaries of Sandy Hook.
Sandy Hook, NJ is part of Gateway National Recreation Area, about 10 miles north of my community.
Miscellaneous New Jersey Stuff...
New Jersey Monthly Magazine is
an excellent monthly printed magazine.
Exit 98 covers NJ Shore restaurants
and other local points of interest. Don't forget to check out the
SurfCam.
Martell's Famous Tiki Bar. Been there once -- think "kiddie meat market." Never again. Cool web site, though, including two more web cameras.
WeirdNJ. Really interesting, freaky stuff in this state.