Asbury Eats

08/27/2014

Apologies for the lack of updates, but we've been enjoying the amazing Summer weather and waiting on some things to break.

Well, this is a big one. Our last post shared the early news about BACA selling to partners of the Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten, but they were mum on the details of what the space would transform into, but simply said it would be the ultimate Jersey Shore identity. The Asbury Park Sun got the scoop on what is planned for that space and it's quite simply, as they would say Downeast.... Wicked Pissah.

A simple and classic seafood joint is definitely missing from AP, and from all accounts, this will certainly fill the void and transform the location that suffered under an identity crisis since opening, into an anchor of the Downtown. See more at the Asbury Park Sun below.

New ownership has taken over at Baca Sports Bar and Lounge. Two partners in the Asbury Festhalle and Beergarden, Andrej Ivanov [above, at right] and Ladiflav Sebestyen [left], along with James Avery [center], a New Jersey native and sous chef, have closed purchase on the sale of Baca, a sports bar l…

07/14/2014

More positive changes coming to the Downtown with the pending sale of BACA.

Two partners of the Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten are on their way to securing a second business in Asbury Park — Baca Sushi Bar and Sports Lounge. Andrej Ivanov and Ladiflav Sebestyen, also business partners in Hoboken’s Pilsener House and Biergarten, have “fallen in love with the historic gatewa…

07/04/2014

Vintage Subs on Cookman is now open.

We're officially open. Happy Fourth of July!

07/04/2014

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY... AP FIREWORKS POSTPONED TO SATURDAY @ 9PM

While a blowhard named Arthur is fortunately staggering away from our shores and leaves us with a somewhat wet and windy 4th, always remember why we celebrate today and the sacrifices made throughout our country's history. Happy Birthday America!

Also the AP Fireworks are postponed to Saturday at 9pm.

Be safe and have fun everyone.

07/03/2014

"Ruh Roh, Raggy."

Porta on Kingsley Avenue is facing charges of serving alcohol to underage persons on two occasions, and the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is seeking a 60-day suspension of the establishment’s liquor license, according to a news release from the Office of the Attorney General. The char…

06/29/2014

VINTAGE SUBS GRAND OPENING... SLATED FOR JULY 4TH WEEKEND

After some delays, next weekend marks the opening of Vintage Subs on the Art Block of Cookman Avenue between Main and Bond Streets a few doors down from the Cookman Creamery.

Yes, there are three places to get sandwiches already in the Downtown that include the typical, atypical, and gourmet, but a classic sub shop is something special, and something AP doesn't have. We are definitely hoping for something along the lines of an Elsie's in Red Bank, which has been in business for close to 50 years, where you can get a classic Jersey sub with all the trimmings on amazing bread (and don't forget that extra dose of vinegar).

Our mouths are already watering. We'll be checking it out next weekend.

Delicious subs made with premium meats sliced to order. Fast friendly service. Delivery available.

06/24/2014

RUMOR MILL CONFIRMATION: CRAPPERTY'S TO CLOSE... H2O TO OPEN IN AUGUST

We reported several weeks ago about a rumor floating around that OMR (unaffectionately known to us as Crapperty's) was being sold to people associated with the PB Shore House. That rumor has now been confirmed according to an article in the Coaster.

While the article explains that minor renovations will take place prior to its reopening in early August, and that it will be named H2O, there is nothing to suggest what kind of venue it will be. Your guess is as good as ours and we will be in wait-and-see mode over the next month.

We're surprised it took this long for OMR to close. To tell the truth, we freely admit going there early on and while the food quality was never "stellar" there were a couple of things that were okay, like their burger, their wine specials, and their half-portion menu. The rest was essentially no better than you would get at a corporate casual greasery like Applebee's. We basically went there because it was there, it was cheap and we enjoyed the company of the bartenders. Over time, it continued to fail in consistent ex*****on of their food. However, we eventually stopped going there due to one thing and one thing only... attitude. They just didn't appreciate customers nor know how to treat and respect them. We've mentioned before about certain owners in AP that feel the customer should be grateful just for being allowed to walk in as if it were French Laundry or Per Se. Crapperty's was one of those places that just didn't care, and it overstayed its welcome by a number of years. It won't be missed except by people with zero palate who think Olive Garden serves amazing Italian food or that Chili's does Tex-Mex right. We are hopeful for something new and interesting in its place with H2O.

On a side note, we don't see BACA lasting long either as it continually suffers from multiple identity disorder. Is it a sports bar, is it a snuggle lounge, is it a dance club, is it a tapas bar, is it a sushi joint? It also suffers from the same attitude that customers should not be treated that special, and that they are simply a cash machine. In our opinion, that location should be a straight up martini lounge, not a sports bar, but only time will tell on its hazy future.

We are certainly more than interested in finding out more about H2O and what their plans are. We will be reporting back any details in the future.

By JOSEPH SAPIA If things go smoothly, Asbury Park will have a new restaurant and bar in the downtown area in early August - H2O. H2O plans to take over the 541 Cookman Ave. site, replacing...

06/24/2014

DJ's Delights on Mattison Avenue announces a line of classic sodas available for purchase. Haven't had an old-fashioned root beer in awhile, so looks like this will be a necessary stop today.

It's official! Come a try our very own line of DJ's Delights Soda! A throw back to the old times! Root Beer, Diet Root Beer, Black Cherry, Orange, Cream and Ginger Beer.

06/18/2014

COAL FIRED PIZZA UPDATE

A name is now attributed to the coal-fired pizza joint coming to the 550 building on Cookman and looks to include a liquor license based on the usage of "Bar" on the webpage (linked).

06/17/2014

KISSING BOOTH CLOSES

After being open for just over a year, the Kissing Booth has officially closed. The doors have been shuttered since Memorial Day Weekend, which was certainly a harbinger of the recent announcement.

The location, on Summerfield Avenue on the corner of Emory, just off Bangs Avenue in the Downtown, has had its roller-coaster ride in the last 5 years. First, as a corner store/deli oddly named NYC DELI, then as the extremely popular Colonel's Kissing Booth, then as just the Kissing Booth, which was purchased from Colonel's owner/chef Shia Blau in 2013.

With new owners, there was a light at the end of the tunnel for Colonel fans, who missed going there. In the same vein, there were also high expectations for the new Kissing Booth, which opened just over a year ago. Shia's menu and cooking style was a lot to live up to, but considering the established fan-base, and that it was originally planned, according to articles in the Asbury Park Sun, to take the best of the Colonel's menu and expand upon it with new items, the result was not quite what was hyped.

While it achieved its own fan-base, it lost a significant number of original KB fans, us included, but that's neither here nor there now. Ultimately it became something that could be not sustained, compounded by recent family and personal commitments of owners Rich and Stephanie. Our condolences go out to both of them and their family on the recent loss of Rich's mother.

The fact that they had a buyer, which was great for them and the neighborhood, but the landlord would not transfer the lease is curious at the least. It makes one think they don't want another restaurant there. So, what does the future hold for the location? That's anybody's guess right now. The location certainly isn't ideal for attracting foot traffic as it's off the beaten path of the Downtown, but that could be mitigated with some slick marketing and updated frontage and signage to catch people's eyes as they come out of recently opened Pascal & Sabine just up the block.

As we live just down the street, we will be watching and waiting to see what the future brings for the location, but in the meantime, we wish Rich & Stephanie the best in their future endeavors.

06/17/2014

INTERESTING.... A one-night performance at the "Theatre Bar" located at.... 610 Bangs Avenue. Proceeds directly benefit ReVision Theatre's 2014 season.

First up for ReVision Theatre...THEATRE ROCK at the THEATRE BAR! a 60 minute, high energy Broadway-themed evening of music.
Tickets on sale NOW! http://revisiontheatre.tix.com

Thank you for supporting ReVision Theatre and Asbury Park!

06/16/2014

Update on the purchase of Ivan and Andy's.

An application has been filed with the city clerk’s office to transfer a liquor license from the closed Ivan & Andy’s Prime restaurant on Cookman Avenue into new ownership. The license purchaser is Cookman Restaurant Group, LLC., and the application is for use at its current location at 508 Cookman…