READERS' CHOICE 2012: Best Restaurants, Food, Drinks, Nightlife and Entertainment in Monmouth
Your picks for the best restaurants, bars, desserts, food, drinks, nightlife and entertainment in Monmouth County
Still got Olympics fever? Miss the suspense of seeing who’ll prevail, whose years of perfecting their craft will earn them a spot on the podium? No need to look across the pond anymore. Just sit back and enjoy our annual Best of Monmouth guide where, thanks to your votes, we can reveal the medalists in every consumer category, from the yummiest cookies to where to get the trendiest tresses in the county. These fine establishments are the cream of the crop, the best of the best, and they have won plaudits from the ultimate critic: you.
BEST BAGELS
1 Bagel Masters
661 Broad St.
Shrewsbury
732.224.0333
bagelmasters.com
2 Gem’s House of Bagels
multiple locations
gemsbagels.com
3 Hole Lot of Bagels
1171 Route 35
Middletown
732.706.9300
BEST BAKERY
1 Sugarush
37 E. Front St.
Red Bank
732.414.9044
experiencesugarush.com
2 The Flaky Tart
145 First Ave.
Atlantic Highlands
732.291.2555
theflakytartnj.com
3 Caputo’s Pastry Shoppe
444 Ocean Blvd.
Long Branch
732.222.3838
caputosbakery.com
BEST BARBECUE
1 Local Smoke BBQ
719 Route 35
Neptune City
732.455.8888
localsmokebbq.com
2 Jersey Shore BBQ
811 Belmar Plaza
Belmar, 732.894.9009
jerseyshorebbq.com
3 Memphis Pig Out
67 First Ave.
Atlantic Highlands
732.291.5533
BEST CANDY
1 Ricky’s Candy
86 Broad St., Red Bank,
732.842.4637
rickysofredbank.com
2 Sugarush
37 E. Front St., Red
Bank, 732.414.9044
experiencesugarush.com
3 Suzi’s Sweet Shoppe
1100 Route 35
Middletown
732.796.0115
suzisweetshoppe.com
BEST CANNOLI
1 LaRosa’s Bakery
79 E. Newman Springs Rd.,
Shrewsbury
732.842.4324
ecannoli.com
2 Caputo’s Pastry Shoppe
444 Ocean Blvd.
Long Branch
732.222.3838
caputosbakery.com
3 Del Ponte’s
600 Main St.
Bradley Beach
732.869.1111
delpontesbakery.com
BEST BREAKFAST
1 The Turning Point
multiple locations
theturningpoint.biz
2 Amy’s Omelette House
444 N. Ocean Blvd.,
Long Branch
732.222.1206
youramys.com
3 Inbetween Café
56 English Plaza
Red Bank
732.741.9684
BEST BRUNCH
1 Molly Pitcher Inn
88 Riverside Ave.
Red Bank
732.747.2500
themollypitcher.com
2 The Turning Point
multiple locations
theturningpoint.biz
3 Munch
632 Cookman Ave.
Asbury Park
732.775.0444
munchasbury.com
BEST BURGERS
1 Barnacle Bill’s
1 First St., Rumson
732.747.8396
barnaclebillsrumson.com
2 The Downtown
10 W. Front St.
Red Bank
732.741.2828
thedowntownnj.com
3 Jersey Burger
1627 Main St.
Lake Como
732.280.3663
jerseyburger.com
BEST BUTCHER
1 Monmouth Meats
112 Monmouth St.
Red Bank
732.741.5292
monmouthmeats.com
2 Sickles Market
1 Harrison Ave.
Little Silver
732.741.9563
sicklesmarket.com
3 Citarella’s Market
57 Prospect Ave., Red Bank
732.741.9059
citarellasmarket.com
BEST BYO RESTAURANT
1 Dish
13 White St.
Red Bank
732.345.7070
dishredbank.com
2 Belford Bistro
870 Main St., Belford
732.495.8151
belfordbistro.com
3 Ragin’ Cajun
1102 Route 35, Belmar
732.280.6828
BEST CATERER
1 Jacques Catering
403 Route 36
Hazlet, 732.495.2600
jacquescatering.com
2 Christopher’s Kitchen
165 Amboy Rd.
Morganville
732.491.3399
cateringservicenj.com
3 Sickles Market
1 Harrison Ave.
Little Silver
732.741.9563
sicklesmarket.com
BEST CHEESE SHOP
1 The Cheese Cave
14 Monmouth St.
Red Bank
732.842.0796
cheesecaveshop.com
2 Sickles Market
1 Harrison Ave.
Little Silver
732.741.9563
sicklesmarket.com
3 Cheese on Main
53 Main Ave., Ocean
Grove, 732.775.1530
cheeseonmain.com
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
1 Temple Gourmet
Chinese 91 Broad St.
Red Bank
732.212.8858
templegourmet.com
2 Little Szechuan
485 Prospect Ave.
Little Silver
732.842.3823
littleszech.com
3 Peking Pavilion
110 Route 33
Manalapan
732.308.9700
pekingpavilion.com
BEST COFFEE SHOP
1 America’s Cup Coffee Company
633 Cookman Ave.
Asbury Park
732.988.2000
2 Rook Coffee Roasters
multiple locations
rookcoffeeroasters.com
3 Booskerdoo
36 Beach Rd., Suite 9
Monmouth Beach
732.222.0729
booskerdoo.com
BEST CUPCAKES
1 Sugarush 37 E.
Front St., Red Bank
732.414.9044
experiencesugarush.com
2 The Scone Pony
305 Washington Ave.
Spring Lake
732.280.8887
thesconepony.com
3 Cupcake Magician
54 Monmouth St.
Red Bank, 732.530.5700
cupcakemagicianonline.com
BEST CHEAP EATS
1 Surf Taco
1003 Main St. Belmar, 732.681.3001
94 Brighton Ave. Long Branch, 732.229.7873
121 Parker Ave. Manasquan, 732.223.7757
35 Broad St. Red Bank, 732.936.1800
surftaco.com
Surf Taco’s “coastal cuisine” is a staple for some locals and vacationers because of its fresh and healthy fare, but what you can’t pass up is a good deal. The shop’s wallet-friendly prices don’t stop it from serving up generous helpings like its 12˝ “biggest on the Jersey shore” Maverick’s Burrito, a favorite among regulars.
2 Jakes Crab Shack
500 Ocean Ave.
Belmar
732.894.3502
jakescrabcakes.com
3 WindMill
201 River Rd. Belmar 732.681.9628
3339 Route 9 South, Freehold, 732.303.9855
586 Ocean Blvd., Long Branch, 732.229.9863
200 N. Ocean Ave. North Long Branch, 732.870.6098
122 Bridge Ave., Red Bank, 732.747.5958
windmillhotdogs.com
BEST CHOCOLATE
1 Suzi’s Sweet Shoppe
1100 Route 35, Middletown, 732.796.0115
suzisweetshoppe.com
At this house of temptation, owner Susan Hordych explains that not all chocolates are created equal. “Mass-produced chocolate can sit on shelves for a long time. Here, chocolates are hand-dipped daily. That freshness can’t be beat.” You must agree because her chocolate-covered pretzels and coffee cake fudge are constant sellouts.
2 Third Avenue Chocolate Shoppe
1118 Third Ave., Spring Lake, 732.449.7535
3 Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe
17 White St., Red Bank, 732.219.0822,
redbankchocolateshoppe.com
3 Basil T’s
183 Riverside Ave.
Red Bank
732.842.5990
basilt.com
BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
1 Sawa Steakhouse
42 Route 36
Eatontown
732.544.8885
68 Ocean Ave.
Long Branch
732.229.0600
sawasteakhouse.com
2 Takara Japanese Steakhouse
1610 Route 35
Ocean Township
732.663.1899
takarajapanese.com
3 Yumi
1120 Ocean Ave., Sea
Bright, 732.212.0881
yumirestaurant.com
BEST ITALIAN DELI
1 Jimmy Pecci’s Taste of Italy
4060 Asbury Ave.
Tinton Falls
732.922.9393
tasteofitalymarket.com
2 Aleo
642 Newman Springs Rd.
Middletown,
732.747.0111
aleocatering.com
3 Florentino’s
1148 Route 35
Middletown
732.671.1801
florentinos.com
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
1 Undici Restaurant
11 W. River Rd.
Rumson
732.842.3880
undicirestaurant.com
2 Via 45
45 Broad St.
Red Bank
732.450.9945
via45.com
BEST HUMMUS
1 Uncle Jack’s Good 2 Go
1580 Route 35
Ocean
732.695.3871
unclejacksgood2go.com
2 Zaitooni Deli
11 Mechanic St.,
Red Bank
732.842.4400
zaitooni.zaitoonideli.com
3 Cafe 28
64 White St.
Red Bank
732.933.1400
cafe28.net
BEST CLAMS
1 Barnacle Bill’s
1 First St., Rumson, 732.747.8396
barnaclebillsrumson.com
At Barnacle Bill’s, the clams are shipped in daily from Maine; the staff says that’s one of the secrets to the shop’s success. Whether you crave clams on the half shell, a heaping serving of freshly steamed clams or maybe some homemade clam sauce over linguini, look no further.
2 Inlet Café
3 Cornwall St.
Highlands
732.872.9764, inletcafe.com
3 Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant
100 N. Ocean Ave.
Long Branch
732.870.1200, rooneysocean.com
BEST DINER
1 Broadway Diner
45 Monmouth St.
Red Bank
732.224.1234
2 All Seasons
176 Wyckoff Rd.
Eatontown
732.542.9462
allseasonsrestaurant.com
3 Red Oak Diner
2973 Route 35
Hazlet, 732.335.9360
redoakdiner.com
BEST PLACE TO EAT AT THE BAR
1 Woody’s Ocean Grille
1 E. Church St.
Sea Bright
732.936.1300
woodysoceangrille.com
2 Kelly’s Tavern
43 Route 35 South
Neptune City
732.775.9517
kellystavernjerseyshore.com
3 The Downtown
10 W. Front St.
Red Bank
732.741.2828
thedowntownnj.com
BEST FARMERS’ MARKET
1 Sickles Market
1 Harrison Ave.
Little Silver
732.741.9563
sicklesmarket.com
2 The Galleria
Bridge Ave. & W. Front St.
Red Bank
732.530.7300
thegalleriaredbank.com
3 Atlantic Highlands Farmers Market
Veterans Park
111 First Ave.
Atlantic Highlands
atlantichighlands.org
BEST GELATO
1 Cafe 360
34 E. Main St.
Freehold
732.294.4722
mycafe360.com
2 The Corner Cafe & Bistro
10 Centennial Dr.
Long Branch
732.759.8480
thecornercafebistro.com
3 Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza
515 Route 70
Brick, 732.262.5180
2105 Route 35
Oakhurst, 732.695.6010
2 Bridge Ave.
Red Bank, 732.212.1700
tommyscoalfiredpizza.com
BEST GREEK RESTAURANT
1 It’s Greek to Me
44 Centennial Dr.
Long Branch
732.571.0222
itsgreektome.com
2 Niko’s Trapezi
444 N. Ocean Blvd.
Long Branch
732.222.4600
nikostrapezi.com
3 Mad Greek
2889 Route 35
Hazlet
732.769.2319
madgreeknj.com
BEST COOKIES
1 Twisted Tree Café
609 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, 732.775.2633
twistedtreecafe.com
You know what you like and ou’re sticking to it, evidently—Twisted Tree is a two-time consecutive winner for best cookies. This healthy eatery, which includes an all-vegan bakery, has tons of tasty treats, but its low-fat chocolate-chip cookies are a special craving you simply must gratify.
2 Sugarush
37 E. Front St., Red Bank, 732.414.9044
experiencesugarush.com
3 LaRosa’s Bakery
79 Newman Springs Rd., Shrewsbury, 732.842.2592
ecannoli.com
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
1 Bienvenue
7 E. Front St., Red Bank, 732.936.0640
restaurantbienvenue.com
The fresh French food at this cozy BYO bistro is not the only thing you love—most people also cite the fast and friendly service as a reason for their return visits. But the favorites like coq au vin and profiteroles don’t hurt. The menu is ever-changing, so a new favorite could be right around the corner.
2 Le Fandy
609 River Rd., Fair Haven, 732.530.3338
3 Avenue
23 Ocean Ave., Long Branch, 732.759.2900
leclubavenue.com
BEST ICE CREAM
1 Hoffman’s
78 Oceanport Ave., Little Silver, 732.530.3773
569 Church St., Spring Lake, 732.974.2253
hoffmansicecream.net
Nothing cools you down after a day on the beach like a nice cone or sundae, and most of you agree that Hoffman’s is the place to get it. Sure, its Fudge Mint Cookie ice cream is an award-winner, but the shop’s 35 other flavors—like Coffee Oreo, S’mores and Almond Turtles—have you coming back too. And at Hoffman’s every dog does have its day— the shop also makes its own frozen “doggie treats.”
2 Gracie and the Dudes
1062 Ocean Ave., Sea Bright, 732.741.2333
gracieandthedudes.com
3 Avon Pavilion
600 Ocean Ave., Avon, 732.775.1043
avonpavilion.com
BEST JEWISH DELI
1 Fred and Murry’s
4345 Route 9, Freehold,
732.462.3343
fredandmurrysdeli.com
2 Jerry and Harvey’s
96 Route 9, Englishtown,
732.972.1122
jerryandharveys.com
3 Grossman’s Deli
2005 Route 35
Oakhurst, 732.531.4709
grossmansdeli.com
BEST OYSTERS
1 Blue Water Seafood
9 Broad St.
Red Bank, 732.530.1906
bluewaterseafoodredbank.com
2 Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant
100 N. Ocean Ave.
Long Branch
732.870.1200
rooneysocean.com
3 Stella Marina
800 Ocean Ave.,
Asbury Park, 732.775.7776
stellamarinarestaurant.com
BEST PANCAKES
1 Avon Pavilion
600 Ocean Ave., Avon
732.775.1043
avonpavilion.com
2 Laura’s Pancake House
168 Bay Ave.
Highlands
732.872.9880
3 Edie’s Luncheonette
164 Rumson Rd.
Little Silver
732.842.9647
edieslunch.com
BEST PIES
1 Delicious Orchards
320 Route 34
Colts Neck, 732.462.1989
deliciousorchardsnj.com
2 Ye Olde Pie Shoppe
74 Oceanport Ave.
Little Silver
732.530.3337
yeoldepieshoppe.com
3 Betsy Ross Farm Market
409 Route 36
Port Monmouth
732.787.5809
BEST PIZZA
1 Pete & Elda’s
96 Woodland Ave.
Neptune City
732.774.6010
peteandeldas.com
2 Porta
911 Kingsley St.
Asbury Park
732.776.7661
pizzaporta.com
3 Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza
515 Route 70
Brick, 732.262.5180
2105 Route 35
Oakhurst, 732.695.6010
2 Bridge Ave.
Red Bank, 732.212.1700
tommyscoalfiredpizza.com
BEST PRIX FIXE MENU
1 Red
3 Broad St.
Red Bank
732.741.3232
rednj.com
2 Dish
13 White St.
Red Bank
732.345.7070
dishredbank.com
BEST JUICE BAR
1 The Basin Bar
805 4th Avenue
Asbury Park
732.481.4110
basinbar.com
Being first isn’t new for The Basin Bar because it’s home to New Jersey’s original cold-pressed juices. The cold-press process (which leaves healthy enzymes intact, unlike boiled juices) is applied to all of its juices. It has detox shakes, “mylk smoothies” and packaged cleanses for serious juice-heads.
2 Dean’s Natural Food Market
490 Broad St.
Shrewsbury, 732.842.8686
deansnaturalfoodmarket.com
3 Freshicas Juice Bar
798 River Rd.
Fair Haven, 732.788.9980
BEST OUTDOOR DINING
1 Avenue
23 Ocean Ave.
Long Branch, 732.759.2900
leclubavenue.com
Beachside towns offer many alfresco dining options. Not all of them are quite as beloved as Avenue in Long Branch. Sure, its 25-foot bar, fireplace-lit lounge and dining room with floor to ceiling windows are nice, but what you really like is enjoying its fresh seafood or prix fixe dinners outside while soaking up the salty sea air.
2 Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant
100 N. Ocean Ave.
Long Branch, 732.870.1200
rooneysocean.com
3 Langosta Lounge
1000 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park, 732.455.3275
langostalounge.com
BEST TACOS
1 10th Avenue Burrito
801 Belmar Plaza
Belmar, 732.280.1515
tenthaveburrito.com
10th Avenue Burrito warns that “the menu is anything but authentic Mexican,” but that didn’t stop you from choosing its made-from-scratch, always-fresh tacos as the tastiest. The pork mole is your favorite, but with runners-up like portabella & cheese, chorizo with avocados and fresh fish, you may want to come back a few times, just to make sure.
2 Surf Taco
1003 Main St., Belmar 732.681.3001
94 Brighton Ave., Long Branch, 732.229.7873
121 Parker Ave., Manasquan, 732.223.7757
35 Broad St., Red Bank, 732.936.1800
surftaco.com
3 Fins
120 Main St.,
Bradley Beach, 732.897.8600
2100 Route 35
Sea Girt, 732.359.8210
finsusa.com
3 Restaurant Nicholas
160 Route 35
Red Bank, 732.345.9977
restaurantnicholas.com
BEST ROMANTIC DINING
1 Restaurant Nicholas
160 Route 35
Red Bank, 732.345.9977
restaurantnicholas.com
2 David Burke Fromagerie
26 Ridge Rd.
Rumson, 732.842.8088
fromagerieresturant.com
3 Red
3 Broad St.
Red Bank
732.741.3232
rednj.com
BEST SALADS
1 Salad Shack
138 Myrtle Ave.
Long Branch
732.963.9268
saladshack.net
2 Munch
632 Cookman Ave.
Asbury Park
732.775.0444
munchasbury.com
3 The Bistro
14 Broad St.
Red Bank
732.530.5553
thebistroatredbank.com
BEST SEAFOOD
1 The Lusty Lobster
88 Bay Ave.
Highlands
732.291.4100
bestlobster.com
2 Keyport Fishery
150 W. Front St.
Keyport
732.264.9723
keyportfishery.net
3 Mr. Shrimp
1600 Route 71
Belmar
732.681.7755
mrshrimp.com
BEST SOUP
1 My Kitchen Witch
29 Beach Rd., #101B
Monmouth Beach
732.229.3033
mykitchenwitch.com
2 Sickles Market
1 Harrison Ave.
Little Silver
732.741.9563
sicklesmarket.com
3 D’Jeet
637 Broad St.
Shrewsbury
732.224.8887
djeetcatering.com
BEST STEAK
1 What’s Your Beef?
21 W. River Rd.
Rumson,
732.842.6205
whatsyourbeefrumsonnj.com
2 Danny’s Steakhouse
11 Bridge Ave.
Red Bank
732.741.6900
dannyssteakhouse.com
3 Sawa Steakhouse
42 Route 36
Eatontown,
732.544.8885
68 Ocean Ave.
Long Branch
732.229.0600
sawasteakhouse.com
BEST SUSHI
1 Teak
64 Monmouth St.
Red Bank
732.747.5775
teakrestaurant.com
2 Sogo Sushi
60 Monmouth St.
Red Bank
732.530.9688
sogosushi.com
3 Taka
632 Mattison Ave.
Asbury Park
732.775.1020
takaapnj.com
BEST THAI RESTAURANT
1 Siam Garden
2 Bridge Ave.
Red Bank
732.224.1233
siamgardenrestaurant.com
2 Kunya Siam
99 First Ave.
Atlantic Highlands
732.291.2397
3 Bamboo Leaf
724 Main St.
Bradley Beach
732.774.1661
BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
1 Good Karma Café
17 E. Front St.
Red Bank
732.450.8344
goodkarmacafenj.com
2 Kaya’s Kitchen
1000 Main St.
Belmar, 732.280.1141
kayaskitchenbelmar.com
3 Twisted Tree Café
609 Cookman Ave.
Asbury Park
732.775.2633
twistedtreecafe.com
BEST AFTER-HOURS SPOT
1 Watermark
800 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park
732.455.3447
watermarkap.com
2 Porta
911 Kingsley St.
Asbury Park
732.776.7661
pizzaporta.com
3 Aqua Lounge
1300 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park
732.455.8434
aqualoungeap.com
BEST BEER SELECTION
1 Twin Light Taphouse
128 Bay Ave.
Highlands
732.872.1345
twinlighttaphouse.com
2 Brickwall Tavern
522 Cookman Ave.
Asbury Park
732.774.1264
brickwalltavern.com
3 Basil T’s
183 Riverside Ave.
Red Bank
732.842.5990
basilt.com
BEST COSMOS
1 Taste
10 Bridge Ave.
Red Bank
732.219.9770
redbanktaste.com
2 Salt Creek Grille
4 Bingham Ave.
Rumson
732.933.9272
saltcreekgrille.com/rumson
3 Moonstruck
517 Lake Ave.
Asbury Park
732.988.0123
moonstrucknj.com
BEST MARGARITAS
1 The Copper Canyon
51 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, 732.291.8444, thecoppercanyon.com
The 150 bottles of tequila in stock and nine signature recipes are nice, but owner and chef Michael Krikorian says those aren’t what make the margaritas here the best. “We squeeze fresh lime and lemon juice every day and we use agave nectar as a sweetener,” says Krikorian. “That makes all the difference.” The Copper Canyon Margarita is the most popular and is always on the happy hour menu.
2 Casa Comida
336 Branchport Ave., Long Branch, 732.229.7774, casacomida.com
3 The Downtown
10 W. Front St., Red Bank, 732.741.2828
thedowntownnj.com
BEST IRISH PUB
1 The Dublin House
30 Monmouth St.
Red Bank
732.747.6699
thedublinhouse.net
2 Kelly’s Tavern
43 Route 35 South
Neptune City
732.775.9517
kellystavernjerseyshore.com
3 St. Stephen’s Green Publick House
2031 Route 71
Spring Lake Heights
732.449.2626
ssgpub.com
BEST MARTINIS
1 Red
3 Broad St.
Red Bank
732.741.3232
rednj.com
2 Mix
71 Brighton Ave.
Long Branch
732.923.9100
3 Watermark
800 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park
732.455.3447
watermarkap.com
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
1 Jack’s Sports Bar & Grill
149 Brighton Ave.
Long Branch
732.870.8800
2 Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza
515 Route 70
Brick, 732.262.5180;
2105 Route 35
Oakhurst, 732.695.6010
2 Bridge Ave.,
Red Bank, 732.212.1700
tommyscoalfiredpizza.com
3 Jamian’s Food and Drink
79 Monmouth St.
Red Bank
732.747.8050
jamiansfood.com
BEST SINGLES SCENE
1 The Downtown
10 W. Front St.
Red Bank
732.741.2828
thedowntownnj.com
2 Bar A
703 16th Ave.
Lake Como
732.681.7422
bar-a.com
3 Buona Sera
50 Maple Ave.
Red Bank
732.530.5858
buona-sera.com
BEST SPORTS BAR
1 The Globe
20 E. Front St.
Red Bank
732.842.5572
thegloberedbank.com
2 Sallee Tee’s Grille
33 West St.
Monmouth Beach
732.870.8999
salleeteesgrille.com
3 Val’s Tavern
123 East River Rd.
Rumson
732.842.3452
valstavern.com
BEST WINE LIST
1 The Wine Loft
32 Laird St.
Long Branch
732.222.7770
thewineloftpiernj.com
2 Basil T’s
183 Riverside Ave.
Red Bank
732.842.5990
basilt.com
3 Restaurant Nicholas
160 Route 35 South
Red Bank
732.345.9977
restaurantnicholas.com
BEST HAPPY HOUR
1 Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza
515 Route 70, Brick, 732.262.5180
2105 Route 35, Oakhurst, 732.695.6010
2 Bridge Ave. Red Bank, 732.212.1700
tommyscoalfiredpizza.com
With “all-day happy hour” on the weekends and two happy hours on weeknights, it’s hard to miss at Tommy’s. And you definitely don’t want to. The half-price sangria Wednesdays are most popular, but don’t pass up a chance for a discounted pitcher of beer and the restaurant's coal-fired wings the next night. And football fans take note: Any time your New York team scores, Tommy’s adds another special.
2 Red
3 Broad St., Red Bank, 732.741.3232
rednj.com
3 The Downtown
10 West Front St., Red Bank, 732.741.2828
thedowntownnj.com
BEST PLACE FOR A GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT
1 The Downtown
10 W. Front St.
Red Bank
732.741.2828
thedowntownnj.com
2 Watermark
800 Ocean Ave.
Asbury Park
732.455.3447
watermarkap.com
3 Red
3 Broad St.
Red Bank
732.741.3232
rednj.com
KIDS’ PARTIES
1 Taste and Technique Cooking Studio
597 River Rd.
Fair Haven
732.741.2665
tasteandtechnique.com
2 Ricky’s Candy
86 Broad St.
Red Bank
732.842.4637
rickysofredbank.com
3 Middletown Arts Center
36 Church St.
Middletown
732.706.4100
middletownarts.org
BEST LIVE MUSIC
1 The Downtown
10 W. Front St.
Red Bank
732.741.2828
thedowntownnj.com
2 Jamian’s Food and Drink
79 Monmouth St.
Red Bank
732.747.8050
jamiansfood.com
3 The Mad Hatter
10 E. Ocean Ave.
Sea Bright
732.530.7861
madhatternj.com
BEST SINGLES SCENE
1 The Downtown
10 W. Front St.
Red Bank
732.741.2828
thedowntownnj.com
2 Bar A
703 16th Ave.
Lake Como
732.681.7422
bar-a.com
3 Buona Sera
50 Maple Ave.
Red Bank
732.530.5858
buona-sera.com
BEST COOKING CLASSES
1 Taste & Technique
597 River Rd.
Fair Haven, 732.741.2665
tasteandtechnique.com
When Fair Haven native Carolyn Rue was looking to expand her culinary skills, she was disappointed by the lack of programs in the area. Luckily for Monmouth, Rue took matters into her own hands and opened Taste & Technique—a Wolf Sub-Zero-sponsored studio—where people can attend demonstrations and hands-on classes, like the always popular “Cake Decorating Basics.”
2 Mumford’s Culinary Center
33 Apple St.
Tinton Falls, 732.747.7646
mumfords.com
3 Sickles Market
1 Harrison Ave., Little Silver, 732.741.9563
sicklesmarket.com
BEST THEATER
1 Two River Theatre Company
21 Bridge Ave.
Red Bank, 732.345.1400
trtc.com
2 Count Basie
99 Monmouth St.
Red Bank
732.224.8788
countbasietheatre.com
3 Middletown Arts Center
36 Church St.
Middletown
732.706.4100
middletownarts.org
