Mmmmm Sicilian...

Many, many moons ago LFJS started a pizza throwdown that left Maruca’s unchallenged for more than a year. No longer! Today, I’m throwing down the gauntlet and picking Three Brothers as my favorite slice on the boards. Sure, Maruca’s might be the media darling, playing host to Man vs. Food’s Adam Richman last month, but I’m declaring Three Brothers the pizza of the people.

Of course, everybody in these parts fancies themselves a pizza expert and the Yelp reviews are mixed. Robyn H. from Philly says 3Bros is the “best pizza on the beach,” while NYC pizza-snob Max S. says it “had as much taste to it as the paper plate it was served on.” Ah well, can’t win ‘em all. Desiree D. cautions to “stick with the plain if you have a brain though down at the boardwalk… being from the shore i know that youll get a tummy rumbler if you dont follow my advice.” (sic) However, her “being from the shore” claim is betrayed by the Brooklyn location beneath her Avatar. New Yorkers, you can’t say you’re from here. We’re sorry, but you just can’t. You’ve already sent your people here to wreak havoc for MTV’s global audiences and further tarnish our image. After that debacle, you just don’t get to weigh in on our pizza debates.

With more Boardwalk locations than I can count, you’re never far from a gigantic, crispy, cheesy slice no matter where in Seaside you find yourself. Last week, my friend Lindsey, who now lives in New Hampshire, was back at her family’s Lavallette house for a week and we planned to have dinner. We attempted to brainstorm some fabulous waterside spot to dine, but as soon as I would ask Linds where she wanted to go while she was here, the conversation always returned to Three Brothers. She just had to have a slice of Jersey Shore boardwalk pizza before returning to New England.

We hit up the Three Brothers smackdab in middle of everything across from the beach patrol office. Linds got a white slice and I went for Sicilian. I can’t resist the corner piece and this one had cheese tumbling over the edge. Two slices and two small sodas set us back about $15 (yikes!), but our post-dinner stroll and the phenomenal people-watching definitely got us more bang for our buck than any fancy waterfront locale would have.

Now, who’s throwing down for Sawmill?

The greatest baked good known to humanity.

It’s our pleasure to announce that Colonial Bakery opened its doors at 6:30 this morning and plans to do so every single day from now until September. You may now commence eating Ninja Turtle cookies for breakfast lunch and dinner. That is all. (Big ups to @Suz8 for this awesome cookie shot from her blog. We wholeheartedly endorse her plan to serve these guys at her wedding instead of cake.)

If you’ve ever read the Star-Ledger from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you know Pete Genovese, commander of the venerable Munchmobile and all-around Garden State snack sherpa. At the beginning of the summer season, he named his favorite breakfast, pizza and ice cream at the Shore, and frankly, I’d like to respectfully disagree on his breakfast selection.

Pete picked Toms River’s Shut Up and Eat as the top spot for your morning meal. After hearing about this kitschy haven for so long, we tried it out for Mother’s Day. I certainly shut up at and ate the plate of bacon and eggs you see above. I have such an abiding love for bacon that I could probably write sonnets to it, but their just wasn’t stellar. Chewy, devoid of flavor, seemed like it had been sitting around for a while. So sad.

The atmosphere is definitely fun though. SUE’s motif screams “yard sale!!” The walls are covered with random finds; there’s a tablecloth for every holiday and none of the salt and pepper shakers match.

Also not matching were the plates and mugs, but for good reason: if you bring in a donate a mug, you get a free cup of coffee, and a free pancake comes with every donated plate. If you wear a fun PJ set – like the staff – you get a discount. If you wear non-matching college sweats to bed like me, you’re out of luck. And yes, the owner and waitstaff really do greet everyone who walks in but it’s more “HIIII!!!!” than “Good morning.”

The menu included a few humorous quips like “Children left unattended will be given a free puppy and a shot of espresso” and “Toms River tap water…Free!” under beverages (which was actually more scary than funny).

I don’t mean to discredit Pete; I think he’s fantastic and if it wouldn’t result in massive weight gain for me, I’d LOVE to have his job. He’s always spot-on about vittles in our fair state, but I just wasn’t jazzed with Shut Up and Eat. Also, it’s moved from the K-Mart plaza to Water Street in downtown Toms River and can be hard to find.

All in all, it’s not a bad breakfast joint, per se, but I just think there are some far superior ones in the area.

Like what, you ask? Mariner’s Cove in Brielle, Sunrise Cafe at the Surf Club in Ortley Beach, and Bayside Cafe in Lavallette. And now I’m hungry. Great.

Adam Richman takes on a monster sandwich in MvF's first season.

If you’ve ever happened upon the Travel Channel on a Wednesday night, you’ve doubtlessly seen several episodes of Man vs. Food. If you haven’t, in short, host Adam Richman visits a city/region and hits up its notable eateries. He rounds out each episode by taking on a  food challenge. I’ve seen him take down 72 oz. steaks, somehow eat wings made with the spiciest peppers on Earth and eat gigantic ice cream sundaes. I had always thought our beloved Jersey Shore and its greasy gastronomic offerings would be perfect fodder for an episode. So, one day last week, the @ManvFood Twitter account tweeted a list of upcoming locales. And, what do you know, the Jerz was on their to-do list!

I intended to write a post about how they were coming here and name some places Adam could try out, but they actually beat me to it. On Thursday, my brother called to say he thought he saw them taping at Hoffman’s Ice Cream in Point Pleasant Beach. Curiosity obviously got the better of me, so Cait and I hopped in the car and headed up there.

The cast and crew were indeed there and Adam was in the back learning how Hoffman’s makes their ice cream. A herd of giggling girls perched inside and people streamed in and out all day. (Yours truly may or may not have been filmed eating a cotton candy cone with rainbow sprinkles for the show’s b-roll.) However, we got to chatting with the crew’s intern and he said they’re visiting Maruca’s on the Seaside boardwalk (a place we at LFJS know a thing or two about) on Friday, June 4 and Chicken or the Egg in Beach Haven on Saturday, June 5.

But, if you had the chance to choose which of our fair coast’s fine food institutions to give America a true Jersey Shore dining experience?

A Seaside Tony at Steaks Unlimited? (Cheese steak with cheeseballs inside. If you had to ask, go get yourself one pronto -  preferably after a night out.)

Something from Surf Taco? (I vote for the Aloha Wrap – pineapples, grilled chicken, veggies, teriyaki sauce and goodness.)

A bomber sandwich at Bayside Cafe? (Pretty sure that one has your choice of breakfast meat, egg, cheese and hashbrowns on a roll. Wouldn’t know though, I usually go for raspberry and chocolate chip pancakes and think you should too.)

A sausage sandwich at Midway?

The possibilities are endless. I just hope he has some Tums.

The tastiest harbinger of summer we know

As I drove home from a dreary Monday at work, all sorts of grouchy because it was my first day back after a lovely Caribbean vacation, a sheer-joy-inducing banner greeted me as I turned onto my street. Yes, my friends, Colonial Bakery, most delicious place on Earth, will start baking crumb cake, Turtle cookies, Key lime pie tarts and the greatest doughnuts known to man on May 15.

Who’s excited?!? (PS. Can we get some more Yelp reviews up? Colonial needs some loving on the interwebs.)

South Seaside Park barrel | June 2009 (Photo: Justin Auciello)

Are you ready for Surf Weekend?

No, the Governor has not issued a proclamation. At Live for Jersey Shore, we’re dubbing it Surf Weekend, because today and tomorrow will feature two fun surf related events.

I’ve mapped it out for you.

Surf Weekend begins tonight at the grand Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, with the world premier of A Pleasant Surprise, a Super 16mm surf film, at 7 PM ($5 to enter, music by Sean Bones prior to the viewing, and 21+ to drink).

A Pleasant Surprise

Nick Zegel, left, Creator Director, and Kyle Pahlow, Filmmaker (Photo: Jonathan Hoover)

As a lifelong Jersey Shore surfer (bodyboarding by age 3, standing on the bodyboard by age 5, and riding my first surfboard–a used 5′8″ Al Merrick quad fin–by age 7), I am intimately familiar with the shore surf scene. Unlike our counterparts in locales that are warm year round, such as Southern California, Florida, and Hawaii, our conditions vary with each season.

If you surf here, you need to be ready to paddle out whether it’s 80 degrees, sunny, with 72 degree water temps in crowded conditions or 15 degrees, snowy, with 38 degree water temps in desolate conditions.

This is the life of a Jersey Shore surfer.

Although we haven’t seen A Pleasant Surprise yet, judging from its website, it appears that the film seeks to encapsulate our surfing culture, both in and out of the water.

From the film’s synopsis:

A Pleasant Surprise offers an honest look at the talents of a select group of surfers who live in a truly special part of the United States. Almost three years in the making, this film documents a world of contrast as daily changes in weather and waves prove to be all part of a larger picture; thumping beach breaks, cold water, and quick tropical storms are just a fraction of what you will find. Brought to you in Super 16mm, A Pleasant Surprise allows for the full beauty of this region and its surfers to be realized.

The film’s trailer:

A Pleasant Surprise from Kyle Pahlow on Vimeo.

You’ll notice that the surfing clips in the trailer range from bareback surfers to those in full head-to-toe wetsuit gear.

That’s Jersey.

After the film, head home, stretch, and sleep well, because Surf Weekend continues tomorrow with the Doug Oland Memorial Surf Contest.

Doug Oland Memorial Surf Contest

Surfer in South Seaside Park | August 2009 (Photo: Justin Auciello)

Surf for a good cause!

Wake up early, get stoked, and head to Seaside Park for the Doug Oland Memorial Surf Contest at the 2nd Avenue beach, benefiting the Doug Oland Scholarship Fund at Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River. Registration begins at 8 AM, and heats will commence at 9 AM. The registration fee is $25, and all contestants will receive a hoodie and a Surf Taco lunch.

According to magicseaweed, a reliable surf forecasting site, surf conditions for Seaside Park are predicted to be approximately 4-5 feet tomorrow morning (yet somewhat sloppy from onshore winds). As I child, I surfed competitively, and I recall many surf contest cancellations due to poor surf conditions–this will not be a problem.

Today’s stormy weather will give way to clearing conditions throughout the day tomorrow, so after the contest ends,  spend the rest of your day in Seaside Heights, where the annual Mardi Gras celebration will be booming.

Sunday?

While there are no official Surf Weekend events on Sunday, the weather should be sunny and warm, so spend the morning in the water, early afternoon at the  Seaside Heights Seafood Festival, and then cap it off at 4 PM, with the always entertaining Shorty Long & The Jersey Horns at the Beachcomber Bar and Grill on the Seaside Heights boardwalk.

September is a beautiful month at the shore, so enjoy!

It's undeniable that this fake palm tree screams "I'm on vacation!" but it's also yelling "Totally tacky!!"

A good 75 percent of the time my family’s boat leaves our dock, the destination is Martell’s Waters Edge – a massive tiki bar accessible by both land and sea on Barnegat Bay’s western shore in Bayville. By car, it would probably take 45 minutes to get to, but a ride aboard the Barrel O’ Monkeys takes a mere 20 minutes.

The Barrel O'Monkeys tied up to a buoy.

Boaters are faced with two options: tying up at one of Waters Edge’s many docks, or hooking up to a mooring buoy – probably the best choice for windy days. A pontoon boat ferries new arrivals to the restaurant from the buoys. The boat even includes tipping suggestions for its driver. Frankly, I’m thinking about applying for next summer.

Apparently you can become independently wealthy ferrying people from their boat to the bar. Who knew?

Last Saturday, 10 of us happily slurped away at frozen drinks and had lunch on the deck while the Jersey Duet played classic rock covers.  Waters Edge doesn’t mess around: our waitress asked us specifically what brand of liquor we wanted in our daiquiris, coladas and margaritas. I went with light Bacardi in my surprisingly creamy pina colada. I suspect ice cream was involved and I didn’t mind one bit. (Well, only after the first one – two proved to be far too filling and I should have switch to light beer and saved myself the ungodly amount of calories.) Meghan, who wasn’t nearly as choosy in selecting what tequila went into her marg, called her drink “delightfully refreshing,” so much so that she had three and got quite tipsy for 1 p.m.

Pure brain-freeze-inducing deliciousness

Lunch, like the drinks, was terrific. You don’t know what a basket of fried objects does for a hangover. One of the specialties at both Martell’s is Island Jammers – shrimp that’s been breaded and fried with cheddar cheese and served with a spicy dipping sauce. I know, I know it sounds super weird but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. These cheesy, crunchy little guys are tremendous. Chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks were standard (and tasty). Meg’s grilled cheese on sourdough looked really good, with just the right cheese-to-bread ratio. From past experience, I’d highly recommend the wings. They come with buffalo on the side, so you have to work a little bit but it’s worth it.

From $7 frozen concoctions to $9 wraps, Waters Edge may seem pricy but when you compare it to other Shore prices and include the tropical, vacation-y atmosphere, it’s not so bad. My dad may not agree with that, but he should have thought about that before offering to take six 21-25 year-olds out on his boat to a bar.

Crowds flock to the bar on a recent Saturday.

Waters Edge also has live entertainment almost every day. Thursday, Friday and Saturday bands play all day. If you’re on the fence about going, their Web site features views from three different web cams so you can check out the scene before you commit to heading over.

Martell’s Waters Edge is south of Good Luck Point Marina and due west of Buoy G-37. For landlubbers, it’s at 125 Bayview Ave., Bayville.

The view from our table on the Shrimp Box's patio: sunset beyond some of Point Pleasant's commercial fishing fleet. Pretty sweet.

Point Pleasant Beach seafood staple the Shrimp Box’s Web site brags that this Inlet Drive restaurant overlooks nothing but the harbor. A casual Tuesday night dinner with friends very much proved this to be the case. We hit up the Shrimp Box on a recommendation from my cousin’s neighbor. He had eaten there every night this week and loved it. He seemed to be quite serious about this, so we took his word and pedaled over from my cousin’s house. (and then rode bikes to Martell’s Tiki Bar, but that’s another story for another time.)

The three of us sat right down at a table on the Box’s patio and were treated to a spectacular sunset over the water. Not 20 feet away, some of Point’s commercial fishing boats are tied up, so you know the fish has got to be fresh. Friendly young servers flit around clad in t-shirts that urge you to “drink outside the Box” and a seasonal bar has set up shop beneath a canopy.

Dusk at the entrance to the Shrimp Box's patio - Outside the Box, where, yes you can think, drink and eat.

We split a coconut shrimp appetizer, which was awesomely coconut-y and accompanied by a tangy orange dipping sauce. The shrimp were massive and impressively butterflied. The spicy sauce was a nice touch with the sweetness of the coconut coating.

My cousin, in poor form, ordered a chicken sandwich, which she liked enough to wrap up and take for lunch the next day. Our other dining companion ordered the sauteed – not fried – crab cake and raved about it. I ordered the fish and chips and was thoroughly satisfied with my decision. My mind fails to recall exactly what type of fish it was, but it was white,  flaky and beer-battered – just as fish and chips should be. (One gripe: the side of green beans were too dark-green-looking and I, being a new green bean fan, was not having it. I’m fairly crazy though, so don’t let this deter you from enjoying vegetables at the Shrimp Box.)

Everything we ate was exceptionally fresh and the casual dockside setting was the perfect backdrop to our ladies’ night. After three entrees, one appetizer, two glasses of wine and a beer, the damage was just $62 – insanely reasonable for the Shore in July. While all the neighboring seafood restaurants - like Red’s, Spike’s and the Wharfside - are excellent, the Shrimp Box definitely deserves a visit. Before 6 p.m. on a weekday or Sunday and 5 p.m. on a Saturday, you can snag a sunset dinner: entree, beverage, chowder or a trip to the salad bar, potato, veggie and dessert for $12-16. Not too shabby at all.

The Shrimp Box is located at 75 Inlet Drive, Point Pleasant Beach. For more information, call 732-899-1637
or visit www.theshrimpbox.com.

Peanut Butter Overload on the left and a waffle cone with S'mores and Cookie Dough...courtesy of Miss Stephanie's Blackberry

From what I can remember, the building just south of Colonial Bakery on Route 35 North has always offered frozen creamy confections. It’s changed hands and monikers several times – from Mrs. Walker’s in the early 1990s (I have fond memories of digging into a cup of black raspberry ice cream while watching the launch of Nickelodeon’s SNICK during one of Mrs. W’s early summers) to a brief stint as Strawberries.

Now, Summer Sweets occupies the charming roadside bungalow-turned-scoop shop and has since 2006. On their site, the owner details her discovery of the building and admits that her dad advised knocking it down. We’re willing to forgive this statement (as well as the site’s casual use of grammar and the spelling of Lavallette) because Summer Sweets’ brightly painted walls, cartoonish ice cream cut-outs (as detailed by the authors of Ice Cream People) and cheery interior are just so doggone cute.

A recent week-night trip just before closing time left us quite satisfied with heaping cones. One of Summer Sweets’ signature flavors is Peanut Butter Overload, a delicious amalgamation of vanilla ice cream, peanut butter chips, chocolate chips and fudge. Speaking as a peanut butter afficionado, it’s just the right balance of peanut butter and chocolate (probably the holiest flavor combination the world has to offer). My brother deemed his cookie dough “delicious” and “amazing” (he’s a science major; his vocabulary’s not terribly extensive) and raved about the size of the dough chunks. His ladyfriend, our B.B. photog Steph, tried a non-fat, sugar-free concoction and said it was great. I’m still not buying it. I had my PBO (as the kids call it these days, I hear) in a fudge-dipped, sprinkle-coated sugar cone – something you don’t usually see, as the fudge/sprinkle hullabaloo is usually reserved for massive waffle cones. AJ (baby bro) had his ice cream in one such hulking cone and had to call for cup and spoon back up. He seemed to enjoy himself. Our three desserts set my generous brother back about $13. (I frequently buy him dinner, but now that his badge checking/substitute lifeguard paychecks are piling up he wanted to treat. Nice kid like that.)

In addition to the classics, Summer Sweets offers off-beat ice cream flavors like Oatmeal Cookie, Chocolate Thunder (chocolate ice cream with fudge and chocolate pieces), Cotton Candy, Shannon’s Special (chocolate ice cream, marshmallow, caramel and chocolate chips) and the custom, locally-inspired Ocean Beach (orange, pineapple and coconut ice cream with maraschino cherries).

But, don’t get bogged down in the ice cream. Truly living up to its name, Summer Sweets packs a case full of various confections – pies, cookies, brownies, cannoli, fudges of varying flavors (Butterfinger, M&M, turtle, et al) and candied apples covered in chocolate, caramel and the regular red sugar shellac.

You won’t find ice cream for breakfast here (or even lunch) but Summer Sweets stays open pretty late. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 3-10:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Sunday: 3-11 p.m.

Summer Sweets is located at 3071 Route 35 North, just north of Ocean Beach Unit I. For more information, call (732) 830-3444 or visit www.summersweetsnj.com.

Naturally, you'll find plenty of produce at the Seaside Park Farmer's Market

Just a few years ago, Seaside Park residents had to travel to any of the area supermarkets to procure food suitable to create a balanced meal.

While typical shore staples (read: cold cut subs and limes for Coronas) have always been readily available and appropriate for carrying home within your beach cruiser’s basket, healthy “on to go” options were previously difficult to find.

Times have changed.

On Monday afternoons through Labor Day, bicycle baskets throughout Seaside Park are overflowing with produce and other fresh provisions, courtesy of the Borough’s Farmer’s Market, located on Marina Field, which is situated at the corner of Central Avenue and J Street–directly next to the only traffic light in town.

Operating from 11 AM through 5 PM, the market features traditional fare, including produce and flowers from Jersey Fresh farms, but the provisions here extend well beyond the standard offerings.

Under the white tents, you will find fresh honey products;  a variety of nuts, candies, and herbal products; hot sauce, dips, and other condiments; artisan bread and cheese; eggs, meat, and seafood; cakes and donuts;  and, a mixture of pickled cucumbers, olives, and mushrooms.

Stroll along the lawn and explore the goodness

It’s certainly not your typical farmer’s market, and that’s important here, considering the lack of diverse food products within a reasonable walking and biking distance of Borough residents.

“I’m retired, and this is something that I look forward to,” said Bob Grier, a summertime resident and self-described “snow bird” who divides his time between South Florida and the Borough. “Best of all, it’s all healthy.”

Mr. Grier mentioned that he and his wife, Kathleen, usually purchase a variety of fruits and vegetables, bread, roasted peanuts (”for the beach,” he says), donuts, and sometimes meat, but much to his wife’s chagrin, he’d like to try the “Jersey Death,” a flame inducing hot sauce, found at the Molly Spice Cabinet tent, a Beachwood based business.

“I love hot sauce, but my wife says it’s not good for my acid reflux. In fact, it would do some magic on some of her dishes,” Mr. Grier said in between laughter.

Under the Molly Spice Cabinet tent, a gregarious Patti Budnicki will greet you and happily introduce her products, including the Jersey Death hot sauce, grilling sauces,  fresh herbs and spices, jams, and dips, and explain to you the value of locally and micro-produced items.

Make sure you have the water bucket filled and ready for chugging

All of Ms. Bucnicki’s offerings are produced by small companies–many of which are locally based–that seek to create items that are not typically found in your local supermarket.

“We try to carry the unusual,” Ms. Budnick said.

People are abuzz about the offerings at the Herbertsville Honey Company tent, adjacent to Molly Spice Cabinet, a Point Pleasant based family owned business that was pinned with “Best of Show” and “Best Exhibitors” awards at the 2008 NJ  State Honey Show.

Featuring pure unprocessed local honey, culled from 60 apiaries throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Alf Berg sells, of course, honey, but also honey byproducts, including raw honey pollen, honey comb, and honey based soap, creams, and lip balm, among other products.

No bees here -- just fresh honey products

“I’ve been beekeeping for 10 years and [selling honey products] for six years,” Mr. Berg commented during my review of his offerings. “It started as a hobby, and I just went nuts with it.”

Beyond the Seaside Park Farmer’s Market, you may find Herbertsville Honey Company’s offerings at Shore Restaurant Supply and Allen Farms, both in Brick, as well as the Bay Head Cheese Shop in Bay Head.

Let your nose direct you to the Nuts For You tent, a Trenton based business, where Dutch Swayze presents an impressive spread of bagged candy, fruit, and nuts, along with shaved ice and freshly roasted peanuts. You will certainly find something amongst the offerings to satisfy your cravings.

The colorful displays will seduce you

“We sell our products at five farmer’s markets each week,” Mr. Swayze told me while I stared lustfully at a peanut roasting apparatus. “Behind here, that’s our antique peanut roaster — made in 1920.”

It may be pushing 90 years old, but this peanut roaster is still a workhorse

Mr. Swayze’s display is sure enough to ignite your senses; if it’s not the smell wafting from the peanut roaster, the colorful explosion of his bagged offerings will certainly draw you.

If Ms. Budnicki, Mr. Berg, and Mr. Swayze don’t manage to grab your attention, you will certainly have trouble not stopping at the Italian Treasures tent, aka “The Bread Man,” which is manned by Marco Minuto, a colorful guy who knows how to artfully market his products.

Based in New Hope, PA, at this tent, the namesake is authentic, where you will find “all kinds of focaccia and multi-grain breads, fresh mozzarella, and other types of Italian cheeses,” Mr. Minuto said.

Perfect for a tomato and mozz sandwich

After a brief explanation of the ingredients within each loaf, Mr. Minuto said that Italian Treasures has been in the farmer’s market circuit for five years, with a weekly stand, in addition to here, in Toms River, Barnegat, and Lacey.

As it was clear that Mr. Minuto obviously knows his breads, I was curious about his favorite pick.

“Ciabatta,” he said cheerfully. “It’s the Italian slipper bread.”

Seaside Park residents and those of neighboring towns should rest assured that they can find Jersey Fresh products here. Just don’t stare too hard if you see people biking around on Monday afternoons with food overflowing from their baskets.

And, if you’re on a carb-free diet this summer, beware of Mr. Minuto, as he’ll try to persuade you otherwise.

Asked what he would say to someone on such a diet, he said, “Just try the multi-grain bread. You’ll love it.”

The Seaside Park Farmer’s Market is held at Marina Field, located at the corner of J Street and Central Avenue, every Monday through Labor Day weekend from 11 AM to 5 PM. After Labor Day weekend, it is held at the same location and same times on Sundays until Columbus Day weekend. For more information, you may contact Seaside Park Borough Hall at 732-793-3700.