Satisfied with this brief sighting, we walked on and played some skee-ball and were about to shuffle out to the pier to check out all the rides when some other very, very tan people had the same idea. J-Woww and Snooki and an entourage of crew members and security guards came barreling through. You could barely see Snooki through the crowd, but once everyone in the immediate area figured out that the Princess of Poughkeepsie was at the nucleus of the scrum, a tidal wave of people followed them out onto the pier. They went on a couple rides – including the haunted house. (Not sure what’s more frightening – the costumed people who try to scare you inside, or Snickers’ outfit – who wears furry boots in late July?!?) Pictures after the jump.

Check it out:

Ladies waiting to get on the ride: note the trucker hat.

Crowd following closely behind and a security guard futilely trying to shoo everyone away.

Deep in conversation?

During their night out on the boards, the girls stopped to play Shoot the Guido and Snooki ironically shot paintballs at a plasticized version of herself. We also saw Rhode Island’s favorite son DJ Pauly D poking his blow out out the Shore Store on the north end to talk to a security guard. Tweens formed a long, long to get into the store to have their brush with reality royalty. While all this went on, MTV security guards and Seaside Heights special police officers tried to keep the crowds from gathering around the “reality” stars and crew and anyone with a camera got scolded. How my mother (yes, my mother) was able to get these shots, I’ll never know. I stayed back and attempted to hang my head in shame that were following the world’s most famous guidettes around.

B&B Lavallette ladies' location...aka the source of a solid third of my summer wardrobe.

B&B, beloved local department store chain, will quite literally roll out its wares this Wednesday for one of three summer sidewalk sales at its men’s and women’s Lavallette locations on Grand Central Avenue starting at 9 a.m.

Sidewalk sales usually require some digging so bring your patience, but it usually pays off. I’ve walked out of the B with tons of great finds. I can’t speak for the men’s department, but the junior’s section is rife with fun skirts and tops for going out, nice sundresses and great beach coverups at prices that don’t make your wallet wince. It’s like a Forever 21 by the sea, if you will. (Word of advice – last summer at the Ship Bottom store’s sidewalk sale, you had to purchase the clothes you wanted to try on with cash and could return whatever didn’t fit for a full refund.)

If you can’t make it this week, sidewalk sales return on July 28 and Aug. 11.

With the Fourth now just a faded memory like the smoke that hangs in the sky long after a firework has twinkled away, things can seem a little anti-climactic. However, there’s just two precious months left to savor the sweet summer season and all the outdoor socializing it has to offer – this oppressive heat wave be damned! Put on some shorts, pick up an extra bottle of hair defrizzer, and grab your flip-flops (unless you’re heading to the Osprey – flop ban still in effect. Found out the hard way two weekends ago!), and get out!

• Metromix Jersey Shore is hosting a happy hour at the Beach Bar in Asbury Park from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday (which is soon – power down your computer, leave work and go!). Never been to Beach Bar but heard only good things! Print this coupon before you go for drink specials.
• Kick of the weekend properly with happy hour at Leggett’s with music by Turnpike Mike and Randy on the patio and $2 drink specials from 4-8 p.m.
• Hemingway’s features DJ Milky Mike (does he like dairy products? is he really pale? who knows?!) and $2 Coors Lights and $4 unspecified bombs on Friday.
• The Surf Club continues Free For All Fridays with no cover, $1 Coors Light drafts, $5 call drinks, $3 shots and, apparently, hookahs, courtesy of Raaz Hookah, new to Seaside this year. It Ain’t Pretty (who doesn’t seem to have a website) will perform.
• On Saturday, Speakeasy will play in Osprey’s band room. Not sure if it’s the self-described “groove rock” Speakeasy from Missouri (not likely, but the bar’s site links to them) or the Carlstadt-based Speakeasy, who have not updated their Facebook group events since 2008. Guess we’ll just have to be surprised. Seriously though, don’t wear flipflops. Your friends will mock you when you’re the fool who forces the whole group to change plans and go elsewhere.
• 507 Main (bet you can’t guess their address) in Belmar will host the Springsteen tribute band the E Street Shuffle on Saturday night.
• On Sunday, Red Bank will offer Wine Walk from 4-7 p.m. Twenty bucks gets you a wristband, which entitles you to two wine samples and two food samples at 14 participating locations. Stroll around, sip some wine, have a snack – sounds tremendous. Buy a band at any participating restaurant, which can be found here.

Manasquan's most popular beach bar, Leggetts.

If you need an excuse to get rowdy to LMFAO’s summer classic “Shots,” (a song with such deep and meaningful lyrics), then Leggetts in Manasquan is the bar for you.  Every Thursday the bar is packed as everyone crowds around their infamous shot wheel.

Once every hour from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. the live band stops and LMFAO and Lil’John take over the sound waves.  Whatever lucky shot the spinner lands on is then served for the next hour around the bar for just $1.  With options such as Jolly Rancher, Grape Ape, Washington Apple, and Sex on the Beach…you’ll have a wide selection all night long.  It’s a close knit atmosphere where everyone comes together for the one common goal, more shots.

The one large bar takes up a majority of the space at Leggetts, and many flat screen televisions line the walls playing some of the most popular sports games.  Off to the side you’ll find a stage that is home to many bands such as The Mike Dalton Band and Bobby Lynch Band that play every Wednesday and Thursday.  A few tables line the perimeter for those that want to sit down and order food.

As part of Weaze’s themed parties America’s Birthday Bash is on July 3 and 70’s Disco Party on July 10.  Make sure you check out their Web site for their calendar of events, drink specials and menu.

Leggetts has one extremely tiny parking lot, your best bet is to find parking on the street.  There are also many bike cops that patrol the area, and I learned from experience just the other day…bike cops do indeed pull you over so be careful and safe driving!

Leggetts Summer Lineup:

Wednesday

$2 Coors Light, $3 “Bombs,” $4 Kettle “O” Drinks, $3 Coronas and Margaritas

Thursday

$2 Bud and Bud Lights, $1 Shot Wheel

Sunday

$2 Bud and Bud Lights (noon-close), $1 Bud and Bud Lights (5-8 inside bar)

*Leggetts is located at 217 First Ave. Manasquan, NJ

]]> http://liveforjerseyshore.com/all-posts/shots-shots-shots/feed 0 http://liveforjerseyshore.com/all-posts/weekend-picks-6-24-6-27 http://liveforjerseyshore.com/all-posts/weekend-picks-6-24-6-27#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:26:36 +0000 Jessica Infante http://liveforjerseyshore.com/?p=743

Donovan's Reef in chillier times - no sweats required this weekend! (Photo courtesy of jerseyshore.metromix.com)

Now it’s really here – the kids are out of school; seasonal rentals are beginning; and the 4th of July looms ever nearer. If this gorgeous sunny weather we’ve been having hasn’t put you in the mood for cocktails al fresco, get your pulse checked. Fortunately, the Shore abounds with all sorts of spots for you to get your drink on, enjoy the sweet summer night air and take in a splendid view.

Here’s what’s good for this weekend:

• A True Story makes their debut Surf Club performance Friday night during the bar’s new Free For All Fridays. In the interest of full disclosure, LFJS loves, loves, LOVES this band (and has known its lead singer since middle school) so if it seems like we’re playing favorites, we are. Nick, Vic, Rick, John and Matt play their own awesomely catchy originals and can turn any bar into a rollicking dance party. Keep your ears out for their killer versions of “Bye Bye Bye,” “Shout,” anything by Kings of Leon and “Break Your Heart” by Taio Cruz (hint hint, Nick). It’ll be easy on your wallet too – no cover, $1 Coors Light drafts, $3 shot specials, $5 Grey Goose drinks, $5 keep-the-cup Seven Tiki spiced rum drinks, which, whatever they are, sound dangerous.
• Bar A throws a Devotion Vodka party on Saturday for those of you devoted to vodka. If you go early, happy hour is on the new grotto beach – let us know what it’s like! No cover until 9 p.m., $2.75 Heineken and Amstel Lights until 11:30, Miller Lite draft, Stoli Apple and Pomegranate specials.
• The Patio Bar at the Wharfside in Point Pleasant Beach, a great waterfront spot to drink and dine outside, has the Jamie Brown Trio from 1-5 p.m. and Undisputed from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday.
• Donovan’s Reef has Bitter X at 6 p.m. on Sunday if you’re looking to extend your weekend with some Sunday Funday beachfront festivities.

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.)

A good way to start is by educating our youth about all that the Jersey Shore has to offer (and it’s not just a good tan) with a marine science day camp held in Lavallette.  This hands-on day camp for students in grades 2-8, advocates environmental awareness.  Led by Marine Biologists and sponsored by the New Logic Educators, students will learn about the marine environment both beach and bay with activities including: seining, sieving, plant and animal identification, water sampling, crabbing, fishing, as well as shell collecting.  Campers may even get a chance to go out on a kayak or zodiac boat.  In the event of rain, students will take a trip to the Point Pleasant boardwalk and tour the Jenk’s Aquarium.

The learning doesn’t have to stop when children leave the classroom, so enroll your child in this fun and interactive camp where they can learn all that our beaches have in store. There are five sessions available, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. during the month of July and first week of August.  Registration is $250 per camper.  Make sure you pack a lunch and drinks to keep cool during the day and meet the camp crew on Reese Avenue across from Bayside.  Happy Summer!

After many shared appetizers of calamari, rice balls, and mozzarella sticks among my family and I, I took a deep breath and decided the show must go on.  Our oversized entrées were greeted with wide eyes and tight belts.

I opted for the Perciatelli Amatriciana which consisted of pancetta, onion, tomato and pecorino, I even added shrimp which made me beyond ecstatic. Ultimately the food won and I brought my leftovers home which made for a great late night snack.

My mother dubbed her dish “deliciousioso.”  Her choice of Scarpriello consisted of pan seared organic chicken breast, sweet Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, and a Parmigianino dusted fingerling potato…and she’s still raving about it today.

There was no room left for some sweet  dessert but I can assure you I will be back to try some Tiramisu and ice cream.  So if you’re looking for a fancy, scenic and authentic Italian night out, make sure you visit Sirena Ristorante.  You can also check out their full lunch, dinner and wine list online so you can think about your meal the whole drive there.

Want to see what awaits you before you make the trip?  That’s easy with their virtual tour of the bar, deck and dining area. Sirena’s is known to have a wait on the weekends so make sure you make reservations.  Happy eating everyone!

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.

Barba was eliminated before the top 12 was chosen, but like every reality television star, she of course had racy photographs leaked over the internet….but that’s a whole other story.

Barba grew up locally in Point Pleasant, a true Jersey Shore girl, so I guess we’ll cut her some slack for jumping on the Jersey Shore bandwagon.  Will this be the new summer anthem for us East Coast girls now that Katy Perry has everyone singing about the Golden Coast?  You be the judge.  (and yes I’m exit 98 too)

Barba filming at Bar A.