Monday Munchies: Moonstruck

For this week's Monday Munchies, I'm going with the tried and true, Moonstruck in Asbury Park. I really like this place and surprisingly it is not predominantly based on outstanding food coming out of the kitchen. Yes, the food is always pretty good and consistent, but it's really a mixture of things that do it for me here.

 I love the atmostphere. Set in an old Victorian style house with 3 floors and beautiful wrap around porches, it's a nice mix of relaxing and romantic. I love it for a special occasion, but then again I've gone with other couples and loved it as well. Sitting outside overlooking the lake, you really feel like you are away for a moment. 



The service here is also great. It's a big place but they definitely get crowded especially weekends in the summer, but they seem to always have everything under control. Even when they quote you a half hour or longer wait time, they give you a beeper, and more times than not, by the time you finish one drink at the bar your table is ready. The waitstaff as a whole seems to be friendly and helpful, and minus the attitude that I sometimes feel as a New Yorker visiting Jersey for the summer. 

I like the food here, I just feel like it's the aforementioned things that keep me returning time and time again. I like going with the seasonal items on the back of the menu. The other night we had a nice refreshing Watermelon Salad with feta and arugula and a whole wheat Margarita with greens on top. The White Bean and Caponata Bruschetta tasty as well. 

 For the mains we got the special white fish of the night, and a Grilled Salmon with lentil couscous. We also got a nice summer spiral shaped Pasta with grape tomatoes eggplant zucchini and fresh mozzarella cheese. Everything was in the above average category. Nothing stuck out for me to say you must order, but then again nothing was a flop either. 

My favorite dish of the night was the Black & White Creme Brûlée. Wow. Not sure what exactly was on the bottom of this, but it was a nice spin on a classic dessert. Now that'll keep me coming back for more.

Neighborhood: Asbury Park, New Jersey

Bite Mark: ***

Good For: Date Night, Out with Friends, Special Occasion 

Moonstruck, 517 Lake Street www.moonstrucknj.com 

Monday Munchies: Toast

I had a really nice experience at the hipster-y cute breakfast / lunch spot called Toast in Asbury Park last weekend. It was pretty much all you could want out of this type of establishment. A little bit nicer than a diner, the service was helpful and friendly, the food came out really quick, and everything that we ordered was pretty tasty. For a place that serves their drinks in mason jars and most of the waitresses sport tattoos, it is pleasantly surprising how friendly everyone was and what a nice, chilled, Jersey shore vibe the whole place was giving off.

After some freshly brewed iced coffee, I went for the gazpacho, one of my all time favorite things to order (especially in the summer). The one they make here is above average. It had a little spice to it and the veggies were diced and whole. Refreshing and perfect for a hot day. Although the breakfast items coming of the kitchen looked really yummy, we opted for some lunch. The Mediterranean Wrap with hummus, seasonal vegetables and sautéed spinach was nice and light. It was served with sweet potato fries that were slightly undercooked, but still a pretty good dish. We also had the Blackened Tuna Salad with mesclun greens, avocado, toasted sesame seeds and honey lime vinaigrette which was delicious and licked clean. 

I enjoyed Toast and will definitely be back here. Ask for the special drinks menu with juices and smoothies that change seasonally. Next time around I'm definitely going for the stuffed french toast. That looked insane. 

This place is a keeper, and good one to know just blocks from the Asbury beach and boardwalk. Get on it. 




Neighborhood: Asbury Park, New Jersey

Bite Mark: ***

Good For: breakfast / lunch, quick bite before the beach, casual, kid-friendly 

Toast, 516 Cookman Ave www.toastasburypark.com