Arts, Entertainment, Dining &GUIDE 2018 TheJOURNAL Check out this month’s special section for places to go, things to do and dining destinations. Arts, Entertainment, Dining &GUIDE 2018 BY LORI DRAZ2017 Summer is here at the Jersey Shore. There is a reason this magnificent area is known all over the country as a recreation hotspot. Nobody does fun like we do. Dining, theater, thrills, relaxing, sports, surf, dancing, you name Aqua Rentz Boat Rentals at it, we do it – Jersey Shore style! We present our arts, entertainment & dining guide to give you a sample of Ocean Beach Marina 3245 Route 35 South, Lavallette the many wonderful ways to celebrate a summer day and Aqua Rentz 732-597-1957 Ocean Beach Marina 732-793-7460, Ext. 34 night. Get out and enjoy! Aquarentz.com Open seven days a week, beginning at 8 a.m. If you’ve dreamed of being a boat owner, at least for a day or two, you can rent your choice of a great lineup of powerboats and pontoon boats at Aqua Rentz Boat Rentals in Lavallette. Spend the day fishing, get the greatest tan of the summer, or cruise and fish in the Barnegat Bay. Your powerboat options include bowriders, center consoles, and pontoon boats 26 West on the Navesink that can accommodate parties of up to 10 passengers. Aqua Rentz offers half-day, full-day, and multi-day rentals based on your preferences. No boat- 26 West Front St., Red Bank er’s license required, but you must be at least 25 years old. Prohibited are 732-383-5664 drugs, alcohol and tow sports. 26westonthenavesink.com Celebrate, relax, or treat your out-of-town guests to a real slice of the Open Monday 4 to 10 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday noon to 10 p.m.; Jersey Shore. You can even pick up breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Chan- Thursday noon to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday noonCheck to midnight; out this month’s special section for places to go, nel Marker Café, also at the Ocean Beach Marina. Be the captain of your ship Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. things to do and dining destinations. at Aqua Rentz at Ocean Beach Marina. A taste of Nantucket on the Navesink awaits you at 26 West on the Navesink. With the gorgeous backdrop of the spectacular Navesink River, 26 West on the Navesink offers coastal cuisine, two bars with a huge wine and beer selection and craft cocktails, along with a raw bar, Happy Hour specials and early week dining specials. The cool blue and white interior offers you numerous dining and congregating areas, including a main dining room, cozy alcoves, two private party rooms, and a new rooftop dining room for an Blu Grotto Beer Garden and Ristorante unparalleled view of Red Bank’s most breathtaking sights. 200 Port Au Peck Ave., Oceanport In addition to their regular menu, they have gluten and allergy sensi- 732-571-7900 tive menus. They also have daily specials, like a Monday through Friday “Appy Blugrottonj.com Hour” from 4 to 7 p.m. with a selection of appetizers and $5 alcoholic bever- Open Wednesday and Thursday noon to 9 p.m.; Friday noon to 10 p.m.; ages. Every Monday is All You Can Eat Mussel Monday in your choice of a red, Saturday 5 to 10 p.m.; Sunday 4 to 9 p.m. white wine and garlic, or a lemon grass saffron cream with one free glass of wine or beer. On Tuesday, it’s half off at the raw bar and specially priced rose Check out the Beer Garden at Blu Grotto, Oceanport’s nighttime enter- wines. Wednesday is two for $20 burgers and half off drafts. Thursday is a tainment destination. wine and cheese pairing night, and $3 off Fat Tires on Fridays. Located on the grounds of Monmouth Park Racetrack, the Beer Garden 26 West on the Navesink is the perfect spot to relax, celebrate, and breath in the beauty of the Navesink. continued on page 36 2 THE JOURNAL | JUNE 2018 | TheJournalNJ.com Arts, Entertainment Dining GUIDE at Blu Grotto is open Thursday thru Sunday all summer long. With nightly food and drink specials including house-made, authentic piz- zas and other Italian specialties, the Beer Garden at Blu Grotto is the perfect summer spot for a relaxed night out. Over 20 beers are on tap at the Beer Garden, and everything is served in a relaxed, yet sophisticated, environment. Nightly entertain- ment includes many local bands. Whether you’re looking for a spot to hang out after a day at the races, or a place to spend a relaxed Friday night, the Beer Garden at Blu Grotto has something for everyone. For those looking for an elegant dinner, look no further than Blu Grotto Ristorante, located directly above the Beer Garden. Blu Grotto Now servesOpen modern andfor classic adaptationsthe Season! of regional Italian classics, hand- made and imported pastas, fresh seafood, and prime steaks Tuesdays through Sundays. The state-of-the-art restaurant also features a deep and eclectic wine and cocktail list, served in an environment that has to be seen to be ming Summer 201 believed. Co 8 Dinner reservations are recommended. Call 732-571-7900 or via Open Table. SHREWSBURY 454 SHREWSBURY PLAZA Book Your Special Event Now! Greens and Grains is a fully plant based quick service PartiesThe Channel from 20-100 Marker People Café restaurant using fresh, clean, local and organic ingredients Let our breathtaking backdrop3245 Route and 35 friendly South, Ocean staff Beach make Marina your partyin Lavallette one you’ll 732-793-7559 SALADS • GRAINS BOWLS • WRAPS • SANDWICHES • COLD-PRESSEDnever JUICE forget. We’ll help you with every detail, you just send out the invitations! channelmarkercafe.com SMOOTHIES • ACAI BOWLS • BREAKFAST MENU • COFFEE For parties contact: Jason (732) 232-1169 Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week gift cards B Y O B Available The real spirit of the Jersey Shore awaits you at the Channel THEMarker FUN Café. TheSTARTS casual, friendly, MAY and delicious 3RD locale is right on the channel,Thursday behind - theSunday Ocean for Beach dinner Marina., They made a lot of changes (Thursdayto bring from you 4:00 more - 9:00 ofp.m., what Friday you from love. 4:00 New - 10:00 Executive p.m.) Chef Mark Longo Open for breakfast,promises lunch many newand and dinner exciting on menu Saturday surprises, & Sunday in addition to all (Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.) your favorites like the freshest fish in the area, big beautiful salads, andMake the best Your fish Reservationand chips this side Today! of Boston. There’s a refreshed dé- cor and even(732) a raw bar.793-7559 3245Channel Route Mark 35er S Café• Lavallette, is open again NJ for breakfast, lunch, and din- ner, seven days a week. Enjoy one of the most scenic locations and the most gorgeous sunsets in the area. Dine indoors, outdoors on the wrap- around deck, even on your boat. The Channel Marker has plenty of choic- es for kids, dock and dine, daily specials, and live entertainment every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can have a quick bite to go, savor a seafood lunch of dinner, try out their signature burgers (with a special blend of beef ground ex- clusively for them), share some tasty appetizers, and relax. The Chan- VISIT OUR OTHER LOCATIONS nel Marker Café can even host your next party of up to 50 people, and ∙ GALLOWAY, NJ ∙ *NORTHFIELD, NJ ∙ *MARGATE, NJ your guests will never forget the easy, breezy waterfront fun. *EXPRESS LOCATION You will love the food, the boats, the view, and lots more. Just bring the bottle, they’ll supply the buckets along with plenty of smiles! WWW.GREENSANDGRAINSNJ.COM [email protected] continued on page 38 4 THE JOURNAL | JUNE 2018 | TheJournalNJ.com Arts, Entertainment Dining GUIDE Open Every Thursday-Sunday • Outdoor Dining and Entertainment • Nightly food and drinks specials. Authentic Italian pizza oven. BBQ grills. • 20 Draft Beers FINE DINING • Live entertainment daily including live bands and DJs by Rock the House Entertainment • Blu Grotto Ristorante Open Tuesday-Sunday • All-Glass Conservatory Dining Room • Three Large Patios • Serving Regional Italian Favorites, Hand-Made Pastas, Fresh Seafood & Prime Steak • Eclectic Wine List and Artisanal Cocktails • Reservations available via Open Table Thursday/Friday – 4pm to closing Saturday/Sunday – 12pm to closing 200 Port Au Peck Avenue, Oceanport NJ • 732-571-7900 Visit blugrottonj.com for more information. THE JOURNAL | JUNE 2018 | www.TheJournalNJ.com 5 Blu Grotto the Journals ad.indd 1 5/7/18 12:45 PM Community YMCA The Gravity Vault At 166 Maple Ave., Red Bank, 732-741-2504 37 Kanes Lane, Middletown At 201 Broad St., Matawan, 732-566-9266 732-856-9599 At 3911 Herbertsville Road, Wall, 732-836-9177 www.gravityvault.com/locations/middletown-nj For general information, hours, camp information and more, visit EMAIL [email protected] theCommunityYMCA.org/bestsummerever Open Monday through Friday 12:00 to 10:00 p.m., Saturday and EMAIL [email protected] or CALL 732-671-5505 Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The best summer ever happens at YMCA Camp. The Community YMCA The Gravity Vault is an indoor rock climbing facility in Middletown is offering kids their best summer ever through enriching camp activities offering two great options for campers this summer. Camp Rocks is a full and learning experiences to help them get more out of the summer break week of fun and climbing for ages 7-14, open to both beginners and ad- – more learning, more exploration and more achievement.