Blogfinger

Heck Avenue block party. Paul Goldfinger Ocean Grove photo. Blogfinger.net

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net.  8/29/24.  Re-post.

I love what NJ.com writer Peter Genovese said about Seaside Heights.  (#25):   “OK, so maybe  Seaside Heights is on here mostly because of its boardwalk.   For liveliness, licentiousness, looniness, libido and all-around low-rent charm, no boardwalk comes close to Seaside.”

My Rutherford High friends and I loved to go to Seaside for all those L’s,  but far and away, at age 16, “libido” wins the prize.  We couldn’t get near the missing link  (liquor) because we were all too young to get into the bars, and that ruined our chance to see some live bands.

But we did live there, however  it was only for one summer when my band  “The Paul Gary Quartet” played fox trots and jitter-bugs  at  a Lavallette bar and restaurant.

We lived in an apartment in Seaside above a garage, but mamma mia, what a summer that was, especially after work. That Seaside boardwalk did stay awake, just for us.

But this list which is supposed to be about the “best” and most livable shore towns is, albeit amusing,  quite a mish-mash.  He didn’t even mention “life-styles.”   And we really shouldn’t be #5 without mentioning some of our strong points.   (See my comment in the “comments” section below.)

5. Ocean Grove.  

By Peter Genovese of NJ.com:

“There is no Jersey town quite like Ocean Grove, the “Jewel of the Jersey Shore.” Oceanfront setting, charming main street (Main Avenue), cute shops, ample restaurants, maybe the state’s most splendid structure (the Great Auditorium).

“And did we mention  100 or so tents residents call home in the summer (rules: no barbecues, no dogs, and definitely no loud music). Ocean Grove, part of Neptune Township, is a dry town, but you can have beer or wine on your tent porch, as long as it’s in a cup (no cans or glasses allowed). They don’t make towns like this anymore.”

Visit: The splendid Great Auditorium; Day’s Ice Cream.

BOB MARLEY

Paris subway. Paul Goldfinger ©. Click to enlarge le plaisir.  (pleasure)

MILES DAVIS SEXTET. featuring John Coltrane (sax)  and Paul Chambers (bass)…”Someday My Prince Will Come.”

Chef Justin Skribner greeted us when we strolled into “Little Gem.” In the back is brother Steve and Grace the server. Click once to enlarge.   Paul Goldfinger, Blogfinger.net

By Eileen and  Paul Goldfinger, Editors, Blogfinger.net from Ocean Grove, New Jersey, USA.

Steve and Justin Skribner grew up in Avon-By-the Sea, a Jersey Shore town with more hyphens than anywhere else.   They love the town, and as the  years  past, they had a dream that someday  they could open a restaurant in A-B-T-S.

Justin  the younger brother became a chef, and he worked  for 15 years  in some high-end restaurants  in New York City.

In recent years they formulated a plan, and they kept their eyes open for a site.  The location they chose was superb at 300 Main Street at the corner with Lincoln,  It is  a bright and cheerful space  with sunshine  pouring inside.

The mural in the back was created by a  local artist, Urté from Asbury Park. It depicts a  lemon tree, and some cardinals can be seen. Ask them to explain the symbolism in the tree.

The Skribner brothers hope to draw on their roots in Avon and have a restaurant that will be a local gathering place. At the same time they hope to have some amazing gourmet dishes to delight diners.

We walked in by chance today (March 25, 2026); it was their 3rd day open, and there was excitement in the air as diners and friends began to stop by.

Justin’s 15 month old daughter was happily running  around, and when Eileen smiled and waved to her, she waved back. “Hey, what about me?”  asked Uncle Steve who was trying to receive one of her smiles.

We also met Grace, the waitress whose parents live in Ocean Grove.  Little Gem is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8-4 for breakfast to lunch; for now.

This is Grace who seemed happy to be part of the joyful opening.

But with the leadership of chef Justin,  the team at “Little Gem” is aiming high  to create  an imaginative and delicious cuisine.   The brothers said that their restaurant will have a French-European style and their culinary variety will  be  evident even more when their dinner menu begins in 4-6 weeks.   For breakfast they have imaginative French style omelettes; steak and eggs;  fried potato skins, chorizo hash, and poached eggs with cheese sauce.

They also have a yogurt ball with berry compote and housemade  granola.

And  there is French toast with rhubarb jam , banana and vanilla.   Breakfast also features Maypink’s pancakes with berry compote and whipped cream.  The menu has more innovative treats. WOW!

This is our fried chicken sandwich lunch which we split, and it was wonderful. You could just look at and know that it would be delicious. The photo shows Eileen’s half of the sandwich.  And there are fresh flowers which we loved.   Blogfinger photo. The coffee is from the Asbury Roastery.

For lunch we shared  the fried chicken sandwich with pepper relish, cole slaw, arugula and lemon aioli, It was served in a triple decker design on a toasted roll with excellent French fries and perfectly prepared  chicken—and it was terrific    There also was a super- duper grilled cheese sandwich on the lunch menu  called “McNorwood Smash” made with an English muffin, American cheese, onion ring, and Russian dressing.

The Skribner brothers are gradually  building up their menu.

There is an air of happiness, optimism, and success  at “Little Gem,”

We will go back and visit “Hyphen Village.”

PETER, PAUL AND MARY:

Mt. Hermon Way. July 2023. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net

Matthew Morrison:  “Neverland.”   Original Broadway cast.

“We can sail away tonight on a sea of pure moonlight
We can navigate the stars to bring us back home
In a place so far away
We’ll be young, that’s how we’ll stay
Every wish is our command
When we find ourselves in Never, Neverland.”

We’ll have three small hot fudge sundaes, and these Days girls made the dream come true. Paul Goldfinger photo 8/11/23.

2024 banner at Days. Blogfinger.net photo.  No Facebook terrorists complained about this banner.

Going alone to Days allows total concentration. Paul Goldfinger photo.    8/2024.

Paul Goldfinger, MD,  Editor Blogfinger.net

Today, a Thursday dusk in August 2024, a large crowd is milling about getting ice cream; mostly families.    Only girls are behind the counter, and there might be some confusion as to who’s next, but it all works out, and there are some unusual sights:  the kid whose ice cream is encrusted with gummy bears, and there is another child  with a cone with blue stripes–called “Birthday Cake.”  And they actually have Rocky Road.

The choice of flavors is remarkable, and Dave seeks out specific varieties  from various  suppliers.  He goes hunting in the off season.

Behind the counter the workers were up for the crowd.   One customer ordered 4 pints of ice cream, each one with a different flavor, and his waitress remembered all 4 in a row–no repetition needed.

Scooping ice cream from those big frozen tubs can stress your flexor muscles, among others, and those young scoopers must feel it at the end of their shifts. Especially tough are milk shakes which are pure ice cream.

FRANK SINATRA and COUNT BASIE.    “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

Days Ice Cream. Ocean Grove 2024. Paul Goldfinger photo Blogfinger.net.

Happiness is Days Ice Cream. Paul Goldfinger photo.

Days. Paul Goldfinger photo and darkroom print.  Blogfinger.net

Paul Goldfinger photo 2025. Blogfinger.net

By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net

We heard this from a reliable source, but it is currently unverified.  Evidently the new owners own Callie’s Creamery of Neptune City—a place known for homemade ice cream.

But they will capitalize on the history of Days in Ocean Grove where the wonderful porch-like setting  and location  are  known by so many visitors.    Days is the oldest business in the Grove.

We are ice cream lovers, and we are very fussy.   The prior owners went out of their way every winter to find the most outstanding sources for their remarkable flavors.  The new owners may hope to be the new Day’s, but presumably they will sell their home made flavors and so there may be a difference, and we will be seeking reviews from long time Days fans.

Blogfinger reporters:   Please send us some facts about this story.  Blogfinger@verizon.net

ANITA O’DAY:

“When the World Was Young.”   3/25/26

Ada is Tommy Shelby’s sister in Peaky Blinders. Paul Goldfnger still photo from Netflix. Click once.

Stephen Sondheim:   “Could I Leave You?”   FOLLIES.  Jan Maxwell.