Blogfinger

Lumberton. North Carolina.    Rt.95 north.    Drive-by photography.   Eileen Goldfinger ©. May, 2020.

TEDDY THOMPSON.        “King of the Road.”

Chef Justin Skribner greeted us when we strolled into “Little Gem.” Eileen’s so hungry she grabbed a menu and sat right down.   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  passed, 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:

FRANK SINATRA:  (See today’s comment–click below 3/30/26)

Bradley Beach downtown. A park for the citizens and housing for most. Paul Goldfinger photo.  1/26/25.  Click once to enlarge.

Paul Goldfinger MD, Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ. USA

Where is the affordable housing in the Grove?   How can young people, OG “Underground,”  find a place to live in the Grove?   How much will the new North End condos cost?

Who is looking out for the young families, workers, students, artists, singles, seniors, disabled  and others who would like to live in our town?

The OG Community Association say that they are about quality of life for our “community” but how do they define “community,” and don’t expect the Neptuners to care.

It’s nearly impossible to find affordable efficiencies or one bedroom apartments in the Grove either for rent or to buy.  And the small cottages are no longer affordable either.

But Bradley Beach has thought about affordable housing (see above) and they have a good supply.  And keep an eye on the transformation of Memorial Drive.  They place their citizens first, and tourism last.

Ocean Grove is a prime location with an ocean, a unique history, special architecture, nearness to 2 big cities and A. Park, but there is no diversity, and a large number of folks are over 60.  There are no other towns like ours,  and who will monitor our need for more affordable  housing?

UPDATE:   From the Asbury Park Press 2/6/25:

“Some 40% of Monmouth and Ocean County towns are pushing back against New Jersey’s newly calculated affordable housing obligations, a review by the Asbury Park Press has found, offering to build far fewer units than the state has assigned them or simply removing themselves from the program altogether.”

A Blogfinger  review of this article reveals that Neptune Township is negotiating with the State over this issue, and Ocean Grove is not mentioned in the charts.

Affordable housing mandated for Neptune probably won’t pay attention to the Grove.  But the “Association”  formerly known as the “OGHOA”   has removed all references to “homes” on their new and vaguely titled “Ocean Grove Community Association.”

At least their prior name made reference to a specific interest, but now they need to define what they mean by “community.”

So which OG entity will concern itself with our shortage of affordable housing?

And by the way, who is monitoring the demographics in our town besides the census?  Such data is critical for planning the Grove’s future  life styles.

KEELY SMITH:

Nancy and Seamus 8/12/21. Dusk.  Paul Goldfinger photographs for Blogfinger.net © Click image to enlarge.

“The Agony of Defeat.” Test driving our sand washers. Blogfinger.net I suggested one of them should run for mayor.

EMMY ROSSUM:

JEAN BREDIN reports from the OG Live Nativity. 12//6/25:

The Live Nativity was almost full capacity.
It was very beautiful, visually and musically.

After the performance, as we left the Great Auditorium, there was the Christmas Tree lighting and Victorian carolers.

One of the best nights in Ocean Grove.

Jean Bredin, Blogfinger.net, attends the OG Live Nativity. “Angels we have seen on high.”  Dec 6, 2025.  The Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ, USA.   Jean’s video below.

JOHN RUTTER AND THE CAMBRIDGE SINGERS.   “A Gaelic Blessing”

 Ocean Grove. 2022. Paul Goldfinger photo.

Michelle Branch.  “Strange”

Boys and  their toys, playing in the sand. March 26,2026,  2pm . Paul Goldfinger photo. Ocean Grove beach. 

From HBO’s TREMÉ.  “Spring Can Really Hang  You Up The Most.”

David Torkanowsky (piano) and Lucia Micarelli

And here is Karrin Allyson with a version with words: