Nagle’s counter. Paul Goldfinger photo.©
Coffee at the bakery on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove. 2013 © Paul Goldfinger photo
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
This news is unofficial, but a well placed source has told us that the Pizza Shoppe has been sold and will be replaced by a pizza place that will also serve other sorts of items on the menu such as sandwiches. In addition they will have a “coffee bar” and will continue their outside seating. This may turn out to be the closest thing for now to a “real coffee shop” in town. (such as the America’s Cup or the Barbaric Bean.) Coffee shops have become a sort of cultural go-to place across this country, and that is why most happening downtowns have such shops.
The source pointed out that you can already buy coffee at the OG Bakery, Nagle’s, and the Daily Bread, and that is true, but it’s not quite the same.
The other location of interest, i.e. the site of the former Barbaric Bean, will become a Cuban restaurant. That seems odd because there already are two: one on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. (Cubacan); and the other is the Cuban Café at Memorial and 3rd Ave. in Asbury Park
As far as the totally burned out property at 50 Main, currently an empty lot, there is no sign of construction, but Yvonne’s, we are told, is coming back and will even have a second floor.
Our source tells us that there is a “real need” for more eateries in town, because when the town is hopping, such as on a summer Saturday night, people are walking around with their tongues hanging out, looking for a casual bite.
Tea time at Nagle’s. Paul Goldfinger photo ©
ASTRUD GILBERTO “Summer Samba”
Cubacan has actually expanded. They have a variety of dishes from different Latin American countries. The Cuban Cafe in Asbury looks kind of fast food-like. Yvonne’s is reopening in Neptune City, by the Rt. 35 bridge to Belmar.
I think it will be nice to have another restaurant in town. The Barbaric Bean used to be a cool little place to hear live music and get a coffee or pastry, at night in the summer. It was also a gathering place about ten years ago, where you could put up flyers and the like. It’s too bad it’s gone.
The little coffee shop in the alley known as Wall St is also an option.
I believe the Pizza.Shop has already reopened. I picked up some menus on Saturday. And they deliver too.
Thought that Cubana in AP is closing.