We found a few summer treasures during our travels this afternoon. July 9, 2019. Blogfinger photo © Ocean Grove
Matt’s Farm Market, 1740 Hwy. 71, West Belmar* has always been a wonderful place to find Jersey produce. When we arrived today, a big truck was there unloading fresh goods.
The Jersey tomatoes were fine, but we expect that they will be even better as the North Jersey crop rolls in in August. The Arkansas fruits were excellent, but Matt’s ran out of them quickly and permanently. We wondered how the recent rains affected the Jersey crop–time will tell.
Tomatoes from South Jersey have arrived at Matt’s. They also had some from Arkansas. $2.59 per pound for beefsteak tomatoes. Blogfinger photo. © Matt’s Market. 7/9/19
Eileen (R) and sister Hope explore Matt’s wide variety of produce. 7/9/19. People think they are twins, but not. Blogfinger photo.
We also got some beautiful sweet white Jersey corn, N. Carolina peaches (not so good,) sweet Jersey blueberries (a bit soft, but good,) and Vidalia onions from Georgia. The onions can be stored in a dry cool place for a long while. The season may be running out now. There also were pears from Chile. (That doesn’t mean that you have to buy them in two’s)
While we were in the vicinity, we landed at the fabulous nursery L.B. Forcellati and Sons in Wall along Rt. 35 south. Eileen’s sister Hope found some lovely and delicate flowering plants to take back to Maryland. Two of them were especially beautiful including echinacea and heuchera (coral bells). Forcellati has a huge selection.
On the way back to the Grove, we landed at the Italian Bakery (Del Ponte’s) in Bradley Beach, near the train station. There is no trouble parking over there. I wanted a couple of their iced raisin coffee buns, but there was only one left. You need to go there early for that.
A woman was picking up a white birthday cake, made to order. I asked her what was inside, and she said, “cannoli cream.” Wow! We recently got a birthday cake for me there. All chocolate inside and out, with fudge icing outside and chocolate pudding inside. Wonderful! Noah had his first taste of chocolate cake that day.
While there we stopped at the amazing old fashioned hardware store across from the Bradley train station. Stewart’s old fashioned Hardware store is at 703 Brinley Street. It is worth a visit.
Stewart’s in Bradley Beach. Blogfinger photo. They specialize in glass and screen repairs.
And don’t forget the marvelous “Back in Time Café” at the Bradley Train station where Grover Reenie Van Buren holds court with breakfast and lunch–a very fresh, delicious and innovative menu all in a cozy and unique location.
Link to our BF article about Back in Time Cafe´below.
BENNY GOODMAN from the soundtrack of The War (KEN BURNS.) with PEGGY LEE “We’ll Meet Again.”
* Directions to Matt’s: Take Memorial Drive to Rt 35 and continue south across the bridge. Keep left and turn left onto Rt. 71 by the Dairy Queen. Continue a short ride to Matt’s on the left . There is a small gravel lot in front, but you can also park in the strip mall next door. They take credit cards.