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Chef Justin Skribner greeted us when we strolled into “Little Gem.” Eileen’s so hungry she grabbed a menu and sat right down, forgetting to take off her coat. .  This is an inviting place.  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.       To post a comment, send it to Blogfinger@verizon.net.  Not all comments are published.

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.

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)