Down the Shore

The heat was on this weekend. We felt like the wilted impatiens on our front porch, but still managed to squeeze in some fun. Our monthly visit to the Fair Haven Farmers Market yielded some fruit—although after this year’s frost, we suspected we took home some pseudo-Jersey peaches. Our favorite impromptu purchase was a carton of fairytale eggplant, which made its way into our Sunday night pasta alla Norma.

We’re also super excited to share a new favorite Friday night pizza spot in Red Bank. The owners moved back to NJ from the Bay Area, and we’re sure glad they did. Huge thanks to the friendly team at Pollara for making our first visit such a memorable one. We’re coming back for the arancini!

New Business Spotlight: Pollara

A few months ago, we mentioned this pizzeria coming to Monmouth Street as one of the Red Bank openings we were most excited about this year. Now, we may be throwing down the gauntlet in the hotly contested pizza debate, but after stopping in Friday night, we’ve declared Pollara the best slice we’ve had in our area.

First, the vibe: Black-and-white tiled floors, a black tin ceiling, simple letter-board menu, and jazz music give the space a classy yet warm atmosphere. Framed family photos covering the walls make it feel like a longtime neighborhood establishment, even though they just moved in. The owner pointed out photos of the team learning to make pizza in Italy, fitting for the Roman-inspired restaurant. We felt like Pollara could have easily fit into our old neighborhood of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

Second, but most important, the food: Pollara offers pizza by the slice or full pies, plus appetizers like arancini with pork ragù. For our first visit, we focused on the foundations: a simple cheese slice, picante (their pepperoni), and mortadella with pistachio pesto. One bite and we were in love. It reminded us of favorites from two places we’ve called home (and two heavy hitters in the pizza world): Pepe’s in New Haven and Lucali in Brooklyn. The ingredients taste incredibly fresh, the underside has a nice char, and our toddler highly approved of the crust.

But it was dessert that left the sweetest final impression: The piping-hot lemon ricotta zeppole are fluffy and surprisingly light, dusted with powdered sugar and crisped to perfection. An order comes with five, so yes, you do have room.

We’d like to offer our sincere condolences for Oakland’s loss, but we have no doubt Red Bank will welcome Pollara with open arms and hungry stomachs in its new home.

Weekly Forecast

Monday 8/10 - 86°/71° Scattered Thunderstorms

Tuesday 8/11 - 86°/72° Light Rain

Wednesday 8/12 - 84°/68° Mostly Cloudy

Thursday 8/13 - 85°/70° Light Rain

Friday 8/14 - 83°/66° Partly Sunny

Saturday 8/15 - 79°/65° Partly Sunny

Sunday 8/16 - 79°/66° Scattered Thunderstorms

And for the surfers out there, here are the weekly surf conditions in Belmar courtesy of Surf Captain:

Farmers Market Roundup

• Holmdel, 8/12: Bell Works FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

• Long Branch, 8/13: West End Farmers Market

• Wall, 8/13: Wall Twp. Farmers Market

• Allenhurst, 8/14: Allenhurst Farmers Market

• Brick, 8/15: Brick Farmers Market

• Highlands, 8/15: Highlands Farmers Market

• Matawan, 8/15: Matawan Farmers & Makers Market

• Asbury Park, 8/16: Asbury FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

• Howell, 8/16: Howell NJ Farmers Market

• Point Pleasant Beach, 8/16: Point Pleasant Beach FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

• Red Bank, 8/16: The Galleria Red Bank Farmers Market

And if there are any markets we should definitely feature this season, let us know!

Happenings Down the Shore

This week, we want to shout-out a number of fun activities happening at Sandy Hook: crafts for kids, running club, free yoga, and Monmouth County history! There's truly something for everyone at Sandy Hook — you can also check out the full list of events here.

As always, if there’s an upcoming event you’d like us to cover, feel free to pass it along!

Monday 8/10

Holmdel - Complimentary Intro to Pickleball Clinic with Jersey Pickleball Club at Bell Works (9:30 am)

Loch Arbor - Trivia Night at Deal Lake Bar + Co (7:30 pm)

Manasquan - BookTowne Welcomes Karin Slaughter, Author of The Secrets We Hide, at the Algonquin Theater (6 pm - get tix)

Oceanport - Weekly Trivia at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6:30 pm)

Point Pleasant Beach - Beach Walk with Jenkinson’s Aquarium staff (6 pm)

Red Bank - Children’s Story Time on BroadWalk (10:30 am)

Tuesday 8/11

Asbury Park - Pat D at Mutiny Beach (4 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Book Club discussing The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See at Holmdel Public Library in Bell Works (10 am)

Point Pleasant Beach - Beach Bingo on the beach in front of Jenkinson’s Aquarium (6 pm)

Red Bank - Steve Delopoulos at Birravino (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Trivia with Jenn at Jamians (7:30 pm)

Wednesday 8/12

Asbury Park - Rodeo Posts at Mutiny Beach (5 pm - live music)

Asbury Park - Bendigo Fletcher at Wonder Bar (7 pm - get tix)

Belmar - Movies on the Beach: The Incredibles (Dusk)

Bradley Beach - Summer Jazz & Blues: Kate Curran (7 pm - live music)

Long Branch - Trivia Night at Beach Bee Meadery (6:30 pm)

Red Bank - Kids Karate on BroadWalk (11 am)

Red Bank - Karaoke at Jamians (8 pm)

Sea Bright - Movies on the Beach: Up (Dusk)

Spring Lake - Spring Lake Summer Nights Block Party on 3rd Avenue in Spring Lake (5 pm - learn more)

Spring Lake - Thunder Road Monthly Book Club + Author Event with NYT Bestselling Author John Searles (6 pm - learn more)

Tinton Falls - Bingo & Brews at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm)

Thursday 8/13

Bradley Beach - Summer Yoga in the Garden at The James Bradley (6:30 pm - get tix)

Holmdel - Miznon Night featuring bites and music from DJ Kraz at Bell Works (5 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Marty Hoski at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - SHF Run Club at Sandy Hook (6:30 pm)

Spring Lake - Big and Lily Event with Author Lisa Roe at Thunder Road Books (6 pm - learn more)

Tinton Falls - Trivia on Tap at Twin Lights Brewing (7 pm)

Friday 8/14

Asbury Park - Force Fed, The Crooks, Sophia at Low Dive (9:30 pm - live music)

Belmar - Friday Night Concert Series: Generations (6 pm - live music)

Belmar - Louis Montesano at Beach Haus Brewing (7 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Carnival Dogs at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - Paul Marino at Deal Lake Bar + Co (5 pm - live music)

Manasquan - Jo Wymer at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm - live music)

Oceanport - Hang Loose Band at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Connor Quigley at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Xol Azul at Jamians (9 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - Recreate250 Capstone Event at Sandy Hook (4 pm - learn more)

Saturday 8/15

Asbury Park - Patty C & The Pints at Low Dive (1 pm - live music)

Bradley Beach - Summer Yoga in the Garden at The James Bradley (7 am - get tix)

Holmdel - Rooftop Yoga at Bar Bella in Bell Works (7:30 am)

Holmdel - Sundown Sessions at Bar Bella: feat. DJ Foggy Notion at Bell Works (5 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Jeiris Clark at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Keyport - Strawberry Festival & Baby Parade at American Legion Drive (1 pm)

Loch Arbor - Brothers Morrisy Trio at Deal Lake Bar + Co (8 pm - live music)

Manasquan - Rhyme & Reason at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm - live music)

Oceanport - Aiden Villa at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Frank Rainey at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - Free Yoga on the Beach (8 am - learn more)

Sandy Hook - Paper Bag Jellyfish Craft at Sandy Hook (12 pm)

Sunday 8/16

Belmar - Michael Cappetto at Beach Haus Brewing (3 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Shayne & Des Music at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - Pam McCoy Duo at Deal Lake Bar + Co (5 pm - live music)

Long Branch - Bands by the Beach: Aguilar Family Band at West End Park (7 pm - live music)

Long Branch - Yappy Hour! at Beach Bee Meadery (3 pm)

Did we miss an event? Let us know.

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