Down the Shore

Vol. 29 - Week of March 29th

March 30, 2026

The beginning of April is a busy one this year. This week brings Easter, the start of Passover, April Fool’s Day, and for college basketball fans, two NCAA Final Four matchups.

With summer getting closer (only 8 more weekends until Memorial Day!), we want to hear from you: what are your favorite restaurants, bars, traditions, or events at the Jersey Shore during the summer?

Reply to this email and let us know. We may feature some of your picks in an upcoming issue.

Field Trip: Sea Bright (Off Season)

With the weather looking up, we’re hitting a unique shoulder season where the Jersey Shore towns most popular during summer season are accessible before the crowds, yet 

Why go now: free parking until May 15th, boardwalk open to your furry friends, and gorgeous views of the NYC skyline in every season.

The town of Sea Bright is best known for its beach clubs and waterfront bars, but for us locals and visitors in the time span outside May to September, there’s still plenty to enjoy.

So park your car for free and follow us down Ocean Avenue, the main road that runs through this barrier island. 

  • Cafe Eleven: This chic coffee shop has a counterpart Jiu Jitsu studio, Eleven, next store. The model is smart as it's a great place to refuel after a workout session. If you’re more into alternative beverages, order the Orange Honey matcha, hot or iced. 

  • Yumi: a sushi and counter omakase spot highly recommended by our friends at Mielou Macarons. We can’t wait to schedule a date night here.

  • Brother’s Daley: this cocktail bar probably hit your feed around the holidays, as they are well known for their festive decor and seasonal tipples. Luckily for us, they like to celebrate all year round. 

  • Anjelica’s: While tough to get reservations, this Southern Italian eatery has been on our bucket list for a while. Since we’re battling it out with local celebrities for a spot (Mike the Situation and his wife are known to dine here), does anyone have a pro tip for us on how to get a table? 

  • The Boardwalk (aka the sea wall): it’s not long, but its unique elevation gives magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline to the north, and ends right at beachfront bar, Donovan’s Reef. Where you were headed anyway….

Weekday Hack: Takeout from the Blonde Shallot

Usually takeout has us initially excited, but leaves us feeling sluggish and greasy. But lately, we’ve found a place for easy weekday grab and go lunches and even easier heat and go dinners: The Blonde Shallot. Their meals are fresh, delicious, and come in individual portions or family size entrees and sides, like tacos, breaded chicken, steak, and broccolini, and veggie fried rice. 

Here are some of our latest lunch orders:

  • The Blonde Chopped Salad - the radicchio, celery, cucumber, and marcona almonds give it a satisfying crunch, topped with provolone and our favorite castelvetrano olives 

  • Chinese Chicken Salad - If you grew up liking the Wendy’s mandarin chicken salad, here’s your adult upgrade

  • Bloomies Salad - the parmesan crusted carrots. No further explanation needed.

  • The Spa Tuna - if you’re a fan of no-mayo tuna, this one’s for you

There are locations in Little Silver, near our home base, and Sea Girt, near our in-laws so we’re covered on either end. They also are available on Doordash for delivery. 

P.S. Readers, anyone know what the “supermodel snack” is? 

Shore Points

Here are a few headlines that caught our eye this week:

Upscale Jersey Shore hotel opens its restaurant to the public: For the first time, The Drawing Room restaurant in the Asbury Ocean Club hotel will be open to the public.

Weekly Forecast

While the week ahead looks like it will be rainy, we’re excited to see a few days with temperatures beginning with 7!

Monday 3/30 - 64°/47° Cloudy

Tuesday 3/31- 72°/56° Light Rain

Wednesday 4/1 - 71°/47° Light Rain

Thursday 4/2 - 46°/43° Light Rain

Friday 4/3 - 59°/47° Light Rain

Saturday 4/4 - 52°/41° Light Rain

Sunday 4/5 - 54°/43° Light Rain

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

Surf Conditions

Mon 3/29

AM: Choppy,1-2 ft

PM: Choppy, 2-3 ft

Tues 3/30

AM: Fair, 2-4 ft

PM: Choppy, 2-4 ft

Weds 3/31

AM: Choppy, 3-4+ ft

PM: Fair, 2-4 ft

Thurs 4/1

AM: Clean, 2-3 ft

PM: Fair, 2-3 ft

Farmer’s Market Roundup

We’re excited for this list to expand as it gets warmer, but shoutout to the Bell Works FRESH Farmers and Makers markets for getting us through the cold weather months!

And if we are missing any other markets, let us know!

Happenings Down the Shore

Below is a curated list of events you can check out this week including an April 1st Full Moon Night Climb at Twin LIghts Lighthouse (how cool) and plenty of live music up and down the Shore!

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

Monday 3/30

Holmdel - Intro to Pickleball Clinic at Bell Works (9:30 am - register here)

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

Red Bank - Jazz Arts Jam Sessions at Triumph Brewing (6 pm)

Spring Lake - Abandoning the Script: Event with Author Linda Rosen! at Thunder Road Books (6 pm - get tix)

Wednesday 4/1

Highlands - April 1st Full Moon Night Climb at Twin Lights Lighthouse (5 pm - learn more)

Thursday 4/2

Red Bank - Skinny Amigo at Jamian’s (8 pm)

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

Red Bank - Ryan Gregg & Friends at Triumph Brewing (8 pm)

 

Friday 4/3

Belmar - Patty C + Dan Apy at Beach Haus (7 pm)

Belmar - Mushmouth at Marina Grille (8 pm)

Holmdel - Kül d'Sac at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm)

Red Bank - The Alt at Jamian’s (9 pm)

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

Red Bank - JO & The Highland Express at Triumph Brewery (8 pm)

Saturday 4/4

Belmar - Run Away Train at Marina Grille (8 pm)

Holmdel - Chris Lynch at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm)

Lincroft - Free Weekend Workshop Series at the Monmouth Museum (11 am)

Oceanport - Charlie Krause at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6:00 pm)

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

Red Bank - Billy Walton Band at Jamians (9 pm)

Red Bank - The Fumos at Triumph Brewery (9 pm)

Wall Township - Easter Celebration at Allaire Village (11 am - get tix)

Sunday 4/5 - Happy Easter!

Red Bank - Jonathan Kirschner Trio at Triumph Brewing (1 pm)

Did we miss an event? Let us know.

Lastly, we’d like to wish a happy birthday to reader James G.!

Thanks for reading and if someone forwarded this to you, please subscribe via the link below. See you next week!