Down the Shore

It’s been an action-packed start to February, with both the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Super Bowl Sunday this weekend. Monmouth County is repping in both.

Rumson’s very own Charlie Puth sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl, and former Monmouth University track star Bryan Sosoo is competing for Team USA as part of the men’s bobsled team.

While it’s perfectly fine to partake as a spectator from your couch in these sub-zero temps, are we ready to forge back out and explore our beloved shore? 

If you are getting a bit stir crazy at home, we’ve got a few recs for places to watch the Olympic games and honor the host country with cozy Italian cuisine, as well as a spotlight on Jersey-made Macarons just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Local Business Spotlight: Mielou Macarons

Big thanks to Melissa Murphy for sharing her story with us! She founded Mielou Macarons with her sister Jennifer in Fair Haven, and they make all of their macarons from scratch locally in Asbury Park. If you know a local business that we should feature, let us know!

Where do you get inspiration for new flavors? 

At our core, Mielou is driven by a commitment to quality, hospitality, and premium handmade products. Everything is entirely house-made, from our raspberry jam to our “Oreo” crumbs made from Guittard Rouge cocoa shortbread. We aim to transform expectations of an American-made French macaron. 

This year, we’re expanding to 35 rotating flavors, including five Korean-inspired specials in April. My inspiration comes from chefs I admire, especially those on the brink of earning Michelin stars when innovation, storytelling, and precision are at their peak. 

Travel plays a significant role in how I think about flavor, from ingredients like perilla leaf (purple mint in Vietnam) to experiences like eating szarlotka (apple pie) in Poland.

I also find inspiration walking through speciality international food markets and in every aspect of fine dining. When I founded Mielou, my goal was to make the magic of the fine-dining more accessible. 

What’s your personal favorite flavor? 

Bananas Foster. It's a complete dessert in a single bite. We caramelize ripe bananas in butter and brown sugar, then flambé them with Plantation Pineapple Rum. It pairs beautifully with our French vanilla buttercream, evoking the experience of ice cream. I’m also especially excited about Baklava Cheesecake coming this fall.

Where Can People Find You? 

You can find Mielou Macarons several ways throughout the year. Our five-pack collections are available in the frozen section at Anderson Market (200 Monmouth Street, Red Bank), and you can add any collection to your Molly Boards order for pickup in Point Pleasant. 

Our larger gift sets and minis are available for pre-order and pickup at our Asbury Park Kitchen (906 Sewall Ave.), as well as various farmers’ markets and pop-up events throughout the year. The most up-to-date schedule is always available on our Instagram. 

What are your favorite spots down the shore?

A few standouts embody the kind of hospitality and quality that inspire me:

• River Pointe Inn (Rumson) - Their sommelier, Michael, is truly outstanding. He takes the time to understand your preferences, keeps notes, and remembers them on your next visit, creating an experience that feels deeply personal. 

• 2nd Jetty (Sea Bright): Ultra-fresh seafood and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. Outdoor tables tucked under the shade make it ideal for summer-night meals.

• Neil's Kitchen (Long Branch): Bold, comforting food done exceptionally well. Their sandwiches are layered, generous, and incredibly satisfying.

• Talula's (Asbury Park): A favorite for both pizza and cocktails. Casual, energetic, and consistently delivers.

• Yumi (Sea Bright): An exceptional counter omakase focused on precision, restraint, and freshness. 

• MOGO Korean Fusion Tacos (Long Branch): Fish and pork tacos are always my go-to, with Asian pear hot sauce and pickled daikon. You can take your food to go and sit right in front of the waves.

Olympics Corner

Whether you’re seeking a place with solid vibes to watch your favorite events, craving a big Italian dinner out from seeing all those gorgeous shots of Milan, or looking for something wholesome and adorable to celebrate with the kids, we’ve got you covered. See who we’re placing on the podium.

Best spots to catch a sporting event:  

• New: Street Kitchen and Pub (Red Bank) 

• Gold: Asbury Ale House (Asbury Park)

• Silver: Dublin House (Red Bank)

• Bronze: River Rock (Brick) 

Best Italian food:

• Gold: Nettie’s House of Spaghetti (Tinton Falls)

• Silver: Undici (Rumson) 

• Bronze: Porta (Asbury Park - P.S. Sunday, Feb 15 they are having a ski lodge-themed day party! See below in our events section.)

Best way to celebrate with the kids: 

• Gold: Fair Haven Library is hosting its 2nd annual “Stuffie Sleepover” on Thursday, February 12. This year is Olympic edition, featuring story time, crafts, and Olympic-themed activities. Kiddos can drop off their plush pals any time between 12 and 4 pm and pick them up on Friday.

Weekly Forecast

One of the perks of cold weather? BBQ on the frozen Navesink courtesy of Local Smoke BBQ.

We appreciate the embrace of this frigid weather, but can’t help but start counting down the weekends until Memorial Day (15 weekends if anyone’s asking).

In the meantime, here’s the weekly forecast:

Monday 2/9 - 28°/9° Sunny

Tuesday 2/10 - 36°/18° Cloudy

Wednesday 2/11 - 40°/29° Sunny

Thursday 2/12 - 34°/23° Partly Sunny

Friday 2/13 - 35°/23° Sunny

Saturday 2/14 - 33°/25° Sunny

Sunday 2/15 - 37°/23° Mostly Cloudy

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

Farmer’s Market Roundup

Even though it’s the dead of winter, there are still some farmer’s markets that are going strong. Here is our weekly roundup of farmers markets to check out:

• Holmdel: 2/11 Bell Works FRESH Valentine’s Day Pop-Ups

• Holmdel: 2/14 Bell Works Fresh Valentine’s Day Pop-Ups

• Holmdel: 2/18 Bell Works FRESH Wednesday Farmers and Makers Market

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

Happenings Down the Shore

Friendly reminder that Valentine’s Day is on Saturday, so we hand-picked plenty of on-theme, heartfelt options for you.

These include a “Puppy Love” Yappy Hour, Valentine’s bingo night, wine tasting, pasta making classes, and even an emo night…if you’re not in the mood for love.

Monday 2/9

Asbury Park - Valentine’s Day Pop-up at Porta (5 pm)

Belmar - Bee’s Pasta & Co Pasta Class at Bakes Brewing Co (6 pm) (get tix)

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

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

Tuesday 2/10

Red Bank - Galentine’s Floral Arranging Workshop at Anderson Market (6:30 pm ) (get tix)

Wednesday 2/11

Long Branch - Valentine’s Bingo at Beach Bee Meadery (6:30 pm)

Red Bank - TedxAsburyPark – Fool’s Paradise at Triumph Brewery (7 pm)

Thursday 2/12

Holmdel - Pour Amour Wine Tasting feat. A Real Human Jazz Band at Bar Bella (5:30 pm)

Long Branch - Valentine’s Trivia at Beach Bee Meadery (6:30 pm)

Red Bank - Gab Cinque Trio at Jamian’s (8 pm)

Red Bank - Behn Gillece Trio at Triumph Brewery (7:30 pm)

Friday 2/13

Asbury Park - MonmouthCountyClub Mingle at Black Swan (7 pm) (join waiting list)

Asbury Park - The Nerds at Wonder Bar (7 pm) (get tix)

Belmar - Stampede at Marina Grill (8 pm)

Holmdel - Tanglewood Duo at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm)

Manasquan - Salt Bros. & Co. at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm)

Red Bank - Valentine’s Wine Sampling at The Wine Cellar (5 pm)

Red Bank - Billy Walton Band at Jamian’s (9 pm)

Red Bank - Jeff Kazee at Triumph Brewery (9 pm)

Saturday 2/14

Asbury Park - Emo Night Brooklyn: Valentine’s Day at The Stone Pony (9 pm) (get tix)

Asbury Park - Vincent Pastore And The Gangster Squad at Wonder Bar (6:30 pm) (get tix)

Belmar - Friend Zone at Marina Grill (8 pm)

Holmdel - Velvet Boutique presents: Get Ready With Us at Bell Works (11 am)

Holmdel - Puppy Love Yappy Hour at Bar Bella (4 pm)

Holmdel - Dave Rimelis Violin at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm)

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

Oceanport - Meg Cannon at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm)

Red Bank - Valentine’s Date Night Pasta Workshop at Anderson Market (6 pm ) (get tix)

Red Bank - Random Test Reggae Band at Jamian’s (9 pm)

Red Bank - Waiting On Mongo at Triumph Brewery (9 pm)

Sunday 2/15

Asbury Park - Swinging Sundays Jazz Night at The Asbury Hotel (7 pm)

Asbury Park - Ski Lodge Day Party with Class Kills at Porta (12 pm) (get tix)

Holmdel - Paul Marino at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm)

Red Bank - Abe Ovadia Trio at Triumph Brewery (1 pm)

Did we miss an event? Let us know.

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