Down the Shore

This past weekend we jetted pretty far down the Shore (ahem, the entire East Coast) to spend time with family in Miami. While we’re missing our loved ones and the 80-degree weather already, we’re excited to share an interview this week with Bret Morgan, co-founder of Marée, a new restaurant coming this summer to Spring Lake.

And in a fitting coincidence, we realized our past two interviewees have both plugged FINS TropiCali Cuisine as one of their favorite Shore spots. Good to know where to go when we’re craving a little tropical escape closer to home.

Coming Soon to the Shore: Marée

We’ve been peering into the windows of the vacant bank building in downtown Spring Lake on recent visits, eagerly awaiting the restaurant soon to inhabit it. So we were especially excited to catch up with Bret Morgan, co-founder (along with Marilyn Schlossbach) of Marée, which plans to open its doors this summer.

The name means “tide” in French, and as big fans of a local Shore theme, we’re counting down the days until we can pull up a chair at this coastal-inspired newcomer to 3rd Avenue.

For people just hearing about Marée, how would you describe the concept?

Marée is a neighborhood bistro and bar. Elevated, but accessible, and the kind of place you want to come back to regularly, whether that’s for dinner once a week, drinks a night or two, or even Sunday brunch. Everything Marilyn and I focus on centers around community, and that’s something we intend to bring to Marée as well.

We read in your spring update email that Marée is in a 1940s bank building! Are there any fun details or original elements that guests should keep an eye out for?

We recently uncovered marble tile underneath about five layers of old flooring. We were able to scrape it out, and we’re planning to restore it in the vault, which is a pretty special detail.

We’re excited to see Mike Smithling from Judy’s at the St. Laurent as Executive Chef — what will he bring to the menu?

We’re really excited to have Mike on the team. We’re still keeping the menu under wraps for now, but one of the things I think he brings to the project is a shared love for sourcing provisions locally and responsibly, and that’s going to be reflected in the menu.

As an entrepreneur, what makes this moment an exciting time to be building at the Jersey Shore? (Bret is also founder of FRESH markets and Cowerks, among other projects) 

I’ve been building businesses in Monmouth County since I moved here in 2004, and I’ve always felt it was an exciting place to build. Since COVID, though, it feels like it’s gotten one or two orders of magnitude busier.

Busy summer seasons have turned into busy springs, falls, and holidays, and even the winter months have more life to them now. It’s exciting to be part of that and to work alongside so many talented people.

Lastly, what does your perfect summer day at the Shore look like?

For me, it would start with early morning yoga at Ebb & Flow Yoga or pool time with Jersey Shore Masters. Then coffee to-go from Cafe Volan, bike rides with my wife and kids to Asbury FRESH and her shop, Sanctum Handmade, in downtown Asbury to check in, lunch at Fins in Bradley Beach, more bike rides or a late afternoon beach session, and then dinner at Kaya’s Kitchen in Belmar.

 
If you have a business you’d like us to feature, let us know by responding to this email!

Shore Points

Two of our favorite things — coffee and ice cream — are getting some new offerings in Red Bank. Check them out:

The first NJ location of Scoop N Scootery opens in Red Bank: Lines were down East Front Street this weekend as the beloved Boston-founded ice cream shop noted for its “over-the-top” customizable sundaes opened its doors this past weekend.

Aura Coffee (with locations in Linden and Cranford) will be opening their Red Bank location in May. As coffee enthusiasts, we’re excited for another option in downtown Red Bank!

Weekly Forecast

We don’t want to talk about it…

Monday 4/27 - 59°/45° Sunny

Tuesday 4/28- 55°/46° Light Rain

Wednesday 4/29 - 55°/49° Cloudy

Thursday 4/30 - 56°/45° Rain

Friday 5/1 - 55°/44° Mostly Cloudy

Saturday 5/2 - 52°/43° Light Rain

Sunday 5/3 - 59°/43° Partly Sunny

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

Farmer’s Market Roundup

• Holmdel: 4/29 Bell Works FRESH Wednesday Farmers and Makers Market

• Asbury Park: 5/3: Asbury FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

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

Happenings Down the Shore

Some of the events that are standing out to us this week are a Revolutionary-era tea party in Fair Haven, guided tours of a top secret missile site on Sandy Hook, and a pasta making 2.0 class at The Anderson Market for those ready to go beyond the basics.

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

Monday 4/27

Belmar - Sunset Yoga on the Rooftop at Beach Haus (6:30 pm - get zen)

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

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

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

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

Tuesday 4/28

Lakewood - Jersey Shore Blue Claws vs. the Hudson Valley Renegades at Shoretown Ballpark (6:35 pm - get tix)

Long Branch - Book Bedazzling by Renegade Book Club at Beach Bee Meadery (6 pm)

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

Wednesday 4/29

Red Bank - Karaoke at Jamians (8 pm)

Red Bank - Jazz Arts Café – Havana Nights Gala ft. Arturo O’Farrill & La Manga at Triumph Brewing (6 pm - live music)

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

Thursday 4/30

Holmdel - Sundown Sessions with DJ Robbie Woodside at Bar Bella in Bell Works (5 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Pasta 2.0 Workshop hosted by Bee’s Pasta & Co at The Anderson Market (6 pm - get tix)

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

Red Bank - Erez Lirov at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Charles Tyler Trio at Triumph Brewing (8 pm - live music)

Spring Lake - The Summer I Found You Book Event with Author Jennifer O'Brien at Thunder Road Books (6 pm)

Tinton Falls - Trivia on Tap at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm)

Friday 5/1

Belmar - The Snark Twins at Beach Haus (7 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Doug Hunter at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm - live music)

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

Oceanport - Doug Kaetz at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Black Ties at Jamian’s (9 pm - live music)

Red Bank - James Larsen at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Kevin Hill & Secret Sound at Triumph Brewery (9 pm - live music)

Tinton Falls - Open Mic Night- Hosted by Tim Enny at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm)

Saturday 5/2

Belmar - Emo in Bloom on the Rooftop at Beach Haus (5 pm - live music)

Fair Haven - Patriot's Parlor Tea Party at Smart Start (12 pm - get tix)

Holmdel - Cranston Dean at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - Kick Start at Deal Lake Bar + Co (8 pm - live music)

Oceanport - Quincy Mumford at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

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

Red Bank - Dead Bank at Jamians (9 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Red123 at Triumph Brewery (9 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - Nike Missile Radar Site Tour at Sandy Hook State Park (12 pm)

Sunday 5/3

Belmar - Mike Oregano at Beach Haus (2 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Brendan Brophy at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Spring Lake - NYT Bestselling Author Alka Joshi at Thunder Road Books (3 pm)

On Deck

May 6th: Red Bank - Floral Arranging Workshop by Fleur de Mer at The Anderson Market (6:30 pm)

May 14th: Asbury Park - Agave Spirits Club Tasting Event at Barrio Costero (5 pm)

Did we miss an event? Let us know.

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