Down the Shore

Restaurant Spotlight: Pascal and Sabine

We visited this European-style brasserie in Asbury Park (601 Bangs Street) on the eve of New Year’s Eve, and we’re so glad we did. It ended up being one of our favorite meals of 2025.

The Vibe: You can dress up for a cozy booth, or go a little more casual at the bar and it works either way. The dark romantic mood lighting in the evening makes it a great date night pick (Valentine’s Day is only a month away!) but we’ve heard it’s also a standout brunch spot. 

The Menu: Our recommendation is to start with the half dozen oysters paired with a martini or cocktail of your choice. The escargot in a garlic parsley butter sauce had us shamelessly asking for more bread to mop up every last morsel. We also loved the duck liver mousse with apple mostarda and crostini for a starter. But the real star of the show was the venison in huckleberry sauce with rainbow carrots and a potato puree. It was a special that night, so unfortunately not a menu regular but if it makes a return, do not hesitate. We were eyeing the steak frites or a burger as backup, and judging by nearby tables, you can’t go wrong with those either. For dessert, the milk chocolate caramel pot de creme was the perfect light yet decadent finale. 

The Bottom Line: Exquisite food, warm service, and a room you want to linger in make Pascal and Sabine the kind of place that reminds you why dining out feels so special.

Field Trip: Off-Season Guide to Manasquan

This southern Monmouth County town booms with visitors in the summer, but for those of us here year-round, there are still plenty of treasures to uncover. There’s also a large, free public parking lot just behind Main Street which makes visiting a breeze. Tip: If you’re heading there on a weekend, Saturday is your best bet, as some shops are closed on Sundays.

History: The town gets its name from the Lenni Lenape (“Man a Squaw Han” meaning stream of the island of Squaws). It was first settled as part of Shrewsbury in the late 1600s and officially incorporated as a borough in 1887 after being formed from parts of Wall Township. Today, Manasquan has just over 6,000 residents and spans a mere 2.5 square miles. Want to know more? The Squan Village Historical Society Museum is open Mondays and Thursdays from 1:30-4, and the second Sunday of every month from 1-4 PM. 

Eat: 

• The Committed Pig: Casual, family-friendly burgers and breakfast

• Paramount Diner: A classic NJ diner, need we say more?

• Blend on Main: Slightly fancier steaks and seafood

• Joe Leone’s: An amazing deli for sandwiches and prepared foods

Fuel

• Batch on Main: Coffee and non-coffee specialties, plus desserts and gifts. Try the Marshmallow Matcha.

• Green Planet: More standard coffee fair than Batch, but more space if you need to work or meet a friend. 

Shop:

• Charlotte West: Baby and children’s boutique filled with adorable clothes and toys

• Red Balloon: Children’s consignment shop 

• Quinnderella’s: Good ole’ fashioned toy store (their hand-painted piggy banks make great gifts!) 

• Lucki Clover: Trendy clothing boutique (also has a location in Red Bank) 

• Brave New World: Surf shop outpost

• BookTowne: cozy bookstore with fun gifts and gorgeous journals/notebooks

Move: 

• Edgar Felix Memorial Bikeway: On milder winter days, ride from town all the way to Allaire State Park. If you work up an appetite, grab a pork roll, egg, and cheese at Allenwood General Store along the route.

Groove: 

Algonquin Arts Theatre: Catch a show for a great indoor activity during the colder months. They offer a Broadway Series, comedy, and live music.

🌤️ Weekend Forecast

🌨️ Thursday 1/15 - 42°/26° Rain and Snow

🌨️ Friday 1/16 - 33°/26° Snow

🌧️ Saturday 1/17 - 42°/30° Light Rain

🌨️ Sunday 1/18 - 35°/24° Snow

🍅 Farmer’s Market Roundup

Here’s our weekly roundup of farmers markets to check out:

• Holmdel: Wednesday 1/14 Bell Works Fresh Market

• Red Bank: Sunday 1/18: Red Bank Farmers Market

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

🎸 Light of Day Winterfest 2026

The Light of Day Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to raising money and awareness for Parkinson’s disease, as well as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

They host an annual music festival kicking off next week, with events at legendary Asbury Park venues, and a main concert in Red Bank featuring Johnny Rzeznik, lead singer and songwriter of the Goo Goo Dolls.

If you’re looking to support an incredible cause and catch some great live music, learn more here.

🎷 Live Music Roundup

Friday 1/16

Asbury Park - Light of Day: Acoustic Carousel at Low Dive (8 pm)

Belmar - Moondoggie at Marina Grill (8 pm)

Holmdel - DJ Jaden's 70s Disco Party at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm)

Manasquan - Paul Marino Duo at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm)

Red Bank - The Cliffs at Jamian’s (9 pm)

Red Bank - Flavio Silva Quartet at Triumph Brewery (8:30 pm)

Saturday 1/17

Asbury Park - Light of Day: Asbury Park Now feat. Bri Ellison, Corinne Pines, Blaise, The Foes of Fern (9 pm)

Holmdel - Rob B at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm)

Manasquan - Brue Crew at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm)

Red Bank - Light of Day Winterfest 2026 Main Event at the Count Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre. (6:30 pm)

Red Bank - Chuck Lambert Band at Jamian’s (9 pm)

Red Bank - JO & The Highland Express at Triumph Brewery (8:30 pm)

Sunday 1/18

Asbury Park - Light of Day: Songwriters by the Sea at Palmetto (3 pm)

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

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

Did we miss a show? Let us know.