Edit: I take it back! That comment was about Mi Cabana on Asbury Avenue. So I have ZERO Intel for you!
Stopped at Toast in Asbury on Friday afternoon on our way home from AC. I know there are a few people here not too keen on their brand. Personally, I went to the Red Bank one two or three years ago at 1 PM and was rudely told “We’re closed” despite several tables eating and their sign saying 2 PM. I didn’t have to argue-- that was enough for me. I’ve avoided all of their locations since.
Well, Friday’s late breakfast was superb. I’m not big on breakfast places in general, but my carrot cake pancakes were outrageous. I honestly cannot think of an adequate way to describe how good they were. These pancakes had the taste and texture of actual carrot cake, not just a similar flavor. Served with extra cream cheese frosting and warm maple syrup put it over the top. I also had a side of maple bacon. Justin had the brie and bacon omelette which he also loved. There were whole chunks of brie inside, including the rind-- why do people always get rid of that? Very filling. Neither of us finished (and I absent-mindedly left our to-go containers on the table). Great coffee too. If I still had the blog, I’d give it 4/5 stars.
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Happy you enjoyed it… I can’t lie – I’ve never been in there, because I haven’t been to the one in Montclair a few times, I found it completely mediocre. The place does great business, but the next time you’re here for brunch, give Cardinal Provisions a shot too!
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Man, that sounds amazing. In high school and through college, I waited tables at a little restaurant (now gone) called The Rosemont Cafe. It was a funky little spot that I loved. Part of the thrill of the job, was you could order anything you wanted for your shift meal and I loved when they would do a fruit and brie omelette special. Perfectly ripe peaches, pears or apples based on the season. OMG. Sides of these incredible rosemary potatoes and a fat slab of bread du jour. Hungry just thinking about it.
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A wonderful night at Kim Marie’s in Asbury Park! We started with the jalapeño wontons, which were delicious. My pub steak was perfectly cooked and a huge portion which I was not expecting. Also, an excellent martini, in which the bartender just swirled the vermouth in the shaker and out it went. Would highly recommend for the trifecta of food, drink, and atmosphere.
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I haven’t been to Kim Marie’s in years, the food was horrible last time we gave it a try.
Has it really improved that much that we need to revisit?
I think our last visit was a Christmas eve a few years ago (pre Covid)after going to a party and it was just bad, and I was drunk and thought it was bad lol.
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I was surprised to see this from @gcaggiano too - I have friends who love KM’s and am honest that although it’s just a few blocks from me, it’s never on my food radar. The biggest reason for me is the atmosphere - dark and dungeony (which I know Greg loves!). I’ve also had too many instances of smelling dirty rags in there, even when I wasn’t sitting at the bar. It’s probably close to a year since I was there, so maybe something changed? That said, it’s a great spot for sitting outside, as it’s dog friendly.
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Can’t speak for what was in the past, but last night was phenomenal.
Its not fine cuisine but $25 for a steak of that quality/size is a homerun.
The wontons were homemade with fresh jalapeños.
And the bartender put a lot of care into my martini. I would go back.
(And yes, the dark atmosphere was right up my alley)
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I also want to add that the carrot and string bean mixture that accompanied the steak was also fresh. I know the crunch/snap of fresh veggies compared to frozen.
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Shucked by Local 130 - anyone try this yet in Convention Hall?
I haven’t but my friends (who I trust) are raving about it. Always looks like they’re doing good business when I walk through, too.
Went to Shucked Friday night. It was a warm day and plenty of people still on the beach after 6 pm. On an in-season Friday night with Asbury Fest occurring just across the street, Convention Hall was not all that busy. No problem being seated at an about 1/3 full Shucked. Started with two of each of the six oysters available with the Prince Edward Island being the standout. Also started with an excellent Fluke crudo special in coconut milk among other ingredients. For mains she had the linguine with clams and I had the market fish which was halibut over black rice with veggies. The halibut was a great piece of fish and was perfectly cooked. We passed on the single dessert offering of a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream. Very good service, but a hiccup or two with timing of our bar drinks but all forgiven by the very good food. Leaving at around 7:30 pm, Mutiny BBQ also had plenty of available tables which was surprising. Will definitely return to Shucked.
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Ok, we had friends in town from New Orleans that visited so they could go see the Black Keys Saturday night.
Sunday we were looking for someplace to grab a late breakfast/lunch before they headed to the airport and a mutual friend suggested we swing by Kim Marie’s.
Six of us, got the Irish egg rolls, my wife said they tasted like they haven’t changed the oil out in the fryer in a while
Brussel sprouts, all said these were good, pierogis, everyone loved these, I had the blackened steak bites, which were good.
Wife got bangers and mash, said they were ok, I had a burger, not bad, fries were soggy.
Their painkiller was good, so good I had a couple.
I can see returning for drinks, but I just don’t get the constant recommendations I see from people. Maybe it’s the value compared to other places.
On a side note, our neighbors in New Orleans travel around selling merch at music festivals and one of their stops is Sea Hear Now. I told them to give us a call when they were here so we could get together for a drink and grab some food, they said “sounds good, we can go to Kim Marie’s” lol
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Ha! That’s pretty consistent with my handful of experiences there. 
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From day one I have never been back. The food is just not that good. Don’t know why it is recommended by some
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I wonder if it’s because it’s the only place on the ‘north’ end of town…?
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That may have something to do with it.
