In news that’s totally irrelevant to me, Moonstruck an Asbury Park mainstay for over 30 years has been sold.Previous owners were really good guys but I never entered the current location for some reason. The old location was fun though.
2 Likes
I went once, not long after we moved to AP in 2012, so it would likely have been in 2013ish. We never returned.
Hopefully the new folks improve on the food
After thinking why I never went when they moved from Ocean Grove to AP it was because they never took reservations and the lines were too long for a table.Never understood the attraction of Moonstruck.
Funny, when I mentioned to friends who live in OG that it’s closing, they said “Guess we need to get over there soon, as we have a gift certificate that we received from a neighbor a while back.” When I said they’d best make a reservation, they said that’s why they haven’t gone yet - because the restaurant doesn’t take them. Pros/cons, I suppose.
I went once before I moved here because a friend wanted to go on a Sunday afternoon for the piano singalong. Never felt a need to go even after moving here. I know people love it, but I laugh every time an article or news report refers to it as a ‘new American/Mediterranean restaurant.’
1 Like
Yeah I guess it holds a certain amount of nostalgia for people.
When we moved here I had heard a lot about Ole Bistro, we went once, wasn’t impressed and it closed shortly after that.
I guess at the time Moonstruck was one of the only places around for a nicer meal.
1 Like
They were among the first to open downtown that wasn’t divey
Bruce’s cache was starting to bring people in and it was off to the races for developers
Bistro Ole WAS terrific - around 2005. Then there was a big drama and it changed hands and went downhill.
1 Like
Yeah that’s what we heard, sad I missed them when they were on their game
1 Like
Couldn’t agree more. Ole was fantastic for many years before the drama (to put it mildly) got in the way.
1 Like
Two words: Firecracker. Shrimp. 
Quick heads up about a new burger joint in Middletown. Burger Kraze is in the little shopping center behind the gas station on Rt. 35 and New Monmouth. Isaac who I’ve known from the dry cleaner in the same plaza for years opened it up. I wasn’t expecting much but the burger is really good. Smash burger style, great meat and fresh ingredients. Korean style hotdogs are pretty awesome as well. Didn’t get a great pic but if you are looking for good fast food, this imo is a much better option than the current iterations of Shake Shack.
His website lacks a menu currently but if you have real good eyes you might be able to read it on insta.
3 Likes
Heads up Freehold UMI Hot Pot & sushi buffet has opened and is really good. I’m not a big buffet guy and certainly don’t have any inclinations to got to an all you can eat pace but gf dragged me here and I actually enjoyed it immensely. The place is huge and spotless. Hot pot, sushi , bbq, ramen and some really weird shit that was not on my radar tonight.
Everything was fresh and constantly being refreshed. Only weak spot was desert but at about $40 a head well worth it. I’m going to enjoy this place on a regular basis
2 Likes
WOWSA! 
(Yes, @ hungry onion that IS A complete sentence.)
Local 130 opens their place in Convention Hall in AP today, Shucked by Local 130, no website for the menu
2 Likes
Yup! And Offshore Coffee opened in the old AP Roastery space today, so Convention Hall is getting back up to speed! Mutiny BBQ coming soon…
1 Like
