Coaster Photo
At the Mainstay restaurant on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park those on the Asbury Park Restaurant Tour got to sample a mixture of chicken, pico de gallo and cheese, over tortilla chips .
By ERIC MEIER
More than 1,300 turned our for the 11th annual Asbury Park Restaurant Tour Sunday which featured food from 24 city eateries.
Hosted by the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, it began in 2012 and has been held every year except 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
The event has been growing over time with both new and old eateries that wish to showcase their talents,” said Matt Whelan, assistant director of the chamber. “Before 2012 the chamber of commerce held a similar event called Taste of Asbury. At that time all participating eateries were instructed to come and set up a station for people to try their food and beverages right on Cookman Avenue. After speaking to many participants and restaurateurs, though, we found that nearly everyone preferred going directly to the restaurants themselves so that business owners could showcase their skills in house. It is a great way for participating restaurants here in Asbury to get greater exposure and become more successful.”
Proceeds from the event will go directly to the Mercy Center of Asbury Park, said Said Sylvia Sylvia who is the Chamber of Commerce Director.
“The money we receive and donate to the Mercy Center will help feed up to six thousand people in need each month,” she said. “Also, we try our best here to help promote as many businesses as we can around the city on this special day. “
The Restaurant Tour helps bring consumers into the city from all over,” she said.
Sebastian Walker, Manager of the Black Swan restaurant, said the restaurant enjoys participating each year.
“ We love the exposure that it brings and the welcoming of community members to see all that we do here. We’ve been fortunate to continue to host our popular brunches, happy hours, bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, and more. We owe much of our success to the great things that the Chamber of Commerce has done for local businesses such as ours”.
At Dolce Fantasia, restaurant owner Johnny Djombalic was smiling and greeting guests outside his establishment to offer samples of their famous mascarpone.
“This is our first year participating in Asbury Park’s Restaurant Tour,” he said. “ We are very happy to showcase to guests the great classical Italian food we have to offer here. We’ve been fortunate too to open sister locations in Torino, Croatia, Monte Negro, Staten Island and right here in Asbury Park. I love this town!”
Xavier Rodriguez, who is the owner of the Mayan Mexican Restaurant on Main Street, and just opened the new Tic Taco Taqueria, welcomed guests inside his new establishment.
“ I did not see any Taqueria in or around Asbury Park and thought it would be a great idea to have one here,” he said. “We wished to style it after the taquerias one might find in and around Mexico City.” As guests entered they were able to try different types of tacos and the famous taco pastor. He also allowed guests to sample a special Mexican Juice drink called aguas frescas (a Mexican specialty fresh juice drink that comes in all different flavors such as hibiscus, cucumber, tamarind, strawberry, and more). “We wanted to create a high quality fast food Mexican eatery with all different spices and flavors for guests to try. On Friday and Saturday nights we stay open until 3am so we can satisfy guests’ late night cravings for amazing Mexican food.”
Co-owners Kathy Shearer and Bonnie Nach were happy to welcome guests inside the new Philly Pretzel Factory on the boardwalk.
“Today is our soft opening but the official grand opening will be held on May 3,” they said. “ We are now one of 160 franchise locations. Our goal is to provide an easy grab and go snack for beach goers. We’ve got all different flavors of pretzels with different dips guests can choose from. We also offer hot dog pretzels, cinnamon pretzels, beach buckets of different flavored and plain pretzels, and party trays. It’s been a great experience for us to participate in the tour and we’re happy to get more exposure by being a part of it. We decided to open up a shop here because we love salt pretzels and we love Asbury Park!”
Cathy Gallo, who owns Playa Bowls on the corner of Cookman and Bangs Avenues provided guests with samples of their specialty juices and playa bowls as they entered. She also advertised the three day cleanse program and attested to its health benefits.