Asbury Park, NJ June 2024

Greetings from Asbury Park!

Hello, and welcome to the premiere issue of Asbury Park City Lifestyle—where we’re inspired by our community, and hope this magazine inspires you too!

We’re thrilled to be your source for all things local here in the Asbury Park area, including Ocean, Shark River, Tinton Falls, and Wall! As you flip through these pages, you’ll be drawn into the incredible stories behind the people and places that call the Jersey Shore home. From the carefully crafted food being served up at local restaurants like Dolce Fantasia and The Black Swan, to beautiful homes in Interlaken and Ocean Grove; from successful businesses such as the St. Laurent Hotel and Endless Waves, to the amazing local artists, designers, and fashionistas that make Asbury unique, our goal is to share the stories of everything and everyone Asbury Park has to offer—and the things that matter most to you, our readers, for whom we produce this magazine each month.

Thank you for inviting us into your homes and sharing your lives with us; we can’t wait to see you around.

CHRISTINE MCKENNA-TIRELLA, PUBLISHER @ASBURYPARKCITYLIFESTYLE

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Christine McKenna-Tirella christine.tirella@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Svetlana Blasucci

svetlana.blasucci@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

TurnKey Media Group info@turnkeywomensalliance.com

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Ali Grieb | hi@hospitalityincludedconsulting.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Connor Kane

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jayme Emery

Endless Waves combines surf culture with sophistication, featuring sustainable apparel, footwear & accessories

Our boutique exudes laidback luxury, offering premium products crafted with ethical integrity

Explore exclusive collections and enjoy personalized service where style meets sustainability.

Visit us in Downtown Asbury Park 7 days a week, or scan below to shop our favorite trends & must-have styles online now.

550 Cookman Ave

Follow

city scene

and Jersey

Asbury Chamber

Shore Chamber Business Expo 2024, at The Berkeley Hotel 1: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Asbury Park City Lifestyle with Casey Pioli, JBJ Soul Foundation 2: The Center Of Asbury’s George Lowe and Linda Rebbel 3: Food Vendor Robinson Ale House 4: Visit Monmouth County Booth 5: Mark and Nicole of Royal Stitch & Print, Brick 6: Lena Budraitis, NorthWestern Mutual 7: Ali Grieb, Hospitality Included

Photography by Connor Kane 8: Shore Business Solutions of Wall

Adam Puharic, Puharic &

business monthly

O’Brien Realty opens office on Main Street, Asbury Park

Kerrin and Tamara O’Brien founded O’Brien Realty in 2013, and are happy to announce their 7th location of the O’Brien office on the corner of Cookman Ave and Main Street, Asbury Park.

Other locations in New Jersey include Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Atlantic Highlands, Rumson, and Long Branch.

Scan to read more

First Anniversary for The Law Office of Edmund Fitterer, Ocean

The Law Office of Edmund F. Fitterer, Jr., LLC celebrates its first year at 802 West Park Avenue, Ocean. Mr. Fitterer, who attended Monmouth University, draws on more than 20 years of legal experience serving clients from Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex Counties, providing expert representation in legal matters involving business law, civil litigation, and real estate. The office specializes in strategic legal guidance for buyers, sellers, lenders, borrowers, commercial landlords, and tenants, investors, and developers.

Scan to read more

American Dream Asbury Park Launches

Nicole Perrone is launching the new spin-off of American Dream TV, an Emmynominated and Telly Award-winning community, lifestyle, and real estate show in Asbury Park!

Throughout this series, Nicole will be interviewing some of the most influential people, businesses, and developers who made Asbury Park what it is today. Learn more @billion_dollar_banker

Scan to read more

Photography by O’Brien Realty

Photography by Edmund Fitterer

Photography by Nicole Perrone

Advisors Mortgage Promotes Michael Murcia

Monmouth native Michael Murcia has been promoted to Branch Manager of the Tinton Falls Advisors Mortgage Division.

The Murcia team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise and a passion for helping residents and newcomers alike achieve their homeownership goals in this vibrant community. Follow @mortgageguy_mike, or go to  https://advisorsmortgage.com/loan-officers/mmurcia/ to learn more.

Scan to read more

Photography by Murcia Mortgage

The Miami Negroni

Summer Sipping at the St. Laurent Social Club

Dean at the St. Laurent Social Club doesn't mess around when it comes to mixology and blending the right flavors together. Everything is pre-batched ahead of time, which makes service smooth.  He had us sip on a new addition to the Spring menu inspired by the Jersey Shore. A riff off the Miami Vice and traditional Negroni with a tropical flair to the traditional bitter-sweet profile. Each part of this cocktail is more elaborate than the other. By making the decision to sous vide candied and freeze dried strawberries into Campari to create a strawberry infusion allows his brilliance to shine through. This beautiful ruby red drink is garnished with dehydrated Pineapple, so Miami right!?

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY SVETLANA

BLASUCCI

Connor Kane, Asbury’s Upcoming Artist

ARTICLE BY SVETLANA BLASUCCI

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONNOR KANE

THRIVING ON COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Connor Kane is a passionate photographer, dedicated small business owner, and part-time bartender. He thrives on creativity and community connection, by using his skills behind the camera and the bar to bring people together and tell their stories. He wasn't born in Asbury Park, but lived there long enough to consider it his home. Its vibrant culture and dynamic community have deeply influenced both my personal and professional life.

CAN YOU SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AS A PHOTOGRAPHER AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE THIS CAREER?

Photography started as a hobby for me during high school, but it quickly grew into a passion as I realized the power of a photograph to capture moments and emotions. My drive to preserve fleeting instants and tell visual stories propelled me into making it my career.

I: @CONNORKANEPHOTOGRAPHY

F: CONNOR KANE PHOTOGRAPHY

HTTP://CONNORKANE.COM/

HOW ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND DO YOU GIVE BACK?

I'm deeply involved in local initiatives, particularly those that support the arts and youth programs. I often donate my photography services to local events and fundraisers, and I mentor young aspiring photographers in the community.

YOU JUST HAD AN ART SHOW, TELL ME ABOUT THE PIECES THAT WERE APART OF THE SHOW.

The recent show was a collection called 'Riffs and Waves,' featuring a series of photographs capturing the many moments that make our town unique—from the bustling boardwalk scenes to quiet early mornings on the beach with the waves and, of course the joy and crowds of a Stone Pony Summer Show!

FAVORITE TYPE OF EVENT TO SHOOT AND WHY?

I love shooting live music events. There's something magical about the energy of a live performance—the lights, the crowd, the raw emotion of the musicians. Capturing that on camera is always thrilling.

WHAT'S THE BEST PART ABOUT ASBURY PARK TO YOU?

The best part of Asbury Park is its undeniable spirit, inclusivity, public art, and music. It's a place of continuous transformation, yet it retains a strong sense of identity and community.

IF YOU MET SOMEONE WHO’S NEVER BEEN TO ASBURY PARK, WHERE WOULD YOU TELL THEM TO GO?

I'd recommend starting at the boardwalk to soak in the quintessential Asbury vibe, then exploring downtown Cookman Avenue galleries, boutiques, fantastic restaurants and finally catching a show at the legendary Stone Pony.

BEST SPOT TO GET A BITE AND A COCKTAIL?

For a great bite and an even better cocktail, I'd head to Pascal & Sabine for their amazing French cuisine and expertly mixed drinks. It's a great spot for both locals and visitors. If you are looking for elevated American style cuisine and cocktails, you can come visit me at The Lounge or Heirloom both at The St. Laurent.

WHEN YOU HEAR ASBURY PARK, WHAT DOES IT IMMEDIATELY MAKE YOU THINK ABOUT?

Music, art, love and the shore. Asbury Park to me is a melting pot of creativity and tradition, always alive with music, bustling with artists, and surrounded by the beauty of the ocean. I have also had the pleasure of meeting and falling in love with my sweetheart in this city by the sea. So, Asbury Park will also hold an incredibly special place in my heart.

http://connorkane.com/

TASTING LOCAL FLAVORS

The Black Swan

ASBURY PARK RESTAURANT TOUR APRIL 2024

AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Welcome to Asbury Park, where vibrant culture meets the timeless allure of the Jersey Shore. With fantastic food, eclectic boutiques, family fun, colorful nightlife and one of the best live music scenes arounds. The iconic boardwalk is a great place to start your journey here. The culinary experience here is diverse with endless options. Feeling something fancy to even pub style food, it's all here in this sweet town. The City Lifestyle team hit

ARTICLE

SVETLANA BLASUCCI

Confections of a Rockstar Bakeshop

the pavement and explored a few places during the Asbury Park Restaurant tour, which happens every year. Here's some of our thoughts on what we had tasted.

STOP 1- BLACK SWAN:

This spacious spot offers updated European gastropub serving British/Irish fare, imported beers, wines, and craft cocktails. We tasted Pasta in a Vodka sauce. It was a rather simple dish offered, but sauce is something you can easily mess up. This Italian editor was pleased with the flavors.

STOP 2- CONFECTIONS OF A ROCKSTAR BAKESHOP:

A bake shop that makes us want to air guitar and scream at the top of our lungs. Confections of a Rock$tar Bakery is literally rock n’ roll themed, using desserts as a way to honor rockstars such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles. What more can we say!

I did want to share that I got my mothers 70th birthday party cake from here. You literally tell them what you want and they make it happen, truly like rockstars! It weighed at least 50 pounds, but

Vodka Sauce with Pasta

“The iconic boardwalk is a great place to start your journey here.”

that's because they had to hold up the design. Everything is built carefully from the filling to the icing, we even still have a few pieces! When you give them something so specific, like you're mother as a cartoon on a film set, they executed it beautifully. Honestly, the best cake I've ever had, hands down! A place that literally rocks your taste buds.

STOP 3 - TAKA:

Taka's design is modern & industrial ambiance that adds a layer of enjoyment to your meal. They presented us with one of my favorite dishes, Chicken Katsu. This beloved Japanese dish tantalizes taste buds with its crispy exterior and succulent, tender chicken inside. Traditionally made with breaded and deep-fried

chicken cutlets, chicken katsu boasts a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. It sits on a bed of sticky white rice. If you're seeking plant-based options, Taka offers an impressive selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes. There's literally something for everyone.

STOP 4: DOLCE FANTASIA

Northern Italian and French is what you'll find behind these doors.  John Djombalic, executive chef and owner has been running this joint since March 2023. From beautifully prepared dishes to smaller fare for the hungry and not so hungry. They put color and flavor into each dish.

Experiences are so important and Asbury Park has that to offer for new and old faces. Come hungry and ready! Asbury Park continues to grow and amaze us. It's home and we will continue to express our love! If you're just visiting for a day hit up all these suggested places above. After you've gotten your fill take a walk on the boardwalk and take a moment to take it all in. From the old wooden boardwalk to the vibrations of Stone Pony when a band is playing, this is the place to be. This town may be small but filled with great people and food. I just want to quickly close with a few thoughts. I grew up playing on that boardwalk, eating ice cream and playing with my cousins.  Before and after Sandy things didn't stop this small community from thriving.

Dolce FantasiaChicken with Truffle Oil and Parmesan

Taka serving Chicken Katsu

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Hosting the Perfect Dinner Party

Your next event, served alfresco

Catering experts Chef Kyle and Hannah Williams, owners of Savor & Swirl culinary company, create an outdoor dinner party with chef-driven perennial dishes served in beautiful seasonal settings. For this alfresco dinner party, Chef Kyle draws on his favorite recipes updated for a modern palate and paired with wine selections to complement the bountiful feast.

Insider Tips for Hosting:

• Build a menu around the season. Start with what produce is available locally based on the season for the most authentic meal experience. For instance, Chef Kyle says “In November, people crave turkey, sage stuffing and cranberry sauce,” but that meal served in the heat of Summer wouldn’t hit the same. In-season fruits and vegetables will always be of highest quality and best taste.

• Always greet guests with a beverage and appetizers. “Offer champagne for wine-lovers or a sparkling drink or signature cocktail. It’s all about serving guests to the highest caliber,” Kyle says.

• Draw inspiration from the season’s colors and temperatures. For Spring and Summer, think flowers, fresh herbs and linens. For Fall, think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.” For Winter, head indoors to create a cozy environment for guests to connect.

• “You can’t go wrong with fresh flowers,” Hannah says, “but keep bouquets low to not interfere with conversation flowing. For fall, I like richer, jewel-toned florals to mix and match and keep whimsical. I vary glass vases with bur - nished brass for warm fall vibes.”

• An easy but thoughtful detail is to put a simple menu at each place setting, so guests know what to expect. “Add a pen, so guests can jot tasting notes, especially for wine pairings or multiple courses,” Hannah says. “Guests can share comments, then take the menu home as a sweet reminder of the event.”

• Follow the French principle of mise en place or everything in place before your event. “This is actually our company’s name,” Kyle says. “It’s that important to us. Make sure the wines are all open, cocktails are pre-made, place settings are out, candles are lit and music is playing. When guests arrive, it gives that wow-factor and shows you intentionally made them feel special.”

• To build confidence as a host, start small and practice. “Keep the menu and guest list small,” Kyle says. “Choose recipes you already have confidence in. If you make a great Beef Stroganoff, then go with that. People will love it!”

• As fun as it is to dine outside, always have an indoors back-up plan. “We’ve had to bring it indoors before,” Hannah says. “It’s still fun.” Insider Tips for Hosting: “Think flannel blankets, wooden tables, fire pits, open grills, string lights and candles to create a really cool environment you haven’t been able to do all summer.”

The Perfect Steak

ARTICLE BY CASEY WEBER, TALL GRASS MEAT COMPANY

Nothing describes summer better than a good cookout! And what is a cookout without a good, quality steak and the perfect grilling recipe?

1. Thaw and acclimate the steak. For searing to occur, the proteins in steak need to be heated to at least 310°F. Tossing cold meat onto a hot grill lowers the temperature and can prevent a crust from forming, so it’s important that any frozen steaks are thawed completely before cooking.

2. Salt your steak 30-45 minutes before grilling. This causes the salt to draw moisture from within the steak up to the surface, where it dissolves the salt and creates a brine that gets reabsorbed into the steak where it breaks down tough connective tissues.

3. Oil the grate on the grill, not the steak. Use tongs and a paper towel dipped in vegetable oil to lube your grates.

4. Manage your heat well. Remember that your grill needs to be hot for your steak to get a good sear. But if it’s hot enough to cause your oil to smoke, it’s too hot.

5. Use the 60/40 rule. The best-tasting steaks are seared on both sides and cooked evenly in the middle. The simplest way to do that is to only flip your steak once. The 60/40 rule suggests that 60% of your cook time should be spent on one side, and 40% on the other.

6. Keep the lid closed. It may be tempting to peek, but trust the experts and keep it shut! Opening the lid makes your grill lose heat, which makes steaks cook unevenly.

7. Check for doneness. A meat thermometer will give you the most accurate temperature reading:

• Rare: 120°F

• Medium Rare: 130°F

• Medium: 140°F

• Medium Well: 150°F

• Well: 160°F

8. Let your steak rest. Pull your steaks from the grill once they’re cooked to 5-10 degrees below your target temperature and rest for 10-15 minutes.

Perfecting Your Golf Swing

ARTICLE BY DANIEL SCHOWENGERDT

Whether you are a new golfer or have been playing for decades, we all want the same thing—to be a single-digit handicap (or better). In some professions, golfing with clients is a must, and slicing off the tee box can kill the deal.

Get fit for equipment.

01.

If you are buying clubs off the rack, you aren’t giving yourself the best chance for success. Golf technology is evolving every year, and although you don’t need to buy a new driver each year, if you’ve been playing with the same clubs for 5+ years, it’s time to take advantage of the new equipment. Newer clubs have lower and deeper center of gravity (CG), creating an easier launch off the face. Even off-center strikes can produce a straight shot with the right set of clubs. Any major golf store will fit you for free—just make sure you get the correct length club and size grip. The clubs don’t swing themselves, so don’t neglect instruction and practice, but getting the right equipment is a vital piece of the puzzle.

On drivers and hybrids, some of the newest equipment have premium shaft options off the rack. Generally, a $300 driver has a low-grade $15 shaft that you should change. The shaft is the engine of the club, so getting custom shafts will add distance and forgiveness—guaranteed.

As for the putter, you use it more than any other club in your bag on every round of golf. It should be the most tailored club in your bag.

Get good golf instruction, REGULARLY.

02.

We’ve all heard someone say, “I should get a lesson sometime.” To be effective, you need regular lessons from a PGA certified pro, not just one lesson. Getting quality instruction from the same instructor can turn slices into draws and give you the confidence to play with anyone on any course. Years ago, golf instructors started instruction with chipping and putting and then graduated to the driver. Now, instructors have been pressured to start with the driver because we all want to outdrive our friends. Resist that temptation! Get instruction on your short game and irons first. My friend regularly outdrives me by 50 yards, but my ball is in the hole first most of the time because of my training and practice on the short game.

Read quality golf books for a higher golf IQ.

03.

There are thousands of golf books, but don’t worry, you only need to read a handful of them to up your golf IQ. Here are some top reads: Short game: Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz

Mental game: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella Mechanics: Practical Golf by John Jacobs

Ball flight laws: The Practice Manual by Adam Young (only read the first 50 pages)

Practice your short game every day.

04.

You don’t even have to spend time away from your family while practicing if you don’t have a golf simulator. You can practice putting and chipping on the carpet while watching TV with your family.

Chipping and the bump and run: The only mechanical advice I will give is the most important lesson you can learn in the short game. When you miss your approach shot you must be able to chip the ball within 8 feet of the hole for a one putt. Try this shot from Dave Peltz’s short game book. It gets me up and down from 25 yards out to just off the green.

Instructors have been pressured to start with the driver because we all want to outdrive our friends. Resist that temptation! Get instruction on your short game and irons first.

DIY Your Way To a Bug-Free Summer

Adult- and Kid-Friendly Natural Bug Repellents from A Beautiful Mess

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY A BEAUTIFUL MESS

Adult Blend Kids Blend

(age 15 and over)

MATERIALS:

• 10 drops lemon essential oil

• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 8 drops lavender essential oil

• 8 drops eucalyptus essential oil

• 1.5 ounces distilled water (minus 1 teaspoon to make room for the essential oils in the bottle)

• .5 ounce 95% proof grain alcohol*

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a 2-ounce spray bottle, add the grain alcohol (or Solubol) and drop in essential oils. Swirl to combine. Place the cap back on the bottle. Allow the oils to disperse in the alcohol for about 1 hour, then add distilled water, swirling again to combine.

MATERIALS:

• 10 drops lemon essential oil

• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 4 drops lavender essential oil

• 1.5 ounces distilled water (minus 1 teaspoon to make room for the essential oils in the bottle)

• .5 ounce 95% proof grain alcohol*

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a 2-ounce spray bottle, add the grain alcohol (or Solubol) and drop in essential oils. Swirl to combine. Place the cap back on the bottle. Allow the oils to disperse in the alcohol for about 1 hour, then add distilled water, swirling again to combine.

*The grain alcohol is used as a preservative as well as a carrier for the oils, but you can also use a product like this instead of grain alcohol at a 1:4 ratio (1 drop essential oil to 4 drops Solubol) if you’d rather and then just fill the rest with water to fill the 2-ounce spray bottle.

While there can be concern about citrus oils on the skin when exposed to sunlight, lemongrass isn’t a photosensitive oil, and if lemon essential oil is steam-distilled rather than cold-pressed (Oui Fresh essential oils are cold-pressed) it can be used on the skin. So just make sure to note which one your lemon oil is and only spray on clothes if you don’t have a skin-safe lemon oil (which is an application method a lot of people prefer anyway if they are more sensitive to oils).

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

JUNE 7TH – 9TH

AsburyFest 2024

The Park at the Convention Hall Asbury Park | 5:00 PM AsburyFest is back and better than ever! What’s the perfect recipe for a cool weekend in the hottest town at the Jersey Shore? Start with the best festival food around, add a dash of music and a pinch of surprises and you have AsburyFest, a three-day culinary event you don’t want to miss. ($5 admission on Saturday and Sunday)

JUNE 10TH – 16TH

North to Shore Music Festival

Various Locations | 7:00 PM

The festival only Jersey could handle! Music, Film, Comedy, and More! Asbury Park - June 10 – June 16, Atlantic City - June 17 – June 23, Newark - June 24 – July 3. For full festival programming visit northtoshore.com

JUNE 15TH & 16TH

North2Shore Festival x Asbury Park Bazaar

Grand Arcade of the Convention Hall, Asbury Park | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Bazaar features stand-out local and regional artists, makers, and artisan vendors who personally make and/or design their own handcrafted, handmade goods that are independently distributed and sold. The Bazaar is free, all ages, and pet friendly.

JUNE 22ND

Hooper Live at The Transparent Clinch Gallery

The Clinch Gallery, 210 Fifth Ave, Asbury Park | 4:00 PM

Part of an ongoing music series, Join Danny Clinch to celebrate touring and local artists alike at the gallery. Suggested Donation of $10 at the door. Check out more details at www.transparentclinchgallery.com.

JUNE 26TH

Coffee with a Councilmember

The Center, 806 3rd Avenue, Asbury Park | 10:00 AM

Stop in and have a coffee and a chat with your community! It's an opportunity to connect with a council member, ask questions, and get to know the people who serve Asbury Park. For more details go to www.cityofasburypark.com.

Designing thoughtful, purpose-driven, ecologically-appropriate landscapes.

classes (for ALL levels)