{good eats} Goldie's, Asbury Park

I don't normally make it a point to find Vegan cuisine [you know me, and my love for bacon], but when a friend told me to check out Goldie's in Asbury Park, I knew it was worth a trip.  Having once worked for the brilliant minds behind the restaurant [creators of Brickwall, Annex, Porta Pizzeria, etc], I knew it would be an fully-executed experience, but was still completely blown away - the custom woven strips of wood hanging from the ceiling, custom bar that encompasses the right side of the restaurant, gold bar accessories, gold accents in the paint...

This attention to detail was in the food, too [and is actually quite affordable].  As simple as the dishes sound [I had the Potato Soup, Lebanese Couscous + Ginger Beer], the flavors were perfectly decadent without being overwhelming.  I am not a chef so this is only my personal opinion, but it was great because the ingredients were allowed to shine on their own without competing with each other.  What a concept!  I mean, I don't even like Tequila, but the pairing with the Ginger Beer completely changed my mind.  

Summary: go forth immediately.

Photos: Robin West via iPhone

Good Eats: Plan B

Sundays are my favorite to catch up with friends, relax and explore new things.  This week focused on a new spot for brunch in Asbury Park, which was amazing on all ends.  The atmosphere was beautiful, the seating was laid out around the open kitchen, it wasn't overcrowded and the food was just perfect.  I love eating a classic breakfast (usually eggs benedict) and Restaurant Plan B's was exceptional-Challah, a crumbly type of sausage and topped with a whole grain mustard hollandaise sauce.  I mean, you just can't go wrong with Challah. 

Shrimp, bacon, mushroom and tomato frittata


Photos: Robin West

Art Walk

Whoever said "The best things in life are free" weren't kidding!  Last night, about ten of us took to our feet and walked the open galleries in Asbury Park, NJ, including Parlor Gallery's group show "SAY it...Don't spray it!" and art 629's “Resurrection”, by the fabulous Patrick Schiavino.  Amongst the artists (and what an amazing surprise) was a fellow Academy of Art alum & fellow dormie from 5 years ago, Chris Blackstock, that was showcasing one of his beautifully crafted scrulptures.  My favorite part of the night was definitely at Parlor, where for a mere $2, a performance artist in disguise would look at you, saying not a word, and type up what they thought about you on an old typewriter (I must say that I was a little nervous letting a stranger critique me with no boundaries).  Great friends of past & present, great art and great music reminded me what a randomly small and lovely world we do live in.

Photos: Robin West

Greetings from Asbury Park

Photos: Robin West

Wednesdays in Asbury Park, NJ

If you have visited Asbury Park in the past 5 years, you have seen a miraculous transformation happening right before your eyes.  One of the biggest showcases of Asbury's new image is the boardwalk.  Perfectly designed architecture, mini golf, water park, delicious restaurants at every price, italian ice and Euro Bubbles (where you climb into a plastic ball, get blown up & run around like a hamster in a ball on top of water).

One very fun place that takes you right back to your childhood is Silver Ball Museum.  This is a museum/arcade that has 200 pinball machines dating back to 1931 to explore & play on.  If you can't make up your mind which to play, throw the cashier $10 and you have free range on whatever your heard desires for an entire hour.  My favorite, of course, was the Beat Time Beatles game and the old school skee ball!  There is only one skee ball machine, but seeing it did make me a little giddy and wanted to cut in front of the girl playing on it with her mother.

Another reason I love to walk this eccentric boardwalk?  Every Wednesday night in the summer, Asbury puts on a 5-minute firework display just south of Convention Hall & the Beach bar.  My friends & I decided to lounge on the extremely comfy couches on the outside patio deck at Watermark with a delicious Apple/Ginger Martini.  You may <3 NY, but I <3 AP.

Photos: Robin West