This summer, chef Bryan Gregg of Escape in Montclair will offer pop up dinners at Toast, 516 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, with a menu of locally sourced ingredients. Dishes may include: fluke with pea flowers, garden greens and citrus; roasted crab soup with smoked cream and Thai basil; milled grits with summer vegetables and late-spring pickles; and chocolate chess pie with strawberry preserves. A children’s menu will also be available. The pop up kitchen will be open from 5 to 11 PM on July 22-23; July 29-30; August 5-6; and August 12-13. Reservations: 732-245-1868.
ALEX GARCIA
Alex Garcia, a graduate of the CIA, is the chef at Cubanelle Restaurant, 522 Franklin Avenue, Nutley (973-284-1300). Garcia has worked at Patria, Erizo Latino and Calle Ocho in NYC.
ANTHONY LOPINTO
Anthony LoPinto, a graduate of the CIA is the executive chef and sommelier at Tavern 5, 710 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains (973-835-1426). His name may sound familiar; he was previously at Crave in Fairfield, owner of Restaurant Earth in Totowa and executive chef at Fortunato Ristorante, Lyndhurst. He is also the owner of LoPinto’s Chocolates.
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].