Piers & Beers In Wildwood
Photo courtesy of Seaport Pier.
Morey’s Piers in Wildwood celebrates its 50th season this summer with a bundle of new boardwalk attractions. Two new rides—the Wild Whizzer Coaster and Pirates of Wildwood 3D Cartoon Journey—will debut on Mariner’s Pier. About 12 blocks north, at 22nd Avenue, the redeveloped Seaport Pier is slated to open Memorial Day weekend. Featuring an upscale coffee bar, restaurant, swim club and a small concert venue, Seaport Pier promises year-round entertainment for all ages. Also new from Morey’s, Mud Hen Brewing Company (127 W. Rio Grande Avenue), Wildwood’s first brewpub, has a tasting room, lounge area, fireplace, outdoor patio and full-service bar and restaurant.—SB
A Celebrity Chef Drifts Into Sea Bright
Celebrity chef and Jersey native David Burke, in partnership with the Stavola family, returned to the Shore in late February to transform Ama Ristorante in Sea Bright into Drifthouse Bar & Grill (1485 Ocean Avenue). Ama executive chef Robert Burke, David’s brother, moves to that role at Drifthouse. Dinner options range from lobster dumplings and pastrami salmon appetizers to housemade rigatoni, local scallops and bison short rib mains. The restaurant overlooks the Atlantic Ocean from the second level of the Driftwood Cabana Club and offers sunset views over the Shrewsbury River. Open year round.—DM
On the Trail of LBI Brews
The Surf & Sip Brew Trail features stops at three Long Beach Island-area craft breweries—Manafirkin, Ship Bottom Brewery and Pinelands Brewery—as well as other local attractions. To participate, grab a map at any of the trail locations, or download the free mobile app at loyale.beer. Have your map stamped at each stop, or check in using the app. Once you’ve completed the trail, submit your stamped map to the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce before November 22, and you’ll be eligible for a grand-prize drawing.—SB
Ice Cream With the Nicholas Touch
Inspired by his love for all-natural, high-quality ingredients, Nicholas Harary—owner of Restaurant Nicholas in Red Bank—is dishing out ice cream in its purest form. Harary and his wife, Melissa, launched Nicholas Creamery in May in Atlantic Highlands (84 1st Avenue). The Hararys work with local farmers to source fresh, seasonal, all-natural ingredients. Waffle cones are prepared to order in a hot waffle maker. Flavor options include Valrhona chocolate, Tahitian vanilla, Jersey blueberry and brown-sugar bourbon. A sister location is expected to open in Fair Haven later this summer.—DM
Bedding Down On a Cape May Farm
Beginning this summer, visitors to Cape May will be able to stay overnight at Beach Plum Farm. A property of Cape Resorts, which owns Congress Hall, the farm has added three cottages and two barns for guests. The new, family-friendly buildings have full kitchens, living rooms, screened porches and multiple bedrooms. Also new, Beach Plum Farm Bakery & Café, which opened in April, serves artisanal donuts, scones, pies and other fresh-baked goodies, along with Draft Latte from La Colombe Coffee Roasters. The café is located in the expanded West End Garage (484 W. Perry Street), where visitors can also peruse furniture, accessories, artwork and other items from more than 50 vendors.—SB
Take a Break at Breakers
Breakers Kitchen & Tap in Waretown—at the site of the former Longshots Sports Bar & Restaurant—is primed for its first summer after opening earlier this year. The restaurant (537 Route 9 ) is the brainchild of Katie Davis and Kelly Ford, two sisters who have lived in the Barnegat Bay area for 15 years. The restaurant’s name stems from Henry Hudson, who dubbed the local waters Inlet of the Breakers, or Barendegat in Dutch. Breakers serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.—DM
Beach Bar Returns to Seaside Heights
The Beach Bar, a popular sports bar, returns to the southern end of the Seaside Heights boardwalk this summer after being destroyed in 2012 by Hurricane Sandy. In the first phase of its rebuilding, the Beach Bar will feature kiosks and a pop-up bar this summer. By next summer, it will add a cabana club with a swimming pool. The Beach Bar will be open for lunch, dinner, coffee and, of course, drinks.—DM