Monmouth Buzz

{ BUZZ } OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTIES.

5 RULES FOR YOUR OUTDOOR KITCHEN

During quarantine, some of us turned our attention to cultivating plants. Others have been green-thumbers for decades. Both groups might consider a trip to Kennedy & Vine, which recently opened in Atlantic Highlands.

Turns out the pandemic was the driving force behind Jennifer Spina’s decision to open this store, having left a corporate job last summer to pursue her passion for plants. After taking courses on how to start a business and obtaining a loan, Spina set up her shop, which features more than 800 specimens of indoor plants in a lush, tropical space. Perhaps that’s where you’ll find your next silent, leafy companion.

• Kennedy & Vine, 60 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, 732.708.3466; kennedyandvine.com

As summer arrives and we ease back into in-person gatherings, backyard entertaining has never looked better. “Outdoor living has become an accepted normal, especially with the pandemic,” says Jessica Petrino, editorial director at AJ Madison, a New York-based kitchen and home appliance retailer. “People are realizing their next vacation is in their backyard, so they are taking more time and care with home improvement projects.” Petrino shared with Monmouth Health & Life a few recommendations homeowners should consider if they choose one of the hottest projects, an outdoor kitchen: • Keep it all outside. A good setup will reduce or eliminate the need to shuttle back and forth to your indoor kitchen. That means an area with cooking space, refrigeration, a cleanup station and cabinet storage. “We are seeing an uptick in people wanting cabinetry and islands,” Petrino says. “Everyone has separate outdoor cooking equipment and dishes, so why not store them outside? And a faucet is good for handling meats and comes in handy when gardening too. Everything should be centralized in the outdoor kitchen.” • Express yourself. Silver and black are classics, but there are many ways to customize your kitchen. “People are looking for ways to be original, and they’re adding pops of colors,” Petrino says. Brands like Hestan have grill lines in orange, yellow and emerald, while pizza ovens and hearths can be customized as well. • Worry not about size. Let’s face it: Not all backyards are created equal. It’s easy to fit a grill, a pizza oven, a dishwasher and more when you have a sprawling backyard, but what if you don’t? Petrino says the basics call for 6 feet of grill area, counter space and refrigeration. “Prefabricated modular islands take the guesswork out of it,” she says, adding that models are built with ample counters and dedicated openings for different appliances. • Consider an expert. Though not strictly necessary, hiring professionals to help with your kitchen design can help. AJ Madison staff, for example, can help homeowners choose appliances that fit their lifestyle and entertaining needs, while plumbers can take care of water and gas lines. “People are more committed now to their largescale projects, so they want them to look nice, complement the architecture of the house and most of all be safe,” Petrino says. • Think winter. We’re certain you’re not contemplating snow in June. Well, Petrino suggests it should be in the back of your mind when you’re creating an outdoor kitchen. “It should be close enough so that one can get to the house quickly, and in places where the plow guys don’t pile snow and where snow won’t slide off slanted roofs,” she says. For our infamous winters, appliances made of marinegrade stainless steel are best as they are most resistant to rust.

LET’S GO FOURTH!

A summer without proper Independence Day festivities—we’re never doing that again! Monmouth County municipalities are celebrating the nation’s birthday and the (slow) return to normal this year with in-person parties and fireworks shows. In these four towns, you can enjoy the revelry: • Manasquan. Start Independence Day weekend off right at the town’s celebration on July 2. A parade and concert begin at 3 p.m., followed by fireworks at dusk. • Bradley Beach. The borough’s Red, White and Blue Festival is set for July 3, with a full day of music and entertainment and an evening of fireworks and entertainment along the waterfront. • Holmdel. Take the family to Historic Longstreet Farm from noon to 3 p.m. on July 4 for a day of free music and games. • Long Branch. Though the daytime festival is cancelled this year, 4th of July Oceanfest returns with an evening fireworks show beginning at dusk on Independence Day.

CULINARY CORNER

Dixie charm invades the North

What’s better than fresh seafood in summer? Answer: Southern-style seafood. Recently opened Crabtales 66 specializes in seafood boils and buckets, po’ boy sandwiches and lobster rolls—each made with Dixie flair (think garlic butter and Cajun citrus, for example).

• Crabtales 66, 3548 Rte. 66, Neptune, 732.387.5888

Asbury’s newest hotspot

The Asbury Park dining scene just got cooler with the opening of R Bar. Serving weeknight dinner, the eatery boasts tasty plates such as chops and chicken as well as great steak options (a dry-aged 40-oz. tomahawk, for instance). Or stop by on weekends, when the wine and charcuterie patio bar opens for Saturday and Sunday brunch.

• R Bar, 1114 Main St., Asbury Park, 732.776.7463; itsrbar.com

Burke is back (again!)

Just months after he brought a full menu to the Beach Haus Brewery in Belmar, David Burke is at it again. The celebrity chef recently opened Red Horse by David Burke in Rumson, offering a creative mix of seafood and steak. Want scallop and octopus picatta? It’s on the menu. Looking for Korean BBQ beef short ribs? It’s there too, along with plenty more offerings for you or to share with your entire party.

• Red Horse by David Burke, 26 Ridge Rd., Rumson, 732.576.3400; redhorsebydb.com

SHAVE AND A HAIRCUT—PLUS!

Who says only moms deserve a break and some pampering? A handful of Monmouth County salons (or maybe you just call them barbershops) cater to men. Where better to send Dad on Father’s Day? Elan Hair Studio, Sea Girt. Known for its women’s services, Elan also excels in hairstyles for men. • 2150 Rte. 35, Sea Girt, 732.449.9122; elanhairstudionj.com The Handsome Devil, Belmar. This man’s hangout is run by everyday guys who just happen to be highly skilled barbers and stylists. • 500 Main St., Belmar, 732.898.3780; thehandsomedevilbarbershop.com Justin’s Barbershop, Holmdel, Manalapan, Matawan, Morganville. The experts here give guys modernday styles and shaves using oldschool attitude and techniques. • justinsbarbershop.com

Mike’s Barber and Styling Shop,

Lincroft. This family-owned shop treats every customer like family, and each cut comes with great conversation, free of charge. • 669 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, 732.747.3868 Old World Shaving Parlor, Red Bank. Get a haircut the way your grandfather used to: with plenty of care and precision. Other services include waxing and ear candling.

• 12 W. Front St., Red Bank, 732.345.9700

GIRL WITH A GIFT FOR SEEING

Some people just have a knack for taking great pictures. Take Wanamassa’s Sabrina Fisher, a 10-year-old shutterbug with autism. She started snapping nature photos with her phone last summer— the activity provides her a sense of calm and relaxation, says mom Tiffaney Fisher, who also has 6-year-old triplets, each on the autism spectrum. While the younger kids are still discovering their talents, Fisher is more fascinated with Sabrina’s work each day. Sabrina’s photos have been displayed at the Pickled Artist Center in Holmdel, and mom’s also set up a Facebook page to share her daughter’s work.

“Sabrina takes photos mainly in a close-up perspective because that is how she sees beauty in the world,” says her mom. “When she takes a picture of a tree, you feel like a bird or a squirrel looking out from it. She says when she takes a picture close up, it’s prettier than when you take one from far back because you see more details. By sharing her photographs, it gives hope to other parents, especially parents of children with special needs.”

KUDOS

Six Monmouth County residents were honored this spring with Russ Berrie “Making a Difference” Awards, prizes bestowed upon unsung heroes from across the Garden State whose outstanding service to others and heroic acts make a substantial impact on the lives of others. The following honorees from Monmouth County received a $7,500 prize for their selfless actions: • Lynn Regan, Farmingdale left). She founded the CFC (“Coming Full Circle”) Loud N Clear Foundation after witnessing a loved one’s struggle with addiction. Regan created a successful relapse prevention model that has helped thousands of young people achieve long-term sober living.

• Kieran Foley, Joseph Dietrich, Drew Scalice, Ryan

Day and Tyler Armagan, Middletown (right). Affectionally known as “the Rescuers,” the five teens created a human chain to save two small children whose sled entered an icy pond on a cold December day.

PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Yogi, 16-month-old mini dachshund Owners: The Lunds of Rumson After years of wanting a puppy, the Lunds finally got their wish during quarantine. Stuck at home, mother Wendy and daughter Zoe researched different breeds and decided that a mini dachshund would be the best fit for their home—and they found the perfect one at an area breeder. “We looked at a video, and Yogi was the sweetest, cutest little pup,” Wendy recalls. They brought Yogi home at just 7 weeks old, and the pup slept through the night from day one. In fact, “he still loves his crate. It’s very natural and calming,” Mom reports. Turns out Yogi provided the peace that his family needed during the pandemic. “I think he was the reason we got through the quarantine,” Wendy says. “He was silly and playful and made us laugh and feel normal and lighthearted.” Today, he’s a lot calmer but continues to do puppy things: He steals socks (but never destroys them), plays fetch, engages his humans in games of tug-of-war and is rarely seen without his favorite toy alpaca. And he’s always up for a trip to Fins & Feathers in Red Bank, Starbucks and the beach, of course. Says Wendy: “He always loves to hang out with us. He is definitely our sidekick.” To see your puppy or kitten in an upcoming issue, email rita.guarna@ wainscotmedia.com.