The opening's been delayed a bit, but Monday is the day Aqua Blu will be revealed to the public. The restaurant revamps the former Nick the Greek spot at the base of the bridge to Seaside, and since construction began last winter, it's been a source of curiosity. What is Aqua Blu? What does it look like inside and what will they serve? We asked for a tour before opening day and here's what we saw. The first steps into the entryway exude elegance. Pictures of beach badges from years past decorate an aqua blue wall that gives way to a wide open bar area. Metallic decor and a slate floor …

Labrador Lounge, located at 3581 Route 35 N in Normandy Beach, offers what the staff refers to as "vacation cuisine" and allows customers to bring their dogs onto the patio section during the summer months. On top of the relaxed atmosphere a block from the beaches, the cuisine is made straight from local goods and the liquor license is limited to New Jersey wines. "We are a very big farms table, the Lounge offers local wine, local produce, local cheese, and local fish," said Veronica Parent, manager of the Labrador Lounge. "We keep everything fresh, everything local, and we use simple …

Lakehurst residents and curious commuters have watched for quite some time as a new retail center went up on the corner of Lake Street and Route 70. The first restaurant to open there, Three B’s Bar and Bistro, has added an element that didn't previously exist along Route 70, and they are getting some help from a Toms River chef to do it.Manager Ron Rinaodi said that Lakehurst presented chef-owner Carlo Boemio with an untapped market to share the bistro’s menu of American, Italian and sushi preparations. “There isn’t a restaurant like this in the area,” he said. Three B’s is currently the …

It's about the food. It's about the family. It’s about fun. It's about all things considered home. Dell'arte Modern Italian Market in Toms River is a mere babe in the restaurant world opening only in October 2010, but it's sprung from some well established local favorites. The three owners, husband and wife Rob and Jennifer Affa and close friend Paul Scavuzzo have a rich history in Italian restaurants as far away as the West Coast. Scavuzzo, while living in California, worked in Molinari's Delicatessen which was located in the, "Little Italy of San Francisco," said Scavuzzo. Jennifer Affa is …

Sal & Pete’s Italy’s Best652 Highway 70, Lakehurst 732-657-1666The scene: Located in a shopping mall near the Route 70 circle connecting Lakehurst and Manchester, Sal & Pete's Italy's Best and can be easy to miss. But once inside, you'll find two options for the ambiance for your meal: a casual pizza counter accompanied by a few tables or, walk onward to find a quiet, more traditional Italian restaurant, table clothes and all. Sal & Pete even offer occasional dinner entertainment.The eats: Causal preparations such as pizza, pasta, calzones, manicotti and lasagna are all here. Or, maybe you're…

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Patch's Jersey Shore region picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: China Town, 400 Lacey Rd., Whiting. 732-350-8855 The scene: Located in the Stop & Shop plaza near Routes 70 and 530, China Town offers a simple dining option for those who might work up an appetite food shopping and can’t quite wait long enough to get home and cook. Then again, it may be one of those days when you wish someone else would do …

The Heritage Restaurant, 108 Lacey Rd., Whiting. 732-350-9700.The scene: Easily found near the Super Foodtown in Whiting, The Heritage Restaurant is the perfect place for fun, casual family dining. Maybe you live in one of the nearby Crestwood Villages and are looking for a change of pace to your usual lunch or dinner routine? This is the perfect place to come enjoy early bird senior citizen specials. With warmer weather approaching, the restaurant's Summertime Sundays will provide karaoke fun for the entire family.   The eats: Breakfast, lunch or dinner, be sure to bring your appetite, as …

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Patch's Jersey Shore region picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: The Office Lounge, 820 Main St., Toms River. 732-349-0800. The scene: Walk inside The Office Lounge and you'll find a bar filled with people from all walks of life unwinding after a long, hard day at work. No matter the day of the week, you'll find a lively crowd looking to have fun and put the stresses of the day behind them. If relaxing at …

Cool Beans Coffee House, 635 Bay Ave., Toms River. 732-797-2326.The scene: Located near the movie theater in the Seacourt Pavilion, Cool Beans has long been known as one of the high school hangouts for Toms River’s teenagers. And while this is true, Cool Beans caters to all, regardless of age.  If a bar isn’t your scene, the coffee house provides a casual atmosphere that is perfect for catching up with friends or getting to know a date better. Occasionally, the coffee house features live entertainment from local musicians. The eats: While you can certainly get some very tasty coffee house …

Years back, "Red Ed," who was a sales rep in the surf industry, more or less vanished from the surf shops you would see him in so often. The reason? Surf Taco in Point Pleasant Beach.  Now a New Jersey favorite, Surf Taco has eight locations at the Jersey Shore.   Surf Taco offers a unique atmosphere and is one of the healthier "quick" food options around. The decor is exactly what you would expect from the name. Surf videos play on flat screens around the rooms while photographs of local and pro surfers adorn the walls. Surf Taco was the first in the area to cash in on the California-style …

Sizzling sounds, scrumptious smells, flames two feet high and, oh yes … food!  It’s dinner and a show all in one. It’s hibachi time around town.There's more than one hibachi restaurant in Toms River. You can choose a place with the feel of downtown Tokyo or one of Japanese zen. Here's our rundown of just a few of many places to find hibachi in Toms River, explaining what's on the menu and more. Shogun at Bey Lea – North Bay Ave. This is a party atmosphere and the only non-franchise hibachi restaurant in Toms River with a full service bar. Strobe lights and music fill the room. Definitely a …

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Patch's Jersey Shore region picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Wang Sushi Asian Fusion, 203 Route 37 East, Toms River. 732-818-1388.The scene: Located on Route 37 between the Wawa and K-Mart, you’ll need to turn down Marion Street to find this jewel of an eatery. Inside, the sounds of Asian music softly greet you on the overhead radio. Friendly staff quickly say hello as you take any seat of your …

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Patch's Jersey Shore region picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Donovan’s Bar Restaurant and Grill, 1900 Route 70, Manchester. 732-657-0006. The scene:  Easy to miss buried behind bank and retail storefronts at the intersection of Route 70 and Ridgeway Road in Manchester, Donovan’s is a pleasant escape from the typical “restaurant and bar” chains that have invaded our area. It provides an authentic …

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Patch's Jersey Shore region picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice: Il Giardinello Ristorante, 1232 Route 166, Toms River. 732-286-9111.The scene: One may not expect a fine-dining experience to be buried in a strip mall filled with mostly in-and-out services. But don’t let that exterior fool you, as Il Giardinello, located in the Stella Towne Center, offers the perfect place to go when you'd like to leave the…