'Viva La Bistro!' at Toms River's Newest Coffee Shop

Anyone can get a cup of coffee and a sandwich, but not many places offer a free Revolution with every purchase.

 The vibrant maroon and sage colored walls, a local artist's work painted on reused cardboard coupled with an essence of change; the story of a different approach unfolds when you walk in the door.

Revolutionary Lounge Coffeehouse and Restaurant is the newest edition to Toms River's coffee shops. Located at 1776 Hooper Ave., next to True Jersey and Burning Monk Tattoo, the has all the elements a true coffee shop should have. Since they opened their doors two weeks ago the lounge has made many happy customers come back for seconds. Fresh roasted coffee, gourmet appetizers and sandwiches are served with an idea behind their food.

"The idea was a place where people can come in and be themselves," said Mike Dunston, Head Chef of the bistro. "To have a cup of coffee and to lounge; not be expected to get out when they are done eating."

Dunston, who graduated from and the Atlantic City Culinary Program, takes pride in his food and adds more than love to each meal.  He recently finished his apprenticeship in New York to become a certified Sous Chef.

He spoke of the menu at the shop:

"The style is more health food," said Dunston. "I like contemporary fusion with Mediterranean and Old World Foods brought up in a different way. Our menu has vegan and vegetarian on it with many choices on it. The menu that I wrote is for an upscale bistro/café; nice sandwiches, salads, composed appetizers with mostly American food on it."

Dunston, who works with one other chef, uses his training to prepare full appetizers and gourmet sandwiches. His love for his work and food in general is apparent in his menu.

"I love sauces," said Dunston. "All our sauces are house made. The dressings are also house made." Dunston made reference to a thyme garlic aioli sauce and a honey Dijon sauce which are some of the more popular dressings on the menu. Dunston also mentioned the way his food is served on the plate:

"You can get a sandwich from a typical deli, but ours will look better on the plate. You eat with your eyes. Our appetizers look like they would come from a restaurant, not a bistro or café. Everyone who has had the chicken sandwich loves that chicken sandwich. We just don’t throw is on the grill sloppy. We make it a different way." said Dunston.

One of the more popular appetizers is the spinach-artichoke dip made with cream cheese. It's been a hit with customers since the shop opened its doors. Another classic item is the French Onion Soup, which is made with Madera wine and provolone cheese.

Being a head chef is an accomplishement many aspiring chefs yearn for. Dunston takes his job for more than a job. He spoke about feeling like he isn’t at work when he's there; a kind of elation many of us share when they love what they do.

Jill Mulligan is the barista at the lounge. She's been working in coffee shops since high school which she's always thought she would want to do.

"It's just something that I love to do," said Mulligan. "I've always worked in coffee shops."

The coffee itself is the key to being a good barista. With brick roasted beans the coffee just seems to taste better, she said. "All of our coffees are less than 24 hours freshly roasted. Each flavor has a separate machine or grinder. Our coffee never sits on a burner; it's made and served fresh straight into the pot. The quality is better this way." said Mulligan.

Besides the House Blend which is made especially for the Revolutionary Lounge, popular drinks like the Russian Revolution (espresso, chocolate, whipped cream and cinnamon) and the Chai Guevara have become hits in the first few weeks.

Most of the drinks on the menu are not taken from other recipes. Mulligan invents the drinks herself and always works with new ingredients to see which new flavor will become the next cup of coffee to try.

Mulligan said most customers are more surprised when they come in and see all the different choices in pastries the shop has. From muffins and crumb cakes to more gourmet cheese cakes the pastry compliments the coffee and vice versa.

"We've been playing around with the smoothies a lot," said Mulligan. "We ask people what they want and they can always make their own kind of flavor. People can choose from a bunch of different syrups, too."

The Revolutionary Lounge is open seven days a week and offers the customer dine in, dine out and delivery. With a couch and a drum set in the back the feeling of comfort and expression is never far from your side.

You can reach the shop online at revlounge.com or add them as a friend on Facebook . For orders and questions, call 732-608-7819.