OT: Recommendations for Italian food in Manasquan/Sea Girt area

[jaydogsmooth1]

I know, living in Monmouth County I should have this on lock, but we kind of homebodies in that regard and don't go out to eat much
Anyway, we're going to the theater in Manasquan for a 2pm show (great little spot by the way - saw Grease there last year)

Wife and daughter want to go out for Italian food somewhere local after the show
Foodies / locals of the board, any recco's ??

 

[kupuna133]

La Mondina in Brielle high end great cocktails may be difficult to get reservations.

Antonio’s Manasquan. Looks like pizza place on the outside but puts out great food. People travel to go here.

Via veneto. BYOB Italian that is great. Difficult to get into during the season. But has something for everyone.

Squan tavern pizza, red sauce joint always reliable kid friendly. Walking distance from Algonkin theatre.

Fratellos. Sea girt. Another reliable spot. Gives the vibe of an Italian Irish pub. Has a regulars crowd buys shouldn’t be a problem getting a reservation.

La Dolce vita is a little bit further away in Belmar. Portions are huge and can accommodate large crowds and reservations shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[RUBigFrank]

Lubranos in Squan - also BYOB

 

[e5fdny]

Lubranos in Squan - also BYOB

Some say the one in the Shop Rite shopping center on 34 is the real one.

The OP could pick any on the list by @kupuna133 and not go wrong.

But some of them are really in Wall with a Manasquan mailing address.

 

[koleszar]

I know, living in Monmouth County I should have this on lock, but we kind of homebodies in that regard and don't go out to eat much
Anyway, we're going to the theater in Manasquan for a 2pm show (great little spot by the way - saw Grease there last year)

Wife and daughter want to go out for Italian food somewhere local after the show
Foodies / locals of the board, any recco's ??

Hey, just got back from Naples and had fun walking Mercato thanks for the recommendation. Stayed in Bonita Springs this time and on a whim tried Jimmy Ps Charred. #7 Waygu 16oz rib eye was amazing, it was $60 for a 16 oz and worth every buck. Once again, the steak down there never fails.

 

[Knight Shift]

Some say the one in the Shop Rite shopping center on 34 is the real one.

The OP could pick any on the list by @kupuna133 and not go wrong.

But some of them are really in Wall with a Manasquan mailing address.

Not impressed with the dining room at Lubrano's, seems very crowded.

How about Antonio's on Route 35 next to the Purr and Pooch? That is not very far from the theatre in Manasquan (closer than Lubrano's). Antonio's is much nicer that Lubrano's, and they have great service.

Is Grandma's Meatball still popular? Never tried.

Homepage

antoniostratt.com

Grandma's Meatball

 

[RU at the shore]

Not impressed with the dining room at Lubrano's, seems very crowded.

Did you eat there ? It is excellent and crowded for a reason.

 

[knightfan7]

Some say the one in the Shop Rite shopping center on 34 is the real one.

The OP could pick any on the list by @kupuna133 and not go wrong.

But some of them are really in Wall with a Manasquan mailing address.

Yes on the one by Shop Rite.

My go to is the Squan Tavern but that's as much my daughter loves going whenever she's here.

 

[e5fdny]

Hey, just got back from Naples and had fun walking Mercato thanks for the recommendation. Stayed in Bonita Springs this time and on a whim tried Jimmy Ps Charred. #7 Waygu 16oz rib eye was amazing, it was $60 for a 16 oz and worth every buck. Once again, the steak down there never fails.

@jaydogsmooth1,

One of the recommendations by @kupuna133, Via Veneto some (me and my kids - "Dad, this place is like when we visit Grandma and Pop Pop in Naples.") would say is like being on 5th Avenue in Naples. 🙂

Not impressed with the dining room at Lubrano's, seems very crowded.

How about Antonio's on Route 35 next to the Purr and Pooch? That is not very far from the theatre in Manasquan (closer than Lubrano's). Antonio's is much nicer that Lubrano's, and they have great service.

That's because:

1. It's in a strip mall
2. It's really good

I like Antonio's too, Wife not as much.

Via Veneto, which is very close to Antonio's is that much better IMO.

 

[zappaa]

Luigi Mangione, became suspicious to McDonalds employee after he ordered Chicken Nuggets Parmigiana

 

[Plum Street]

Squab tavern will get the job done

 

[RUPete]

Luigi Mangione, became suspicious to McDonalds employee after he ordered Chicken Nuggets Parmigiana

That would be an improvement.

 

[Tango Two]

I know, living in Monmouth County I should have this on lock, but we kind of homebodies in that regard and don't go out to eat much
Anyway, we're going to the theater in Manasquan for a 2pm show (great little spot by the way - saw Grease there last year)

Wife and daughter want to go out for Italian food somewhere local after the show
Foodies / locals of the board, any recco's ??

Spano's Ristorante Italiano

Quaint little BYOB Italian Restaurant in downtown Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

www.spanos.net

 

[e5fdny]

@knightfan7 knows how I feel about Squan Tavern, but IMO it’s your best bet:

- Walking distance
- Nice little downtown, especially during Christmas
- And the food and atmosphere is really good

 

[NotInRHouse]

Esposito's - porchetta sandwich- best I've had outside of Italy

Joe Leone's for a sandwich at that time would work too. Eggplant pie as well

 

[knightfan7]

Esposito's - porchetta sandwich- best I've had outside of Italy

Joe Leone's for a sandwich at that time would work too. Eggplant pie as well

Like Esposito's.

 

[rufeelinit]

Via Venuto is good. Used to go to Antonios but now not so much. Haven't been to Squan Tavern in awhile because of a general preference for BYOB's but if you are going for lunch probably less crowded. I think the new place in Sea Girt Doms has some type of tie to the Squan Tavern from an ownership perspective. If you are considering Belmar, Federici's on 10th will be easier on the wallet than LaDolce Vita.

 

[knightfan7]

Via Venuto is good. Used to go to Antonios but now not so much. Haven't been to Squan Tavern in awhile because of a general preference for BYOB's but if you are going for lunch probably less crowded. I think the new place in Sea Girt Doms has some type of tie to the Squan Tavern from an ownership perspective. If you are considering Belmar, Federici's on 10th will be easier on the wallet than LaDolce Vita.

Squan - Dom's = Same family but not same owners is what I've heard.

 

[LeapinLou]

I know, living in Monmouth County I should have this on lock, but we kind of homebodies in that regard and don't go out to eat much
Anyway, we're going to the theater in Manasquan for a 2pm show (great little spot by the way - saw Grease there last year)

Wife and daughter want to go out for Italian food somewhere local after the show
Foodies / locals of the board, any recco's ??

I would go with one of these three. You can find these menus/prices online.
- Dom's in Sea Girt.
- If you like leftovers, the portions at Lubranos are huge.
- Esposito's is a pizza joint atmosphere, but the food there is good.

If you want a place with a liquor license, you can walk to Squan Tavern from the theater, but the food is hit or miss.

 

[LeapinLou]

Squan - Dom's = Same family but not same owners is what I've heard.

You are correct that one brother owns Squan Tavern and the other owns Dom's. They are totally separate operations. Given the choice, I prefer Dom's. It's a smaller operation and in my opinion, the food is more consistent.

Other places people have mentioned:

Joe Leone's is a take out place, not a sit down restaurant.

I like Via Veneto a lot as a BYOB dinner place. Not sure I'd go there for lunch.

Antonio's is a decent option.

Spano's is incredible but good luck trying to get in there. Although maybe for lunch it wouldn't be as tough to get a reservation.

I've been in Squan 3 1/2 years and still haven't been to Grandma's Meatballs. It's on the to-do list.

 

[LeapinLou]

Speaking of Squan, I'm going to watch the Rate Bowl at Leggets while my wife and two adult kids play Thursday night bingo.

 

[Knight Shift]

Did you eat there ? It is excellent and crowded for a reason.

We did pickup a lot during pandemic, but just from looking at the dining room, it was too crowded for us. Light the atmosphere in Antonio's better.

 

[Knight Shift]

Luigi Mangione, became suspicious to McDonalds employee after he ordered Chicken Nuggets Parmigiana

No canoli? Did he leave the gun?

 

[kupuna133]

Squan - Dom's = Same family but not same owners is what I've heard.

Yea son opened Doms. He was the head cook.

Same menu. Think pizza is better at Doms now that he left Squan

 

[kupuna133]

We did pickup a lot during pandemic, but just from looking at the dining room, it was too crowded for us. Light the atmosphere in Antonio's better.

Way too crowded and it’s full from 2 pm on. Why I didn’t mention it. Crowd from 4 seasons takes it over. Very territorial bunch. Was asked to move tables twice by separate groups.

 

[e5fdny]

Way too crowded and it’s full from 2 pm on. Why I didn’t mention it. Crowd from 4 seasons takes it over. Very territorial bunch. Was asked to move tables twice by separate groups.

So you eat that early? 😉

 

[T2Kplus20]

I know, living in Monmouth County I should have this on lock, but we kind of homebodies in that regard and don't go out to eat much
Anyway, we're going to the theater in Manasquan for a 2pm show (great little spot by the way - saw Grease there last year)

Wife and daughter want to go out for Italian food somewhere local after the show
Foodies / locals of the board, any recco's ??

Spano's - Point Pleasant just off 35.

 

[kupuna133]

So you eat that early? 😉

No regularly in that parking lot for shop rite and the liquor store. And Lubranos is mobbed. Especially on weekends with private parties and large groups.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Hey, just got back from Naples and had fun walking Mercato thanks for the recommendation. Stayed in Bonita Springs this time and on a whim tried Jimmy Ps Charred. #7 Waygu 16oz rib eye was amazing, it was $60 for a 16 oz and worth every buck. Once again, the steak down there never fails.

Speaking of Naples and Italian restaurants.....love Campiello.

 

[koleszar]

Speaking of Naples and Italian restaurants.....love Campiello.

Will have to put it on the list for next time down.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Will have to put it on the list for next time down.

Not only amazing food, really cool building and location (Old Naples).

Campiello Naples Italian Restaurant | Campiello | Italian Restaurant | Naples Restaurant | Downtown Restaurants | Private Parties | Catering | Award Winning

Campiello is an award-winning Italian restaurant located on Third Street South, Naples Florida offering lunch, dinner, happy hour, wines lists, and cocktails. Named “Best Italian Restaurant” by Naples Illustrated and “Best Outdoor Dining” by OpenTable.

campiellonaples.com

 

[e5fdny]

Not only amazing food, really cool building and location (Old Naples).

Campiello Naples Italian Restaurant | Campiello | Italian Restaurant | Naples Restaurant | Downtown Restaurants | Private Parties | Catering | Award Winning

Campiello is an award-winning Italian restaurant located on Third Street South, Naples Florida offering lunch, dinner, happy hour, wines lists, and cocktails. Named “Best Italian Restaurant” by Naples Illustrated and “Best Outdoor Dining” by OpenTable.

campiellonaples.com

I’m that way about Ridgway’s.

 

[Knight Shift]

No regularly in that parking lot for shop rite and the liquor store. And Lubranos is mobbed. Especially on weekends with private parties and large groups.

Hate that whole parking lot, so jammed up all the time.
What happened with the high end ice cream shop that was supposed to open there in the old Cheri Blow place? That Cheri Blow place looked like they hired directly from college cheer and dance teams. We had a non-emergency fire call there, and we checked the place really well to make sure it was safe!

 

[kupuna133]

Hate that whole parking lot, so jammed up all the time.
What happened with the high end ice cream shop that was supposed to open there in the old Cheri Blow place? That Cheri Blow place looked like they hired directly from college cheer and dance teams. We had a non-emergency fire call there, and we checked the place really well to make sure it was safe!

I’ve seen more accidents and medical emergencies in that parking lot. Very dangerous. Seems like there’s always an ambulance/fire truck or cop car with their lights on.

Daughter and I saw a sign for Nicholas Creamery for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Didn’t realize it has been delayed.

 

[Mod9a]

I like Via Veneto a lot as a BYOB dinner place. Not sure I'd go there for lunch.

The best place in the area, but not open for lunch.

 

[kupuna133]

I’m that way about Ridgway’s.

Would go to a conference in Naples every couple of years. Fond memories of Ridgeways. Cool friendly spot.

 

[LetsGoRUwrestling]

if it was a Friday and back in 90's I would recommend D'jais in Belmar after work party...They would put out a great spread for free ...Now I would go to

Fratellos Italian Grille

or

Squan Tavern - Manasquan NJ

15 Broad Street Manasquan NJ -

squantavern.com

 

[BuggsyRU]

I know, living in Monmouth County I should have this on lock, but we kind of homebodies in that regard and don't go out to eat much
Anyway, we're going to the theater in Manasquan for a 2pm show (great little spot by the way - saw Grease there last year)

Wife and daughter want to go out for Italian food somewhere local after the show
Foodies / locals of the board, any recco's ??

Fratello's in Sea Girt is great!

 

[e5fdny]

if it was a Friday and back in 90's I would recommend D'jais in Belmar after work party...They would put out a great spread for free ...Now I would go to

Fratellos Italian Grille

or

Squan Tavern - Manasquan NJ

15 Broad Street Manasquan NJ -

squantavern.com

That’s what one of the former places were LaMondina is now did as well.

Used to be called Anthony’s back then and my parents would leave the beach in Spring Lake to go for the awesome free buffet (with one drink purchase).

 

[Ruthinking]

Is Maria's still open in Manasquan?