WHAT’S FOR LUNCH? SALADS AND PIZZA

Personal-size pizzas from the oven at Urban Coalhouse in the Galleria. (Photo by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

By SUSAN ERICSON

PieHole stopped in for lunch last week at Urban Coalhouse Pizza and Bar, the former Tommy’s Coal-Fired Pizza in the Galleria of Red Bank, one of four restaurants that owners Andrew Cameron, Chris and Matt Lombardi and Mike Centaro have up and running around New Jersey.

We were happy to find few if any changes to what we enjoyed about Tommy’s, including the fact that the menu still centers around an enormous, coal-fired, 900-degree oven used to producing the signature pizzas and wings.
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December 16, 2016 - 11:54 am | Comments ()

CRAVINGS: SUNDAY PORK ROLL

Natalie Cozzati takes a bite of the breakfast sandwich she craves. (Photo by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

By SUSAN ERICSON

piehole_cravings “Do I like pork roll?” Red Bank graphic designer and owner of NMC Design Studio Natalie Cozzati rhetorically asks PieHole. “Am I from Jersey? I’ve got to have my pork roll fix. Gotta satisfy that craving.”

Cozzati is not alone in her uniquely Jersey desire. At the Red Bank Farmers’ Market every Sunday this time of year, you’ll find plenty of customers queuing up at Johnny’s Pork Roll truck, patiently waiting to grab their sandwiches.

And don’t call it Taylor Ham, say Cozzati and others in line in the Galleria parking lot.
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September 28, 2016 - 10:39 am | Comments ()

WHAT’S FOR LUNCH? DANISH PANINI

Chicken Douglas, a panini-style sandwich from the Danish Café, a flag-festooned coffee shop. (Photos by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

By SUSAN ERICSON

On any given day at Loni and Claudi Kofod’s Danish Café on Bridge Avenue in Red Bank, you’ll find customers in deep discussion, their open laptops sharing table space with large cups of coffee.

But the wifi, full-bodied, European-style java and original pastries are only part of what brings customers to this light-filled, red-and-white-flag-festooned Galleria space. The lunch menu offers simple, healthy choices, as PieHole rediscovered on a recent business meeting-slash-What’s For Lunch outing.
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October 9, 2015 - 11:04 am | Comments ()

LITTLE SILVER: OFFICE BUILDING PLANNED

A warehouse-style office building is planned for the vacant lot on Willow Drive near Branch Avenue. Below, council members examining developer Ray Smith’s plans Monday night. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

After years of contamination, bankruptcy and idleness, one of Little Silver’s most troubled properties may finally be getting a makeover. But first, the owner wants a zone change.

A plan for a “warehouse-style” office structure to be built on Willow Drive by commercial real estate broker and developer Ray Smith got a warm reception from the borough council during the workshop portion of its meeting Monday night.

July 7, 2015 - 8:00 am | Comments ()

FARMERS MARKETS: WHERE TO GET FRESH

At the Sea Bright farmers market, Meg Paska sells locally grown produce and flowers from Seven Arrows Farm, while the Holly Hill Farm table, below, offers Rumson-grown seedlings and produce. (Photos by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

By SUSAN ERICSON

Options for finding locally grown produce on the Greater Red Bank Green doubled with the addition last year of a farmers’ market in the Sea Bright municipal parking lot on Thursdays.

For local shoppers, that means more variety. While both Sea Bright and the Red Bank Farmers’ Market at the Galleria on summer and autumn Sundays are dependable for farm-grown veggies, there are some characteristics that differentiate the two.

June 25, 2015 - 2:33 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: TABLE DRESSING AT THE GALLERIA

Frame to Please at the Galleria at Red Bank hosts a display of custom-crafted centerpieces for weddings, kids’ parties and other gatherings by Red Bank artist Katie Benson. Benson will be present at a reception from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Thursday, and the items remain on display at the shop’s hallway kiosk through May 31. A portion of sale proceeds will go to Save US Pets. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

April 20, 2015 - 8:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: LOFTS LAND WEST ELM AS TENANT

The furniture retailer will occupy the ground-floor corner at West Front Street and Bridge Avenue, as shown in this rendering. (Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s West Side Lofts project now under construction has landed upscale furniture retailer West Elm as an anchor tenant.

The pending arrival of the store, slated for next August, was at the center of a handful of changes to the massive project the borough zoning board approved Thursday night.

December 5, 2014 - 7:56 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: CLOSING IN ON WEST SIDE LOFTS

A fifth-floor view of the “mews” between two buildings at the West Side Lofts, looking toward the Two River Theater. Below, developer Chris Cole. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

After years on the drawing board, one of the biggest – and architecturally boldest – residential projects ever conceived for Red Bank is nearing completion.

While area merchants and restaurateurs anxiously await their arrival, West Side Lofts developer Chris Cole said he’s planning on having the first tenants move in as early as February.

Designed by David Baker Architects in San Francisco, the project features 92 rental units in a Rubik’s-cube-like amalgam of bold color and jutting facades that dominates the corner of West Front Street and Bridge Avenue, in what’s sometimes referred to as the Arts and Antiques District of town.

But “it’s not trying to make a statement,” Cole told redbankgreen on a recent tour. “It’s more trying to embrace the arty side of town.”

October 16, 2014 - 9:44 am | Comments ()

WHERE HAVE I SEEN THIS?

Can you identify the subject of this week’s Where Have I Seen This? Take a guess! Please send your answer to wherehaveiseenthis@redbankgreen.com.

That rakish, mustachioed man in last week’s photo was easily recognized by a handful of readers, wink wink.

June 26, 2014 - 6:29 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: TOMATOES EARLY; MOST ELSE, LATE

A quick tour of the Farmers’ Market, as seen on June 1. (Video by Gerda Liebmann. Click to pause.)

By JIM WILLIS

morsels medium Red Bank Farmers’ Market regular John Hauser of Hauser Hill Farms in Old Bridge tells PieHole that the long, cold winter has set produce availability back by about two weeks.

“It was cold through April and May, and we’re about 10 to 14 days behind schedule,” says Hauser. The upshot is that vegetables such as green zucchinis and kirby pickling cucumbers that are typically available by the last week of May are hard to find out in the fields this week.

June 12, 2014 - 9:41 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: KALE, SEITAN… AND PORK ROLL?

The Johnny Pork Roll truck is a new addition at the Red Bank Farmer’s Market in the Galleria parking lot. (Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge)

By JIM WILLIS

morsels medium After a long winter, Mother Nature is taking her sweet time this spring, making us wait for the vast array of produce we’re accustom to seeing on Sundays at the Red Bank Farmer’s Market.

We will wait an extra week or two for the bounty of beans and other spring crops to make it to the Galleria parking lot. In the meantime, though, a new food truck – Johnny Pork Roll – means that PieHole followers can nosh on nature’s most perfect food: the pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich.

May 30, 2014 - 5:22 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: TO MARKET, TO MARKET

Mother’s Day means the welcome return of the Red Bank Farmers Market to the parking lot of The Galleria building; a seasonal Sunday tradition that pitches its tent beginning at 9 am.

If it’s Mother’s Day weekend — and it most assuredly is, for the benefit of eleventh-hour gift shoppers everywhere — then it’s time once again for the Red Bank Farmer’s Market, the seasonal staple of local living that commandeers the parking lot of the Galleria complex (Bridge Avenue and West Front Street) every Sunday from now up to the threshold of Thanksgiving.

Between the hours of 9 am and 2 pm, a collection of area vendors will be pitching their tents to purvey a great selection of locally grown seasonal produce, freshly baked goods, handmade preserves, sauces, cheeses and more — in addition to houseplants, custom art and craft gifts, clothing items, and even some specialties geared to pets and their personal shoppers.

May 9, 2014 - 11:01 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PLANNERS SPAR OVER FACADES

A plan by Joe Romanowski to remove the vestibule of his new Goldtinker store on Broad Street won approval. So did Tommy’s Coal-Fired Pizza’s request to permanently enclose seasonal seating area at the Galleria, below. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

The Red Bank planning board approved a restaurant expansion, a downtown facade change and the renovation of what Mayor Pasquale Menna called a “cancerous eyesore” Monday night.

Along the way were some unusual flashes of passion among board members.

April 22, 2014 - 8:14 am | Comments ()

RED BANK CUTTING FARM VENDOR FEE

Red Bank officials introduced an ordinance amendment this week that will allow food vendors at the Farmers’ Market to obtain yearlong health department licenses for $350, instead of paying $50 per week. A vote on the measure, which Mayor Pasquale Menna said would also reduce paperwork at borough hall, was scheduled for April 23. Here’s the amendment: RB 2014-10

The Farmers’ Market, based in the Galleria parking lot, returns on Mother’s Day, May 11, and runs into mid-November. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

April 11, 2014 - 12:25 pm | Comments ()

ARCTIC COLD LINGERS

With temperatures in the teens, our beautiful Navesink River was a white wonderland for iceboaters and strollers willing to step out onto hardened water between Red Bank and Middletown Wednesday. Thursday started off with wind-chill temperatures six degrees below zero, and a forecast high of 30 degrees. (Click to enlarge)

January 30, 2014 - 6:54 am | Comments ()

BITING COLD CONTINUES ON THE GREEN

A sign of the times at the Galleria at Red Bank on Bridge Avenue Tuesday morning, above. Winter’s fierce grip continued Wednesday as residents of the Green woke to a dusting of snow and a forecast of more biting cold through the day, with temperatures around 12 degrees at dawn promising to get only to about 24 over the course of the day – and wind-chill temperatures remaining in the low teens. Daytime peaks are expected to climb to 47 by Sunday, however, the National Weather Service says. (Click to enlarge)

January 29, 2014 - 6:29 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PERKY, FREE-RANGE EGGS, CHEEP

Hauser Hill Farms eggs are among the best bargains as the Red Bank Farmers’ Market closes out its 2013 season Sunday. (Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge)

By JIM WILLIS

One of PieHole‘s favorites at the Red Bank Farmers Market this season was a late discovery: the eggs from Hauser Hill Farms.

These eggs have some of the brightest yolks we’ve seen, a good indication that the chickens are eating good stuff. Crack two into your frying pan for a pair of sunny-side ups, and the yolks tower over the whites with the perkiness of a cheerleader on game day.

They’re also an incredible bargain.

PieHole spoke to farmer John Hauser to make sure he’d have plenty at his table this weekend, and to get some details on his hens. Take it here for all the details.

BTW, if you’re savoring our food coverage, be sure to make friends with our PieHole Facebook page or follow us on Twitter, where you’ll start seeing stuff that may not appear on redbankgreen‘s home page – cuz, you know, our cup do runneth over with culinary goodness.

November 22, 2013 - 10:16 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: THE SEASON’S LAST LOCAL YOLKS

Perky-as-heck eggs from Hauser Hill Farms. Get ’em Sunday or pine all winter. (Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge)

By JIM WILLIS

One of PieHole‘s favorites at the Red Bank Farmers Market this season was a late discovery: the eggs from Hauser Hill Farms.

These eggs have some of the brightest yolks we’ve seen, a good indication that the chickens are eating good stuff. Crack two into your frying pan for a pair of sunny-side ups, and the yolks tower over the whites with the perkiness of a cheerleader on game day.

PieHole spoke to farmer John Hauser to make sure he’d have plenty at his table this weekend, and to get some details on his hens.

November 22, 2013 - 9:40 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: SQUASH FOR CHRISTMAS & BEYOND

Laura Dardi and Lisa Bagwell explain how to store winter squashes and other vegetables. (Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge)

By JIM WILLIS

With the Red Bank Farmer’s Market 2013 season heading into the home stretch, the last of the year’s opportunities to shop for fresh produce at the Galleria are now on the early-dimming horizon.

Piehole checked in with Lisa Bagwell and Laura Dardi from E.R. And Sons Farm, an organic farm out of Monroe, to get the lowdown on what we can buy now and how best to store it so we can enjoy local produce through the winter.

“Right now we’ve got all types of winter squash: butternut, acorn, spaghetti and pumpkins,” said Bagwell. “Also the potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbages, beets, leeks and apples — these can all be put away.”

October 29, 2013 - 11:43 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: MAN AT WORK

Pierro Eliano 0909913 Piero Vescio, general maintenance man at the Galleria at Red Bank for 23 years, repairs wooden a structure on the property in beautiful late-summer weather Monday. (Photo by Sarah Klepner. Click to enlarge)

September 9, 2013 - 2:47 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: LAST OF THE GAGUTZ AND GARLIC

Peppers, peaches and eggplant will be peaking this weekend at the Red Bank Farmer’s Market. (Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge)

By JIM WILLIS

This Sunday could be your last chance to grab a gagutz at the Red Bank Farmers Market.

This is going to be it the guys just went into the fields to cut the vines down, Michelle OConnor, who runs Brookville Farms in Barnegat, tells redbankgreen. But it may also be your last chance to grab fresh garlic, too, says OConnor.

Its just about done,” she said of the harvest. “Ive got a little bit left, and if its there, its there.

August 9, 2013 - 6:40 am | Comments ()

WEEKEND: EAT, DRINK, SING, SAIL, AND MORE

A promo video for ‘Eat! Drink! Italy!,’ Red Bank restaurateur Victor Rallo’s new TV show, which gets a launch at the Basie Saturday night. Below, a rousing night of patriotic songs fills the First Presbyterian Church at Tower Hill Sunday. (Click to enlarge)

By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO

Friday, July 5:

RED BANK: The Josh Zuckerman Band stops by the Walt Street Pub for an energetic Friday night set. The show beings at 8 p.m. 180 Monmouth Street.

RED BANK: Blues rock guitarist Matt ORee and band perform at Jamians Food & Drink. The show begins at 8 p.m. 79 Monmouth Street.

SHREWSBURY: Monmouth County Eastern Branch Library hosts a discussion on Treasures of the Monmouth County Parks, including an update on the status of the park system post-Hurricane Sandy for this edition of First Friday for Seniors. The discussion begins at 11 a.m. 1001 Route 35 North.

July 5, 2013 - 7:16 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: FRESH FROM THE VINE

A six-second Vine tour of the season-opening edition of the Red Bank Farmers Market last Sunday. The market, located at the Galleria at Red Bank, at the corner of West Front Street and Shrewsbury Avenue, runs on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m into November. (Video by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

May 17, 2013 - 3:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: FARMERS RETURN TO MARKET

Among the myriad culinary and craft-shopping options available throughout the Green on Mother’s Day is one that bristles with green freshness: the Red Bank Farmer’s Market, above, which reopens Sunday for its six-month season in the parking lot of the Galleria of Red Bank, at West Front Street and Shrewsbury Avenue. The open-air market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays through mid-November. (Click to enlarge)

May 10, 2013 - 11:03 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: VALET PARKING GOES WEST

Curbside valet service is expected to ease parking pressures resulting from the construction of the West Side Lofts. (Click to enlarge)

By WIL FULTON

Like Broad Street, Bridge Avenue in Red Bank will have its own valet service during evenings in an attempt to improve the accessibility of nearby businesses and attract those weary of parking woes caused by the West Side Lofts project.

This week, the borough council Ok’d a valet service on Bridge Avenue on a temporary basis.

This is a wonderful season for Red Bank in terms of our rebirth and revitalization,” Menna said, “and as a result of the redevelopment on the West Side there is a need because the West Side Lofts projects are starting construction to hold a valet parking program.”

April 12, 2013 - 12:19 pm | Comments ()