Due to my stubborn insistence on being a June bride and not realizing three children and years later that romantic anniversary dinners would ultimately be replaced with baseball games, tennis matches and graduations, we finally got to have our special night out in August. I can tell you it was well worth the wait!
Being a musician and a food lover, I decided to combine the best of both of my worlds and made reservations for Tim McCloone’s Supper Club in Asbury Park. We met our good friends, Karen and Glenn, on the boardwalk at the entrance to The Supper Club at 7:00 sharp on a warm and breezy Saturday night. (Did I mention we have the same wedding anniversary?)
We were escorted to a table by the band under the stars. Yes, I said under the stars. The Supper Club was at one time a Howard Johnson’s Restaurant which has been transformed into a fun and beautiful seaside getaway complete with a full restaurant downstairs (the Asbury Grille) which includes outdoor seating on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean, and the upstairs supper club with sweeping windows that invite the stars in to dance. In short, the ambiance could not be better.
It was a perfect summer night and I was ready to enjoy it with good food, good wine, good friends, and good music – provided by Tim McLoone and the Shirley’s. As you all probably know, Tim owns numerous Jersey Shore Restaurants and has recently expanded his realm into Maryland. He is also very well known for his music and his incredible volunteering and fundraising with his “Holiday Express” band.
Now, comfortably sat, it was time for a bottle of Chardonnay and a review of the menu. In addition to my favorites, crab cakes and scallops, (which I’ve had on numerous occasions at Tim’s Pier House in Long Branch and the Seafood Pasta in Sea Bright), there was so much more on the menu to try. Since we were starving and out with very good friends, we decided to order one of each and share. On our second bottle of wine and with ‘The Shirley’s” on stage, we decided to order two salads, the Mango & Gorgonzola Salad (walnuts, fine herbs, dried cranberries, thyme vinaigrette) and the Classic Chicken Caesar Salad (romaine hearts, peppered croute, white anchovy).
By now the dancing had really kicked up our appetites. I believe the waiter detected this and graciously sent over two over flowing bowls of a very fresh pasta salad to hold us over. (OR, might I have told him once or twice that we were both celebrating our anniversaries???) Only minutes later our entrees arrived which included the “Colossal Crab Cakes” (roasted garlic couscous, sweet peppers and mixed greens), the “NJ Caught Mahi Mahi (haricot verts, mashed potatoes, lemon sauce, tomato confit) and two “Specials” of the evening which included both a stuffed Lobster tail and salmon in a lemon dill sauce.
Since we knew we were all going to try dessert, it was time to dance again – and dance we did. In my day, I was quite the dancer and still believe I am (much to my kids’ dismay).
Our dessert plates of cheesecakes and a chocolate decadent cake were placed at our table and along with Tim and the Shirley’s, we all took a break. After finishing every spoonful of our own and each other’s plates, we reluctantly agreed – it was time to go home. ( Between you and me, I could have stayed longer.) But, we had a great night and created precious new memories. On the way out, I just had to to tell Tim myself what a memorable evening we had. As he sipped his wine and reveled in the fun his guests were having, he thanked us for coming and was genuinely happy to hear how much we enjoyed our meal and music of the evening. We will be back for more – and more. And who knows, maybe one day, I can be a “Shirley” for a song or two!
Tim McLoone’s Supper Club
1200 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
732-774-1155
Beverly A. Beveridge is our Monmouth County Regional Editor. Bev resides in Eatontown with her husband, Bob, daughters, Melissa and Brittany, son, Glenn, dog, Bailey and cats, Kitty and Slodki (polish for honey/sweet). She enjoys dining out, piano, tennis, travelling, designing her JERSEY GIRL swimsuits and Calendar, music (especially Rock Concerts) and meeting people. Enjoy her ‘fun’ reviews! Passport to Peru – Home of the Jersey Girls Swimsuit models and ‘Calendar’ Girls! ‘Passport Swimsuits – A Swimsuit to fit ‘every body’. www.passporttoperu.net
