THE HOLIDAY SEASON BRINGS FEASTS AND FESTIVITIES TO THIS LIVELY FAMILY-OWNED RESTAURANT AND SPECIAL EVENTS VENUE IN TOMS RIVER

BY AMANDA McCOY • PHOTOS BY ALEX BARRETO

In Italian culture, food represents far more than sustenance on a plate. Meals offer the opportunity to slow down and savor the moment, to break bread with friends, family, and neighbors, to craft memories over heaping portions of Bolognese or a bubbling Margherita pie. When Cathy Varriale met her now husband, Enzo Varriale, at 20 years old, the duo instantly connected. Both Italian, Cathy and Enzo shared an affinity for family, culture, and the power of food in bringing people together. Today, decades later, the Varriales’ passion is palpable within the walls of their vibrant restaurant and events venue, Aqua Blu.

Shortly after they married, the Varriales bought their first restaurant, a quaint pizzeria, before relocating to Toms River with their two young daughters to open Enzo’s Caffé Italia in 1998, a neighborhood BYOB that still stands two and a half decades later. Over the years, the Varriales received requests to host parties and special events inside the café. They were happy to oblige, but the cozy space limited the size and scope of the events they could host. In 2011, a restaurant space became available along Route 37, and the owners immediately saw the venue’s potential. They jumped at the opportunity, soon debuting Aqua Blu, a lively, 10,000-square-foot restaurant and gathering haunt with multiple dining areas, three full service bars, and a contemporary lounge plenty of space for just about any type of soirée.

“Aqua Blu offers more of a social space,” noted Cathy Varriale. “We host a lot of events, from baby showers and christenings to bridal showers, corporate dinners, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, and more. We also offer a wedding buyout package so the couple can rent out the entire restaurant for their special day.”

The owners chose a calming, modern aesthetic, dressing every room with various pops of blue as an ode to the restaurant’s name. Coastal accents are subtle and elegant: think wicker-style chairs, artisan baskets, and large beach badges on the walls. The primary bar, located in the center of the main dining hall, begins to buzz when happy hour kicks off at 2 p.m. and remains packed throughout the night. “The bar is one of our biggest draws,” she added.

The menu, described as creative ItalianAmerican through a modern lens, is the brainchild of chef Oscar Toro, who was part of the restaurant’s launch in 2011 and returned to steer the kitchen again in 2021 (see chef Toro’s full story in the January 2024 issue of INDUSTRY). Chef Toro’s spread is a love letter to fresh, ingredientdriven fare. The offerings are constantly changing to reflect what’s in season, and everything from the vegetables and herbs to the fish and meat is as fresh as it gets.

“We use local ingredients,” noted Varriale. “We get a delivery every day. Our meat is sourced from the renowned purveyor Pat LaFrieda, and our produce arrives from local Silverton Farms. Everything is super fresh.”

Dinner selections span fresh crudo, salads, appetizers, pizzas, pastas, and mains, all accompanied by a generous wine and specialty cocktail list. (There’s also separate menus for brunch, the bar, and happy hour.) Fan favorites include the Pat LaFrieda Aqua Burger, a juicy handheld smothered in cheddar, rich caramelized onions, roasted tomato, crisp bibb lettuce, and a house-recipe spicy mayo, along with the classic spaghetti, topped with slow-cooked pomodoro, fresh basil leaves, ricotta, and juicy homemade meatballs. Every year, once the weather begins to cool, regulars can expect a rendition of braised short ribs, a perennial staple since the beginning.

“People go crazy for them,” added Varriale. As the festive season approaches, the Varriales are gearing up for a busy end-ofyear, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. In addition to Aqua Blu’s regular weekly programming, which includes live music every Wednesday through Sunday (the restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays), the owners welcome holiday events like corporate parties and December weddings. Varriale herself oversees each and every event, from booking to execution, to ensure everything from the balloons to the glassware is perfect.

“I am the in-house event coordinator,” noted Varriale. “When there’s a booking, I’m there every step of the way. Every event is personalized. We handle everything from the food and cocktails to the flowers, tables, and décor.”

As seasoned restaurateurs, the Varriales are versed in navigating the changing tides of restaurant ownership. Life and circumstance have certainly tossed the Varriales a few curve balls – exactly one year after Aqua Blu opened its doors, Superstorm Sandy pummeled the space with four feet of standing water – but after decades of owning restaurants, the owners noted the secret to lasting success is simple: consistency, quality, and hospitality.

Aqua Blu

3410 NJ-37, Toms River

732.270.1180 / aquablurestaurant.com