Ever evolving and always engaging, the “cool little hip town” on the scenic Navesink River offers remarkable diversity in one vibrant location
by Laura D.C. Kolnoski
Unlike any other NJ destination, the borough of Red Bank, with its urban, historic, shore, and cultural vibes— plus ample shopping and dining—is the recipient of three national and state honors:
Among the Top Ten Best Suburbs (Trulia), 2016 Great Places in New Jersey Award, and #1 in People’s Choice for Favorite Downtown Arts District. Summer is the perfect time to find out why it has such
a following, and such recognition.
THINGS TO DO
ANTIQUES
Treasure hunt American Pickers-style at several locations. On West Front Street: Antique Center Buildings 1, II, & III; Riverbank Antiques & Interiors, Stillwell House Fine Art & Antiques. On Monmouth St.: Monmouth Street Emporium and Monmouth Stamp & Coin.
ART ALLIANCE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
Member-based non-profit showcasing art of all genres by local artists, studio space, exhibitions. 33 Monmouth St., 732.842.9403, artallianceofmonmouth.org
BEACON FINE ARTS GALLERY
61 Monmouth St., 732.936.0888, beaconfineartsgallery.com
BOW TIE CINEMA
36 White St., 732.777.3456, bowtiecinemas.com
CHETKIN GALLERY
Original works from fine artists from around the world. 9 Wharf Ave., 732.741.6116, chetkingallery.com
COUNT BASIE THEATRE
Renowned landmarked theatre. Opened in 1926 as the Carlton Theater and renamed in 1984 to honor jazz great and Red Bank native William “Count” Basie. Marquee performances, concerts, special events, student workshops. 99 Monmouth St., 732.224.8778, countbasietheatre.org
DETOUR GALLERY
Opened in 2016, this 10,000-square-foot contemporary arts center in a renovated warehouse emphasizes emerging artists. Frequent
exhibitions are scheduled. 24 Clay St., 732.704.3115, detourgallery.com
FARMER’S MARKET
Locally grown produce, crafts, vendors, and food trucks amid the
borough’s arts and antiques district in the parking lot of the historic Galleria. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Sundays through November 19. 2 Bridge Ave.
FOOD AND WINE WALK
This strolling. eating, and drinking fest throughout the downtown is scheduled for Sundays, July 16, August 20, and September 17.
INDIE STREET FILM FESTIVAL
INDUSTRY is a sponsor of this cool event that debuted last year. It’s back for a second, larger installment July 26 – 30 throughout the borough, with screenings of over 75 independent feature and short films, parties, and special events. Venues and details at
indiestreetfilmfestival.org
RIVERSIDE GARDENS PARK
Picturesque riverfront green space with adjacent ice cream shop hosts summer fitness classes, outdoor music, films and more. Front Street, 732.530.2777, redbanknj. org/191/Parks-Recreation
SIDEWALK SALES
Enticing deals from Red Bank’s posh, exclusive, and eclectic boutiques and shops. Street artists entertain in the evenings. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 28 – 30.
STREETLIFE
Live entertainment takes place every Saturday night at various business district locations. Performances on the third Thursday of July and August added this year. 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
TRAP DOOR ESCAPE ROOM
60 White St., 732.741.5870, trapdoorescape.com
TWO RIVER THEATRE COMPANY
Great American plays and musicals by award-winning artists in a state-of-the-art facility at reasonable prices. Broadway, television, and film luminaries take the stage, and occasionally
seats in the audience! 21 Bridge Ave., 732.345.1400, tworivertheater.org
YESTERCADES
Arcade video games, pinball, and parties/private events. 80 Broad St., 732.383.7873, yestercades.com
BETTER HOUSEKEEPING SHOP
Family-owned appliance headquarters since 1939 with expert service and major brands including Bosch, Amana, Thermador, Viking, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and more. 46 Monmouth St., 732.741.4310, betterhousekeeping.com
CABANA 19 1
8 White St., 732.842.2138, cabana19redbank.com
CARBONE’S CLOTHING
24 Monmouth St., 732.852.2504, carbonesclothing.com
CHELSEA YARNS
25 Mechanic St., 732.637.8600, chelseayarns.com
COCO PARI
Red Bank’s most chic women’s boutique, famous for its exclusive designer clothing and 50-foot wall of stunning shoes. Designer men’s shoes and sneakers now available at this luxury landmine. 17 Broad St., 732.212.8111, cocopari.com
DOR L DOR
Trendy clothing boutique with locations throughout New Jersey and New York. 25 Broad St., 732.383.8269, dor.dornyc.com
DOUBLE TAKE
Exclusive consignment boutique specializing in ladies’ designer apparel, footwear, and accessories. 97 Broad St., 732.383.5482, edoubletake.com
EVAN JOHN DIAMANTAIRE
26 Monmouth St., 732.530.1540, redbank.diamonds
EYE DESIGN
Experienced, custom eye care and eye wear. Optometry clinic, opticians, lens technology, and boutique for designer frames, bags, scarves, and accessories. Linda Cohen, owner and Optician,
travels to Europe and beyond every year choosing from international collections few Opticians ever see. 90 Broad St., 732.530.6865, eyedesignnj.com
GARMANY
The utmost in style for men and women in a fine department store setting. Known for top brands, personalized service, tailoring,
and large, luxurious collections. 121 Broad St., 732.576.8500,
garmany.com
GOLDTINKER
Fine jewelry elegantly displayed in a restored 19th century brownstone. Every piece is conceived and created on location. 24 Broad St., 732.531.8787, goldtinker.com
HOBBYMASTERS & TOYMASTERS
62 White St., 732.842.6020, hobbymasters.com
JACK’S MUSIC SHOPPE
Albums, CDs, DVDs, sheet music, new and used instruments, and accessories. 30 Broad St., 732.842.0731, jacksmusicshop.com
JAY & SILENT BOB’S SECRET STASH
Devotees await Director Kevin Smith (Clerks) sightings. 35 Broad St., 732.758.0508, jayandsilentbob.com
LEONARDO JEWELERS
An exceptional selection of quality timepieces and jewelry begun by a Cuban-Lebanese immigrant over 50 years ago and still family owned. 35 E. Front St., 732.747.7880, leonardojewelers.com
LUCKI CLOVER
California and beach-style clothing and accessories. 20 Broad St.,
732.758.8169, Facebook
MADISON
68 Broad St., 732.530.9800, Facebook
MONMOUTH MUSIC
30 Monmouth St., 732.747.8888, monmouthmusic.com
MONMOUTH STREET TILE
The source for designers, architects, builders, and homeowners.
Consulting in a variety of tile, stone, and porcelain. 44 Monmouth St., 732.933.1760, monmouthsttile.com
NEMO TILE & STONE
Family owned for 95 years, its spacious showroom debuted inRed Bank last year. Extensive offerings in top collections for homes, hotels, restaurants, and retail. 21 White St., 732.677.1044, nemotile.com
POOR CAT
Handcrafted jewelry embellished with celestial, spiritual, and zodiac symbols. 732.842.3121, 69 Broad St., poorcatdesigns.com
RED GINGER HOME
66 Broad St., 732.345.1000, redgingerhome.com
RED SOLE
43 Broad St., 732.268.7762, Facebook
SELDIN’S TRINKETS & JEWELRY
Stunning Southwest and Native American jewelry, custom designs, and gifts. 2 W. Front St., 732.741.6990, seldinstrinketsandjewelry.com
SHORE CHIC
50 English Plaza, 732.497.0947, shorechic.com
SORELLA BELLA BOUTIQUE
27 Monmouth St., 732.383.7118, sorellabellaboutique.com
SWEETEST SIN BOUTIQUE
11 White St., 732.747.3550, sweetestsinbras.com
TIFFANY & CO
The New York jewelry legend since 1837 has a posh outpost in Red Bank. 105 Broad St., 732.345.8150, tiffany.com
THE BEE
Classic, stylish, and sexy women’s wear and accessories from a Manhattan high-end fashion retail expert. 67 Broad St., 732.345.7303, thebeestores.com
THEO
Designer women’s and men’s boutique featuring American and European designers and a variety of services. 3 E. Front St., 732.383.8085, theoclothier.com
URBAN OUTFITTERS
The men’s and women’s global retailer with a boutique approach occupies a high-profile corner in the heart of the business district. 2 Broad St., 732.741.3260, urbanoutfitters.com
WISTERIA
The ultimate source for professional skin care, perfumes, jewelry, cosmetics, beauty treatments, custom gift baskets, and personal pampering for both sexes. Located inside Coco Pari. 17 Broad St.,
732.530.9491, wisteriaredbank.com
WISH 28
28 Monmouth St., 732.513.2259, Facebook
Dining…Dig In!
ANTOINETTE BOULANGERIE
A luscious taste of Paris. 32 Monmouth St., 732.224.1118, antionetteboulangerie.com
BUONA SERA
Fine authentic Italian dining in an elegant setting. New rooftop bar, wine cellar, and private wedding/special occasion/meeting spaces. 50 Maple Ave., 732.530.5858, buona-sera.com
CATCH
The freshest high quality seafood with a market-style experience and specialty dishes from noted Chef Dominick Rizzo, a Culinary Institute of America grad, who trained under Chefs Mario Batali and Daniel Boulud. 9 Broad St., 732.268.8384, catchredbank.com
CHAR STEAKHOUSE
“It’s rare to find something this well done.” The chic choice for fine quality dry aged beef, shellfish, raw bar, and more. 33 Broad St., 732.450.2427, charsteakhouse.com
DANNY’S STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI
Neighborhood favorite for 50 years. 11 Bridge Ave., 732.741.6900,
dannysteakhouse.com
DUBLIN HOUSE
Irish fare in a restored Victorian house with two outside spaces. 30 Monmouth St., 732.747.6699, thedublinhouse.com
GAETANO’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
High quality homemade breads, pastas, sauces, house infused olive oils, bottled vinaigrette, and secret recipes create acclaimed authentic cuisine. Catering, private events, and parties. 10 Wallace St., 732.741.1321, gaetanosnj.com
GOTHAM
Downtown’s hottest spot is a speakeasy-themed and art-adorned gastropub that morphs into a sizzling nightclub with entertainment after dark. 19 Broad St., 732.268.8543, gothamredbank.com
LA PASTARIA
Cozy Italian trattoria with romantic patio seating. 30 Linden Pl., 732.224.8699, lapastaria.com
NICHOLAS
New American cuisine by premier chef Nicholas Harary in a stylish locale. Received four stars from The New York Times, and a 29/30
rating in food and service from Zagat. 160 NJ-35, 732.345.9977,
restaurantnicholas.com
O BISTRO FRANCAIS
Top NYC chefs and restaurateurs joined to create a modern Parisian bistro. 15 N. Bridge Ave., 732.852.2705, obistrofrancais.com
PATRIZIA’S PIZZA & PASTA
Elevated Neapolitan family-style dining and special occasion party room. Its Naples-born chef uses 150 year-old-family recipes. 28 Broad St., 732.741.5555, patriziasofbrooklyn.com
PAZZO
Classic Italian, coal-fired thin crust pizza, open kitchen, large bar, party space, and alfresco dining. 141 W. Front St., 732.747.4551, pazzoredbank.com
SHAPIRO’S NEW YORK STYLE DELICATESSEN
This deli paradise honors two families that arrived at Ellis Island in the early 1900s (one side from Poland, the other
from Russia), alogn with their recipes and traditions. New, and
instantly popular for it’s kosher breakfast, lunch, and dinner delights. 51 Broad St., 732.212.1600, shapirosdeli.com
RED ROCK TAP & GRILL
(Formerly Branigan’s) All-new destination with river views from
outdoor decks and nightlife. 14 Wharf Ave., 732.7467.2999, redrockrb.com
26 WEST ON THE NAVESINK
26 W. Front St., 732.383.5664, 26westonthenavesink.com
TEAK
64 Monmouth St., 732.747.5775, teakrestaurant.com
TEMPLE GOURMET CHINESE
Traditional and innovative Chinese delicacies made to order. 91 Broad St., 732.212.8858, templegourmet.com
THE CHEESE CAVE 1
4 Monmouth St., 732.842.0796,thecheesecave.com
THE DANISH CAFÉ
2 Bridge Ave., 732.268.7365, thedanishcafe.com
26 WEST
Red Bank’s newest seafood destination in a completed renovated space with views of the Navesink River. Yacht club vibe, craft cocktails by award-winning head Mixologist. 26 West Front St., 732.383.5664, Facebook
VIA 45
BYOB Zagat rated rustic Italian eatery with constantly changing
seasonal fare including vegan and gluten-free dishes. 45 Broad St., 732.450.9945, via45.com
THE DOWNTOWN
10 W. Front St., 732.741.2828, thedowntownnj.com
LIGHTS OUT//WHERE TO STAY
THE MOLLY PITCHER INN
An elegant and revered historic venue for special events and fine dining experiences overlooking the beautiful Navesink River. Décor and seasonal decorations alone are worth a visit, as is its fabled brunch. The huge outdoor patio and pool sparkle in summer. Redecorated rooms and suites provide gracious comfort. Diner’s and Couples’ Choice 2017 Awards winner. 88 Riverside Ave., 732.858.5502, themollypitcher.com
THE OYSTER POINT HOTEL
The Molly Pitcher’s sister property is just down the street, but a world away in terms of vibe. Sleek and contemporary yet decidedly upscale, it offers a different yet equally scenic view of the river, with a marina for dock-and-dine. The Pearl restaurant has a waterfront dining room as well as an outdoor patio with chic, comfy seating. 146 Bodman Pl., 732.530.8200, theoysterpointhotel.com
COURTYARD LINCROFT/RED BANK
245 Half Mile Road, 732.530.5552, marriott.com/ hotels/travel/ewrrb-courtyardlincroft-
red-bank
SHERATON EATONTOWN
6 Industrial Way (off Rt. 35),732.542.6500, sheratoneatontown.com