Avenue, Long Branch, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
Avenue Restaurant in the high end Pier Village section is an upscale, beach/oceanfront restaurant with a trendy, energetic Jersey Shore feeling
Avenue Restaurant23 Ocean Ave
Long Branch, NJ
732-759-2900
Website
Avenue: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: French American
Price: Very Expensive
Noise Level: Moderate to high during peak times
Dress: Upscale Casual
Food Quality: Well prepared, artfully crafted menu
Service: Friendly, attentive, though a bit pretentious
Ambiance/Decor: Upscale, with beach/oceanfront views, and a trendy, energetic, Jersey Shore feeling.
Overall Rating: 2 1/2 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy good food with upscale, energetic, trendy ambiance in a Jersey shore beach front setting
Not Recommended For: Cost conscious diners who prefer "Old World" dining amenities, and less trendy ambiance
Recommended dishes: When available, The Lamb Shank; The Dry Aged Prime NY Strip; or The Lobster Pot-Au-Feu'
Liquor: Extensive wine list, specialty cocktails. Bar scene is vibrant.
Restaurant Review
Elegance and energy in a restaurant are not often found on the Jersey Shore. Avenue is the exception. This upscale, oceanfront restaurant in the Pier Village area of Long Branch is all about ambiance with a trendy, Jersey Shore feeling.
The restaurant is two stories tall and looks out on the avenue and on the ocean through high ceiling, large Art Deco-style windows and glass doors. The 25 foot cocktail bar and a raw bar are rimmed with mirror glass and shelves of multi-colored bottles. A glass enclosed fireplace is a nice touch to an attractive atmosphere vibrating with the young trendy, upscale crowd.
Avenue is run by General Manager Thierry Carrier with an impressive background in restaurant management including prior stints in Miami, South Beach at The Strand, Tantra and Pacific Time, and later on in the Hamptons managing Pacific East in Amagansett
The kitchen is run by Executive Chef Eric Guerin. Chef Guerin has worked in the kitchens of many notable restaurants including The Little Nell, St. Regis in Aspen, Gramercy Tavern and Molyuos in Manhattan. Prior to joining Avenue, Chef Guerin worked in the kitchens of Zinc Bistro and The Mission in Scottsdale, Arizona, under owner/acclaimed Chef Matt Carter, arguably considered amongst Scottdale's top restaurants, known for creating a menu of simple, expertly prepared, and artistically presented, using locally-sourced ingredients.
The menu is French - American menu with a decent selection of creatively prepared seafood and meat dishes.
They serve a well prepared Brunch menu on Saturday & Sunday.
This is not the place to go to for a cozy, intimate, romantic dining experience, the noise from the 'Le Club ' on the upper level tends to interfere with an otherwise pleasant, fine dining experience.
In the summer there is outdoor dining on the terrace facing the beach and ocean. This is one of the best spots in Pier Village for out door, beach front dining.
The service can be slow during the peak hours.
Avenue Restaurant is not recommended for children.
Avenue is open seven days/ week for lunch and dinner, for brunch Saturday and Sunday.
Open on Thanksgiving.
(updated October 2023)
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