Hundreds See Belmar's Restaurants Shine

Hundreds flocked to the borough of Belmar to participate in the Third Annual Belmar Restaurant Tour on Sunday.

Organizers could barely keep up with the constant flow of ticket buyers anxious to spent a sunny Sunday sampling the culinary creations of Belmar's best restaurateurs.

"Madness," Maureen Freeman said while selling wrist bands to attendees. "We're rocking and rolling."

The event's $30 admission price ($25 if bought before Jan. 1) served as a fundraiser for the St. Rose Grammar School, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and the Belmar Chamber of Commerce. The price of admission gained participants access to over 25 restaurants, who each served a sample sized portion of one of their signature dishes.

Tour organizer Mary Bilotta estimated that their attendance would likely exceed 1,000 before the day was out.

The weather served as a major boost for the event this year. According to Freeman, last year's tour, although still successful, was marred by drizzly weather.

The various participating locations provided ample opportunity for participants to enjoy Sunday's beautiful weather.

Crowds shuffled happily between restaurants in Belmar's downtown, bustling north and south and then hopping in provided shuttles to take them to more remote restaurants on the tour.

At Klein's, diners enjoyed a view of the Shark River while sampling the restaurant's crab cake sliders and fresh sushi rolls. 

Along the beachfront, tour goers could take in an ocean view while enjoying creations from La Dolce Vida, and , where chef Chris Brandl served his signature crab balls with three dipping sauces— lemon pepper tartar, chipotle orange and bloody mary cocktail.

Brandl's other restaurant, the aptly named "Brandl" strategically located in Belmar Plaza at 9th Avenue and Main Street, served as the epicenter of the day. Brandl served braised short rib with an avocado puree and pickled red onion and also hosted a beer sampling later in the afternoon.

"So far, it was an explosion," Brandl said over the roar of satisfied diners that filled his seats. "I love it. We had a line out the door."

"I think that's what it's all about— community," Brandl said of the event. "I love the synergy of bringing the whole town together."

Vince Petruzziello, owner of on Route 71, sees the event as a win-win for everyone involved and was happy to take the tour as an opportunity to get out front and interact with patrons.

"The restaurant tour, I think, is one of the most phenomenal events in town," Petruzziello said.

An added bonus for Petruzziello was the opportunity to donate to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and the other organizations involved.

Mr. Shrimp served their tuna burger with cucumber wasabi slaw and their Maryland crab cake slider with a light creole tartar. Petruzziello also had crackers and handmade crab dip available, which diners in his restaurant are usually served at the start of their meal.

Despite being slightly off the beaten track, Petruzziello said that he had served more than 300 sliders in the first two hours of the tour.

The opportunity to showcase his food for potential customers worked perfectly for Petruzziello as numerous first time diners assured him that they planned to return.