Greetings from Asbury Park: 24 Hours of The Boss, the Boardwalk & My Birthday!

Greetings from Asbury Park:

24 Hours of the Boss, the Boardwalk

& My Birthday!

It’s been a strange summer to say the least. I’ve never spent so much time at home. Lot’s of cooking and LOTS OF EATING! We thought it would be fun to getaway (safely) for a couple of days, and my birthday gave us the perfect excuse to hit the road.

David and I have never been to Asbury Park together. It’s been about 30 years since I was there. So, we thought that the fresh air at the beach would make for nice and safe weekend away. And a little rain was not going to stop us.

It was raining like crazy when we arrived. So, we took a little spin around town in the car. First stop was the Stone Pony (of course).

Then the Wonder Bar…

And finally, Convention Hall.

If you look closely at the top of the building, you can see it says, “Greetings From Asbury Park!” The name of Bruce Springsteen’s first album!

I’d read that Frank’s Deli was a MUST while in Asbury Park. Anthony Bourdain visited Frank’s (with Southside Johnny) and included the landmark spot in his Part’s Unknown TV show.

The manager at The Asbury Hotel recommended the “Western Sandwich on a seeded roll, no ham, sub pork roll and add cheese and potatoes – this is how we do it in Jersey 🙂 ”

David got the “overstuffed” Turkey Sub. Neither one of us could finish these mammoth sandwiches! Note: We could not eat in the restaurant. So we ate in the car, which was not a great idea with over-stuffed sandwiches. Most of mine landed on my lap!

After our lunch, we  pulled in to The Asbury Hotel. Manager, Sean Walsh was there to welcome us.

Our room wasn’t quite ready. So, we dropped our bags and took a walk over to Danny Clinch’s Transparent Gallery.

This space and place is so cool! An eclectic collection of 60s furniture and treasures surrounded by Danny Clinch’s photography. We could’ve spent hours in there. And in fact, we did!

Tina runs the gallery. She is the most warm and welcoming person that I have come across in a very long time. She made a big fuss about David being in The Hooters. We chatted about music and photos and BRUCE!

Unfortunately, this is the closest I came to The Boss all weekend 😦

While we were there, I noticed that Tina was making a mask with a leopard print. I told her how much I liked it, and she said “come back tomorrow,” and she would make one for me as a birthday gift! Wow! More on that later.

After our visit to the gallery, we walked around the corner to check into The Asbury Hotel. The lobby is usually bustling. But with Covid 19 protocols, a few of the areas were closed off.

A wall of CDs and albums cover the right side of the lobby, with a bar that is usually open.

They offer rooftop yoga in the morning and movies at night. Live music, too! And dogs are always welcome.

In safer times you can play pool and pinball!

There is also a lounge area that was closed off due to Covid. But, that did not take away from a lovely experience at The Asbury Hotel. They have snacks, coffee, sandwiches, canned beer, wine and cocktails available at the from desk all day/night long.

Our room was big and bright…With lots of cool 60s photos on the wall.

And so spacious!

With a fab bathroom and shower!

Our room had a nice view that overlooked the pool.

We chilled in the room for a few hours. I indulged in a lovely glass of champagne (that I have been saving for a special occasion).

Gotta love the ice bucket. The perfect touch!

Because of all of the rain, we decided to go to Porta. Their dining area is covered by a tent. Porta happens to be in the same space as the original Student Prince. The story goes, “…Clarence Clemons walked over to see Springsteen, despite a Nor’easter. According to the legend, when Clemons opened the door to the club, the wind tore the door from its hinges and it blew north up Kingsley Street.”

We sat under the tent. The tables were spaced far apart. Everyone wore masks until they were seated at their tables.

I went inside to see the historic space. Unfortunately, no one who worked there knew anything about the wonderful history of the building. One young man said, “All I know is that it was a strip club before it was Porta.” That’s too bad. You’d think they would celebrate the incredible musical history that once lived there.

Dinner was good. We had the SALUMI e FORMAGGI (cured meats with a selection of Italian cheeses).

And the meatball Pizza.

I waited my turn for a piece. LOL!

After dinner we took a walk on the boardwalk. It was still raining, and as Bruce would say, “the wind was Whipping down the boardwalk.”

We stopped for a quick pic at “Madam Marie’s (“Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie for tellin’ fortunes better than they do?”—Bruce Springsteen, 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy).

“Marie Castello became forever immortalized in the rock and roll zeitgeist. Castello is best known as psychic medium Madame Marie, the proprietor of what came to be known among Jersey Shore locals as the Temple of Knowledge for eight decades on the Asbury Park boardwalk.”

As we continued down the boardwalk, we were surprised to see the Silverball Museum/ Arcade was open for business.

And as the wind pushed us down the boardwalk we ended our walk at Convention Hall, another Asbury Park historic landmark.

Back at The Asbury Hotel, we were hoping to have look at their rooftop lounge. But, because of the rain and wind, it was closed. But, that was okay. We had busy day and it was a fine time to call it a night.

We woke up the next day to a sunny and beautiful day…And it was my birthday!!! What a nice way to start the day.

David went down for coffee and came back with this cool swag!

The pool was beautiful and practically empty.

The temperature was perfect and no humidity… there was not a frizzy hair on my head 🙂

There were a few nice areas around the pool to enjoy.

Including this food truck that has the names of some very cool artists on the side.

Including our friend, Vini “Mad Dog”Lopez!

After spending the morning poolside, we checked out of the hotel and went back to Danny Clinch’s Transparent Gallery…

…To thank Tina for my new leopard mask!

We spent more time going through the gallery, admiring all of the beautiful images. I was thrilled when David gave me an autographed copy of Danny’s book, Still Moving.

After the gallery, we took another walk by The Stone Pony. Great photo-op.

And back to the boardwalk…

Masks dropped for photos only.

Next, we came upon the Carousel Building. “Along with the carousel house, much of the concrete-and-limestone casino building and the old steam heating plant, skeletal but grand reminders of the area’s former beauty, haunt the end of the boardwalk at 700 Ocean Avenue. Some the casino’s original polished terrazzo and plasterwork are still visible.”

A hauntingly beautiful space that is a favorite of skateboarders and artists.

After David inhaled a Sausage and Pepper Sandwich, our boardwalk stroll came to an end at Convention Hall.

And then a walk over to The Wonder Bar (again) for a burger! Another Asbury Park landmark.

Bruce and photographer Danny Clinch were spotted there last week, probably discussing the photoshoot for his next album cover. But, I wasn’t so lucky to see them during our visit.

Photo credit: Alberto Engeli

After lunch we made our way to Cookman Avenue in downtown Asbury.

It’s a lovely area filled with galleries, vintage shops and restaurants.

Before heading home, we scheduled an early birthday dinner at Pascal & Sabine.  It came highly recommended. Each table along the side street had a wood divider, was nicely spaced and felt very safe.

We ordered French Onion Soup and Escargot for appetizers, and Coq au Vin and Moules Frites for entrees. David devoured his! I couldn’t put a dent into mine.

Dessert was a Milk Chocolate Pot de Creme with Caramel Glaze and a candle!

After dinner, and two fun-filled days in AP, we waddled to the car and headed back to the “Streets of Philadelphia” (sorry I couldn’t resist).

See you next time, Asbury Park!

xo,

Dallyn & David

Posted in: Food and Restaurants