The Butcher's Block reopens, and 6 other things to do at the Jersey Shore this weekend
Watch out Jenny, there's someone new coming to "The Block."
After a year of renovations, The Butcher's Block in Long Branch is back Thursday, with double the space, several new amenities and a new butcher.
Owned by Tom D'Ambrisi and his wife Cara, "The Block," as fans have dubbed it, is one of New Jersey's top meateries, following D'Ambrisi's dream back in 2018 to build a restaurant in a butcher shop. The restaurant abuts D'Ambrisi Wholesale Foods (previously Mid Atlantic Foods Distributors), a decades-old meat-distribution company run by his father Rudy and brother, Rudy Jr.
In an effort to place even more focus on the meat, D'Ambrisi's contractors opened up a glass panel in front of the butcher shop, so that diners can watch, as well as pick out their own cuts. They've also added a bar with their new liquor license, a four-seat chef's table experience, an additional dining room with another bar, and a custom-built wood-burning oven.
They will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, 5 p.m. to close (around midnight) for dinner, and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the butcher shop.
First Days: NJ restaurants: At The Butcher's Block in Long Branch, meat is the star
Construction's Kick Off: The Butcher's Block to reopen next month with liquor license, twice the space
Chef Connor Halpin and third-generation butcher Armando Ferrante return. The new butcher at The Block is Sam Masler.Originally from Long Branch, she debuted in the industry at Fleischer's Craft Butchery in Connecticut, where she ran educational programs. Masler is likely the first female butcher to have worked in the building, D'Ambrisi said.
"She's so cool and she's the perfect person to head our retail butcher shop," said D'Ambrisi. "She's talented, super educated, and she's teaching me something new every day about whole animal butchery."
The Butcher's Block is at 235 West Ave. For more information, visit theblockshopnj.com.
Not a meat eater? Looking for something else to do? Check out these happenings taking place around the Jersey Shore.
New music festival in Barnegat
Sun Harbor Seafood and Grill will be hosting its inaugural Local Music Festival from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday, featuring the bands Figured Out, Dying Light, Triumph and Tragedy, and Colonist.
John Mitchell of Figured Out and Blue Line Sound Solutions (his audio company) is the sole founder of this new music festival, meant to shed a spotlight on local sounds and musicians.
"Lately there has been a surge in local music and it looks like it's going to keep growing," Mitchell said. "I want this to be the first of many local music festivals in an annual fashion, and I'd love to see this grow into an even bigger event, where more and more local bands play."
More in LBI area: Dutchman’s Brauhaus in Stafford Township will see water again on new pilings this spring
Figured Out, which has been together since the '90s, focuses on punk rock and high-energy music, recently releasing their new album "Age Old Stories" on all streaming apps. Dying Light has been playing together for over 30 years, and examine a modern take on guitar driven metal from the '80s and '90s.
Triumph and Tragedy is another high energy punk band who've been together since the '90s, while Colonist is a new punk band, comprised of artists who have been playing for over 20 years.
Sun Harbor Seafood and Grill is at 451 E. Bay Ave., Barnegat. For more information, call 609-622-6190 or visit sunharborseafoodandgrill.com.
'Minstrel Show' in Middletown
This weekend and next, The Middletown Arts Center, in collaboration with the Dunbar Repertory Company (also known as Monmouth County’s African American Theater Company by residents of Central New Jersey), will celebrate Black History Month with their presentation of the “Minstrel Show, or the Lynching of William Brown.”
Written by Max Sparber and directed by Darrell Lawrence Willis Sr., the show re-creates the true story of the 1919 lynching of a jailed Black man, as seen through the eyes of a couple of traveling, fictional song-and-dance men. The production stars Joseph G. Taylor and Arthur Gregory Pugh.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday (and Feb. 25), 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday (and Feb. 26) and 4 p.m. Sunday (and Feb. 27). Tickets are $20.
The Middletown Arts Center is at 36 Church St. For more information, call 732-706-4100 or visit middletownarts.org.
'Judas' makes its world premiere
A Jersey-shot thriller is making its world premiere this weekend.
“Kiss Me, Judas: Chapter 1 (A Fan Film),” directed by Thom DeMicco of Brick, screens at 9 p.m. Thursday at Dingbatz, 620 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, as part of a program of short films and music videos.
The gritty, hard-boiled short film inspired by Will Christopher Baer’s novel was shot at several locations, including Motel 6 in Toms River.
DeMicco, formerly of New York City underground studio Troma Entertainment, will be in attendance at Dingbatz, along with “Kiss Me, Judas” co-star Lydia Manson and producer Gabe Romero.
There is no cover charge.
Beer meets yoga at Manafirkin Brewing Co.'s Bends & Brews
Sundays are for relaxing, and at Manafirkin Brewing Co. in Stafford, that means yoga and beer.
Bends & Brews, taking place at 11 a.m. Sunday, features an hour of all-levels yoga followed by time for sipping craft beer. The cost is $35 and includes yoga and one beer.
Boozey Strollin': 10 Jersey Shore hot spots we'd love to see adopt open container areas
If yoga makes you hungry, you can add a charcuterie board for $20.
To register, text "brews" to 609-389-9040.
Manafirkin Brewing Co. is at 450 East Bay Ave. in the Manahawkin section of Stafford. More information is at manafirkin.com.
Benefit concert for Rick Makin Memorial Scholarship
Longtime Asbury Park Press features/editorial page editor and community theater talent Rick Makin passed away in 2020. In his honor, the Rick Makin Memorial Scholarship for Humanities and Social Sciences at Monmouth University will be awarded to students of journalism, music, theater, literature and history.
To help raise funds for a $25,000 endowment, Musicians on a Mission, the Jersey Shore-based charity of volunteer performers, will present a benefit at 4 p.m. Sunday at Transparent Clinch Gallery, 210 5th Ave., in Asbury Park.
Dave Vargo, Sharon Lasher, Arland Feiles, Bobby Mahoney, Taylor Tote and George Wirth star in two rounds of songs and storytelling. Suggested minimum donation is $20.
For more information, click here or contact Bob Makin at 732-757-5729 and makinwaves64@yahoo.com. The gallery can be reached at 908-574-3171 or transparentclinchgallery.com.
Sweet treat at Asbury Lanes
Something sweet is coming our way.
Mom Jeans, the quirky punk quartet from Berkeley, Calif., are having a record release show for their new album “Sweet Tooth” on Thursday at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, in addition to shows Friday at Warsaw in Brooklyn, and Saturday at Union transfer in Philly.
The new record, out Feb. 25, is like ear candy, said Mom Jeans member Eric Butler in a statement.
“Those hits by Blink-182 and Green Day, all those bands, it’s just hooks for days and really excellent songwriting,” Butler said. “They really just tried to write incredible songs that would get stuck in people’s heads. We wanted to try our own version of that. Ear candy is the goal, so 'Sweet Tooth' is the record.”
The shows are rescheduled from November. Attendees must show proof of vaccination or a negative test.
Asbury Lanes is at 209 4th Ave. Prince Daddy and the Hyena, Pool Kids and Super American are also on the bill. Show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $18 to $20. More information is at asburylanes.com.
Gabriela L. Laracca recently joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
Sarah Griesemer, Alex Biese and Chris Jordan contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: The Butcher's Block reopens and 6 other things to do at the Shore
