In town for the sales and looking for someplace new and different to eat, shop or visit? Let the TDN help! Following up on our popular Best Bets on the Jersey Shore series during Breeders' Cup week, TDN subscribers now regularly recommend dining and shopping options to our out-of-town readers.

BAY AVE. TRATTORIA (Jersey Shore, NJ - Dining)

122 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ
Phone: (732) 872-9800
Type: Resembles the traditional trattorias of Italy

Well known and respected chefs Joe Romanowski and Maggie Lubcke have set up shop in this modest sliver-size storefront trattoria in the waterfront town of the Highlands. Renowned at the Jersey Shore, they only need to be referred to by their first names to set off light bulbs in the minds of devoted foodies. This BYOB resembles the traditional trattorias of Italy with its quaint setting and colorful accents; one beginsto feel the love of food and family. Joe’s flair for Italian-American cuisine that made him famous is once again available in his daily creations and homemade deserts. Bay Ave Trattoria also offers a complete take-out and catering menu. According to Chace, “The food is excellent and the seafood is always very fresh--it’s just unbelievable.”

-- BLOODSTOCK AGENT BUZZ CHACE

To view additional recommendations on this same restaurant, click the date of the review: 7/30/11

To see the original PDF with all the writeups from 5/13/10 (Monmouth Park), click here.

To view other Best Bets, click here.