David Burke Pop Up Restaurant Replacing Modine in Asbury

You know him from numerous appearances on Bravo's Top Chef as an esteemed chef and celebrity judge. But David Burke has been showing so much love to the Jersey Shore lately!

NJ native and Monmouth County resident David Burke has done so much for our community, feeding frontline workers, reducing future wedding event prices for those who had to cancel their big day, and providing curbside pickup before outdoor dining made a comeback.

Although Chef Burke has been able to survive the pandemic and keep his restaurants in NY and NJ afloat, some places, like Modine in Asbury Park (owned by the same people as Talulah's) had to close their doors, which saddened our community immensely.

But here's the good news: We won't have to see that historic building on Mattison Avenue in downtown Asbury Park (that once housed a bank) sit empty, because now Davide Burke is opening a pop-up restaurant there with plenty of outdoor dining! And he's calling it Asbury Kitchen.

That's right: Internationally acclaimed Chef David Burke is bringing his culinary mastery to downtown Asbury Park. Finally!  Asbury Kitchen by David Burke will be a pop-up on with a mid-August opening. Outdoor dining will be offered 7 nights a week for dinner from 4 pm - 10 pm PLUS a happy hour every day from 4 pm - 6 pm. And brunch will be served Friday through Sunday from 11 am - 4 pm. Takeout will also be available.

I have the pleasure of knowing Chef Burke and I can tell you that man is fueled by passion, grit and a knack for artful innovation. He is arguably one of the best known and most respected chefs in modern American cuisine. And he has been working on a project in Asbury Park for a while, which has been delayed due to the pandemic. But nothing has ever stopped this superhero chef. Not even Covid-19. Chef Burke is rarin’ to go and wanted to get a foothold in Asbury’s exciting dining scene while the weather is still good for outdoor dining.

For this new endeavor, Asbury Kitchen, Chef Burke has created a Modern American menu with a bistro-style flare reflecting the restaurant’s classy but casual and fun-filled tone. Pivotal to the restaurant’s mood will be artisan cocktails crafted by Chris James, a David Burke Mixologist.

Check out some of the dishes:

Starters - Tuna Tartar Tacos with sesame ginger, avocado and shaved vegetable; Oysters & Snow Crab, Peach Cucumber Mignonette; Watermelon & Asparagus Salad with burrata, prosciutto, olives; and (YES!!!) his signature clothesline bacon under another name, “When Pigs Fly” black pepper and maple glazed bacon. Best-named dish ever :)

Some of the main dishes will include, Soft Shell Crab, open face with avocado toast and heirloom tomato; Asbury Park Clams “Casino” Chowder with scallops, bacon, clams, rustic bread. Main dishes will also include some hearty cuts of prime beef - Butcher Block cuts - 24 oz. Cowboy Rib Eye, Hand-Cut Filet and Chef Burke’s famous Dry-Aged Burger.

Desserts will include Ice Cream Macaron Sundae; Coconut Sorbet Rum Float (omg!!!) and Chef Burke's innovative signature Cheesecake Pops (another MUST HAVE....and bring a second order home for your kids!!!!)

Chef Burke is also recognized internationally for his revolutionary techniques, exceptional skills, successful restaurant empire and his many TV appearances. Bottom line: He is a rock star in the culinary world.

When he was just 26, David’s kitchen mastery won him the executive chef position of New York City’s legendary River Cafe. While there, he became the first American ever to win the prestigious Meilleurs Ouvriers de France Diplome d’Honneur, cementing his reputation as a leading international chef. He went on to win Japan’s Nippon Award for Excellence, the Robert Mondavi Award of Excellence and two nominations for James Beard Best Chef. He was also awarded a coveted three-star New York Times review for the River Café and later became a familiar guest on TV’s Top Chef.

I simply cannot wait for Asbury Kitchen, and, in all probability, will be a stalker and first in line for a table, lol! CLICK HERE for more info!

PS...Don't forget to try David Burke's other impressive Jersey Shore restaurant. His Drifthouse in Sea Bright is one of my favorites, where the outdoor dining on a second floor deck gives you views of both the Shrewsbury River (and the sunset) and the Atlantic Ocean, and serves my favorite dish of all time: Chef Burke's famous Clothesline Bacon, which is blowtorched tableside before you eat it!