Manasquan Welcomes a New Restaurant Downtown

Manasquan has a new restaurant, and I got to check it out last night!

Chef and Owner Lou Smith opened Blend on Main (152 Main St.) on March 1 with the intention of creating 'the finest restaurant in New Jersey.'

Attached to the Inn on Main, Blend sits on the corner of Main St. and Rt. 71/Union Ave./Taylor Ave. in downtown Manasquan.

The new restaurant is beautifully decorated, feeling nice and warm, and still elegant.

There's a great fireplace in the dining room that adds to the cozy feel.

There are plenty of large windows along Main St., which allows for great people-watching as you dine.

But let's talk about what really matters...the food.

I got to sample some passed tapas-style goodies last night, and was really impressed with Chef Lou's work.

One of my favorites was a play on onion soup in a bread bowl. This was served bite-sized, which a great caramelized onion flavor...I could have had 10 of them.

I also loved the edamame dumplings, lobster mac and cheese, spicy gazpacho, and the house made macarons for dessert.

Not everything sampled is available on the regular dinner menu, but I'm certainly looking forward to going back to try several things!

I'm excited to have another great option for fine dining here at the Jersey Shore.

Bonus: They're participating in Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, so you'll be able to try a 3-course meal at Blend on Main for only $30.14!

You can make reservations by calling 732-223-0030 or through OpenTable. It's a B.Y.O.B., so come prepared, but there's a liquor store just down the street, if needed. They are closed Mondays. Parking is available behind the building.

Have you checked out Blend on Main yet? Tell us what you thought of it in the comment section below!