Strollo's (Belmar, NJ)

For me, a day at the beach is not complete unless it's capped off with Strollo's italian ice. Located on the corner of Main Street and 5th Ave right in downtown Belmar, it's one of those completely unassuming, bare bones, we-aren't-concerned-with-fuss-just-making-excellent-stuff places.

Their italian ice is super smooth - almost the texture of soft serve ice cream - just a smidge icier.

You can pick up to 4 flavors. Which is lucky because lordy they are all so freaking good. It's impossible to pick.

I always get pretty much the same thing:

Mango - tastes just like the real deal. Seriously good.

Chocolate - pretty much tastes like ice cream, but more refreshing.

Lemon - the tartest, most perfect post-beach lemon ever.

Red raspberry - a bit sweeter to complement the rest.

Jared also swears by the root beer. No, really. Last time we were there he got just root beer. And then got a 2nd cup of it for the ride home. He doesn't mess around.

In short. If you are at the Jersey shore, sun burnt and crispy and happy after a day at the beach... you will be even happier if you proceed directly to Strollo's.

Belmar Seafood Festival (Belmar, NJ)

This past weekend was the Belmar Seafood festival. The forecast said rain and t-storms all day, but happily the sun triumphed, making for a breezy, sunny, beautiful day to battle the hungry crowds and stuff yourself full of seafood.  The festival showcased food from over 50 vendors - with everything from whole lobsters to fried oreos to alligator bites. Tables were set up around Lake Como...a band jammed in the gazebo...and a fenced in Drinks Tent fenced in the booze-drinkers from the rest of the child-dominated crowd.

I got a mango madness smoothie. Pretty good, refreshing on a warm day... not quite worth $5.50, but hey, you're paying for the experience.

 

But the crab cake slider I got from Mud City Crab Cake Co.? Oh sweet mama.

These crab cakes are baked and grilled, not fried. So, no breading. No oily mess. No heartburn.

No. This is straight up hunks of crab.

Served on a perfect little roll (no wonder bread slackers here), with bacon, avocado, and jalapeno tartar sauce. Hell yes.

A friend tried the coconut shrimp - also incredible, with a sweet thai dipping sauce.

You can bet your booty I will be visiting the Mud City establishment at some point this summer.

Then, since I was completely unable to overcome my craving, I succombed to the fried Oreos.

Oh how I wish I had only eaten one.... even two....

Words of wisdom: 3 fried Oreos equals too many fried Oreos.

Is there nothing better than munching on fresh seafood and then wandering the boardwalk and looking out at this?

I think not.

*Apologies for the sad-ass cell phone photos. If I had remembered to bring a real camera, or if Verizon let me upgrade my old-school decrepit phone for a smartphone, they would be a wee bit less awful.