Chiropractor in Sea Girt, NJ

There are a ton of beautiful restaurants in Monmouth & Ocean Counties. We are very lucky to have some of the best in our backyard. So when I heard that two Garden State restaurants made the list of the 25 Most Beautiful Restaurants In America, I was certain that one restaurant in particular was on the list.

First, let me start by saying that two in the top 25, according to Love Food, made me New Jersey proud, because that is awesome representation for us. But it turns out my glee was a bit short lived. The two Garden State restaurants were not from our area after all.

That's when I really started to get a little hot under the collar. I would put one of my favorite places, Scarborough Fair in Sea Girt in the conversation for one of the most beautiful restaurants in America any day of the week.

From the outside, there is no more adorable spot than Scarborough Fair. It's like taking a step back in time literally into the pages of a story book. And then you walk inside, and let me say that if you've never been there, prepare yourself. The interior is literally breathtaking. And so absolutely romantic.

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And as I look at some of the restaurants that did make the list, I feel even more strongly that Scarborough Fair should have also been included. Not that the New Jersey restaurants that were chosen shouldn't be on the list as well.

For the record, the two New Jersey spots that were chosen for the list were The Chart House in Weehawken and Hunan Taste in Denville, both worthy restaurants, but so is Scarborough Fair.

All we can do is hope for the best for the next top 25, and go to Scarborough Fair as often as possible.

Ocean County's Most Delightful Italian Restaurants

CORDI'S - BRICK

Have the veal. Trust me, have the veal.

TARDI'S - TOMS RIVER

The pasta is homemade. Add prosciutto, peas and shrimp with their amazing cream sauce. Perfection.

VIA VANETO - BRICK

Clams oreganato like you've never tasted.

Fiore Rosso

FIORE ROSSO - TOMS RIVER

The vast option of entrees are plentiful and cooked just right.

Enzos

ENZOS CAFFE ITALIA - TOMS RIVER

Highlights include the gnocchi with chicken and vodka sauce, eggplant parm, salmon, spicy pasta, and seafood pasta dish.

Biagio's

BIAGIO'S TRATTORIA - LANKOKA HARBOR

Come hungry because the servings are huge. Try the Chilean sea bass.

Via Roma

VIA ROMA - TOMS RIVER

Authentic, tasty Italian with gluten-free and vegan options.

Tuscany

TUSCANY - BRICK

You'd be hard pressed to find better broccoli rabe anywhere else.

Senza

SENZA - BAYVILLE

Try the double cut pork chop!

Spanos

SPANOS - PT. PLEASANT BEACH

The best chicken francaise you will find at the Shore.

Artisans

ARTISANS - TOMS RIVER

Great for parties or small get togethers, Artisans yummy food is paired nicely with their extensive wine selection

Villa Vittoria

VILLA VITTORIA - BRICK

Traditional Italian fare combined with live music and entertainment makes for a great time.

Tratoria Giovani

TRATORIA GIOVANI - TOMS RIVER

Guests rave about the grouper francaise and cavatelli and broccoli.

Deninos

DENINOS SOUTH - BRICK

The eggplant parm entree with pasta and vodka sauce always hits the spot.

Ippolitos

IPPOLITOS - LAKEWOOD

Very reminiscent of the old school family owned Italian restaurants, because it is.

MonaLyssa

MONALYSSA ITALIAN RESTAURANT - PT. PLEASANT

From veal saltimbocca to steak pizzaiola, all of the entrees are out of this world.

Buon Appetito

BUON APPETITO - BAYVILLE

Pleasant atmosphere and delicious food.

Il Giardinello

IL GIARDINELLO - TOMS RIVER

New Jersey is an interesting state with many different types of communities, from the rural areas of the Southwest to the Coastal Resort Communities along the Atlantic Ocean to the busy cities such as Camden and Trenton to the densely populated suburbs of North Jersey.

According to research by the website PropertyShark, 2023 saw another record year for property values in the United States, and New Jersey's highest-priced properties had a significant median price increase on the sales market.

So it is no surprise that five of the Most Expensive Zip Codes in the US are in New Jersey because we know that New Jersey Residents pay the third most money in Household Expenses in the United States. Check out the list below to see if you live in or near these expensive towns:

*Alpine, NJ 07620 is the 28th Ranked Zip Code valued at $2.94 MillionThanks in part to a median price increase of 35% in property prices, this Bergen County town is located near the New York State Boarder and runs along the Hudson River. You can literally see Yonkers, NY across the river from the Palisades Interstate Park.

*Avalon, NJ 08202 is the 56th Ranked Zip Code valued at $2.29 MillionThis Cape May County Coastal Community saw a 14% Increase in Median Property Values from 2022 to 2023 which allowed them to jump 26 spots in the Most Expensive Zip Code Rankings. That Beach Front Property along the quaint Avalon Boardwalk gained some more value.

*Sea Girt, NJ 08750, is the 59th-ranked Zip Code valued at $2.24 MillionLocated in Monmouth County just north of Manasquan and Point Pleasant, this Jersey Shore Community used to be the get-away town for former New York Giants Head Coach Bill Parcells. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach used to make the two-hour drive from his Giants Office to Sea Girt to clear his head before big games.

*Deal, NJ 07723 is the 70th-ranked Zip Code valued at $2.1 MillionDespite a 9% Decrease in Median Property Values, this Monmouth County Coastal Community is still ahead of New York City's Queens County and Beverly Hills in Los Angeles County. This is one of the oldest communities in New Jersey, was originally settled by Europeans in the 17th Century.

*Short Hills, NJ 07078 is the 91st-ranked Zip Code valued at $1.92 MillionWest of Newark you will find this Essex County Community off Interstate 76 that saw a median property increase of 5% from 2022 to 2023. The only inland New Jersey town on the list valued ahead of zip codes in Santa Barbara, California, Greenwich, Connecticut, and East Hampton, New York.

Corcoran Baer & McIntosh, a franchisee of Corcoran Group LLC, is proud to announce the acquisition of Ocean Pointe Realtors, located in Sea Girt, NJ. The addition of Ocean Pointe Realtor’s exceptional group of agents and prime Sea Girt office space adds to Corcoran Baer & McIntosh’s established presence in residential markets both north and south of New York City.

“We are thrilled to announce our expansion into Sea Girt by welcoming Ocean Pointe Realtors into our growing Corcoran Baer & McIntosh team,” said Debbie Blankfort, Broker and Owner of Corcoran Baer & McIntosh. “Ocean Pointe Realtors has been a dedicated resource to south Monmouth County residents since 1992, showcasing hard work, integrity, and exceptional client service. These attributes, align not only with the values we commit ourselves to at Corcoran Baer & McIntosh, but also to the values of Corcoran as a whole.”

Founded in 1992 by Joseph Riordan, Ocean Pointe Realtors has grown to become a dominant presence along the Jersey Shore, a community renowned for its small-town charm, impressive beaches, and coveted coastal homes. Riordan, along with Co-Owner Bart Dennin, have grown the brokerage to include 22 experienced agents who are continually recognized for both their best-in-class localized service, and their high-ranking sales volume across key south Monmouth County markets, including Sea Girt, Brielle, Manasquan, Point Pleasant, Wall Township, Spring Lake, and more.

“After meeting with Corcoran Baer & McIntosh and sharing our business philosophy, I instantly knew that our company cultures were a perfect match,” said Riordan. “Corcoran’s far-reaching presence, both within the greater tri-state area and beyond, offers natural connections to our coastal market, while Corcoran’s outstanding technology platform helps guarantee the continued success of our award-winning team.”

Through welcoming Ocean Pointe Realtors’ team of 22 agents and adding their Sea Girt office under their banner, Corcoran Baer & McIntosh’s overall footprint, across Rockland County and Orange County in New York and Monmouth County and Bergen County in New Jersey, will surpass 90 agents and total 6 offices.

In March 2021, Corcoran CEO Pam Liebman announced the affiliate partnership launch of Corcoran Baer & McIntosh, stating, “I respect the dedication that Debbie [Blankfort] and Adam [Blankfort] have for our industry and am confident they will use that enthusiasm to continue to foster the best possible growth environment for all of their agents. I couldn’t be happier to welcome them to the Corcoran family.”

Corcoran’s affiliate network has grown steadily both domestically and abroad since its launch in February 2020. In 2022 alone, Corcoran welcomed and expanded affiliates in Florida, Georgia, Connecticut, Washington, Tennessee, New Jersey, the Cayman Islands, and Turks & Caicos. Recently, Corcoran announced its first European affiliate, Corcoran Magri Properties, based in Lake Garda, Italy.

Just Salad, a fast-casual restaurant chain that focuses on offering healthy and customizable salads, bowls, and wraps has opened its seventh New Jersey restaurant in Sea Girt.

Just Salad prides itself on using fresh, seasonal ingredients and offering balanced nutritional options. They prioritize locally sourced produce and sustainable practices.

Build your own salad or choose from curated options. Select greens, proteins, toppings, and dressings to create the perfect salad for your taste.

While salads are their main focus, they also offer wraps, bowls, and warm options like roasted vegetables and quinoa. Additionally, they have vegan and vegetarian options.

Just Salad was founded in 2006 by Nick Kenner and Rob Crespi in New York City. The founders aimed to provide an alternative to traditional fast food by offering nutritious and customizable salads.

Just Salad is known for its commitment to sustainability. The restaurant chain has implemented eco-friendly practices, including using reusable bowls for dine-in customers, offering a reusable bowl program, and incorporating sustainable packaging. They also emphasize locally sourced and organic ingredients when possible.

The Sea Girt restaurant's hours will be Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. On weekends, it'll be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There are also locations in Hoboken, Jersey City, Morristown, Paramus, Pompton Plains, and Totowa. The company also said it's preparing to open an eighth location in West Windsor Township.

According to the Daily Voice, the nearly 1,800-square-foot location will have 38 seats for indoor and outdoor dining. It'll also feature a Brook 35 wall vinyl that'll pay tribute to the local area and the shopping plaza.

Each State in America and Their Favorite Type of Cereal...

Restaurants that closed in New Jersey During 2023

Here are some of the restaurants that closed their doors around New Jersey in 2023 listed alphabetically. Did your favorite restaurant close in 2023? Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com">Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Doyle only.

You can now listen to Deminski & Doyle — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite afternoon radio show any day of the week. Download the Deminski & Doyle show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.

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Now that the COVID-19 pandemic pause has ended, student loan payments have started again. The first payment is due now, October 2023. But so many people are confused by the process.

Some made payments before the pandemic and now have to pick up payments again. Some never made payments and this is the first time navigating the potentially confusing process.

The good news is that there is help, said John Tillman, president of Ecliptic Financial Advisors in Sea Girt. He recommends visiting the federal student aid website. Look under the tab “Repaying Student Loans 101”. He said there is a ton of information and also a video that walks families through the different options.

Not only can parents visit their personal dashboard on the federal student aid website, but they can also go directly to their loan servicer’s website and they’ll walk them through the repayment options.

What is the standard repayment plan?

With the standard repayment loan plan, repayment takes place over 10 years. It’s like any other loan. You’ll pay principal and interest as soon as it’s taken out. This is typically a 10-year payback, Tillman said.

There is also the standard repayment extension. “That’s if you have over $30,000 in loans, you can get it extended over 25 years,” Tillman said.

A graduated repayment plan allows families to start at a lower payment which increases every two years. Tillman said this is also designed to be paid back within 10 years.

What is the average payment on the standard repayment plan?

The average monthly payment on standard repayment loans is $284 for a bachelor’s degree and $584 a month for people with a master’s degree, Tillman said.

What is the income-driven repayment plan?

Besides the standard repayment plan, there is also an income-driven repayment plan that will lower payments to as much as zero depending on a family’s adjusted gross income.

“Under that schedule, depending on what you select, you could be paying out 20 to 25 years before the loan is forgiven,” Tillman said.

What if you can’t afford a payment?

Since there has been a three-year pause on student loan payments, many people may have spent that money on other immediate necessities. Now, that payments have resumed, some may not have the funds to cover the monthly payments.

So, if families can’t afford a student loan payment, there are a couple of options, Tillman said.

One is to participate in one of the income-driven repayment schedules, which is the preferred option, he said.

“This will base up a borrower's payments on their adjusted gross income. It’s going to be 5% of their discretionary income. For a borrower who is earning under 225% of the federal poverty level, they could wind up paying zero on it,” Tillman said.

The other option is to do a student loan pause or ask for forbearance. But Tillman said the problem with the pause and forbearance is that the loan will still continue to accrue interest during that pause. So, families could wind up with a larger loan down the road.

“So, I would definitely recommend that you try the income-driven repayment schedule first,” he said.

Are there new rules for student loan forgiveness in 2023?

There are many new rules. But Tillman said the most important one is the SAVE Program, which takes the payments from 10% of a person’s discretionary income down to 5%. It raises the borrowing amount to 225% of the federal poverty level as far as the payment goes. So, if a family is under that 225%, they would most likely have a zero payment.

Also, if a family is on an income-driven repayment schedule, the forgiven loan balance is knocked down to 10 years from 20 years.

Qualifications are based on income and family size. Tillman said it’s based on that 5% of the discretionary income of the family.

Try not to worry

“The Department of Education does realize that because people haven’t paid since COVID, there is going to be some confusion over all this. So, there is a 12-month ramp-up program from October 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024, and they’re calling the On-Ramp to Repayment,” Tillman said.

So, if you are struggling to make payments during this period, it will not affect your credit. However, he said the Department of Education recommends that you call your loan service immediately so they can walk you through the best payment options.

If you’re on the standard repayment plan and you elect to have funds automatically deducted from your checking account, you will get a 0.25% reduction on the interest rate. “So, I would always recommend that you do that,” Tillman said.

Recently, the Biden administration forgave another 9 billion dollars in student loan debts. The forgiveness applies to 125,000 borrowers who have been on an income-driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The White House said those on the income-driven repayment plan have been making payments for more than 20 years but never got the student debt relief they were promised. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program includes people who have worked in a government or nonprofit job for more than 10 years.