🌮Emilio's Kitchen on Main!!

Together With

Good morning Monmouth County! And Happy Thanksgiving!! This year we’re thankful for YOU. Earlier this year we took a shot on this little project and thanks to YOU we’re still here and growing everyday. We hope you continue to find Monmouth Buzz useful and enjoyable and we hope you enjoy all the Turkey Day things today. Have a great weekend, friends!

TODAY’S BUZZ 🐝 

🌮 Emilio’s on Main in Belmar Opens

🎅 Santa Breakfasts and Brunches 🥞 

🎄 Magic of Lights at PNC

🪄 Champions of Magic

🥞 Honey Berry Cafe

🐻‍❄️ Doggy Paddle Polar Plunge

🎤 Eric D’Alessandro Comedy

🎸 Jazz Night at The Asbury Hotel

🎥 Christmas Vacation at The Showroom

🏃‍♀️ Navesink Challenge 12K & 5K

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

📰 NEWS

🌮 Emilio’s Kitchen on Main Opens in Belmar

Co-owner Ruperto Vincens Marquez released by ICE just in time!

Normally, you’d find the announcement of a restaurant opening at the top of our Food/Drink section. But this particular opening was really special and we felt it deserved top billing.

Ruperto Vicens Marquez and his brother, Emilio Vicens, celebrated the ribbon-cutting for their second restaurant, Emilio’s On Main in Belmar—an expansion of their first location in Atlantic Highlands—on November 21, an event made even more significant because Ruperto had been detained by ICE just weeks earlier. Despite residing in the U.S. for over 25 years with a legal work visa and pursuing citizenship, Ruperto was detained on October 19 and sent to the Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Center in Newark.

Emilio’s serves “organic Mexican cuisine made with passion and love.” Thanks to the passion and love of the Monmouth County community, Ruperto’s detainment prompted widespread alarm and drew the attention of U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. Following advocacy efforts from the community and his colleagues, Ruperto was released on November 18, mere days before the grand opening.

🎄 HOLIDAYS

🎅 Santa Breakfast & Brunch 🥞 

Brunch with Santa | 12/7, 12/14, 12/21 10am-3pm | Bella Vista Country Club (Marlboro) | info 

Brunch with Santa | 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21 10am-3pm | The American Hotel (Freehold) | info 

Santa Brunch | 11/30, 12/14, 12/20 11am-2pm | The Bistro-iPlay America (Freehold) | info

Breakfast with Santa | 12/6 9:00 am | Dave & Buster's (Freehold) | info 

Brunch with Krampus & Friends | 12/7 10:30 am | Paranormal Museum (Asbury Park) | info

Mickey & Minnie Christmas Brunch | 12/7 11am-2pm | The Bistro-iPlay America (Freehold) | info

Breakfast with Santa | 12/7 9am-12pm | Marlboro Fire Co. (Marlboro) | info 

Breakfast with Santa | 12/7 10am-12pm | Acres at Magnolia (Farmingdale) | info 

Brunch with Santa | 12/7, 12/21 10am-4pm | The Proving Ground (Highlands) | info 

Santa Brunch Cruise | 12/7, 12/13, 12/20, 12/21 10:30am-1:30pm | Seastreak (Highlands) | info 

Lunch with Santa | 12/7 11am-3pm | McLoone's Pier House (Long Branch) | info 

Breakfast with Santa | 12/13 9:30am-12pm | Amelia's by the Sea (Spring Lake) | info 

Breakfast with Santa | 12/13 11am-2pm | Branches (W. Long Branch) | info 

Breakfast with Santa | 12/14 9am-11:30am | Jumping Brook Country Club (Neptune) | info 

Brunch with Santa | 12/14, 12/21 10am-3pm | McLoone's Pier House (Long Branch) | info 

Brunch with Santa | 12/14, 12/21 10am-3pm | The Rum Runner (Sea Bright) | info 

Brunch with the Grinch | 12/14 10am-4pm | The Proving Ground (Highlands) | info 

Sunday Brunch with Santa | 12/14, 12/21 11am-3pm | MJ's at The Buttonwood Manor (Matawan) | info

Frosty, Grinch, Santa Brunch | 12/21 11am-2pm | The Bistro-iPlay America (Freehold) | info

🎄 Holiday Events

Santa Breakfast with Pictures (for Dogs) | 11/28 9am-11am | Doggie Sweets-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

Holiday Lights and Pictures with Santa | 11/28-11/30 9am-7pm | Carm's Farm (Colts Neck) | info 

Santa Pictures (for Dogs) | 11/28, 11/30 F 11:30am-3pm, S 12pm-3pm | Doggie Sweets-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

The Sweetest Season...Wine and Trees at 4 JG's | 11/28-11/30 11am-3pm | 4 JG's Orchard and Vineyard (Colts Neck) | info 

Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar | 11/28-11/30 F 12pm-8pm, S/Su 12pm-5pm | Multiple (Multiple) | info 

Christmas Wonderland at Maple Leaf Farms | 11/28-11/30 12pm-8pm | Maple Leaf Farms (Manalapan) | info 

Kringle Cove & Long Branch Holiday Bazaar | 11/28-11/30 12pm-5pm | White Chapel Projects (Long Branch) | info 

Old Fashioned Christmas on Allaire Community Farm | 11/28-11/30 4pm-8pm | Allaire Community Farm (Wall) | info 

U-Pick Tulips Winter Wonderland | 11/28-11/30 5pm-8pm | Holland Ridge Farms (Cream Ridge) | info 

The Village at Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm | 11/28-11/30 5pm-9pm | Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm (Manalapan) | info 

Magic of Lights | 11/28-11/30 F/S 5pm-11pm, Su 5pm-10pm | PNC Arts Center (Holmdel) | info 

Red Bank Town Lighting Pre-Show | 11/28 5:30pm-6:30pm | Edmund Wilson Plaza (Red Bank) | info 

Merry Mile of Lights | 11/28-11/30 5:30pm-9:30pm | A. Casola Farms (Holmdel) | info 

Red Bank Town Lighting w/Holiday Express | 11/28 6pm-8pm | Red Bank River Center (Red Bank) | info 

Bradley Beach Beachfront Bonfire | 11/28 6pm-7:30pm | 5th Ave Beach (Bradley Beach) | info 

Elf Scavenger Hunt | 11/28-12/21 All Day | Red Bank River Center (Red Bank) | info

Grinch Breakfast with Pictures (for Dogs) | 11/29 9am-12pm | Doggie Sweets-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

Corn Picking & Thanksgiving Hayrides | 11/29 10am-4pm | Howell Living History Farm (Howell) | info 

Holiday Art Market | 11/29 10am-4pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) | info 

Meet & Greet: The Grinch | 11/29 10am-12pm | Carm's Farm (Colts Neck) | info 

Christmas at G & G Stables | 11/29-11/30 11am-4pm | G & G Stables (Howell) | info 

Holiday Makers Market | 11/29-11/30 11am-6pm | AH Arts (Atl. Highlands) | info 

Bell Works Fresh Holiday Market | 11/29-11/30 11am-4pm | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info 

Christmas Train Village | 11/29-12/31 12pm-5pm | Duggan Hall (Spring Lake) | info 

Strolling Christmas Carolers | 11/29 12pm-3pm | Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

Manasquan Visit with Santa at Christmas Central | 11/29 12pm-4pm | 114 Main St. (Manasquan) | info 

Twin Lights Historic Site Annual Winterfest | 11/29 12pm-6:30pm | 2 Lighthouse Rd. (Highlands) | info 

Keyport Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting | 11/29 12pm-8pm | Borough Hall (Keyport) | info 

Oceanport Holiday Extravaganza | 11/29 2pm-6pm | Russell Hall (Oceanport) | info 

Shrewsbury Borough Christmas Tree Lighting | 11/29 3pm-5pm | Manson Park (Shrewsbury Borough) | info 

Allenwood Tree Lighting & Holiday Market | 11/29 4pm-7pm | Allenwood Station (Wall) | info 

Avon by the Sea Tree Lighting & Holiday Party | 11/29 5pm | Borough Hall (Avon) | info 

Spring Lake Tree Lighting Ceremony | 11/29 6pm-8pm | 555 Brighton Ave (Spring Lake) | info 

Allentown Winter Wonderland | 11/29 7pm-9pm | Main St. (Allentown) | info 

The Monmouth Moms Holiday Trail at Pier Village | 11/29-12/24 All Day | Pier Village (Long Branch) | info

A Charlie Brown Christmas | 11/30 11:30am, 2:30pm, 5:30pm | AE Beer Co. (Aberdeen) | info 

Ugly Christmas Sweatshirt Making | 11/30 12pm-2pm | Over the Moon Studios (Asbury Park) | info 

Porta Holiday Pop-Up | 11/30 12pm-4pm | 911 Kingsley St. (Asbury Park) | info 

Bradley Beach Tree Lighting | 11/30 4pm-6pm | Riley Park (Bradley Beach) | info 

Pier Village Tree Lighting | 11/30 4pm-6pm | Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

Middletown Holiday Tree Lighting | 11/30 5pm-7pm | Middletown Arts Center (Middletown) | info 

Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa | 11/30 5:00 PM | Off the Hook Restaurant & Bar (Highlands) | info 

Wreath Making Workshop | 11/30 5pm-7pm | Anderson Market (Red Bank) | info

Snacks with Santa | 11/30 11am, 1pm | Allenwood Station (Wall) | info

🥳 FAMILY FUN!

Outdoor Winter Wonderland | 11/28-3/8 11am-7:30pm | Middletown Sports Complex (Middletown) | info 

Holiday-Storytime & Crafts | 11/28-11/30 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info

Tiny Hands Studio (Art) | 11/29 10:00 AM | Sun Moon Studio (Keyport) | info 

Storytime with Mrs. Claus | 11/29, 11/30 12:00 PM | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

📍 LOCAL EVENTS

Great Beads for Good Causes | 11/28-11/30 9am-9pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info 

Buy Nothing Day Book Swap | 11/28 2pm-5pm | Wild Air Beer Works (Asbury Park) | info

Great Beads for Good Causes | 11/28-11/30 9am-9pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info 

Doggy Paddle Polar Plunge | 11/29 10am | D'Jais (Belmar) | info 

Small Business Saturday | 11/29 11am-3pm | Colonial Nursery (Lincroft) | info

🍔 FOOD & 🍹 DRINK 

🥞 Honey Berry Cafe

Nic Costagliola

A hidden treasure in the heart of beautiful Spring Lake, Honey Berry Cafe is nestled in their downtown on 3rd Ave. in the former space of A.M. Kitchen and Ray’s Cafe. The inside is true Spring Lake-cozy coastal and tastefully upscale. And this intimate cafe delivers BIG on truly delicious food-exceptionally crafted with fresh ingredients and a homestyle feel. Every dish we tried was a winner including the Jalapeno Breakfast Bowl, the Mana Mou Bowl and the Cheesey Pig sandwich. And to top it all off the coffee was good and the staff was super friendly and attentive.

This is hands down our new favorite breakfast spot-number one with a bullet. The next time you fancy a stroll through Spring Lake’s downtown district make sure to save room for some Honey Berry. You will not be disappointed.

Ales for ALS at Bakes Brewing | 11/28 2pm-6pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info 

Cork & Explore: Walk Around Wine Tasting | 11/28 6pm-8pm | Avenue-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info

Winter Wonderland at Alternate Ending Beer Co. | 11/29 12pm-4pm | AE Beer Co. (Aberdeen) | info 

What the Fork Food Truck at Bakes Brewing | 11/29 1pm-7pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info 

Bad Wolf Burger at Skinny Flowers | 11/29, 11/30 1pm-8pm | Skinny Flowers Brewing (Oceanport) | info 

Birdsmouth Beer Pop-Up Tasting | 11/29 4pm-6pm | Bar Bella-Bell Works (Holmdel) | info

Smash N Grab Burger at Bakes Brewing | 11/30 1pm-8pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info 

Bad Wolf Burger at Skinny Flowers | 11/29, 11/30 1pm-8pm | Skinny Flowers Brewing (Oceanport) | info

🎨 ART, HISTORY & EDUCATION

Born to Run 50: Photographs by Eric Meola | 9/5-12/18 M-F 10am-5pm | DiMattio Gallery (W. Long Branch) | info 

Dennis McNett & Ben Venom: Double Trouble Exhibit | 10/10-12/18 M-F 10am-5pm | Rotary Ice House Gallery (W. Long Branch) | info 

Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend | 10/26-1/11 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

Members Showcase: Celebrating Creativity Exhibit | 10/26-1/11 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

Seen & Unseen: Charles Sills' Memorial Group Art Exhibit | 11/1-12/10 M-F 9am-7pm, S/Su 10am-4pm | Pollak Gallery (W. Long Branch) | info 

Manasquan River Group of Artists Art Exhibit | 11/28, 11/29 9am-5pm | Wall Library (Wall) | info 

Magic Hour Art Exhibit | 10/18-12/8 F/S 12pm-8pm, Su 12pm-6pm | Parlor Gallery (Asbury Park) | info

🎭️ THEATER, CINEMA, & COMEDY

Ricky Ramesses "You Can't Say That" (Comedy) | 11/28 8pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info 

Champions of Magic: Holiday Spectacular | 11/28 7:30pm | Count Basie-HMH Theater (Red Bank) | info 

VHS & Chill (Cinema) | 11/28 10pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info

ComedySportz: Live Improv...Played as a Sport | 11/29 7pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) | info 

Eric D'Alessandro (Comedy) | 11/29 7pm | Count Basie-HMH Theater (Red Bank) | info 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Cinema) | 11/29 7:30pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info

🎸 LIVE MUSIC 🥁 

The Haunting | 11/28 6pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info 

Circle Drive | 11/28 6:30pm | Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park) | info 

Status Green 20th Anniversary Show | 11/28 7:30pm-11:30pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info

Rocky Mountain High Experience: John Denver Christmas | 11/29 2pm, 7:30pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info 

Amy Levere with Will Sexton plus Diane Gentile | 11/29 6pm | Transparent Clinch Gallery (Asbury Park) | info 

Super 70's Rock Show | 11/29 7pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info

Strolling A Cappella Entertainment | 11/30 12pm-3pm | Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

The Al Lamber Big Birthday Bash | 11/30 3pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info 

Portugal. The Man | 11/30 7pm | Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park) | info 

Swinging Sundays: Jazz Night | 11/30 7pm-10pm | The Asbury Hotel (Asbury Park) | info

⚾️ SPORTS & FITNESS 🏃‍♂️ 

📅 November 28, 2025 (Friday)

Born to Run 5 Mile Race and Kids One Mile Race | 11/28 10am | Court St. and Lafayette St. (Freehold) | info 

Turkey Derby 52 | 11/28, 11/29 1:30pm-5pm | Wall Stadium (Wall) | info

Matawan Borough 5K Turkey Trot & Fitness Walk | 11/29 8:30am | 6 South St (Matawan) | info 

Navesink Challenge 12K & 5K | 11/30 10:00 AM | Bodman Park (Middletown) | info

🌊 ☀️ BEACH

Asbury Park - Ocean Temp. 53°F

Fri 11/28: High 12:31 am | Low 6:29 am | High 12:42 pm | Low 7:12 pm | Sunrise 6:57 am | Sunset 4:33 pm

Sat 11/29: High 1:25 am | Low 7:46 am | High 1:40 pm | Low 8:08 pm | Sunrise 6:58 am | Sunset 4:32 pm

Sun 11/30: High 2:21 am | Low 8:51 am | High 2:42 pm | Low 9:02 pm | Sunrise 6:53 am | Sunset 4:29 pm