All Asbury Park» Lauren Billings

Awesome, Cheap Produce at Asbury Farm

Lauren Billings — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:46:42 +0000

I’m a food snob, I admit. I shop at Wegmans; I love the organic food isle- did I mention I’m also a vegetarian? This past weekend, a reader of Allasburypark.com’s forums saw me on the boardwalk and mentioned I should pay a visit to Asbury Farm (100 Memorial Dr., Asbury Park NJ, 732-455-3715).

Today I did, and I can’t believe I haven’t been here before! I got – literally – an entire bag of produce, including lettuce, tomatoes, a red, green and yellow pepper, chives, a bag of 4 apples, sun dried tomatoes, a massive carrot, and a package of pre-shredded ingredients for coleslaw for $7.50! The variety of produce also beats Wegmans & Shop Rite.

Sorry Wegamans, I’ve converted.

Taka… Satisfying Every Time.

Lauren Billings — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:14:13 +0000

Mmmm. Just got back from Taka. I had the special – veggie platter consisting of 4 small dishes; a veggie roll, Japanese veggies, some delicious tofu loaf and veggie dumplings. We started with a tuna butsu (avocado & tuna, wrapped in cucumber). The significant other had the rainbow California roll & Gyoza (handmade dumplings). We brought (and finished!) a six pack of Peak Organic Brown Ale, a delicious, slightly sweet compliment to the saltiness of the soy sauce. If you haven’t yet been to Taka, your missing some seriously awesome food (and did i mention ambiance)?

NYC to Asbury Park

Lauren Billings — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:20:35 +0000

In early 2005, I met the love of my life in Hoboken, NJ. After no longer being able to afford an apartment in Hoboken, a year later we moved in to our comparably priced UES apartment. Life was good; between the restaurants and theaters, our weeks and weekends were filled. The downfall? Needless to say, our wallets were empty. After a year of working 10+ hours a day to fund this lifestyle, we considered that maybe there was another way to live well without being penniless.

When my significant other suggested we move to Jersey (gasp!), I was without words. I’m an artist; artists and NYC just go together. It was the first time I had considered sacrificing something so important to me. I reluctantly visited Belmar, Point Pleasant, Long Branch and other shore towns. When I drove through Asbury Park, my feelings about Jersey changed. I felt like I belonged – like I was meant to be here. So the ultimatum was made; it was Asbury or Bust!

I do have to admit, Asbury Park and I had a history. in the late 90’s, we came for the shows (from the suburbs of Philly). In 2001, my obsession with abandoned places drew me back. In 2006, the music and arts scene just made sense to me; it was a (granted, small) city with a vibrant art culture. It’s NOT the ‘burbs; its not just a summer part town; it’s a place where I felt my artsy-weirdness (inside my mainstream shell) could be celebrated and thrive.

Asbury Park is a place where people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, or other persuasions can find community and celebrate differences without sacrificing good food and culture. That’s why I’m proud to call it home.