TASTY TALULA'S

Asbury Park's motto is "It's Happening," and based on the experience we had at one of this Jersey Shore town's newest restaurants, it is!  Talula's, located on Cookman Avenue in downtown Asbury Park, New Jersey, first opened its doors on Halloween day last year.  It's now three months in, but this past Sunday we finally got to experience it, and we were just blown away!!!

The space at Talula's is like an open loft with high ceilings and brick walls.  The decor is simple with hardwood floors and wood tables and chairs.  To me it is very California clean which I just love!  The service is also incredible, and very family friendly too!  My sister-in-law was visiting, so between her twin 2.5 year old girls, and my 4 year old and 2 year old, I think it's safe to say most restaurants would have wanted to turn us away.  Instead, we were greeted with a basket of toys for the little ones and a highchair (something not every restaurant in this town has on hand).

  (Photo Credit: Behance)

As for the food, it is phenomenal...period!!!  We tried as much as our tummies could handle off of the brunch menu, which included some delicious (and addicting) cocktails like the Gin & Jam (made with gin, lemongrass simple syrup, cranberry jam and lime), and the Brooklyn (not pictured; which has rye, dry vermouth, maraschino liquor and mere nouvelle).

 We also had two of their pizzas- The New Yorker (tomato sauce, fresh + aged mozzarella and provolone), and a Pepperoni which has thinly sliced chorizo on it.  These pies were as good, if not better than some of the best pies I have had in New York!  The dough is sourdough (baked fresh daily at Talula's), and the ingredients are so fresh!  In fact, many of them come from The Homestead at Seven Arrows Farm (the CSA that we belong to which I've talked about before here).

 We also had some of their more breakfast items like the toast with Avocado + Pickled Veggies + Salsa Verde...The Fresh Ricotta + Soft Scrambled Egg Toast...and the toast with Benton's Bacon + Fried Farm Egg + Cheddar.  The two later ones came with a small side salad (from Seven Arrows), and were simply amazing.

 We also got to try the Brown Rice Porridge (which I would like to start my day with each and every morning)...It has coconut milk, cardamom, vanilla bean, cranberry jam and marcona almonds.  And quite possibly the best thing on the menu was their Apple Cider Donuts!!!  They were hot, gooey, and served with fresh whipped cream.  Unfortunately, we scarfed these last things down so quickly, I forgot to snap some pictures, but if you look at my son's face while enjoying the donuts...well, need I say more???

Bottom Line: Talula's is such a welcome addition to Asbury Park.  

Fresh, local, farm to table ingredients, and bread that will just knock your socks off!    

This place is amazing and we can't wait to go back!

TALULA'S

550 Cookman Avenue #108

Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

(732) 455-3003

Open Tuesday-Sunday