Barnegat Bay Watering Holes

[comsnark]

I would like to expand my dining out options on the Barnegate Bay. :smt001

I know of Water's Edge, and the Lobster Shanty in Toms River. Are there any good places to eat along the Bay? :smt017

I eat almost TOO often at Water's Edge. . . . and the water is a bit shallow near the Lobster Shanty. Any other good places around? I have a 280SS, which draws about 36-39".

I know that there are a few places up in the Manasquan area, but going through the Point Pleasant canal at night after dinner would take too long for my passengers :smt015 . . .and take too great a toll on my nerves.

Similarly. . .the Barnegate inlet is a bit on the far side from a distance perspective . . but might not be as bad on my nerves. :smt101

 

[osd9]

Comsnark:

Head south down the Forked River...there is the Captain's Inn (under new ownership) and the South Winds Restaurant. Captain's Inn usually has a slip open and they also have an outside area for lite dinning with a band.

Going north, at the west end of the Meteconk, is the Pilot House. Tricky to get in, but plenty of water if you stay in the marked channels. There are many large boats docked back there. They only have two or three transient slips, but I think you can call ahead for a slip.

With your outdrives, you could get into some of the shallower areas.....Right accross the bay from where you are, in Lavalette (I think) there is the Japanese restaurant on the water....I've been there with my 18CC, and the water seemed good.....there are some larger boats docked back there also....

Further south, if you want a nice ride, is the Duthmanns on LBI....call ahead and they will give you the local info to navigate in....you shouldn't have any problems....I've been there with my 330DA.......

Just south of the BI buoy, on the west side of the bay, is the Point...I haven't been there for a few years, so I can't give any first hand report.....

There are a few more, but I can't think of them off the top of my head......

 

[comsnark]

Those two places at Forked River sound good! Looks like an easy approach. Probably a 40 minute ride from where I am. Cool! I think I will be down there this weekend! I will also gather info on "the Point".

I gotta find that Japenese place in Lavellette!

The pilot house I knew about. . .but I have been scared to take my boat that far up that river. Silly, isn't it? I think a good part of my fear is that my depth finder died last year. . .and I have a only 5 hours on my new one this year. The other part of my fear is that I will inevitably be coming back home through that narrow channel after dark. . .which always adds a certain "element" to the cruise! But if the winds are light. . .and my GPS breadcrumbs work. . . .

Thanks for the help!

 

[rondds]

we keep the boat at a marina maybe a half mile out the river from pilot house, and I wouldnt go up there by boat! been there for dinner, sunday brunch and we had our daughter's communion party there. but we went via LAND on all occasions. there's barely enough channel width for one boat going in. and if you stray 1mm out of the sticks, your pretty much on drydock.

there's this place too...
http://www.keyharbormarina.com/Bayview_Terrace.html

havent been there but will probably get there this summer. someone i know told me it's good for lunch.

been to southwinds, for dinner and for weekends. real nice place and excellent restauraunt. captains inn is nice too.

 

[osd9]

The restaurant that Ron posted the link to is the restauarant that I called "The Point"......they must have changed name/ownership since I was last there.....

 

[comsnark]

Well. . .was all set to venture to the Southwinds on Saturday, but the crew got a little nervous about the rain clouds that rolled in around 6pm.

We ended up DRIVING to the the Pilot House and gorging ourselves on Sushi. I see what you mean about the tight quarters. . . and the transient spot at the fuel dock seemed unappealing. Considering that you need FIVE to make a reservation (we generally have four). . .the boat option does seem unappealing overall for that place.

We wandered down to Southwinds and Captains Inn on Sunday just to check out the area in Forked River. Lunch at the Captains seemed to be hopping. This area will be a definate destination in the near future. To me, the channel doesn't look like it will be too scary travelling out to the bay after dark. . . channel looks well marked, and the GPS seemed to have the right place for the "fork". Plus the breadcrumbs should help. . . . and once in the bay life will be good.

The Key harbor plac seems cool as well. Also on the list

I rather travel south than go north through the Point Pleasant Canal after dark -> although I should get over that inhibition. The canal didn't seem so bad the few times I have been through it during the day. I suspect the real problem for me going North will be the "time tolerence" of the crew after dinner when going through the long no wake zones, canal, and shoal areas.

Geez. . . writing this makes me want to blow off work tomorrow and go down to the baot. . . . .

 

[osd9]

....I rather travel south than go north through the Point Pleasant Canal after dark -> although I should get over that inhibition. The canal didn't seem so bad the few times I have been through it during the day. I suspect the real problem for me going North will be the "time tolerence" of the crew after dinner when going through the long no wake zones, canal, and shoal areas. . . . .

I'll suggest that you time your first night trip through the canal at slack tide, or with a slight head current.....definitely avoid a following current (even during the daytime if possible) for your first night trip.

Glad to hear you had a nice dinner at the Pilot House....I keep wanting to get there for Sunday brunch.....

 

[comsnark]

Needing a destination for an outing. . .we put up both biminis this weekend and took our boat to the PilotHouse.

Yup. That is one very tight channel. Easy navigation during the day. . .. except when passing a 38' Carver.. . .with a crosswind. Then things get interesting. It was cool seeing the swans with babies (2 sets!).

I think we convinced ourselves that we would not be making that passage in the dark. When you see jetskis sticking to the channel. . . .that tells you something.