It’s here. It’s finally here! What may be the equivalent of Christmas morning for foodies, Jersey Shore Local Restaurant Month has commenced and our stomachs are up for the challenge. We’ve been gearing up to taste what these Jersey Shore chefs have to offer for the past few weeks now, speculating what they’d bring to the table, and now we know. So what do some of the best Jersey Shore restaurants have in store for us in this first week of what is set to be a four-week foodie extravaganza? Here’s just a little peak of what’s in store this month and heads up, this event isn’t just for your typical sit down restaurants!

To see the full list of restaurants and menus, visit www.localrestaurantmonth.com.

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Our Picks for Week One of Local Restaurant Month

Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten, Asbury Park
There’s no better place to start the month than at one of the Jersey Shore’s best restaurants that also happens to be one of the best bars at the Jersey Shore as well. The Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten (527 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park 732-997-8767) is kicking off the #1 foodie event at the shore with a special that combines too of our favorite things… ½ liter of beer with your choice of Brat, all for just $20.

Kitch Organic, Red Bank
Eating mindfully and healthy during the month of March is a piece of cake (organic cake of course) when you dine at Kitch Organic (24 Leighton Avenue, Red Bank 732-741-5400). Take a bite into their menu and order any 8oz daily soup, ½ salad that includes the K.O. Signature of kale, avocado, toasted pepitas, and cranberries, and ½ sandwich. Top it off with a special treat all for just $20. It’s a lunch tasting menu that you’ll feel good about devouring.

Kim Marie’s Eat ‘n Drink Away, Asbury Park
Eat ‘n drink away at Kim Marie’s (1411 Kingsley Avenue, Asbury Park 732-774-6666) and order up your choice of an appetizer, entrée, or dessert all for just $15 for lunch and $30 for dinner. We’re definitely heading there for dinner and ordering up the adult version of our favorite kid dish – grilled cheese. These crazy chefs at Kim Marie’s have concocted some of the most delicious grilled cheese sandwiches that we’ve tasted and with a new one every day, you’re in for a treat.

Off the Hook Restaurant and Bar, Highlands
The view is free and the food is delicious. What more can you ask for? For the first week of Local Restaurant Month, Off the Hook (1 Navesink Avenue, Highlands 732-872-2006) is serving up a Prix Fixe Menu for just $28. We’re salivating over ordering the Gorgonzola Salad, the Pan Seared Scallops and Couscous served over asparagus, and then topping it off with the Pan Seared Mahi Mahi that’s topped with a shrimp and crab mousse. It might as well be a seafood spectacular.

Oyster Creek Inn, Leeds Point
Our taste buds can’t get enough of what Oyster Creek Inn (41 North Oyster Creek, Leeds Point 609-652-8565) has in store for us this month, so much so that we may have to visit there a few times just to sample everything on the menu. Our first trip is sure to include the Mediterranean Marinated Grilled Octopus, most likely followed by the Spicy Yellow Fin Tuna that’s rubbed with Cajun seasonings and then served with shrimp in a Cajun beer butter sauce. We’re still torn between the Crème Brulee and the Chocolate Cappuccino Mousse, but we have the whole month to go back for seconds!

Chef Mike’s Atlantic Bar and Grill, Seaside Park 
Get your weekend started right with two specials from Chef Mike of Chef Mike’s Atlantic Bar and Grill (10 Central Avenue, Seaside Park 732-854-1588). For the first two weeks of Local Restaurant Month, one of the Jersey Shore’s rock star chefs whipped up two specials to savor. Try the hand breaded Coconut Prawns served with a raspberry jam for an appetizer and then go for the Grilled Filet Mignon Oscar that’s topped with a heaping amount of lump crabmeat, asparagus, and Hollandaise Sauce. It’s a treat for just two weeks!

Yvonne’s, Neptune Twp.
Quickly making a name for themselves as one of the finest dining restaurants in the area, Yvonne’s (1311 Route 35, Neptune Twp. 732-775-9004) is on our list for a $30 three-course Prix Fixe menu from Chef Oleg. If you’ve never been to this favorite local restaurant, you must start with the Hot Cherry Pepper Duck Wings which will quite literally blow your mind, then go for the Pork Osso Bucco over a delicious risotto, and if you’re stomach can add anymore, the Almond Paste Pear Tarte is definitely worth making room for.

Tuscan Bistro, Toms River
For just $23.99, the three course Prix Fixe menu at Tuscan Bistro and Bar (1250 Hooper Avenue, Toms River 732-797-2570) is packed with delicious options including some of our favorite dishes like the Filet Mignon Trio that features not one, not two, but three filet mignon medallions that are topped with lobster scampi, spicy mushroom ragu, and tomato and fresh mozzarella. And that’s still considered just one dish!

Senza Cucina, Bayville 
At Senza Cucina (333 Atlantic City Avenue, Bayville 732-503-4470), they’re taking Local Restaurant Month quite seriously with their four-course Prix Fixe menu that gives you the option of what to order. Choose your favorite appetizer, house salad, a Primi or Secondi dish, and a dessert for just $29. If you’re looking for a wow factor, go for any dish that features shrimp including the Gamberetti Saporiti al Crostone appetizer featuring spicy baby shrimp that’s cooked with all the Italian flavors you love then served over toasted brick oven bread.

Pizutto Raviolo & Macaroni, Eatontown
When Local Restaurant Month was conceived, we didn’t want to exclude some of our favorite grab ‘n go restaurants and that included Pizutto Raviolo & Macaroni (15-17 Main Street, Eatontown 732-544-2000). Luckily for us, they came on board and are offering a number of family style dinners including our favorite Sunday Sauce, available 7 days a week, with your choice of pasta served with meatballs and sausage, and accompanied with garden salad and their freshly baked in house Italian bread for just $34.95.