Emma G.
Yelp
***4 1/2 stars***
I came here last summer and had a perfect 5-star experience. This wasn't QUITE as good, but my number one reason for coming was more than validated, so this remains a strong recommendation.
My Millennial Chum and I stopped by yesterday for lunch on a very toasty Jersey Shore day. We called ahead of time to let R Bar know we were going to be a little late for our 12:30 reservation because of shore traffic, but the place was pretty empty and I riled myself up for nothing (which, if we're being honest, is at least a daily occurrence). Great interior/atmosphere. I lived in New Orleans for a bit, and they capture a lot of the bougie Canal District vibe with a dash of Bourbon Street, minus the early morning vomit on the streets. We both remain intrigued by their decision to set up shop in the more rundown section, about eight blocks or so from either the downtown/Main Street area or the beach. Asbury gentrification seems to spread more and more every time I come down, so I suspect they made a really smart decision here.
I absolutely LOVE the Bourbon Slushee ($12). It is an all-time cocktail for me and perfect for the summer. I have actively been discussing a reunion with this beverage for months now, and I'll probably start doing it again within a week. It's just delicious, and deceptively simple in concept - bourbon and cherry cola in slushee form with a cherry on top. That's it. I had been talking this up so much that the Millennial Chum, an infamous teetotaler, decided to get it herself. She couldn't stand it (she's still in that Malibu Rum stage that most of us grew out of by 23, so this is by no means a point against the drink), but it meant in a pleasant turn of events that I ended up getting two Bourbon Slushees at the same time. Christmas in July.
This place would be great just coasting on the cocktails, but the other cherry on top is that their food is consistently solid. I'm pretty sure I got the Garlic Shrimp last time and really liked it, but we were ordering off the brunch menu this time around. We split the Cornbread Madelines ($8), which I had most of, and I ordered the Blackened Shrimp with cheesy grits ($18) as my entrée. The cornbread is really good - I'm sure the jalapeno honey butter isn't for everyone (the Millennial Chum suspiciously glared at it a few times) but it's unique with a zesty flavor that isn't overwhelming. The only problem with the dish is that the bread falls apart super easily. If your intent is to spread some butter on the bread, good luck - the bread will break upon impact. It's moist, especially compared to most cornbread, but they need more structure (maybe flour?) for this to totally work. I had a terrible serving of grits over a decade ago that kept me away from them for years, but I've been trying to come back. The cheesy grits here helped with the healing process. Great texture, super tasty, and the shrimp were delicious. It's a solid helping, and I didn't end up eating again until this morning. I'll take that kind of eating efficiency any weekend if I can manage it.
The service was okay. I got the impression that the waitress was a bit of a young pup in the hospitality industry, but she was personable and nearby if needed. It took about 40 minutes for the main courses to arrive, which was too long especially given that the restaurant wasn't even remotely crowded. Not a huge deal (and remember, I had not one but two simultaneous Bourbon Slushees to occupy my time, along with scintillating Millennial Chum conversation), but that's really the only area that noticeably needed tightening up. And the price points for everything are excellent - these are not beach/boardwalk Asbury prices, they are blue collar, slightly shady area by the train station Asbury prices. This place is a gem hidden amongst Dollar Trees and discount rotisserie chicken establishments, and they had my allegiance the minute they turned the slushee machine on.