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Iron Whale – a new seafood restaurant by Executive Chef Michael Dolan will open in the soon to be completed Fifth Avenue Pavilion redesign along the Asbury Park Boardwalk, Madison Marquette officials have announced.

Dolan, who served as the executive chef at Tim McLoone’s Robinson Ale House, as well as other Jersey Shore restaurants, began his career at age 16 as a dishwasher at a Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk venue.

“It is such a pleasure working in a restaurant on the water,” Dolan said in a written statement. “I also think our proximity to the ocean demands that we seek out the freshest, local seafood.”

This will mean everything from steamers to lobsters, as well as specialty options that will be unique to Iron Whale, according to a written statement.

“The beauty of the interiors challenges us to come up with creative, beautiful plate presentations,” Dolan said. “At the Iron Whale, the food will compete daily with the surroundings to excite and captivate our clientele.”

Set to open in October, the restaurant will be designed by mother-daughter team – Terry Gierlatowicz and Sydney Mauhs of TSG Design, officials said.

The upscale waterfront space will feature an open kitchen concept viewable from the bar, a fireplace that serves as a focal point, indoor seating that accommodates 130 people and an additional 34 seats at the bar, and an outdoor boardwalk dining space that will seat 85-100 guests.

The new eatery will be located next the Tim McLoone’s Supper Club and newly redesigned Robinson Ale House.

Final touches are underway for the historic outdoor bandshell, which will feature 238 ADA compliant stadium seats, a dance floor and raised stage, and a rooftop restaurant and bar offering floor to ceiling retractable windows that lends to an open air cafe feel.

“Iron Whale not only looks to fill a desire for seafood and more on the waterfront, but to provide fine amenities in an open and charming environment, consistent with the spirit of Asbury Park,” Madison Marquette spokeswoman Pasqualina DeBoer said.

The boardwalk level Iron Whale will be neighbored by retail offerings, like the now open Havaianas.  

“From the outset, Madison Marquette’s vision has been to honor Asbury’s history while creating a waterfront experience unlike any other,” she said in the written statement. “In the curation of retail and dining, in the past ten years, the Asbury Park Boardwalk has been reimagined into a thriving, year-round destination with premier and diverse entertainment and over 40 unique retail and restaurant tenants, many of which are locally owned, operated and staffed.

“Iron Whale is an exciting part of that curation in continuing to deliver a vibrant and compelling experience on the boardwalk,” she said.

For more about Madison Marquette and its offerings, visit apboardwalk.com.

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