Stella Marina and Cubacan to reopen by Feb. 1
Both were shut down by Hurricane Sandy
Two popular restaurants on the Asbury Park boardwalk — Stella Marina and Cubacan — expect to reopen by February 1, according to Dennis Tafuri, general manager for both establishments. The two have been closed since suffering damage from Hurricane Sandy.
“We have two construction crews working feverishly to get the places ready,” said Tafuri [pictured above in front of Stella Marina]. “Both places will look exactly like they were before.”
The restaurants are located on opposite ends of the First Avenue pavilion. Stella Marina features Italian fare, and Cubacan serves Cuban cuisine. The restaurants are owned by the same group.
“All the walls are back up,” said Tafuri. “The tiles are back up in the kitchen. I can practically smell the roasted garlic and bolognese sauce already.”
As for the employees of the restaurants, most will be returning, he said.
“Our employees spent some needed time with the their friends and family during the holidays,” said Tafuri. “We’re happy to announce that the majority of our employees will be back with us when we reopen.”
In addition, work continues apace to fix damaged sections of the boardwalk. “Crews are working seven days a week to get the boardwalk back together,'” Tafuri said.
Watermark, the lounge on the second floor of the First Avenue pavilion, reopened last month as did McLoone’s Asbury Grille and Supper Club in the Sunset Avenue pavilion. The music venues on the waterfront — the Paramount Theater, the Stone Pony and the Wonder Bar — reopened shortly after the storm.
The other major restaurant on the boardwalk — Langosta Lounge — remains closed for storm repairs. In the interim, owner Marilyn Schlossbach has moved her operation to her other Asbury Park restaurant, the Dauphin Grille, across the street in the Berkeley Hotel.
