Moonstruck Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge
517 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park, N.J (723)988-0123 Home About Moonstruck Contact Moonstruck

Moonstruck Info


CUISINE
We call it Fresh American-Mediterranean.  Our menu features many classics from Filet Mignon to Rosemary Chicken to Seafood Combinations.  Many preparations are inspired by the great cooking of The Mediterranean region: Italy, Spain, France, Greece, North Africa and The Middle-East, with a few nods towards South-East Asia.  We are big on Salads, Fresh Vegetables and Seasonal offerings.  We try to keep things on the healthy side by using fresh Ingredients, quality oils, and whole grains in many of our dishes.  We're not so much about "health food" or "Fancy food" as we are about Real food, Hearty food, Good food that we like to eat everyday.  You can splurge on our Walnut Crusted Rack of Lamb with Pomegranate Demi-glace and Lemon Risotto, or go easy with our Mediterranean Platter of Fresh Grilled Vegetables, Roasted Peppers, Humus and Fresh Mozzarella, or enjoy a simple Grilled Shrimp with Pesto Linguine and a crisp White Wine.  Eat like they do in Europe, loosen your belt, Mangia, Enjoy!
 
ATMOSPHERE
Moonstruck is housed in a multi-story Victorian style building with lots of windows and wrap around porches. (There is an elevator which services all three floors making all public areas ADA accessible.)  There are wonderful views of the water, and the Victorian Homes of Ocean Grove as well as Ocean Grove’s landmark, The Great Auditorium, and sometimes, The Full Moon!  The first floor is the bar area and cocktail lounge with candlelight, light jazz, or piano music. The second floor is main dining room, with another bar for dining. The third floor is for additional dining on weekends and in the summer; It can also be sometimes booked for private parties (See Below).  Our outdoor porches are set for dining and cocktails in the summertime. The breezes, the views and candlelight make for a very romantic ambiance. If there happens to be a full moon in the sky, watch out! “When the moon hits your eye like a big Pizza Pie…That’s Amore!”
 
HOURS (OFF SEASON)
Open Dinner Wednesday through Sunday; Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Cocktail Lounge opens at 4:00 and The Dining Room opens at 5:00.
We serve until 9:00 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and until 10:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
We are not open for lunch.

SUMMER HOURS (MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY)
Same as above except we serve dinner until 10:00 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and until 11:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
 
CREDIT CARDS
We accept Visa, Master Card, and American Express.

MOONSTRUCK GIFT CERTIFICATES
Gift certificates are available for purchase at the restaurant or by phone. 
Please stop by or call after 4 PM (Wed-Sun)
732-988-0123  
 
RESERVATION POLICY
Reservations are only accepted for parties of 12 or more and on the following major holidays:
Easter Sunday, Mothers' Day, and New Year's Eve.
All other nights we seat on a walk in basis; First come-First served.
 
VIP ROOM
Our small private room, known as The VIP Room can be book for parties of 12-18 people any night that we are open.  
Please call 732-988-0123 during regular business hours (after 4:00 PM Wed-Sun) to check for availability.
 
PRIVATE PARTIES
Moonstruck is primarily an a la cart restaurant, however, private parties larger than 20 people can sometimes be accommodated in our third floor dining room on slow nights during our off-season: September-May on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights.  However that space is not available on Friday or Saturday nights, or any night from June through September because that dining room is used for regular restaurant seating at those times.  Currently we do not do any daytime parties because we do not open until 4:00 PM.

See the menu section for Private Party menus. Click Here for the menu

Why don't we take reservations? ...We like to keep things simple! You don't have to plan a month in advance, and we don't have to hire a reservationist! Truth is most nights, other than Saturdays; you can be seated very quickly. Just come when you'd like to, if there is a wait, you can enjoy cocktails and appetizers in our lounge. If you are with someone you like, or a few good friends, the time passes very quickly anyway. Relax, have a drink, and ENJOY.
 
ABOUT US
We are located on Lake Avenue in Asbury Park.  Lake Avenue is the first street on the south side of the city. It runs along Wesley Lake, which separates Asbury Park from its sister town of Ocean Grove. Ocean Grove, Moonstruck’s original home, is a charming, historic, Victorian town. It is easy to walk from one town to the other as there are two footbridges that cross the lake and connect the two Seaside Gems.


Moonstruck is owned by Howard Raczkiewicz and Luke Magliaro. The restaurant originally opened in Ocean Grove in 1995 as a small storefront BYOB. But really it all began with The Raspberry Café, which Howard and Luke opened on January 1st, 1989. To this day Howard is still the executive Chef and Luke is still the dining room manager. 2006 marks the 18th year that the hands-on team has been working together, continuously operating their semi-famous establishments!  “We have a lot of good memories and have made many friends and acquaintances over the years to be thankful for. We wish to acknowledge everyone for their patronage, encouragement and support, which has enabled us to realize our dream. Please know that we are determined to keep our focus on what we have always strived for: To be real; to provide good food, good service, and good atmosphere. It is our proven recipe for success. Simple but true.”