In recent years, Asbury Park has become a hub for great cuisine. Heirloom, a restaurant at The St. Laurent  (a boutique hotel in Asbury Park), became a part of this scene when it opened in 2022. The partners in business and life, James Beard-nominated David Viana and Neilly Robinson, recently rebranded Heirloom into Judy + Harry’s, located at 408A 7th Avenue in Asbury Park. The two-part concept includes a main restaurant (Judy’s) and a companion cocktail lounge (Harry’s). JSG was lucky to grab a seat at both during its opening weekend. Keep reading to learn more about Judy + Harry’s — a Jersey-style Italian restaurant and bar with a Jewish culinary lens.   

The Backstory / Concept

The backstory behind Judy + Harry’s is one that everyone needs to know. Neilly told JSG, “The restaurant and bar are named for my parents, Judy and Harry. They’ve acted as my muses for my entire life and inspired the menu and design elements in both spaces. Married for over 50 years, Judy and Harry are always the life of the party – bringing a joie de vivre to everything they do. The bar & restaurant are a reflection of this!”

FYI: When opening the menu, the slogan ‘A Jewish Woman (who thinks she’s Italian)’ is a nod to Robinson’s mother (and is a relatable sentiment for many native New Jerseyans. 

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Heirloom to Judy + Harry’s

When JSG inquired about the transition from Heirloom to Judy + Harry’s, Neilly shared , “Change and evolution are a natural part of the hospitality industry, and creative folks like ourselves are constantly looking to try out new ideas and evolve into something anew.” From there, the partners spent about a year developing their new concept that eventually evolved into Judy + Harry’s.

For those wondering how the experience will differ from Heirloom, the owner told JSG, “The cuisines are slightly different, with Judy + Harry’s offering Italian with an international flair. However, guests can expect the same level of hospitality, and delicious food and drink.”

The Experience

Neilly described the experience at Judy + Harry’s as “…choose your own adventure, and you can’t go wrong.” The adventure in question being the original set-up of two locations customers can visit: Judy’s is the main restaurant, and Harry’s, its companion cocktail bar, just steps away.

Where to go first is entirely up to the guest, but remember that “When you first walk into the St. Laurent, you’re entering Harry’s. So, you could have a pre-dinner cocktail at Harry’s before making your way to Judy’s for dinner. Or the reverse — enjoy dinner in Judy’s before and dessert + cocktails afterward,” Neilly told JSG. 

A Look Inside Harry’s

JSG decided (we had to) grab a cocktail before heading into dinner. It’s clear from the start that Harry’s warm aesthetic has all the makings of a go-to location for a date or a girls’ night out. It has a sophisticated but fun aesthetic. Plenty of cozy corners and lounge seating make it a good setting for a catch-up session with a friend or a get-to-know-you conversation for a first date. 

Beverage Director Ricardo Rodriguez and Bar Manager Dean Hakim curates the cocktail menu with Italian touches like the Garibaldi Campari. The menu includes fun twists on classics like the Bellini, and Harry’s Manhattan pays homage to Robinson’s father.

The JSG team ordered the Pina Colada (imagine an upscale take on this festive vacation-vibe cocktail) and (of course) the Espresso Martini; we recommend grabbing both and trying one of Harry’s ‘Aperitivos’ — the options are good for sharing, like mozzarella in carrozza, fried olives, and crab arancini. 

For a demure pre or post-dinner experience, caviar service will be available.FYI: Customers of Harry’s can also look out for reverse happy hour from 10:00PM until midnight. 

Judy’s: The Vibe

For those who want to start the night with dinner, the entrance to Judy’s is on the side of St. Laurent. The cutest signs directing the public to the restaurant hang on the hotel’s massive porch, and dimly lit lanterns lead to the entrance.

When walking inside, expect to be greeted by a hostess who can grab jackets (during winter months) and lead guests through the restaurant with an open kitchen, plenty of bar seating, and a ton of tables in a welcoming yet intimate setting. There are also pretty sconces and vintage photos to honor Neilly’s parents that make the space feel homey (JSG particularly loves the wall displaying multiple photos of Judy throughout her years). 

JSG noticed an instant family-type vibe amongst the staff, and the space feels upscale without being pretentious. 

The Cuisine

The menu at Judy’s reflects a neighborhood restaurant that is both elevated and comforting; the food options feel nostalgic. There are signature items like Judy’s Matzo Ball Soup (which is known to Chef David as one of the best he’s ever had) and the Chicken and Broccoli Gnudi (pan-seared ricotta with celery pesto), which are both easy transports to your grandparent’s kitchen. 

Here’s What the JSG Team Ordered:

For Appetizers: 

• Polpette: A classic Italian meatball with a twist — it has veal, pork, and mortadella (and the best part is the housemade ricotta).
• Tuna ‘Reuben’: JSG loves the addition of sauerkraut to this crudo option.
• Homemade Focaccia: No explanation is necessary — don’t forget to dip it in olive oil.
• Latke: A fun traditional Jewish plate with sour cream, apple relish, and bagna cauda (imagine an upscale version of a potato pancake).

For Dinner:

JSG picked one of the restaurant’s shareable plates, the Chili Crunch Lobster Arrabiata. The photo speaks for itself. FYI: The chef cuts and prepares the lobster in a way that makes sharing a lobster easy. 

Since the lobster is part of the ‘Specialita‘ part of the menu, customers can choose two sides. JSG recommends the ‘Schmaltz’ Potatoes and Escarole + Beans. 

For dessert, we got the Chocolate Beigne (chocolate and pistachio lovers — this one is a must-try).  

Other signature desserts to expect, available at Judy’s or Harry’s, include Judy’s Carrot Cake and Tiramisu. Plus, there will be rotating sorbetto and gelato flavors every night. 

Judy’s Cocktail Menu:

The spirit experience isn’t limited to Harry’s, as the cocktail menu at Judy’s has a full martini list featuring classic options like the Gibson and Bloody Martini, and the beer, in celebration of the Jersey Shore, is from local breweries like Wild Air Beerworks and Last Wave Brewing.

The wine list, developed by Wine Director Nicole Garro Castro, feels endless. Besides featuring wines from Italy, customers can also explore the grapes from countries and regions critical to the Jewish diaspora (but don’t worry if you aren’t sure where to start — Judy’s staff supports all customers with recommendations and a taste of the wine before getting a glass or bottle). 

FYI: JSG recommends trying a dessert-style cocktail named Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli (IYKYK: The Godfather fans will love this). This frozen cocktail includes vodka, white creme de cacao, and Frangelico. Still, the best part is the topping of ricotta whey, which is sprinkled directly on top of the drink in front of the customer. 

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The St. Laurent:

The St. Laurent always was an ideal location for Neilly, as she described the hotel as “A beautiful historic building, founded & run by women since 1886, and we took the baton and ran with it. We were, and still are, delighted to bring our expertise and passion to the space while at the same time honoring this venerated historic establishment.”

Because there’s nothing more convenient,  JSG recommends staying at The St. Laurent after dinner and drinks at Judy and Harry’s. 

Without even having to leave the building, customers can just head upstairs at this historic building to one of its guest rooms and enjoy its casual + glamour aesthetic that is comfortable after a night spent eating and drinking.

JSG loves that The St. Laurent has a contactless check-in + check-out (all of which is easily completed by guests online), making this a no-brainer way to conclude the experience at Judy + Harry’s. 

The Takeaway

When asked about Robinson’s goals for Judy + Harry’s, Neilly said, “We want Judy & Harry’s to become a new neighborhood mainstay. We want to welcome our beloved members for first dates, family gatherings, or simply a Wednesday night dinner with friends.” JSG saw this reflected in how excited the entire staff was to get to know customers and help with menu selection. 

For those who want to return the welcoming gesture, JSG suggests following its Instagram to stay updated on Judy + Harry’s, a go-to for all Jersey Shore foodies.