If you enjoy BYOB restaurants, you must check out Skratch Kitchen in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. Skratch Kitchen opened in spring 2022 at 812 Main Street in the borough, in the former location of Citrico’s.
I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Skratch Kitchen to celebrate a birthday and for a girls’ night out. It’s also a great spot for a date night or special occasion. The restaurant has an intimate dining room that seats up to 48 people, as well as outdoor sidewalk seating in the warmer months.
Owner and Chef JT Dunn has created a unique menu at Skratch Kitchen, consisting of rustic Italian fare that includes appetizers; salads; main courses featuring seafood, chicken, pasta, and meat; homemade ricotta dumplings (gnudi) and pappardelle bolognese; and other pasta dishes. They also have gluten-free and vegetarian options such as wild mushroom tacos; orange, fennel and arugula salad; and romaine chopped salad. Make sure you ask about the daily chef’s specials, too.
If you have a sweet tooth, I can vouch that the blueberry bread pudding and other house-made desserts at Skratch Kitchen are worth every delicious calorie!
During a recent dinner at Skratch Kitchen, friends and I shared appetizers of Caesar salad tacos, crispy calamari with cherry peppers, and grilled artichoke hearts wrapped in prosciutto. The artichoke hearts were accompanied by lemon whipped goat cheese and the entire dish was surrounded by a citrus reduction. Outstanding!!
For my entrée, I ordered pan-roasted Tuscan cod, which was accompanied by clams and cannellini beans in a savory broth, perfect for dunking toasted bread. We finished our meal with after-dinner cappuccinos (brought our own Bailey’s to add) and two desserts for sharing: Skratch Kitchen’s signature pistachio tiramisu and a decadent brownie with homemade ice cream and bananas.
Reservations at Skratch Kitchen are recommended, especially on busy summer weekends. You may book your table via the Resy app, via their website, or by calling the restaurant at 732-984-6363. Takeout is also available (no delivery, though).
The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Current hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Note that a 3 percent service fee is added to credit card transactions; no fee is added to your bill if you pay cash.
Scratch Kitchen
812 Main Street
Bradley Beach, New Jersey 07720
732-984-6363
BYOB – Bradley Liquors is next door
Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House
Day trips down the shore are fun, but it’s even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com.
Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog, a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved.
