Labrador Lounge Welcomes Man and Man's Best Friend

A local restaurant keeps it in the family – and literally, every member of the family is welcome.

Labrador Lounge in Normandy Beach offers what staff members refer to as "vacation cuisine" and allows customers to bring their dogs onto the patio section during the summer months.

On top of the relaxed atmosphere a block from the beaches – the restaurant is located at 3581 Route 35 North – the cuisine is made straight from local goods and the liquor license is limited to New Jersey wines.

"We are a very big farms table, the Lounge offers local wine, local produce, local cheese, and local fish," said manager Veronica Parent. "We keep everything fresh, everything local, and we use simple ingredients."

The restaurant is 'bring your own liquor' but offers bottles of wine from Auburn Road, a local New Jersey winery located in Pilesgrove.

The menu boasts lunch and dinner selections ranging from salads, wraps and sandwiches to main entrees boasting local fish dishes, poultry, and a full sushi menu.

Goma Maguro, a Lounge favorite, is a seared sesame encrusted yellowfin tuna plate served with herbed smashed potatoes, book choy, and snap peas. The asian barbecue baby back ribs are slow cooked in a Hoisan Ginger Barbecue and served with Electra fries and sauteed greens and beans, a dish that Parent says "falls right off the bone." 

A full list of sushi and specialty rolls are available as are edamame "tasty bites" and edamame wontons. 

Labrador Lounge is one of seven Jersey Shore restaurants, four located in Asbury Park, co-owned by Marilyn Schlossbach and her husband, Scott Sczegeski. Schlossbach is the executive chef at her establishments. 

Schlossbach previously owned restaurants throughout the 1990s including Rosalie's in Bay Head and Karma Cafe in Belmar, according to Parent. The Labrador Lounge opened in 2005 and was the first business that Schlossbach opened with her husband.

The restaurant is named for Schlossbach's two Labrador dogs and the hanging signs use an image of Harry, one of Scholassbach's older dogs who has since passed away, according to Parent. 

Parent says the decor of Labrador Lounge represents Schlossbach's humanitarian side, as well as her dedication to Buddhism.

On Monday nights, the restaurant features live music outside and on Tuesday evenings, Labrador Lounge offers three course fixed lobster meal. At Pop's Garage, on 1000 Ocean Ave. in Asbury Park, there is are movie screenings on Wednesday nights throughout the summer, as well. 

Labrador Lounge is open year round, seven days a week during the summer and six days a week after the summer. The restaurant is open Thursday through Sunday during winter months. Lunch begins at 12 p.m. and the Lounge is open until 10 p.m. during the week and 11 p.m. on weekends. 

For a full list of Schlossbach's restaurants and websites, visit www.kitschens.com.