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Jon & Patty's Coffee Bar & Bistro: Taleses' Talents Show in Menu and Decor

Jon and Patty Talese turned an old newsstand into a chic eatery serving creative bistro fare.

Some families seem to have more than their fair share of talent, don't they? The Taleses are one of those families.

Jon and Patty Talese bought a former newsstand and tobacco shop on Asbury Avenue in 2008, gutted it and transformed it into the 48-seat .

“Everything is new—walls, floors, counters, kitchen,” Jon Talese said on Saturday morning between greeting customers warmly and seating them in whimsically mismatched chairs. “We wanted to create a beautiful place to eat.”

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And beautiful it is—from the tan and red facade to the sunny golden drapes on the front windows and buttery yellow walls decorated with brilliantly colorful paintings by Patty; by the couple's daughter, Alex, who also is a chef here; and by Jon's mother, Marian, who was born in Ocean City. The paintings are reproduced on canvas and are for sale for about $100.

(A bit of a side note: Marian's brother, Gay Talese, is a famous writer who owns a vacation home in the Gardens section of town, where he is said to have written large parts of his books from his third-floor office. “He was just in the other day,” Jon Talese said of his renowned uncle, who is known for his trademark dapper attire.)

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Jon & Patty's décor complements a diverse menu.

“We focus on healthy, creative bistro fare with a constantly changing menu,” Talese said. “We supplement our core items with 12 specials each day, using what's fresh and good.”

Among the specials on this day, Lainie's Sunshine Ocean City Breakfast Tacos ($6.50) fairly burst with freshness. Named for chef/manager Lainie Fillius, they are two soft tacos fried to a crispy texture, filled with scrambled eggs, ripe red tomato, avocado and cheddar cheese, served with home fries.

Other specials: baked apple pie oatmeal ($5.75), baked whole oats finished with whipped cream and brown sugar; and pecan whole grain pancakes ($6.50), described as “famous.”

Asked to name her favorite breakfast, server Katey Bell is hard-pressed to pick just one.

“The creamed chipped beef ($7.50), served over toast with home fries, is chopped up really fine and creamier than in other places,” she said.

Of course, there are omelets with any fillings you could want (from $5.95 to $7.25), plus French toast ($5.25 to $7.25) and pancakes ($4.25 to $6.25), including three-grain with additions like blueberry, banana and chocolate chips.

For a really hearty breakfast, try the Monte Cristo French toast–thick egg bread soaked in special batter with nutmeg, cinnamon grilled in whole butter, stuffed with grilled turkey, ham and Swiss cheese, dusted in powdered sugar and served with syrup. That will get you through the day!

All blends of Green Mountain brand coffee are served in colorful mugs ($2); there also are assorted teas and chai ($2), espresso, cappuccino, latte, mochachino and hot chocolate ($2.75 to $4).

A recent special was a Milky Way cappuccino ($3.75), espresso, chocolate and caramel syrup, steamed milk with whipped cream. Summertime, Jon & Patty's serves up refreshing iced teas in flavors like peach, blueberry and island coconut.

Looking for a lunch spot?

Jon & Patty's has a full menu of sandwiches, burgers, wraps and salads. Among Saturday's specials: tomato, avocado and mozzarella salad ($8.50) and nutty chicken salad sandwich ($8.75), cranberry-walnut bread topped with provolone cheese, mixed greens, creamy chicken salad, craisins and almonds, served with pickles and chips.

Jon Talese said customers should look for a new menu after Easter, and dinner will start up in May—featuring lots of different fresh fish, including ahi tuna and red snapper, plus lamb chops and steaks and dinner salads.

“You can get a complete dinner for $15 to $20,” he said. “The menu changes every two days with the market. We're committed to fresh, inspired food.”

Talese, who also owns vacation industry websites, had to leave the eatery Saturday morning to take his second-oldest child, Joe, to the airport so he could get back to the Rhode Island School of Design. Patty was with their daughter Sophia, 13, at a horse-riding event and youngest son, Jon, 11, was at home.

It's a hectic but good life—and Talese said he can't wait for summer, which will be Jon & Patty's third.

“We're really part of a great block,” Talese said. “There's always something to do here.”

 

Jon & Patty's Coffee Bar & Bistro

WHERE: 637 Asbury Ave.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Starting in May, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days.

GET IN TOUCH: Call 609-399-3377, jonandpattys.com or find it on Facebook

OTHER STUFF TO KNOW: All credit cards except American Express. Street parking. Take-out. Free delivery 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. Wi-Fi. Sidewalk seating.

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