Before you plan a New Jersey weekend getaway or decide on a vacation spot for your lodging accommodations, take a tour of the Island Guest House - Kitchen, Dining Room, Parlor, Front porch, Garden Courtyard, Internet Cafe, Coffee House.
Face it - one of the best parts of a vacation is fabulous food. And who doesn't love to eat? Well, we love to cook here at the Island Guest House! Although bed and breakfasts are all known for serving breakfast, we mix it up with a little style, flair, and passion! Both the owners, Mark and Joanne, have been putting some real quality time into the kitchen. Our theory is this - provide the best ingredients, fresh local market produce, fresh herbs (many from our own garden), have a few signature dishes which will remind you of our Inn, create sumptuous, home-cooked dishes, which will coax you out of your rooms in the morning and intrigue and interest you. Oh, yes, and have lots of fabulous coffee!top
That sounds like a perfect start to the day, right? But we wanted to deliver something even more - ourselves and our continuous quest to serve you better. We know that people love to see behind the scenes, to know the recipes for that yummy stuffed French toast, that breakfast casserole, or those signature cheese blintzes with berries and whipped cream.top
So when we remodeled our kitchen recently, we had a vision in mind. We didn't just want more convenience for ourselves, but we wanted to literally invite our guests into the kitchen. So, we designed a beautiful European-style cafe kitchen with the very best Wolf stove and appliances, safety standards, and quality. We then encased these in a design of beautiful hand-painted Italian tiles and added glass-front cabinets, hardwood floors, and a large central island surrounded with comfortable stools for you, our guests, to perch on and trade coffee for conversation. We wanted you to be able to see us chop up the fresh ingredients in our recipes and to get to chat with the Innkeepers, Joanne and Mark, in a friendly and fun atmosphere or ask questions about the best place for dinner or what to do around Beach Haven in the evenings. top
To make things a little more definite, we thought it would be great to offer a very informal, complimentary culinary cooking class on selected dates in the late morning or afternoon on baking days. Everyone can learn or even help to create the next morning's breakfast entree and take home a recipe to try later. Guests love that they now know where to touch base with us in the afternoons to get the perfect dinner suggestion or watching us prepare a refreshing afternoon tea time to enjoy after a day in the sun. We think our new European-style cafe kitchen is the most welcoming kitchen on the island, and we feel that it definitely adds to our commitment to offer casual elegance, fabulous food, and excellent hospitality. top
Of course, there are many other choices for breakfast here also. Our formal dining room is always set for an elegant breakfast option. In the parlor, we have intimate tables for two lit with candles under lovely Victorian Tiffany-style beaded glass chandeliers The cafe is a great venue for private parties, weddings, and reunions. It opens to the garden with its lighted patio/dance floor, and between it and the rest of the the interior, can hold up to 70 guests. Perfect for that inclement weather backup plan at a garden wedding or barbeque. top
Some like to sit on the enclosed front porch, which is filled with wicker furniture and a gently moving ceiling fan, giving that breezy Key West Island feeling. top
I think, though, the location that has always been the favorite of guests at any time of the day is our outside garden courtyard. It is nestled behind the picket fence and rose arbors and flanked on one side by the main Inn, on the other by the Innkeeper's house, and at the rear sits our Cottage. It is wonderful to breakfast al fresco in the morning sunshine. Here in the garden, round tables with market umbrellas fill the courtyard among the many roses, flowers, and fountains. In the evening, twinkle lights cling to the picket fence, and bistro lights crisscross overhead while candles flicker at the tables. It is a perfect time to enjoy the evening air, the sound of distant surf, and maybe a relaxing glass of wine and cheese, or whatever you fancy. A large lighted patio/dance floor is brand new!top
This is a favorite place for weddings, family reunions, picnics, and the many special occasions that people like to celebrate here at the Island Guest House. If you are interested in a gathering, just call us or look at our weddings and events page. top
Off of the kitchen, through the French doors, is the Sea Glass Cafe Gallery. Opening to the Garden, it is the perfect spot for breakfast or checking emails, as well as a beautiful private room for a small wedding/reception, bridal shower, meeting, retreat room, or private dinner for your group or event. Between the Cafe and the front common areas, we can accommodate up to 70 people inside the Inn for your gathering. (Opens late summer 2011) top
A large flat screen TV in the Cafe is great for movie night, or for showing family videos at receptions or reunions. There are books on the history of Long Beach Island and Beach Haven and lots of relaxing reading material for the beach or front porch. top
Our coffee house brings together guests and friends with music, coffee, and desserts for an intimate gathering on select evenings in the Sea Glass Cafe Gallery. top
When you arrive at the Island Guest House, you will be offered a refreshing drink or a soothing cup of tea or coffee. Afternoon tea time and refreshments consist of a selection of our favorite recipes for cakes and cookies, homemade in our kitchen, as well as fresh iced tea garnished with mint from our garden or refreshing lemonade. top
