By Judy O’Gorman Alvarez
LINCROFT – The village of Lincroft may not be food insecure, but for those who want a cocktail and a little fine dining, the wait may soon be over.
Nearly four years after the historic Lincroft Inn was sold and torn down, Charlie’s of Lincroft is putting the finishing touches on its new restaurant and getting ready to open its doors.
Owned by the Hesse Companies, proprietors of Charlie’s of Bay Head, the new eatery – Charlie’s of Lincroft – the impressive brick structure on Newman Springs Road and Middletown Lincroft Road will offer contemporary American cuisine and more.
As almost any business owner – and consumer – can attest, the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered everything from manufacturing to shipping to staffing. All three of those industries are vital to a restaurant business which slowed the progress of work on Charlie’s of Lincroft. Compounding those delays was the death of Lawrence Charles Hesse, fourth generation CEO and president of The Hesse Companies, in December.
In April 2019 the Middletown Planning Board approved a proposal for a project initially called the Lincroft Tavern, at the same site where the Lincroft Inn once sat for more than 300 years.
Now, after many delays, Charlie’s of Lincroft will soon open with about 260 seats. It will feature two rooms that can be used for private events, a wine room and great room that can accommodate about 70 people and be used for regular dining. A dining room and a barroom will be located downstairs.
The site of the new restaurant is believed to have housed an eating and/or lodging establishment almost continuously since 1697.
One of those establishments was the Leedsville Hotel, when Lincroft was known as Leedsville, after one of Middletown’s earliest settlers William Leeds. The Leedsville Hotel was a stagecoach stop for travelers venturing from Lakewood to New York City.
“The Hesse family, owners of the restaurant and the property, are very attuned to the history of the location,” said Mark Bernard, director of operations for both Charlie’s restaurants. “That’s why we kept some of that history and tried to incorporate it (in the new design).”
In the Bay Head location, he pointed out, “everything is light and more beachy. And here we have a lot of dark wood tones throughout the place.”
According to Bernard, the Lincroft Inn was not a dedicated landmark. Even though the center of the building was over 200 years old, additions had been made over the years.
“The building was not salvageable. The building was pretty much falling apart. So we’ve actually taken some of the timbers and things that were holding the building up and repurposed them inside of the restaurant.”
The historical tavern-like feel of the old restaurant carries over to the food offerings, as well.
Chef Josh Sauer, formerly of Avenue Le Club in Long Branch, is the executive chef, while Jason Kobilis, who was sous chef of Charlie’s of Bay Head, will now be culinary director for both locations.
“The fare will be similar but will not be the same” as in Bay Head, said Bernard. Although there will be some crossovers on the new location’s menu “it’ll be a whole new menu, so there’ll be something for everyone.”
“We actually have a lot more equipment in Lincroft so we’ll be able to produce some different food there. We have a smoker. We have a charbroiler so we’ll be doing a lot of steaks and we’re going to try to (ensure) the ambience of the place is different,” Bernard said.
“We’re going to have a little bit more upscale tavern feel to the menu, although there will still be poultry and we have also brick oven pizza.” Vegetarian items will also be on the menu. Prices will be similar to those at the Bay Head location.
The restaurant, according to Bernard, will be opened in phases: for dinner, then lunch and eventually events.
Although the Charlie’s of Lincroft shares a parking lot with popular facilities like RetroFitness gym and U.S. Black Belt, Bernard is not worried about the ability to accommodate customers. The restaurant will offer valet parking and the employee parking area in the rear of the complex is being enlarged.
And while they will encourage private parties, “we’re never going to rent out the entire restaurant,” Bernard said, as the rooms were not intended for large events. “We’re not going to have a 300-person wedding there.”
Bernard says staff interviews have begun; furniture will be delivered in a couple of weeks; and menus as well as other details will be finalized.
“By the end of this month, we should be done and then it’s going to take three to four weeks to get everything ready so we can open,” he said. “We’re shooting for the end of May,” for the first meal to be served.
“I think that there’s a definite need for a restaurant in the community,” said Bernard. In the Bay Head location, the company is tied to the community and intends to do the same in Lincroft, with plans to support the schools and local organizations.
The article originally appeared in the April 7 – 13, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
