Denino’s (right) and an adjacent, non-paved lot that will be used for a parking expansion. (Credit: Google Maps)
Expansions at two popular restaurants in Brick will help the parking situation at one and provide outdoor seating for diners at another.
Parking Woes Solved
The township’s planning board has approved a plan by Denino’s South Pizzeria on Mantoloking Road to greatly expand its parking area, which has been a major source of concern for the restaurant’s owner as well as patrons, who have sometimes been forced to park across the street due to the restaurant’s popularity.
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“There was a real parking problem because people were parking all over the place,” said John Jackson, the attorney for Denino’s. “We think this makes it safer for the restaurant’s customers and better for the neighborhood.”
Under the approval granted by the township, Denino’s will be able to construct an additional parking lot on the east side of the existing restaurant.
“Without the overflow, it has enough parking by ordinance, but with the success of the business, there just isn’t enough,” said Township Planner Mike Fowler.
The board, in approving the parking expansion, required the restaurant keep up the grounds with plantings.
Jackson said ultimately, the owner of the lot on which Denino’s stands, RMR Realty, may come to the township with a larger plan for the two neighboring lots it owns – the one where the current restaurant exists and where the new parking lot was approved. Traditionally, he said, Denino’s restaurants have a Ralph’s Italian Ice next door, and a future projects could include utilizing a portion of the east lot for a Ralph’s location.
Outdoor Dining Planned
The planning board has also approved a plan from Carrabbas’s Italian Grille to add an outdoor dining section to its restaurant in the Town Hall Shoppes plaza on Cedar Bridge Avenue.
The restaurant sought permission to establish an outdoor patio dining area next to its restaurant space in the plaza, as well as a number of minor variances that were required in connection with the expansion.
Fowler said the outdoor dining area will be located within the pedestrian walkway between Carrabba’s and what is currently a Dollar General store. The dining area will be covered with a roof, but will otherwise be open-air. Outdoor dining will be available seasonally, Fowler said.
