Asbury Park’s Latest Dining Destination, Modine Opens January 5th

Asbury Park will become home to a new restaurant with the grand opening of Modine, located in the Historic Post Building at 601 Mattison Avenue on Friday, January 5, 2018. Full of southern charm and modern flair, Modine has been a labor of love for its dedicated team of founders. Partners Shanti and Steve Mignogna are known to the Asbury Park community as the owners of Talula’s, a popular eatery and bar offering a carefully curated menu of sourdough pizza and locally sourced fare. Joining the Mignogna’s as partners in the project are Chris Davin, Jill Meerpohl, and Andrew Rasizer.

Partners in life and professionally, Davin and Meerpohl are spearheading the menu direction at Modine, bringing their passion for low-country fare to the project. The duo’s backgrounds stretch from New York kitchens to an acclaimed mobile food business, and a honeymoon tour of southern coastal kitchens, all of which have influenced the culinary direction at Modine.

As for the flavors of Modine, Chris Davin explains, “We’re going to combine all the warmth of classic dishes like fried chicken and seafood boil with the freshness of local produce and southern-sourced staples like Sea Island Red Peas for our Hoppin’ John.”

General Manager, Andrew Rasizer, will oversee Modine’s front of the house and bar program for which will feature a bevy of southern-inspired cocktails, bourbons, craft mocktails, canned craft beer selections, and natural wines. Sous Chef Matt Carmona rounds out the leadership team for a total of six highly motivated, passionate professionals.

Located at the newly renovated 601 Mattison Avenue, Modine’s physical space will balance southern elegance and comfort. Art-deco inspired, the visual direction of the venue has been a collaboration between Modine’s founding partners and the architectural firm Space Exploration located in Brooklyn, NY. Featuring gleaming brass accents, luxe green leather, marble pillars and tables, and plenty of greenery, the aesthetic conjures the charm of southern cities like Charleston.

“The restaurant is so bright and open after the renovation.  It’s the perfect spot for patrons to enjoy affordable comfort food in an elegant but approachable setting that takes you back to a different time and place.  For us, it’s all about relaxed elegance, friends, family, conversation, and outstanding food,” added partner Shanti Mignogna.

Modine’s specialties will include fried chicken made with buttermilk and pickle juice brine – a recipe that took six months to perfect – as well as an in-house butchery program led by Davin. The menu will also feature seafood dishes like shrimp and grits and Frogmore stew, augmented by an extensive selection of vegan fare and cocktails.  Plans for a layer cake program, under the direction of Meerpohl, along with other delectable offerings and daily vegan desserts will be hallmarks at Modine.

Modine will be open for dinner and weekend brunch, and there will also be a lunch counter and takeout section in the back called Mo, which will feature artisan burgers, sandwiches, salads, and sides.

Following its grand opening on Friday, January 5, 2018 (4:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.), Modine will welcome guests for dinner Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, from 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Friday, and Saturday from 4:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. Weekend brunch will begin in February 2018. The venues lunch counter, Mo will open in Spring 2018.

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