Villa Amalfi Chef Heads New Lakehurst Restaurant

Lakehurst residents and curious commuters have watched for quite some time as a new retail center went up on the corner of Lake Street and Route 70.

The first restaurant to open there, Three B’s Bar and Bistro, has added an element that didn't previously exist along Route 70, and they are getting some help from a Toms River chef to do it.

Manager Ron Rinaodi said that Lakehurst presented chef-owner Carlo Boemio with an untapped market to share the bistro’s menu of American, Italian and sushi preparations.

“There isn’t a restaurant like this in the area,” he said. Three B’s is currently the largest of only three bars in Lakehurst.

Boemio has been in the restaurant business since 1970 and owns another high-end Italian restaurant, Villa Amalfi in Toms River, but will now spend his time at Three B’s as the main chef.

Appetizers, wraps, sandwiches, seafood, steaks, bar pizzas and “pastabilities” are a few items available to order. There are also separate menus for the sushi bar, banquets and buffets, and to-go orders. 

Rinaodi said that he has high hopes that customers will enjoy the chef's dishes.

“The food is excellent,” said Rinaodi, who has worked in bistros and sports bars and restaurants since 1972.

Three B's offers a casually fancy venue for dining and banquet parties, with a sports bar and sushi bar. Not only does the name “Three B’s” refer to the “B”s in bistro, sports bar, and sushi bar, it also alludes to the three Boemio’s: Carlo’s sons Angelo, Mario and Carlo Jr. 

On the outside, Three B’s occupies about half of the new stucco strip. Inside, customers will find a blend of American style with European, Asian and ocean shore accents.

“We got the outside, all along the front, [liquor] licensed as well,” Rinaodi said. “Starting in April, we will have tables lined up outside where people can drink and eat. They’ll all be under umbrellas and people can smoke if they want."

Management also plans to book entertainment for every weekend. Starting at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, the dance floor in the dining room will be cleared to make room for DJs to spin their music for bar patrons.

Three B’s opens at 11:30 a.m. and serves dinner until 10 p.m. There is a late-night menu, excluding dinner entrées, until midnight. The bar will stay open until 2 a.m.

The sushi bar is located in a corner of the bar. Wooden boats on shelves and carved statues hanging high on the wall bring an Asian atmosphere to the section. There are nine additional seats at the sushi bar where customers can view fresh fish and vegetables and watch Sushi Steve create their favorite dish.

Sushi Steve has worked with Rinaodi in the restaurant business for 12 years and said he is willing to put his creativity to the test to satisfy all customers, even if they are picky eaters.

“Tell me what you eat, I try to create something you like,” Sushi Steve said. Over 50 sushi items are offered, but he said he plans to add more.

The oval, full-service bar stocks hundreds of liquors, has 10 different beers on tap, and serves over 20 varieties of bottled beer. Sports fans will appreciate the 16 televisions hanging above, each 50 inches, encircling the entire bar.

The bar seats 36 people, and the booths and bar tables seat an extra 50. The bar area is decorated with framed photographs of historic Lakehurst, including the Hindenberg airship, Lake Horicon and the Pine Tree Inn.

The dining room is equipped to seat up to 125 people. Seating is at tables only in this section; the only booths are located in the barroom.

The banquet, or party, room is located past the dining area through a sliding glass door. This room, also furnished with mild beach décor, holds tables to seat up to 120 people, with a small dance floor located in the center of the rectangular room.

For more information, call  732-657-4113.