Asbury Park’s food scene has been on a constant climb for the last decade. Within the Jersey Shore city, you see the likes of decades-old delis sporting vintage digs, chef-driven menus set in boutique hotels, boardwalk food, and of course, several excellent pizza options. While there are numerous great pizzas in town, I want to talk about the newest kid on the block: CatBird, nestled on Sunset Avenue overlooking Deal Lake.
CatBird might be new, but the face behind it is no stranger to dishing out wood-fired pizzas in Asbury Park. Aimée McElroy was one half of the team behind the beloved Medusa Stone Fired Kitchen that closed back in 2022. Since its closure, fans of the wood-fired joint have been crossing their fingers for some kind of comeback. McElroy has delivered with CatBird, which is located on the residential side of Asbury, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
The quickly solidified neighborhood staple sports tasty bites, scenic views and a 100-percent non-alcoholic cocktail list.
CatBird’s concept is simple—it’s all about the wood fire, meaning that in addition to pizza, many of the dishes see some type of action in the wood-burning oven. This might take the form of blistered shishito peppers, served simply with flaky salt and a wedge of lemon to squeeze over top. It’s the lucidity of such a preparation that’s so damn good. Enjoyed best as a snack while you await your mains on CatBird’s back deck, which overlooks the gorgeous lake.
Charred kale is piled high in a salad along with cherry tomatoes, shaved Parmigiano and a medley of rainbow carrots. A salad that shows versatility—presenting the smoky, charred flavor in a cold application. What’s more are house-marinated olives, sun-dried tomato hummus paired with roasted cauliflower and chewy sourdough from local favorite Benchmark Breads in nearby Little Silver, NJ.
This is all a great lead-up to the main event, which is obviously the pizza. CatBird specializes in wood-fired pies that don a unique square-ish shape. Unlike a traditional square pizza—usually baked in a pan—CatBird freeforms their pies, lending an oblong shape that is as fun to eat as it is visually enticing. The corners of the pizza bake to a charred point thanks to the high-heat-burning of locally-sourced wood. Sliced into 6, it’s a pizza that eats unlike any other options in the state. I, for one, have never had a pie in this shape and style.
Take the classic Margherita, which I tend to always sample when trying out a new pizza spot. To me, a Margherita is the perfect outlet to truly test the skill of a pizza maker. CatBird’s version is impressive. The tomato sauce is simple—brightly flavored—making for a great base on the pie. Creamy fresh mozzarella bakes to the perfect, stretchy consistency, and to finish, a shower of basil for the floral punch that’s expected of a Margherita. It’s classic—albeit sporting a completely non-traditional shape. That’s the real beauty of a CatBird pizza.
It’s not just the classics worth a try, either. CatBird offers plenty of cleverly-topped pizzas to go around. My choice? That’d be the fennel and spicy sausage pie. Shaved fennel and crumbled sausage top a ricotta-and-mozzarella base. To finish, a drizzle of chili oil for an added punch of spice. I’m somewhat of a fennel super fan, so there wasn’t a scenario where I didn’t order this option. I’m elated to say that CatBird delivered.
Beyond food are the drinks—minus the alcohol, of course. CatBird boasts a completely alcohol-free drink menu that still displays many of the complexities seen on full-fronted cocktail lists. They call it “Mocking Bar.” Expect artisan, non-alcoholic spirits and the like. McElroy, whose excitement for the drink program is obvious, tells me that they look to showcase many of the rising star products in the growing world of N/A cocktails. It’s true. Now, more than ever, less people are drinking and restaurants are learning to put an emphasis on non-alcoholic options.
I enjoyed a Babylon Spritz, which is an alcohol-free aperitivo boasting a slightly bitter and floral flavor profile. For those who are fans of Aperol spritz and the like, this is the obvious choice. Non-alcoholic beer and wine, soft drinks and canned mocktails are available too. Even though I don’t abstain from alcohol, I find the growing availability of N/A drinks a positive. I can enjoy several drinks with depth and not have to worry about driving home. It’s a win-win for drinkers and non-drinkers alike if you ask me.
At Asbury Park’s CatBird, it’s all about the wood-burning oven. Roasted seasonal veggies, innovative pizzas donning the signature square shape and more all see a kiss of heat from the burning-hot cooking vessel. And it doesn’t stop at food. CatBird is leading the conversation in town on non-alcoholic cocktails with their revolutionary drink list. With plenty of delicious, alcohol-free options (in addition to being a traditional BYOB), the restaurant ensures that no one is left out. Add scenic views and a remarkable dining setup, and you’ve got the formula for one of Asbury Park’s hottest new restaurants.
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