The owner of The Spoon & Bowl in Brick Township promises the spot isn’t a typical Italian deli. Michael Zagarella, owner and chef, takes pride in making unique dishes that stand out and aren’t available anywhere else. His upscale deli sells soups, sandwiches, salads, prepared foods, desserts, and more.
The Spoon & Bowl can seat 10 diners inside, and plans to offer seasonal sidewalk seating. Their signature pesto bread is a fan favorite thanks to its light, airy, and flavorful texture. In fact, Michael says that people often mistake it for focaccia. The pesto bread is perfect for sandwiches, but the deli also serves hoagie rolls, wraps, and croissants.
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Besides a made-to-order menu, the deli’s grab-and-go freezer has soups to thaw, heat, and serve at home. Two hot soups change daily, along with sandwich specials that feature these daily soups. Michael also gets kielbasa and pierogies from a Polish deli. Vegan and gluten-free items are available as well.
Kid-friendly fare includes macaroni and cheese, fresh-cut French fries, and chicken fingers.
The philosophy at The Spoon & Bowl is ‘mise en place,’ a French term Michael learned in culinary school. It means having all ingredients and tools ready before cooking. “The term applies not just to cooking but to life,” he says. “It makes the job you’re doing more efficient and tasks more focused.”
About Michael Zagarella
A Toms River native, Michael learned the building blocks of the food industry while attending culinary school. He then worked at restaurants up and down the shore, taking on roles from dishwasher to chef to prep cook. “I would be a human sponge so I could absorb as much as possible and apply it in the future.”
When COVID hit, he took all his culinary knowledge and started working for himself. The first version of The Spoon & Bowl started with just soups. Michael would deliver his soups using touchless and contactless delivery. As his soups became more popular, he began selling them at farmers markets. His success at these markets allowed Michael to open his brick-and-mortar location.
Visit The Spoon & Bowl at 990 Cedarbridge Ave, Suite 5A, in Brick Township. To learn more:
| Visit Their Website | Follow on Facebook | Call 732-998-1944 |
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All Photos: © The Spoon & Bowl