Little Gem Restaurant Review: A must try spot in Avon-By-Sea, NJ

Little Gem
300 Main Street
Avon-By-The-Sea, NJ

Little Gem is a chef-driven breakfast, brunch, and lunch bistro with a curated market, just a few blocks from the beach.

Fare, cuisine, and pricing

Cuisine: Refined American brunch and lunch with French/European bistro influences—elevated comfort food, thoughtfully plated.
Concept: “Refined simplicity”: a tight, focused menu where classic dishes (omelets, French toast, benedicts, salads, sandwiches) are executed with precision and technique rather than gimmicks.
Price point: Moderately priced for the Jersey Shore brunch scene—more than a diner, less than white-tablecloth fine dining.
Quality, ingredients, and preparation:
- Seasonal and local: Menu is guided by seasonality and local purveyors, with an emphasis on fresh produce and quality proteins.
- Technique-driven: Dishes like their omelets and baked pancakes show careful attention to texture, timing, and balance—food that looks effortless but clearly isn’t.
- Farm-to-table / organic: While not branded as strictly organic, the philosophy leans farm-to-table in spirit—short menu, seasonal focus, and local sourcing where possible.

Maypinks Pancakes: Oven-baked, fluffy, crisp-edged pancakes topped with berry compote and whipped cream; a signature dish that nods to Avon’s Maypinks pharmacy history.
Smoked salmon benedict: A polished take on a brunch classic, with emphasis on perfectly poached eggs and balanced hollandaise.
House omelets: Simple on paper, but technique-focused—soft, custardy interiors and clean, restrained fillings.
Roasted beet salad: Smoked yogurt, pistachios, strawberries, dandelion greens, fennel-lime vinaigrette—colorful, layered, and very “Little Gem” in its bright, modern flavor profile.
Fried chicken sandwich & composed salads: Lunch leans into elevated comfort: crisp chicken, thoughtful slaws, and salads that eat like full plates rather than side dishes.

Chef: Justin Skribner
- Background: Raised in Avon-by-the-Sea, then spent 20+ years cooking in New York City, training in top, Michelin-level kitchens before returning home.
- Style: Refined, technique-forward brunch and lunch—familiar dishes elevated through precision, balance, and high-quality ingredients rather than trend-chasing.
- Recognition: While specific awards aren’t highlighted, his NYC pedigree and the early regional press around Little Gem function as strong industry validation.
ront-of-house and beverage: Justin’s brother, Stephen Skribner, brings 20+ years of bar and hospitality experience, shaping the service style and beverage program.

Décor and vibe: Bright, airy, and modern with subtle French/European bistro charm. Soft greens, abundant natural light, and fresh flowers on the tables replace the dark, dated look of the previous tenant.
Striking features:
- Hand-painted lemon tree mural stretching across one wall, with a small cardinal tucked into the branches as a tribute to the owners’ mother.
- Historic photograph of the building from 1942, tying the refreshed space to Avon’s past.
Style: Elegant casual, bright neighborhood bistro, a touch of European café rather than rustic or industrial chic.
Scenic views: Large windows overlook Main Street; you feel connected to the town, and being just blocks from the ocean adds a subtle “shore town” charm.
Table spacing and noise level: Tables are reasonably spaced for a small bistro; it feels communal but not cramped. At peak brunch, expect a lively buzz rather than hushed conversation—energetic, not overwhelming.
Background music and outdoor dining: Background music tends to be low-key and contemporary, supporting the relaxed brunch vibe. Outdoor seating may be seasonal and limited, but the location is well-suited to it (this is a reasonable inference for a shore-town bistro).

Welcoming: The space is intentionally designed as a neighborhood gathering place, and that ethos shows in the greeting—warm, unpretentious, and genuinely local.
Knowledgeable: Staff can speak to ingredients, preparation, and seasonal changes; with a concise menu, servers tend to know each dish well and can guide first-timers.
Consistency: Because the menu is tight and technique-driven, execution is generally consistent from visit to visit. Early coverage and word-of-mouth both emphasize “thoughtful, well-executed plates” rather than hit-or-miss specials.
Staffing: For a breakfast–lunch operation, staffing feels lean but attentive; during peak weekend brunch, there can be short waits, but once seated, service moves at a steady, professional pace.

Alcohol / bar service: BYOB
Child-friendly: The bright, casual atmosphere and brunch menu make it family-friendly, especially for well-behaved kids. It’s not a “kids-run-wild” spot; think respectful family brunch rather than noisy play zone.
Best for:
- Elevated weekend brunch
- Breakfast or lunch with visiting friends and family
- Casual celebrations (birthdays, reunions) that don’t require a late-night setting
- Food-focused diners who appreciate technique and seasonal ingredients
Not ideal for:
- Late-night dinners (they close at 4 p.m.)
- Very large, rowdy groups
- Guests seeking a full bar or nightlife atmosphere
Parking: Street parking along Main Street and nearby side streets; typical shore-town dynamic—manageable on weekdays, tighter in peak summer and weekend brunch hours..

Refined food without pretense: The dishes are familiar—pancakes, omelets, benedicts—but the execution is quietly exceptional. It feels special without feeling fussy.
Deep local roots: There’s something genuinely moving about a chef returning home after a serious NYC career to open a neighborhood spot in his own town. You feel that story in the room.
Thoughtful design and symbolism: The lemon tree mural, the cardinal, the historic photo—these details make the space feel personal, not generic.
Tight, confident menu: Instead of trying to please everyone with 40 dishes, they do a smaller number of plates very well. That confidence is a big part of the charm.

Chef-driven brunch in a shore town: Many beach-area spots lean either diner-casual or touristy; Little Gem brings a chef’s mindset—technique, seasonality, and plating—to everyday brunch and lunch.
Refined simplicity as a brand: They’re not chasing viral dishes or over-the-top portions. The identity is “refined, balanced, quietly exceptional,” which stands out in a region full of big, loud concepts.
Community narrative: The brothers’ Avon roots, the Maypinks reference, and the historic imagery create a sense of place that most new restaurants never quite achieve.

Limited hours: Being open only Wednesday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., means no dinner service and fewer options for locals who might love an evening version of this experience.
Potential wait times: With a growing reputation and a relatively small, cozy dining room, peak weekend brunch can mean a wait—especially in summer. A more visible waitlist system or online queue could help.
Menu breadth for repeat locals: The concise menu is a strength, but frequent regulars may eventually crave a rotating slate of specials or more pronounced seasonal shifts to keep things fresh.

Updated: June 1, 2026