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The Proving Ground Waterfront Dining

Sandy Hook Bay Marina

Highlands, Monmouth County, NJ - On Monday, July 30th, 2018 at 7:00 PM, Mayor O’Neil, members of the Council and representatives from the Highlands Business Partnership will cut the ribbon for another new business, Proving Ground Waterfront Dining, located at 56 Shrewsbury Avenue.

Jack Manousos, from Mercer County, NJ, along with partners, Jason and Mya Zoracki, from Little Silver, NJ, proprietors of Proving Ground Waterfront Dining, are opening for business Tuesday, July 31st. Jack, the operating partner, grew up in the restaurant business, following in his father’s footsteps, opening his first restaurant when he was 26 years old. Since then, he has owned 7 restaurants around NJ and currently is the owner of 5. Jack had been looking to open a restaurant in the Jersey Shore area for quite some time; by luck he had come over on the Seastreak ferry from his café in Manhattan and met his partner for lunch at Windansea. “We immediately loved the location, said Jack Manousos.” “Highlands is an up and coming town and we found it was for sale and decided to take a chance”, he added.

Proving Ground is located on the scenic waterfront and features 2 bars with 36 televisions and a Tiki-bar that is open weather permitting. The restaurant serves Modern American fare, with a little bit of everything from steaks, burgers, and sandwiches to seafood and a full raw bar. “We took a little history from the area when naming the restaurant, after the proving grounds in Sandy Hook”, said Jack. “The proving grounds were a place where they tested artillery and that is what The Proving Ground is all about, testing new menu items and specializing in the newest craft beer and new craft cocktails, and always keeping it fresh”, he added. They serve recognizable favorites, with their own special twist.

The Proving Ground’s official Grand Opening was Tuesday, July 31st, 2018. The restaurant is open year-round with live entertainment everyday, and their hours are Tuesday – Thursday, 11:00AM – 11:00 P, Friday and Saturday, 11:00AM – 2:00AM and Sunday, 11:00AM – 12:00AM. For more information, call 732-872-2266 or visit their website www.theprovingground.com. Highlands is proud to welcome them to our business community.