Las Margaritas Restaurant Closes

A sign in the door says the Belmar location of Las Margaritas is closed for good.

This is the second Mexican restaurant to not make it in Belmar, following the departure several years ago of the upscale Chama.

Chama had tasty food but absolutely lousy service. Crowds dwindled, which apparently led management to staff less servers, which led in turn to even lousier service. It was a downward spiral.

Las Margaritas always seemed to have a decent crowd, but there was never a waiting list. In my view, the food was mediocre but the patio awesome. It was a fine place for a beer and nachos, but perhaps that wasn't enough to pay the rent.

Belmar World of Beer Applies for Liquor License

Signs

I love the lettering on the Whole Foods and Nordstrom Rack signs in Belmar, the way the words hang there, open to the sky. They have a retro feel that reminds me of the famous Public Market Center sign in Seattle above the Pike Place Market. It's a classy way to advertise.

The tastefulness of these two signs is readily apparent when compared with the obnoxious sign at the neighboring Best Buy. Good lord! Make it stop!

World of Beer Coming to Belmar Plaza

It doesn't look like any construction has started, but all the kiosks in downtown Belmar have been updated to show the World of Beer in this spot, between Baker Street Pub & Grill and the Ohio Center for Broadcasting on the main plaza in Belmar.

As of yet, there's nothing on the World of Beer website, and no timeline other than the "Summer 2012" given on the Belmar webpage.