Inkwell Coffee House   

Legend has it that Jersey superstar Bruce Springsteen and drummer Vini Lopez decided to form their early band, Steel Mill, over a cup of coffee at this hip restaurant, located in a renovated house a short walk from the shore. This local haunt (in the town where Springsteen was born, no less) is a lot more than just a spot to sit and plan stardom. The Inkwell offers a wide selection of coffee-based drinks, including a half-dozen house specialties like Dutch coffee, a heart-stopping blend of coffee, butter, cream and sugar, topped with a not-so-healthy dollop of whipped cream. When the weather's hot, try an Inkacino, a frozen blend of milk or coffee that comes in cappuccino, peanut butter mocha and cookies-and-cream flavors. Tea drinkers aren't ignored either, with ten chai teas to choose from. The menu offers a selection of good, low-priced eats making for a fun, cheap evening out -- especially during weekly open mic nights or any of the other regular live music events. -- Jeanne O'Brien