Chris Rock once joked that every MLK Boulevard is in a dodgy part of every city. The same can be said for most establishments with "elbow" in their moniker. There's a joint in the Garden State, which shall go unnamed, with the elbow in its name, that would have been a perfect stand-in for the pivotal scene in the film "The Accused."
The Elbow Room name doesn't do the Bradley Beach establishment justice. The bar and restaurant not only serves elevated fare but also has a great, laidback vibe.
It emanates from owner, Madelyn Snow, who aptly enough resides in Eatontown. The tanned and toned Snow gracefully navigates her way through her charming establishment by greeting regulars and making first-time diners feel welcome.
Snow easily connects while beaming with her incandescent smile. "I love this business," Snow said. "The restaurant business is in my blood. If you're in this business, you're married to it. It takes a 110 percent commitment to make this work."
Snow is at the Elbow Room ten hours a day. "It's a good distraction," Snow said.
That's a reference to Snow's massive loss. Her husband passed away in November of 2025. Snow has placed her mind and energy into her business.
"This is what I know and this is what I love," Snow said. "It's been that way for about as long as I remember."
Snow is a restaurant lifer who started at 14 when she was hired at Madeleine's Slim Cuisine, a health-focused eatery in Little Silver, which is no longer in business.
The Red Bank Regional alum earned a Design degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). "I thought that was what I wanted to do but I fell in love with the restaurant business," Snow said.
The Draughting Table preceded the Bent Elbow at its 416 Main Street location. The establishment was owned by Snow's parents, Madelyn and Anthony Caparaso. "They opened it up in 1996 and I was here constantly when it was their restaurant," Snow said. "They didn't know the restaurant business. I did and I helped them get it together. I was a bartender. I was a server. I was here constantly."
The Caparasos sold The Draughting Table in 2011. However, the new owner operated the restaurant for only a year-and-a-half. "This place was then closed for four years," Snow said. "It was a shame."
Snow bought the restaurant in 2016 and it's been a culinary and nightlife destination in Bradley Beach for a decade.
Cool drafts, great conversation and entertainment are some of the reasons to hang out at the Elbow Room. Every Wednesday Bobby Bandiera performs at the Elbow Room. The animated local music legend delivers an array of fun covers while engaging with pleased patrons.
"We love having Bobby here," Snow said. "He's fantastic.. We have the Bobby Bandeira band here during Sundays and a rotating group of musicians here on Friday nights. We love having entertainment."
It's a great bar scene but the fare is a huge reason to experience the Elbow Room. The PEI (Prince Edward Island) mussels are tremendous. The rope-grown blue mussels from Canada and plump, juicy and possess that sweet briny flavor.
The sesame seared tuna, served over Asian slaw, ginger ponzu and pickled onions is light and delicious.
There are many ways to go with the array of entrees. You can't go wrong with Grandma's Meatloaf, the Baby Back Ribs, which slide off the bone or the blackened salmon. However, Snow loves the Vodka Chicken Parm, which is a huge chicken cutlet topped with vodka sauce and fresh mozzarella, served over pasta. Snow knows the fare and the ample dish is fantastic.
The A1 Burger, the turkey reuben and the Buffalo chicken wrap are other excellent choices. Save room for dessert. The cannolis are decadent and the double fudge brownies served with vanilla ice cream are a great way to cap the evening.
Another option is to just bend your elbow at the bar. The chocolate coconut martini is fabulous. There's plenty of brews on tap ranging from Harpoon IPA to Yuengling to Guinnness. House wines are always $7.50 and it gets even more reasonable during happy hour.
When Snow was asked what she does for fun, she couldn't help but laugh. "I don't have time for anything else," Snow said.
However, when pressed about life outside the Bent Elbow, Snow notes that she's an avid golfer, who loves to travel. "I love Aruba," Snow said. "I had a fantastic time there. I love the beach but I don't have time for it."
When Snow's day ends, she relaxes by catching up with what's streaming. It's no surprise that she enjoys "The Bear," an acclaimed American comedy-drama series. The protagonist is a young fine-dining chef who returns to Chicago to manage his family's chaotic Italian beef sandwich shop following a tragic family death.
"What I love about "The Bear" is that it's not just a great show but it's extremely accurate," Snow said. "It presents the crazy people that you encounter in the restaurant business. You have to have a screw loose to work in a restaurant. No one sane works in a restaurant, that's especially so in the kitchen because it's so hot and there's a lot of pressure. There's no air conditioning. You have the oven and over 100 tickets (orders) in front of you. You can't take a break. You have to be crazy to be in this business."
So how can Snow be explained? She's crazy like a fox. "I love it here," Snow said. "I'm so pleased to have a restaurant in Bradley Beach. This town has a great vibe, free parking and it's just such a hidden gem and the Elbow Room is right in the middle of it. I couldn't be more fortunate."
You have to have a screw loose to work in a restaurant. No one sane works in a restaurant, that's especially so in the kitchen because it's so hot.
The restaurant business is in my blood. If you're in this business, you're married to it.