The (long suffering) Daily Grind has been put out of its misery and reincarnated as the Barbaric Bean – and coffee lovers throughout God’s Square Mile have reason to rejoice.

That’s because the new folks behind the Bean have inspiration that you could say is heaven sent.

Owner Joe Parrillo has been a pastor in Tinton Falls, a director of a Youth Ministry and holds a Masters Degree in Social Work.

But working only Sundays left Joe feeling a bit sinful.

Contemplating his free will, Joe was vacationing in Italy and thought the coffee bars that dotted the Tuscan landscape were simply divine. So upon returning to the states, the caffeinated clergyman and Red Bank resident began casting his eye earthwards around Monmouth in search of a suitable plot of land for a coffee house of his own.

Providence led him to Ocean Grove, where the once mighty Daily Grind had faltered of late and was looking for a savior. A deal was struck and late last month the Barbaric Bean was appropriately delivered to this promised land.

Joe told the Record one morning last week that he’s excited to bring a bit of the Italian coffeehouse sensibility to the Grove.

Towards that end, the Barbaric Bean will be roasting their own – beans, that is – in order to deliver that full bodied flavor.

“While doing research in Italy I discovered that any true coffee bar roasted their own coffee, so I knew that when I opened one of my own we would, too,” he says.

The Barbaric Bean will also strive to reproduce that relaxed, European coffee bar atmosphere. Joe says they hope to raise the level of customer service to the heights you find on the continent, as well as just be a plain, old fashioned friendly place to hang out.

In addition to that roasted with passion coffee, the Barbaric Bean will also feature a mix of store-baked and imported baked goods. Outdoor entertainment will also be on the bill of fare, and may even find a spot indoors after some custom outfitting.

But, why barbaric?

“Because of our wild, uncivilized flavor!” Joe says. ‘We’re never tame!”

How sacrilegious!

The Barbaric Bean, 48 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove is open Tuesday through Sundays, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. WiFi is available on premises.