A former restaurant owner in North Jersey is trying to make a name for himself locallywith the recent opening of the East Bay Italian Grille at 696 East Bay Ave. in Barnegat. It will beoperating at the location that previouslyhousedGemelli Bistroand Pizzeria, which had taken over Serpico’s Ristorante.

“I grew up in the restaurant business,” said owner Matthew Vernieri. “My father owned and ran restaurants for around 50 years, and I had some of my own places, too.”