Manna Bagels Cafe Carries On Cozy Kitchen's Family Feeling In Brick

BRICK, NJ — For years, the Cozy Kitchen was a space that drew families not only for the food but for the warmth of the community it brought together.

When it closed in October 2021 after more than 40 years in business, there was sadness as dozens shared memories of time spent at the restaurant on Herbertsville Road.

A year later, the beloved spot has a new look and a new name, but is creating that similar feeling of family and community that made its predecessor so loved.

"I feel very, very grateful that we’ve had this opportunity," said Ramona Ricart, who owns Manna Bagels Cafe with her husband, Juan Santamaria. "The presence there is really fantastic."

Juan and Ramona have been part of the community for some time, Ramona Ricart said. The couple operates other businesses in the area but ventured into the restaurant business after they started importing coffee beans from Costa Rica, where Juan Santamaria was born and raised.

"He still owns the farm there," Ramona said. She had tasted the coffee during a trip to the family farm and suggested they import it. "The coffee is amazing."

It was not long after Cozy Kitchen closed that someone approached Juan and suggested they should buy the property as a place to sell the coffee. After some discussion, Ramona said, they decided to move forward.

The shop sells New York-style bagels, and in addition to the Costa Rican coffee, offers a menu with some Costa Rican flair in addition to the standard breakfast and lunch fare.

"We have bagels to go, but we also have a place where you can sit," and enjoy a meal, Ramona said.

In Costa Rica the day starts at 4 or 5 a.m., so they have a hearty breakfast that starts with rice and black beans. Manna Bagels offers the Tico Breakfast in honor of that; it includes rice and beans, a side of meat, eggs, sweet plaintains, sour cream and a tortilla.

"A lot of the families who come in are surfers or seasonal (visitors) who love surfing, and we've come across a lot of people who have surfed in Costa Rica," Ramona Ricart said. "We’re happy to bring it to our community. It’s something different to try."

After renovations, they had a soft opening in early June, and have not slowed down since, she said.

"We have had a lot of support from the community," Ramona said. "On the second day we made 1,200 bagels and we sold out by 10:30 a.m."

In addition, they've had the opportunity to meet the family of Lori Stone, who had owned Cozy Kitchen all those years. Stone had died in 2019 and her longtime partner, Christopher Koch, kept it running for two years afterward before the family decided to sell.

"I met Lori's mom and sisters; they have so much history and memories in the place," Ramona said. And as she learned about the family, Ramona realized how similar their lives were. "I was in shock how much we had in common," down to both Lori and Ramona having sons named Alex.

Juan and Ramona have encouraged the family to keep coming back.

"You still have memories you can build with your grandchildren and keep those memories alive," she said she told them. Like Stone and Koch, whose children worked at the Cozy Kitchen, Santamaria's children help out at the shop. Juan handles the business matters while Ramona says she is the face of the business.

Four months after the soft opening, the Juan and Ramona are working on plans for a grand opening, and are grateful for the reception they have been given.

"It makes me really happy that it’s a place that’s familiar with the locals," Ramona said. "We want to express our gratitude for all the support."

Note: This article has been updated to correct Juan Santamaria's last name. Patch regrets the error.