Went here last night with another couple. It's a BYOB which is nice in these times of rising costs…read more Has own parking lot, but can get filled because they share it with a Japanese restaurant located above them. Plenty of parking in street if needed. Inside is dark and inviting and they have a cute outdoor dining space as well. They start out by serving fresh Foccacia with seasoned olive oil. For starters , my wife and I shared an eggplant tower, fried eggplant layered with mozzarella and tomatoes. Very good. Our friends shared a salad and enjoyed as well. For mains our friends both ordered the hanger steak, my wife had the salmon, and I ordered their chicken special ( a boneless breast wrapped in pancetta). Everything was not only delicious but plentiful. Owner checked on us several times during our meals. Highly recommend trying this establishment.

Went on a Tuesday for dinner with my son. Foccia and seasoned oil for dipping were tasty. Next, we…read moreshared the eggplant tower appetizer.,Eggplant was very good. The mozzarella and tomato on the tower were good but plain. Olive oil & / or balsamic glaze would have enhanced the flavor greatly. I ordered the rigatoni and sausage which would have been delicious, as the ingredients were fresh and combined nicely, but the dish was way too salty. Same was true for the zucchini side dish. My son ordered the Amish chicken and loved it.Finally, l ordered the ricotta cake to go and when l got home it was a piece of cheesecake with berries inside.Anyway, l would say that if you go, the service will be very good, the atmosphere is lovely and the ingredients are fresh and delectable. My only caution is that if you are sensitive to salt, let the waiter know , which l should have done and will do wherever l go, from now on.

We went to brunch here last Mother's Day and had a wonderful experience. The food and service were…read moreexcellent, so my husband made 10:00 a.m. reservations again for this Mother's Day. Unfortunately, this visit was a huge disappointment from the moment we arrived. We were the only people there, yet the floor around our table was dirty with old Goldfish crackers and blueberries. We ordered the banana bread appetizer, an egg tortilla bowl, a western omelet, and two kids' waffles. The banana bread appetizer didn't come out until the rest of our food arrived, and everything was ice cold. The breakfast potatoes tasted old, as if they had been made the day before. While it wasn't ideal, we tried to be understanding since it was a holiday and the staff may have been overwhelmed. The highlight of the meal was the fresh-squeezed orange juice that we enjoyed with our BYOB champagne. However, no one checked on our table during the meal, and I eventually had to stop someone just to ask for the check. When reviewing the bill, I realized the kids' waffles seemed more expensive than expected. Sure enough, we had been overcharged for each one. When I politely questioned it, I was told, "That's the price in our register," and the staff gave me a hard time about correcting it. After asking again, they reluctantly handed me cash for the difference. The waitress was rude and dismissive throughout the interaction. Overall, it was such a disappointing experience, especially compared to how much we enjoyed it last year. Sadly, we'll be choosing a different spot for Mother's Day brunch next year.

Worst dining experience I've had in a long time--if not ever…read more To start, the restaurant was uncomfortably cold. Our waitress was just fine, but it was clear she lacked proper training in basic service and restaurant etiquette. Honestly I don't think she wanted to be there, was wearing sweatpants and could barely hear her when she spoke. The issues with the food began right away. I ordered a fruit cup for my son and was initially told they didn't have fruit--despite it being listed on the menu. After pointing that out, it was brought to the table, but the fruit was clearly spoiled, especially the strawberries. They had tried to cut around the rotten parts, which was honestly disgusting and concerning given this was being served to a 2-year-old. We immediately sent it back. I ordered a burger with sautéed onions, but it came out with just a few small slivers of what turned out to be pickled onions instead. The burger itself looked incredibly lackluster. I ended up sending it back and, at that point, was completely turned off from ordering anything else. I also wasn't asked if I'd like to order a replacement, there was no apology, no accountability, just a blank stare while the plate was taken away. To make matters worse, we were still charged $6 for the fries that came with the burger, which my son had started eating before I sent it back. I hadn't taken a single bite of the actual meal. My husband's "Kobe beef" sliders came with bacon that was completely inedible, so he had to remove it. My mom ordered eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon but received regular (inedible) bacon instead, and my father's meal was served cold. Overall, the quality of the food across the table was just poor. The bathrooms were also in rough condition. The women's toilet seat was loose and coming off the hinges, I nearly fell. The bill came to $146 after tip, which felt like a complete waste given the experience. Afterward, we actually drove across the street so I could grab chicken soup elsewhere because I left hungry. This was our second time giving this place a chance, and unfortunately, it will be our last.

Absolutely phenomenal time. I haven't been here in a while, and I've clearly been missing out. The…read morefood creations are incredible--familiar staples are reimagined with a fresh, inventive spin. The drink menu is creative, the beer is expertly brewed, and there are plenty of healthy salad options alongside a pulled pork sandwich my son couldn't get enough of. George, our waiter, really deserves to be mentioned at the top of this review. He understands the art of great service in a way few people do--always present but never overbearing. He was genuinely invested in making sure my family had an amazing experience.

Met a long-time friend for lunch while visiting New Jersey. Since he lives nearby, he suggested The…read moreTrap Rock Restaurant & Brewery for our lunchtime meeting--and it was an excellent recommendation. From start to finish, the experience was outstanding. Our server was attentive and professional, the food was excellent, and the atmosphere was warm, inviting, and quietly classy--ideal for a relaxed lunch and conversation. I started with the Candy Roaster Squash & Coconut Soup, a vegan dish with a warm, sweet, and hearty flavor profile. It was absolutely perfect on a cold winter day. For my entrée, I ordered the Brewer's Burger with pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, rosemary aioli, and a side of frites. The flavors came together beautifully--salty, sweet, and savory notes all working in harmony. Truly a dance in your mouth. One additional detail worth noting: the gender-neutral accessible restroom was spotless and had a very pleasant odor. It was top-notch, just like everything else about this restaurant. I would absolutely return.

I was looking for a well rated Italian restaurant in Union County and Lupa Ristorante came up on…read moremany lists so I decided to check it out with friends. Lupa is located in a section of Berkely Heights that has seen a lot of recent construction, so it is very pretty and clean. You couldn't be blamed if you bypassed the restaurant. It is not very flashy looking and that is part of its charm. Be warned, there are not a lot of parking spaces behind the restaurant so you may wind up parking in the bank parking lot next to it (when the bank is closed of course). The staff at Lupa is super friendly and treats you like a regular even if this is your first time. The host was super nice, the waitress fantastic and the chef even came to our table to talk to us when we were done eating! The interior is very clean and modern looking. It's elegant and perfect for virtually any event including dates, anniversaries and family get togethers. We wound up sitting in the same area as the bar, which mostly has 2-4 seater tables and of course you can sit at the bar as well. The other side of the restaurant is where the larger tables are located. Here's a rundown of what we had: CLAMS ON TOAST Baby clams. crispy ham. thyme When I ordered this, I expected to see slices of toast with crispy ham and baby clams on top. Instead, it is two large pieces of wonderfully toasted bread with crispy ham on top. The actual clams sit in a *delicious* broth. Taken altogether these various components form a delicious bite. Be sure to dip that bread into the broth! SQUID INK SPAGHETTI lobster knuckles and claws. broccoli florets. grape tomatoes. Sherry Cream Sauce This dish has a wonderfully deep and earthy flavor. I've had squid ink pasta before and this was a wonderful example of it. The sauce was perfect and it was cooked beautifully. HANGER STEAK Truffled pomme frites. Chimichurri The steak was beautifully cooked (we had it medium rare) and the chimichurri sauce was great. However, the steak needed a bit more salt (and I'm not usually one to add salt to food). The pomme frites were wonderfully crispy and tasty. BROCCOLI RABE lemon. Kilos Broccoli rabe is a simple side dish but it is one of my favorites. It is also one that can easily be overcooked. These folks cooked it perfectly and it made for a fantastic side dish. My party and I loved our experience at Lupa and we all agreed we would happily return any time!

The best Italian restaurant in Union County. Why did I wait so long to try this place? We tried a…read morelot of food and everything was fresh, well seasoned, and presented very well. I had the Dover sole and it was one of the best Dover soles I've had. Also extra credit for providing a proper fish knife and fork. Octopus had a spicy sauce that was excellent. I appreciated the fact that they don't over season their food like many restaurants do. Inside was modern and nice. I liked the rose on every table. Service was so very friendly without it being overbearing. The chef came out twice to say hello and check on us which I really appreciated. I highly recommend Lupa.

It was our first time here but Mr. G made us feel sooo welcomed! He was so friendly and gave good…read moretips about roasting beans and making coffee. Inside was immaculate! very cozy and very clean. Everything was well arranged and there was parking at the back too. Lovely space really but no chairs that you could linger too long. Just a quick and pleasant chat and enjoy your coffee standing or to-go. Grabbed a bag of beans and made delicious latte at home! hope to be back soon!

This little gem located in the heart of Berkeley Heights is a must go to! Service in this family…read morerun business is top notch...the owner Anthony couldn't be more accommodating and friendly. I ordered a delicious raspberry latte and the double espresso is full bodied and rich in flavor. Patronize this business if you get a chance.

We've always had a great experience here - no matter whether it's the bar tenders, servers or…read morereception staff they're always friendly. Food comes up piping hot - my favorite dish on the menu is their Fish Tacos (soooo good). Ambience is that of a classic pub. They also have a heated outdoor section which is nice

Went for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and there were plenty of open tables. Our server was…read moreattentive and sweet. I ordered the Southwest Shrimp bowl and it was amazing! Shrimp, rice, lettuce, avocado, corn, black beans, pickled red onion and jalapeno! I'll definitely be back just to have that again! Prior to this, I've only had Delicious Heights catering at events, but I would love to come back to the restaurant!

Attended a birthday party at The Smokehouse, the beer garden located behind the Stirling Hotel. The…read moreoutdoor space is huge, with a large parking lot, lawn games, areas for children to play, and a spacious tent filled with tables. There is also a small bar where you can order drinks and bring them back to your seat. Our group had a private tent area reserved, and the event was well organized. Buffet-style food had been arranged before our arrival, and we were able to bring in decorations, a birthday cake, and other party favors without any issues. The outdoor bar stops serving around 9:00 p.m., but we were able to move to a covered area near to the hotel restaurant and bar, which was equipped with heat lamps and provided a comfortable place to continue the evening. Service throughout the event was quick and friendly. I would definitely recommend The Smokehouse for group gatherings, birthday parties, or a casual day out. There is plenty of space, the prices are reasonable, and the staff does a great job accommodating larger groups. Also, it's conveniently located not far from the train station.

Went with my family,with zero expectations, my previous experiences here were not good, I only went…read morebecause they chose to go. This review is specific to my food and service to the table. I ordered Daily special "Nashville Hot Chicken" fried chicken. What I got was 3 chicken tender sized pieces of chicken. Here's a clue, if you're going to list us as Fried chicken, indicate that they are chicken tenders and not thighs, breast, wings or legs as is normally served in a "fried chicken" plate. Some of the coating on each piece of chicken was black from over frying. The three pieces were lying in small puddles of oil. The fries and 5 small pickle slices were good. The cole slaw was ok. Service was lacking having to constantly ask for water, which I was drinking. Ambiance was loud with space between tables was practically non-existent with waitresses butt in your face as they're taking the order at the next table. That's it no more!

Turkish coffee plus a morsel baklava came out to ~$11, not super impressed with the food…read more Interior decor is nice however this place is packed on a weekday morning, so much chatter going on, this place feels more like a bar than a relaxing cafe

Super cute cafe! I love that they're dog friendly :)…read more I ordered the lavender honey latte, and my friend ordered the masala chai. A medium drink is around $7 here. The chai was my favorite of the two. It was very fragrant + had strong spices. It was quite sweet, so keep that in mind. At first, neither of us could taste the syrup in the latte, but the staff were very accommodating and added more for us. The space is really inviting. There's plenty of seating and parking. The bathroom was also very clean. I recommend this place as a nice cafe to stop by or wfh.