I tried this restaurant for the first time on Mother's Day. Set in a beautifully converted old church, I wasn't quite sure what to expect--but I was impressed from the moment I arrived. From the charming wrap-around porch to the bar glowing with underlighting, the atmosphere is effortlessly stylish and inviting. I ordered the truffle gnocchi, which were magnificent--perfectly soft, pillowy bites packed with flavor. For dessert, the vanilla bread pudding was absolutely sublime and the perfect ending to the meal. The waitstaff was attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming. We had an early dinner reservation but decided to extend the evening with drinks at the bar. The bartenders were engaging, fun, and clearly skilled at what they do--they made excellent cocktails and added to the overall experience. All in all, it was a fantastic evening. I'm already looking forward to going back. read more

Beautifully renovated space with a great atmosphere, the place was very clean and trendy! The food was delicious we started with some very flavorful calamari and a pistachio arugula salad which was light and flavorful. I had the short rib ragu which was delectable and fairly priced. Our server was charming and attentive as were the other staff floating around! Quality of the meal was great and the bill was not outlandish for 3 people having drinks, apps, mains and dessert. We will be back! read more

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Hidden gem located in converted church in downtown Towaco Arca is a restaurant you may need to search out on your first visit by afterwards you"ll be hooked and want to return! Arca offers a diverse selection of traditional Italian dishes in an attractive open span eating area , has alfresco dining as well and a fun bar if you just what to "hydrate* or eat at the bar We split a bottle of red and started with the Bistro Calamari. Flash fried, balsamic reduction, hint of cajun spices, tomatoes and scallion - excellent take on an old specialty of squid portion is sized right to share . We also had the beef carpaccio, another well executed appetizer in a shareable portion For main i had the capelini pomodoro. Jumbo shrimp & pancetta, in a fresh plum tomato sauce over a bed of pasta - delicious and my friend had the bronzinno special Arca is worth searching out for an unusual place to dine between the environment, the excellent service and the foos you won't be disappointed! read more

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I was told about this place last summer but wasn't able to make it until tonight. A few friends and I went for dinner and we really enjoyed ourselves. I started out with a limoncello martini, which I thought was such a cool idea. It did not disappoint. I loved it! The table got truffle wings, which smelled of truffle as they were brought to the table. They were cooked perfectly. For dinner, I had the lobster ravioli. I really enjoyed it. It smelled and tasted deliciously of lobster. A great choice. I also find it really cool that this restaurant was built into an old church. They kept some of the stained glass windows and obviously the architecture of the building. Such a cool vibe. My only point of concern is, I felt the appetizer menu was not that large. Not that I was going there for apps, but there wasn't too much to choose from. Overall, I really enjoyed Arca and would definitely go back though read more

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We started with the pear salad which was tasty but very small portion. The lumache vodka pasta my wife had she liked alot. I had the Chicken Arca which was good. We finished up with the Piststashio Ricotta cake Which was very tasty. The place is pretty. High ceilings nice decor. The service was okay. As waiters and waitresses would assist like a team effort. The food was good and we will most likely be back again. read more

Place is nice. Huge entry doors that make you feel like you're about to enter a church. Oh, right! This was an old church converted in to a restaurant. Food, thought was interesting. I'm traditionalist. Tuna tartar came with added bonus. Tomatoes & cucumbers. It clearly had more tomatoes than tuna. A fine way to stretch tuna rations! Presentation requires a bit of attention. Filet presentation was the worse. Mashed potatoes were bland. Three asparagus with ice scream type scoop of mashed potatoes on top. Sauce was out of place under the filet. And blue cheese on top of filet was a bit too much. I asked for rare, it was medium rare. Probably left under the heat lamp for longer than it should've been. Service is great! Meaning, we had our table under constant surveillance. Place is pumping with music. Felt like being at a club rather than a restaurant. read more

I had dinner here with my friends and loved it! The salmon was delicious. The shrimp appetizer was delicious as well! Lovely ambience and clean restrooms. Service was excellent. Tiramisu was ok. The espresso creme brûlée was amazing. read more

Arca - Italian Near Me - Lincoln Park, New Jersey

Found this spot on Yelp and decided to check it out. The interior is seriously beautiful--I think someone mentioned it used to be an old church? Either way, the vibe is super cool and the decor is stunning. We grabbed some drinks and really enjoyed those. As for the food, it was kind of all over the place. My friend had the gnocchi and it was amazing. I had a seafood dish that I honestly couldn't eat. No one even asked how the meal was, which was disappointing. The staff was super attentive, almost too much--felt like they were listening in on us at points. I don't mind good service, but it was a bit intense. Would I go back? Maybe--for drinks and the atmosphere. Just don't get the seafood! read more

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YUM!! I will dream about the truffle Parmesan wings!! Crunchy outside, succulent inside, beautifully seasoned. I'm not even a wing person and wow they were amazing. Creme brulee cheesecake was so fluffy and melt in your mouth! Could not stop eating it. And the rocher chocolate dessert I got one bite of that my friend ordered was so good! Gorgeous ambiance! Cannot wait to come back. read more

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Let's start with they have valet service, that's a nice perk. Once inside the service & food are very good - our reservation was honored promptly. Complimentary assorted breads with sweet, soft butter was perfect. We started our meal with an appetizer of Bistro Calamari. We'd never had calamari prepared that way before and it was outstanding! We really enjoyed it. We each had a delicious pasta dish and finished off the meal with creamy, hot cappuccino. For us this is dessert & a real treat. We'll definitely be back. It's not cheap but worth every dollar. read more

Excellent drinks - We had the truffle wings & pair salad which were delicious -- I had the sizzling steak which I highly recommend getting sizzling - peanut butter tartufo for dessert Service is on point and atmosphere outside is fun read more

Made it back to Arca over Memorial Day weekend, we walked in without a reservation and mind you it was busy but we got lucky with a table on the patio! Started with oysters and the steak tartare which didn't look like much but it was good. Just wish they gave you more toast with the tartare. I ordered the shrimp risotto special for dinner and it was sooo damn good - it came with pieces of octopus and lobster. It was a big plate so I brought half of it home. We were on the fence about dessert and ended up getting two by accident! The pistachio ricotta cake is my fave here - it's light and airy with lots of flavor. And we tried the peanut butter tartufo for the first time - it was excellent! read more

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Visited twice, both times were great. The owners and so kind! Excellent service, delicious cocktails, and our meals were delicious. I love the outside bar area, it is so cute. This will definitely be a frequent place i visit! read more

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Beautiful place, service was great and food great! Prices seem a little high. Ordered Halibut, it was very good but was $49. For me it's a special occasion place read more

Arca - Halibut - Italian Near Me - Lincoln Park, New Jersey

We enjoyed our meal but it wasn't without some hiccups. When we arrived, there seemed to be confusion about our reservation..as in, they couldn't find it. They had a reservation book that looked a hot mess. My husband had his phone out ready to show the 3 minute call he had with them where he booked it. We were taken to a table upstairs. The whole decor is nice and tastefully done. However, as other reviews mention, it is super loud. So much so that it's a struggle to hear your table mates dinner conversation. Service was amazing and the food was great. I didn't care for the buratta but my husband enjoyed. I had the chicken Milanese and mushroom risotto and both were great. Husband had to the veal chop? And said it was amazing. Our dining companions enjoyed their meals as well. Everyone had a great time and we will be back. read more

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Always treated as Family, Amazing Food and Service. Highly recommend Giving them a Try

On the expensive side. Quite noisy in the main dining area. Food was good to very good for our party of four. Service was very attentive but it was hard to keep track of who was responsible for your table. Wine was a light pour. Probably won't go back. The environment, since it was a church at one time, was nice and unique but the value really wasn't there for us, considering we could hardly hear each other and we were seated right next to the bussing station. read more

Food was great, nice scene and priced perfectly . Loved the pasta dishes. Has a little bit of everything on the menu.

This is a new restaurant that was once a church. Beautifully decorated . Our server was Tony. He was one of the best waiters! Very friendly and courteous. I had a pear martini and it was delicious. We started out with tuna tartare. It had good flavor. For dinner I had the special which was squid ink, linguine with scallops and my husband had the truffle gnocchi with mixed vegetables and steak. We both enjoyed our meals. Service was quick. They also have valet parking and outdoor seating . We will be back! read more

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Absolutely loved Arca! The restaurant is super modern and cozy. The food was delicious and the servers were top tier. Will definitely be returning! read more

Arca - Italian Near Me - Lincoln Park, New Jersey

Def a very cool vibe.. cocktails were obviously expensive for an upscale location like this but the food and drinks very good and staff was also great.. read more

Food and service was amazing! The ambience is great and great vibe. Best Halibut dish I ever had.

First off, I loved that they kept the original charm of the church by leaving the outdoor structure the same and when walking into the dining room they kept the second level where the choir would originally sit as more dining space. For food- for apps we got the shrimp arrabiatta and the calamari which were both juicy, crispy, and the spices in them were balanced well. The veal chop was thin and crispy but could have used a touch more sauce, and the chicken was juicy and well flavored. The only complaint was that we wish the sides were a bit bigger or they had 2 options included. Will definitely come here again! read more

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Arca is my favorite place to go for a great meal! Same owners from 202 Bistro. They don't disappoint and always remember me and treat my family as VIPs every time! read more

Terrible that is all I have to say, the staff and food also just as bad. Won't recommend this place at all

Absolutely beautiful inside, great ambiance! Apps were amazing, gnocchi & calamari were excellent, so much flavor! I had the salmon which was perfectly cooked with an amazing sauce, almost sweet. Definitely going back! read more

My husband and I came here for date night. The place itself is really cool. It used to be a church. Atmosphere is great. They do have outdoor seating which is nice on a beautiful day. The food and drinks were average. We both got the filet mignon which was okay. The seafood salad app special was my favorite part of the meal. If you're looking for a cool atmosphere with decent food, give this place a try. read more

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Really lovely restaurant but the food is awful. Mussels were old fishy and inedible. An old review said don't try it, they were right and I was wrong. Grilled chicken tough and rubbery. Waiters are nasty argumentative. I'm spending $ and they act like they are doing me a favor. YIKES!!! read more

This was by far one of the best experiences I've had at a restaurant. First off the aesthetics are on point. It's warm, welcoming and perfect for any occasion. Secondly the service was great! Everyone was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. And lastly the food was absolutely delicious. From the appetizer to dessert it was all incredible. The drinks too were made to perfection. So happy we decided to try arca and will 100% be back! read more

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One Star - A Disgrace in Disguise of Elegance This place is a textbook case of style over substance. Yes, it's a beautiful venue--formerly a house of worship, now a monument to overinflated ego and mediocre food. Unfortunately, that's where the praise ends. What followed was one of the most chaotic and uncomfortable dining experiences I've ever had. From the moment we sat down, it felt like we were on a stopwatch. A waitress literally snatched my drink from my hand the moment I finished it. Busboys hovered like vultures, grabbing plates before we were done, and servers kept interrupting our conversation to rush us along. Want to enjoy your drink after dinner? Good luck--dessert will be shoved in your face before you can exhale. The service is suffocating yet scatterbrained. We were surrounded by servers, yet couldn't get basic requests right. It took multiple people to eventually bring us bread--and even then, it came only after repeating ourselves. Getting a napkin or another drink meant repeating the request to a parade of staff, none of whom seemed to know who was responsible for what. One server even misunderstood a simple drink order, which led to a truly unbelievable meltdown by the owner. Yes, the owner stormed over like a tyrant-in-training and accused us of bringing in alcohol because we dared question the pour of a drink. Spoiler: it was a bottle of sparkling water. Instead of a professional response or clarification, he berated us, cancelled our dessert, and made a scene in front of the entire restaurant--declaring we were banned and to "never return." You won't have to tell us twice. The food? Wildly inconsistent and overpriced. The gnocchi and calamari were decent--I'll give them that--but everything else? Over-seasoned, underwhelming, and sometimes just plain bad. A couple people in our group ended up sick after eating the short rib ragu, which was both watery and bland. I requested a simple modification--no peas or carrots--and was told the dish is pre-made and couldn't be changed. For these prices, I expect a lot more than a microwaved bowl of mush. Oh, and if you plan to use an American Express gift card? Forget it. They won't take it--and won't tell you until the end of the meal. In short: rude ownership, chaotic service, inconsistent food, inflated prices, and zero hospitality. This place doesn't deserve your time, your money, or the sacred space it inhabits. Avoid at all costs. read more

I'd been eager to try Arca ever since it opened, and I finally got the chance. The ambiance was exactly what I expected--an impressive and stylish conversion of a church into a trendy restaurant. Unfortunately, that's where the excitement ended. The acoustics were a major drawback. Churches are built to amplify sound, which doesn't translate well to a dining experience. The noise level was overwhelming--you could barely hear the person next to you, and the volume just kept escalating as everyone talked over one another. Service was equally disappointing. While attentive in theory, it felt disorganized in practice. We had at least seven different staff members come to our table, which created more confusion than care. We were even given the bill twice--after we had already paid. As for the food, it was hit or miss. The truffle wings were solid, and the oysters--though tasty--were the smallest Blue Points I've ever seen. My halibut was unfortunately overcooked, though my wife's sea bass was decent and our friend's steak was well-prepared. The standout was the Chocolate Mousse Cake, which was fantastic. The Pistachio Ricotta Cake, however, tasted like sweetened cardboard with a crunch. For the price point, you expect consistently excellent food and service--not a mixed bag. The crowd leans heavily toward the fashionable and / or the self-impressed, so if you're into a scene that values style over substance, this might be your kind of place. As for me, one visit was enough. read more

Amazing service, great food, perfect ambience. I give this restaurant 10/10.had an amazing experience. Definitely coming back soon. Drinks are to die for. What an amazing experience. Thank you. read more

Great Space! They deserve 5 star review! Great food, great ambience and great staff! read more

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We went on Sunday and everyone was pleased . The food was delicious and presented well . I did not feel rushed at all as some reviewers stated . I do agree that it is pricey just check the menu ahead so you're prepared. The outdoor dining area was impressive with the retractable roof. The place is also very clean which is a big plus for me . read more

I went during the week with a friend. Very nice atmosphere, but very loud (It's a big open room). Although the food was good, there were way too many interruptions from servers. I've noticed that restaurants seem to be trying a new approach to customer service. Instead of just one server tending to your table, there was a different server taking the drink order, someone else brought the drinks, someone checked to see if you liked your drinks, then someone else took your order, a different person brought your food, etc. Every time we started in on a conversation, someone was asking how everything is, do we want another drink, etc. Also, I ordered a glass of wine and was disappointed with the pour. Definitely should have been more generous! It was just too much. I probably won't be back. read more

This place looks good from the outside and is elegant inside and that's where the compliments end. The service is unprofessional and not trained well. The server reached over me with coffee which is dangerous, but since al! The coffees came out cold no one would get hurt.. Let start at the beginning we ordered drinks only two of us received ours we had to flag down two different waiters to get the others lol they were spritzers. Very complicated? This place is very noisy and hard to hear anyone at your table. We were bumped into by numerous waiters, the layout of the tables not good. Than dinner my risotto was undercooked, and my fish was extremely salty. The gnocchi was dense not light and pillowy. And again the service was not great, after being told specials we never saw the same waiter again until the check came. Sadly this is the second time we had been there and it will definitely be the last. read more

Love the atmosphere, food was good, service was good but as the many other reviews state, they are constantly at ur table. Could use to relax on that a bit. It is very pricey too but we liked everything so that was ok. Was a Friday so music playing which was nice but if you're looking for an intimate date night dinner this is definitely not the place. Very loud and wait staff constantly at your table. But if not "date night" then definitely go! Also good for larger groups so you can be loud! Owner was very nice too. Can't wait to go back and enjoy the outside seating. Also has valet parking read more

Terrible place to dine. Arrogant owners and servers. Mediocre food. Overpriced everything. Avoid at all costs.

Although we read mixed reviews, based on a friend's recommendation, we finally visited Arca. We made a reservation, and confirmed it. So, why the confusion when we got there? When we arrived, there were plenty of empty tables. We were a party of 2, but first the hostess put us at a table for 6. I asked, why such a big table, and she moved us to a quad. After sitting and our drink order was taken, I saw who I perceived as the owner asking why they didn't put us at a deuce. I would have liked that as it would have been more intimate instead of in the center of the room where everyone walked around us, and where the waitstaff seemed to congregate. We ordered bottled water, but the glasses smelled. We ordered calamari, which seems to be a favorite in reviews, but it was a sticky mess. We ordered rigatoni Bolognese, and chicken Milanese. The Bolognese had no flavor, even after salting. The Milanese wasn't thin enough nor fried enough. The edges of the patty were browned, but the cutlet wasn't a golden color, and it was tough. The dressing was more mustard flavored than balsamic and it too lacked salt. The dessert menu is typical. We had a cheesecake for dessert. IDK if the cakes are made in house, it seemed like a typical frozen cake. There were plenty of waitstaff, and we must have had 4 servers attending to us. The waitstaff was quick to take our plates, and seemed to rush us along, even though there were open tables. I was unimpressed, and doubt I will visit again, which is a shame as we are local, and like to dine out. read more

Arca Arca has a remarkable atmosphere and a smart, modern interior design. Despite the copious tables in the dining areas, it was wide open so it never felt crowded. I especially liked the chandeliers, and the greenery that came from the tree, cacti, and the vines above the wine bottle display. Speaking of which, the bottle display was not only a neat aesthetic device, but was also a great way to divide the dining area. Hence, the restaurant felt much less daunting or overwhelming. Note that there is an upstairs area, which makes for a nice dinner party space. Lastly, the windows are made large enough to bring in some needed natural light. The service was also proficient. Our waiter was helpful at our table and was in a positive mood. Our busboy was also attentive in clearing the dirty dishes off the table, but was almost too attentive with filling up water glasses. I counted around 10-12 visits for filling up our waters alone. They can save themselves the stress of visiting so frequently and take it easy; and the unfortunate drawback of the ever-frequent refills was that our water cups were three-quarters filled with ice. A nice final touch to the service was that, when I went to the (virtually spotless) bathroom, I returned with my napkin neatly folded on the table. Drinks and appetizers were served quickly, and were favorably perceived. The bread was fresh, and the olive oil and balsamic vinegar mix was a neat addition. A popular fried calamari appetizer ended up tasting quite nice. The texture was akin to candied apples or candied bacon - there was a rich crunch that sadly took from the flavor of the calamari. The calamari may have been override or the sauce was reduced too much and caramelized on the calamari. The sauce was very good, however, making for what I believe is a neat Italian-Asian fusion. A lighter option was the shishito peppers, which were nothing special but met expectations. Only a minor disappointment came from the calamari, but I would order it again. I drank the Arcarita with a cayenne salted rim and it was on the fruity side which I like. Others ordered the old fashioned which was smokier than expected but enjoyable nonetheless. The Salty Dog was another fruity delight. No problems with drinks! Unlike the appetizers, the entrées took notably longer to arrive at our table. Two ordered the branzino. Both were disappointed, for the meal came out warm, which kind of ruined the meal for them. The taste was good, but they felt their meal should have been served at a more appropriate temperature. I ordered the orecchiette bolognese which had perfectly cooked pasta. The bolognese, however, was overly greasy, heavy, and lacked tomato flavor. On the whole it didn't meet expectations. On the other hand, the truffle gnocchi was enjoyed by the two who ordered it. I got to have a taste and the gnocchi had a nice texture and seemed to be stuffed with something, although I couldn't put my tongue on what it was. The best item our table ordered belongs to the chicken Milanese - a classic done brilliantly. The chicken was moist and crispy throughout, and the arugula, tomato, and onion on top were very fresh and vibrant. It's a reliable option if you dine at Arca . Overall, entrées were a hit-or-miss. The desserts were an improvement on our entrées. The tiramisu was pretty good and the chocolate mousse cake was lightly textured decadence; very strong on the chocolate flavor and I loved the snappy chocolate shell on the outside. The espresso martini yielded positive impressions. I think Arca is worth another visit. The atmosphere is wonderful, the drinks are solid, and the food is pretty good, even if some meals did not blow us away. I'll be ordering something else next time, probably the cavatelli with short rib ragu. read more

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