Delightful dinner tonight. Service was fantastic. Chef stopped by with complimentary appetizers of…read moreeggplant meatballs & zucchini fritters. Entrees were delicious & portions ample. Choice of salad or soup included. BYOB!! A favorite in the area.

Is this the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to?…read more Actually, yes, it is. And I have been to a lot of Italian restaurants. The wait for a table was 45 minutes, but it was worth every minute. The food was delicious, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was wonderful. We ended up being seated in a back patio room and though it was very hot outside (one of those 100 degree days last summer), it was actually very nice in there. The show started with someone asking for our drink order, then coming back with said drinks. After that she brought out some starts on the house, courtesy of chef and owner Joe. We were off to a great start! Soon after she returned to get our dinner order. After that, Chef Joe himself showed up to our table to thank us for visiting his restaurant and ask how we liked things so far. We let him know those starters were perfect...eggplant balls and a corn/tomato salad. Eventually our dinner came. Both dishes were waaaaaaaay more food than either of us expected. I had ordered chicken with mozzarella squares on top and drizzled in balsamic, which was a special created by Chef Joe's wife, according to the menu. My partner got eggplant parm...and wow, what a pile of food it was. Two huge eggplant pieces piled high with delicious sauce and served with some delectable pasta. Chef Joe came back to the dining room awhile later to ask people how their entrees were, and we let him know this was a great experience. I want to go back to Point Pleasant just to get here again. This time I will make a reservation.

This is one of my favorite places! The restaurant is very…read morewell decorated and has a real classy Italian modern vibe (with an incredible outdoor area in the summer). Staff is very professional and friendly, always making sure everyone is having a good time. Honestly, all the food is great here but some of my favorites are definitely the carpaccio and calamari appetizer (the calamari is the BEST I ever had, hands down) and their coffee panacota for dessert is also out of this world, just amazing! If you are a bread lover just know they make their own bread in house. 5 stars always!

I went here for lunch today with my husband and brother-in-law. The ambiance outside was very nice…read more It reminded me of the islands. The food, however, is another story. For appetizers, we got zucchini chips, fried calamari and mussels. The calamari was fried too hard and it had a very salty, spicy Chilean type sauce over it. The zucchini chips were thinly sliced, lightly battered with Parmesan cheese sprinkled over them. They were decent but nothing to write home about. In fact, after having about six or seven of the zucchini chips I began to experience heartburn from the grease. For entrees, my husband had the chicken parm. He said it was too thick and should have been flattened more before frying. It was also very breaded. My brother-in-law ordered the chicken and waffles and he said the chicken tasted day old so after having a bite of one piece of the chicken he pushed the chicken aside and called it a day. I called the waiter over and informed him about the chicken tasting day old. He didn't try to change it out or take it off the bill or get a manager. He just apologized by saying I'm sorry. My crab Mac and Cheese was decent. It wasn't seasoned the way I would have liked but the huge, plentiful chunks of crab made up for that. I ate a third of my dish and packed the rest for home where I will doctor it up to my taste. I've never been to this particular restaurant before. The only reason we came today is because my brother-in-law was here on business and staying at a hotel in the area.

Good food, wine, desserts, etc. To celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary…read more Recommend others to visit; one negative need to reprint or update their menus. They are really old and ripped.

I took an edible and went to this place and was at first was absolutely terrified due to it being…read morevery dark and hard to see. The waitress was an absolute sweetheart but because I was flying high she was making me paranoid, like I was thinking girl do you know me from some where? But then I ate the garlic bread, and maybe this is the edible speaking, but it was the best garlic bread I ever had. My husband and I both ordered steak frites, and I thought briefly that my husband and I had formed a psychic connection and were ascending together. It was cooked to perfection and seasoned perfectly. Overall I think I had a spiritual experience here. Anyway 10/10 will go back sober.

Absurdly good. This place has been a staple in the area for a long time, and they really make the…read moremost of their space. The strip mall itself isn't anything special, but the surrounding area is beautiful , and once you're inside, the restaurant feels warm and inviting. The food is fantastic, and the variety on the menu is impressive. The chef clearly knows what they're doing because every single dish we tried was genuinely delicious. It's the kind of spot where you can't go wrong: date night, dinner with friends, or anything in between. We brought our own bottle and had a great time. Our waiter was super knowledgeable, friendly, and patient. The staff even joked around with me when I forgot my to‑go bag, and yes, I absolutely took it home because the food is that good. I also appreciate that they don't act like offering takeout is beneath them; even the takeout bag was nice. I honestly wish my meals were this good every night. I hope everyone who works here is paid well and enjoys what they do, because they're running the place exactly how a restaurant should be run. It feels like a true community staple somewhere that transports you a bit and makes the whole experience feel special. Lovely all around.

Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall is one of those places you almost don't want to tell people…read moreabout--because then you'll have a harder time getting a table. Luca's Ristorante is a hidden gem that proves you should never judge a restaurant by its parking lot. Not long after we were seated, we were greeted by Luca -- a Luca and not the Luca. Still he was warm, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about his restaurant, taking the time to walk us through the menu and checking in throughout the meal without ever hovering. Luca's has a partial liquor license, offering a modest wine selection but is otherwise being BYOB. As we were told with a smile, they're much more interested in what's ON your plate than what's IN your glass. We started with two excellent appetizers. The arancini, already a family favorite, were crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and disappeared from the table faster than anyone was willing to admit. The Polpette, Luca's signature meatballs with pine nuts and raisins, certainly earned the praise they've received from NJ.com as some of the best in the state. Even if raisins in meatballs sound unusual, trust the process. The restaurant proudly calls itself "A Taste of Ischia," the beautiful volcanic island in the Bay of Naples, and the seafood absolutely lives up to that promise. My squid ink pasta with octopus (the Polypus) was outstanding, with perfectly tender octopus and beautifully balanced flavors. The scallops were buttery, sweet, and cooked to perfection, while the Ischia -- loaded with mussels, clams, and calamari -- was every seafood lover's dream. The rest of the menu proved just as impressive. The Pappardelle, featuring burrata and a rich Bolognese sauce, was a huge hit, while the Romolo, a comforting combination of chicken, pasta, bacon, and sauce, was another winner that had no leftovers to speak of. If you somehow still have room after dinner, Luca's offers a nice assortment of gelato. But do yourself one favor: don't leave without ordering a cappuccino. Rich, foamy, and expertly made, it's the perfect finale to a memorable meal. If you find yourself in Somerset, just a few turns off Routes 287 or 1, make the stop. You'll be greeted by a wonderful staff, treated to outstanding food, and very likely leave wondering how a restaurant this good has been hiding in a strip mall all along.

I have seen this spot in staten 100x, never ate there…read more My wife and i decided to give this one a shot, what an experience. The establishment is beautiful, clean & cool decor. The staff was kind, respectful and knew their stuff. Ashley was our server & she was awesome. Her knowledge of food and the menu was exceptional. She helped us decide on a few items and when i was going opt out of desert, she gave me a lesson on how an affogato came to be. The lamb chops were cooked to perfection, the flavor on the pasta was delicious and the fresh, table side mozz was phenomenal. Looking forward to going back!!!

I can't believe I've never left a review here! I've probably been too busy eating all the delicious…read morefood over the years. Well, today is the day I'll leave one ... on my birthday! I did however leave some photos from the past ... the food here is consistently good, every single time we visit. And not only is the food good, but the service is top notch. Today we had Katie as our server and she helped make my birthday celebration special. I wanted to try a new entree but I was really craving my favorite penne à la vodka with breaded chicken, yum. It lived up to my expectations too. Oh and we started off with sharing a caesar salad which was plenty for two people. My husband had the veal parmesan, which he loved. He was ready to take home half of it, as portions are generous. He ate the whole thing ! We were so stuffed there was no room for dessert but Katie was so sweet and brought out this delish little cannoli plate with a fun "fireworks" candle. It really helped make my day special. She's a great server. Thanks, Patricia's of Holmdel for helping make my birthday a special one ! You never disappoint. The restaurant was pretty busy for a rainy Saturday lunch. I always recommend making a reservation, especially for dinner. There were two separate big parties going on in their party rooms. Such a great place for a celebration!

Walked into a beautiful place. We stated with a great bread basket. Maybe the best I've ever had…read more And the great food continued. For appys, we had a wedge salad w/ a slice of bacon, which my wife enjoyed. I had baked clams, which I loved! For dinner, my wife had Filet Mignon and mac & cheese on the side. The meat was cooked perfectly and the mac & cheese was great. I had a Wagyu rib eye cap and Brussel sprouts on the side. The meat was perfect, and so were the sprouts. For dessert, my wife had the affogato, which both of us loved. The only disappointment of the night was the Tiramisu, not flavorful at all. The service was top-notch, I appreciated that the waiter was not a kid, which so many places use these days. It's very expensive, $380 for two (BYOB), including tip. As great a meal as it was, I don't think I will be a regular. If I come back, it won't be for the steak, mine cost $115. The mains don't include sides, it's all a la carte. If the money doesn't bother you, or it's a special occasion, I highly recommend this restaurant. Somebody in that kitchen, knows what they are doing!

What an unfortunate turn of events. We arrived as a party of 4 on a Friday evening around 6 pm…read moreexpecting a well needed, well deserved, enjoyable meal amongst friends. I was especially looking forward to ordering the ribeye and lit up instantly when the server listed it as one of the specials. The server shared that he would need to collect the orders for all of our courses at the same time which was fine with me. I actually had more confidence in the timing of everything for that reason. Our server had a delightful energy particularly at the beginning of our visit. After we placed our orders, everything began to fall apart. It did get noticeably busy since we first arrived, but we ultimately waited for our main entrees for over 3 hours. 3 hours. The table ordered the charred octopus and the oysters to start. The oysters hit the table fairly quickly, but then we began to gradually notice how long it was taking for the octopus to come. I had only a slither of the octopus so that I could say I tried it. Everyone at the table raved about the taste. I did, however, agree that their oysters were delicious especially when dressed with a little bit of mignonette, lemon, horseradish and a touch of Tabasco sauce. I'm excited to now report that I am a fan of fresh oysters from the east coast, because apparently the coast matters. The table also ordered the canaletto stuffed with mascarpone, parmesan and another cheese, langostines and lobster with morel mushroom cream sauce, garnished with truffles. I passed on this one also as it was too adventurous for my taste buds; although, their delicious bread and our drinks did distract me for a little while. The restaurant is BYOB, so we had our wine to keep us company while we observed other tables come and go. We eventually asked to see the manager and was told there wasn't a manager on duty which was either untrue or a very poor decision on the part of the owners considering it was a Friday evening. Having someone occasionally check in with our table may have also helped to take the pressure off of the server who may have gotten overwhelmed or decided to prioritize other tables. Having a manager offer a personal apology may have helped us feel less forgotten about. After the three hour mark, we decided this was enough. I didn't have much to eat at this point, but I wasn't at all worried initially since I was there for the main event, the ribeye. I stopped a hostess who was walking past our table and asked for the manager. We were again told the manager is not here but can be called, if needed. I simply replied, "Please do". Shortly afterwards, I noticed our server who at this time was standing by the host stand briskly walk into the kitchen and then return to our table with our plates. I sent the food back which was a decision that was supported by everyone at the table. Let me tell you, that was a difficult decision to make, but I also was ready to call it a night. Our mood had changed, and I truly felt like we were derservant of having the same experience as everyone else that night. Our server apologized for his part to play in the ordeal which I appreciated since I know his intention was never malicious, but unfortunately we had to call this night a bust. He offered us dessert on the house, and our entire meal was comped which we felt was an appropriate resolution. I ordered the Cinnamon Toast Crunch bread pudding which was a favorite. Very good. Jasper Stone is a beautiful establishment with decorative yellow and white floral arrangements throughout the dining area. It is clearly a popular restaurant and has many positive reviews. I regret that I could not have a comparable experience.

My husband and I chose to dine here for our anniversary as a result of our incredible first dinner…read moreexperience. Yes, it is an experience - from the atmosphere to the selection of beautiful dinner wear to the each element of plating to the awakening of each part of your palate to the personable owners who actually came to the table and talked to us. Wow! We are beyond impressed. As a couple who love dining and are appreciative of good cooking, we were left speechless for the second time. It's our secret spot now! Thank you John and Bruna for the amazing beyond believe dining experience!

Our first visit to Dolce Fantasia, and it will not be the last. My wife and I attended the Beer,…read moreWine and Spirits event in Asbury earlier in the day and decided to stay in town for an early dinner. Even though they only opened at 5pm, there was already a lively crowd at 5:30. We started with Polpettine Di Pollo, organic chicken meatballs with bell pepper, garlic, spinach and pomodoro. The order was large and delicious! Piping hot as well. Carol chose the Pappardelle al Telephono Nostro, house made pasta, mozzarella, tomato-cream sauce and fresh basil. this was a large order and my wife loved it. I chose the Tortelloni alla Bergamasca, veal tortellini with black truffle and rosemary veal reduction. Excellent as well! Dessert consisted. of a shared Pistachio Creme Brulee that was perfect. The restaurant is BYOB and I recommend making a reservation. Our server, Khrystna, was superb

My wife and I absolutely love their eggplant parm and Margherita pizza. We've had other dishes, but…read moreour latest dinner was our favorites. We are never disappointed. Service is excellent and their home made rolls are incredible. The restaurant is a gem.

On a recent vacay to visit family, we met up with some north Jersey cousins for dinner at Via…read moreSposito. I loved that they accommodated our group of 12 with just a few days' notice. They're an Italian restaurant with a good selection of dishes to meat various diets: salads, pastas, meat dishes, etc. The food was also pretty good, and service was fine. Better Italian food can be found in NJ, not too far away, but the location, quality and price point served our purposes. The servings are generous. I had the "Sunday Supper" (pasta served with red sauce, braciole, sausages, meatballs, and ribs), which I shared with my husband, and even so we had plenty to take home for another meal! I found the decor unusual in that there was a noticeable religious motif. In fact, a life size statue of the a Virgin Mary stood in the corner behind our table observing our little reunion. Odd for a restaurant, but it made for some fun comparing of notes afterwards.