Fantastic, old-school Italian restaurant. Food is excellent, portions are HUGE, service is attentive, friendly & professional.

Very classic, ornate Jersey Italian ambiance. Was seated and served immediately on a crowded Saturday night before a show. Waitress was very pleasant and accommodating. Unfortunately, the food was sub-par. And the prices a bit steep, although I appreciated the half size portion available for pastas. Italian 75 cocktail was like a spritzed lemonade; I very much enjoyed and it was not very sweet (pro). Wine selection vast. Bread basket contained lackluster, cold bruschetta-sized slices and a spreadable herbed butter (which was good). Fried calamari app was large and crisped perfectly, but there was a very foul and tar-like flavor to it which I cannot explain. It had to be returned. Opted for mediocre Caesar salad instead. The pastas were average. Enough flavor, but both the bolognese and vodka sauces were on the watery side and could have used more density. Abundant with flavorful meat, however. Half size portion more than enough for one person. Dessert options were tough to pick between. Went with NY cheesecake--nice creaminess and sweetness to it. Presentation was wonderful and the rainbow cookie garnish was top tier. Cappuccino was good and espresso martini on the sweet side (very vanilla forward but not creamy). Not blown away by anything here, but if nowhere else has seating in town, I would still consider returning. read more

Buona Sera - Pasta Bolognese / Vodka Penne with chicken (both decent, half size portion very large) - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

We've lived in Monmouth for 37 years and have come here only about 5 times because we are 35 minutes away. That said, they have never disappointed. Tonight, I wanted to take the time to give them their due; not that they need it. We came in without a reservation at 5:00 on a Saturday and they were able to seat us. When I didn't like the table, they gave us a beautiful table upstairs. From the owners to everyone on the team; the service and smiles are outstanding and attentive. I extremely enjoyed the excellently grilled chicken over plentiful grilled vegetables. It's also nice that salt and pepper is on the table like the good old days. I highly recommend this restaurant with its fine ambience, outstanding service and great food. read more

Went yesterday with my Mom before a show at the count Bessie theater. Service was exceptional and the menu had a great variety of options. Portions are big so we each had a soup and we shared one of the fish specials, stuffed flounder with mixed veggies and garlic mashed potatoes. It was very tasty and when split it was good size portion for the two of us. For dessert we had the Italian cheesecake which is one of my favorites. The restaurant has a nice vibe. Love the decor and the best part it's around the corner from the theater. Will definitely be back to try something new. read more

Came to Buona Sera on an early Saturday at 5pm as a party of 3. I have to start with the service and staff. They were absolutely amazing! Friendly, welcoming, extremely knowledgeable of the menu and food overall and interacted with us appropriately. Made us feel like we were at an Italian dinner table at home on a Sunday. We ordered Veal Chop, calamari, angel hair with shrimp, lobster ravioli, meat/cheese board, and a stuffed meatball. All was very good! Rob was just one of our amazing servers. Thank you Rob and everyone else for a great evening. read more

The service was good but the atmosphere was noisy, music that was intermittent. The table itself was not located in a good spot wobbled throughout dinner we tried to put napkins under the table for stability. The dinner was 2+ rigatoni undercooked with watery sauce . It was nice they tried to recover by providing desert for one . But overall it did not equal a good dining experience, we went back because we had great experience in the past unfortunately this was not the case tonight. read more

Going to Count Basse theater? We arrived 15 minutes early for our @ 6 pm. Our server Rinaldo greeted us with a smile, Menu's & Wine list. This waiter was perfect, quick & effective, so we made our Show... This place fills up quickly anticipating Show Time, Make a Reservation! Their Food ~ we shared an order Clam's, they were clean & delicious. I had Pork Shoulder ~ Perfectly done with the Juicy meat falling off the bone! My wife had the Stuffed Flounder, also done perfectly. We shared the desert, chocolate Cake incredible. This Beautiful place is a well established Italian Food meca when you go to "Count Bassey Theater" you eat here and listen to "Frank Sinatra" at least til the Piano Player arrives. Their well decorated Bar & Dining area creates a pleasant ambiance, this place has a presence ! The Piano soloist arrived around 6:30, his music selection was right on, playing popular Music as we ate. A Really fine musician I also want to thank Nick the manager, his friendly smile and interest in our Dining experience was genuine. It's obvious that Buona Sera owners are not resting on their laurels. They actively manage their Quality control. Nick, is a seasoned Restraintore, hired to manager this Gold Mine. read more

Wow what a fabulous evening. I hardly EVER give a restaurant 5 stars because I am never that blown away but Buona Sera definitely deserves the 5 stars. From the time we walked in we were greeted with a wonderful atmosphere and great service. Our server Ryan was absolutely hands down one of the most attentive and knowledgeable servers we have ever experienced. He was friendly and very personable and made both my husband and I felt extremely taken care of. This guy is going to go places and deserves to be recognized for his outstanding service. Nowadays EXCEPTIONAL service is hard to come by but this guy was great. We started off with the white sangria and a few apps. The sangria was delicious and super fresh. Not overly sweet either which was nice. For appetizers we had the mozzarella Caroza, Meatball, and the pesto and burrata Sardinian pizza. All were amazing and the portions sizes were INSANE! Hands down best appetizers was the pesto pizza. It was such a unique and delicious experience and the flavors just meshed well together perfectly. Dinner time came and boy we were already feeling stuffed. We ordered the Tomahwak Steak for 2 along with 2 sides and the steak was perfectly cooked and RIDICULOUSLY tasty. It was melt in your mouth perfection. I was absolutely blown away. The sides were also out of this world. My favorite was the lobster Mac and cheese which was incredible. Super flavorful and just the perfect amount of cheesey and creamy. We had no idea they also served dessert since we didn't see anything about that online but boy we were in for a huge treat. The dessert menu was plentiful and we were taken back by how everything was beautifully executed. We got the peanut butter chocolate cake and the Italian cheesecake. Both were outstanding but we favored the peanut cake as that filling was superb. All in all. This place deserves the hype. The portion sizes are insane. The service is incredible and the food is out of the this world. Hands down 5 stars. Cant wait to dine back! Thank you for a wonderful evening. read more

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Stopped by for some wholesome Italian food. The place was amazing although we sat outdoor. Shrimp/scallops spaghetti and rib-eye was cooked to perfection. Our server, Chris, was a doll. Extremely attentive. Highly recommend. read more

Helpful, friendly staff, excellent wine and food and great holiday decorations made for a very pleasant evening. My companion and i both enjoyed a generous, near overflowing bowls of shrimp and scallops over linguine. My Veneto red wine was fruity and fragrant. Our waitress was efficient, making sure we were timely served so that we could get to a concert at the Vogel. Free parking! We will be back. read more

Server was good, steaks were under cooked, appetizers were average,nothing to brag about, salads were very salty, this place used to be great, now it's more like on the disappointing side, not returning!!! read more

I don't know why I keep giving this place more chances. If you know and enjoy authentic Italian food, avoid this place. Started with fried calamari. While I appreciate an effort to not overcook it, raw is quite another thing. Mozzarella stacks were average. Not much you can do to that. Followed those with linguine with white clam sauce which the chef(s) had no idea how to prepare correctly. This dish is not supposed to be linguine swimming in clam juice and melted butter, topped with a handful of raw garlic. To my knowledge, very few Italian recipes are served with raw garlic. Also, like the calamari, the clams were raw in an effort to not overcook them. I would recommend that the chef(s) watch one of the videos provided on this website: https://www.vincenzosplate.com/?s=clam+sauce. Not the first time I have had an inauthentic meal at Buona Sera, but inauthentic can be excused if the food is good. A meal of raw garlic is not. Ambience is charming and the service was good. read more

My husband and I dine out regularly. Our main home is in Brooklyn, but we also have a house in New Jersey, so we are often in the area. We hold high standards when it comes to both food and service, but we appreciate everything from high end restaurants to more casual places as long as the experience is good. We had been meaning to try Buona Sera for years and finally made a reservation for a pre concert dinner before a show at Count Basie. We were really excited to finally visit, especially since we both love Italian food and steakhouses. My husband is Italian, and I am not, but we both know great food and service when we see it. I wish I remembered the name of our server because she was very friendly and gave us a lot of helpful information about the restaurant. She made suggestions and clearly knew the menu well, which we always appreciate. We had read that you should book dinner at least two and a half hours before the show, so we made our reservation for 5 o'clock ahead of an 8 o'clock concert. When we arrived, it was quiet and calm. It did get crowded as the evening went on, but the atmosphere stayed lively in a good way. They were offering wine specials that night, and we were pleasantly surprised to see how significantly the bottle we ordered was discounted. That was a great start. The menu is huge and filled with tempting options, and we were already talking about what we would want to try next time. We started with cocktails. I had a martini from the special menu and it was absolutely delicious. My husband had a beer, and we shared two appetizers, the bacon and the meatball. We had heard that the portions were large, but we were still shocked when they arrived. The bacon was a thick cut, similar to what you would find at the best steakhouses in Manhattan. Both appetizers were fantastic and we would recommend them without hesitation. We were early into the appetizers when our entrées were brought to the table. We were still actively eating when one of the bussers arrived with the main courses. Our table was small and still full, so we motioned that we were not ready. He took the entrées away, but it was disappointing because we had asked specifically not to have everything brought at once. A short while later, our server came back to the table and without asking, began clearing our appetizer plates. She explained that the entrées could not stay in the back any longer and needed to be brought out. She did not just clear what we had not touched. She reached for the plate I was still eating from and began clearing everything to be boxed. I had to quickly ask for my plate back and told her I wanted to at least finish what was left. It caught me off guard. She had been so warm and helpful earlier in the evening that this sudden shift in pacing really stood out. I completely understand that the entrées were probably already plated and under a heat lamp, but that is exactly why we tried to space things out properly from the beginning. We had more than an hour and a half left before the show and were not rushing. We had followed the recommendation to book early. It felt more like they were trying to turn the table than to give us the relaxing experience we were hoping for. Our entrées came out shortly after. I had the filet mignon and my husband had the lamb chops. Both were very good and we would absolutely order them again. We also had sides and ended up boxing most of the food to take home. For dessert, we ordered the rainbow cookie cake. It was delicious and rich, but we were too full to finish it so that was boxed as well. One thing I really appreciated is that right before dessert, our server kindly opened the side door and let me quickly run to the venue to ask if security would hold our food. She even propped the door open slightly so I could get back in. That was thoughtful and definitely something I will remember as a high point in the service. Overall, this was a really good experience when it came to the food, the energy of the space, and most of the service. The only issue, though it mattered to us, was the lack of pacing and having my plate taken while I was still eating. We also are not fans of the policy requiring everything to be ordered at once. That may work for some, but for us, a slower pace is part of what makes dining out enjoyable. Our bill before tip was around four hundred dollars, which felt very fair considering the quality and quantity of the food, the wine, and the overall experience. On a night without wine specials, I imagine it would be closer to five hundred, which is consistent with what we usually spend for a meal like that. We are a little unsure about whether we will return, only because we really do not like to be rushed and would not want to have a repeat of that one issue. If we do come back, it would be with the hope that the pacing can be managed differently. If not for that, this would have been a perfect five star evening. read more

Went to a show next door at Count Basie Theater. This place was very convenient with street parking on a Sunday. Portions are massive. Any dish can feed 2-4 people, depending on how hungry they are. As I waited for the mate d', a man leaving whispered, "Order the pork chops!" So I took his advice. I ordered the bean and escarole soup 1st course - delicious for something that seems simple. (Also a vegetarian option.) Can be shared easily by 2 people. The pork chop was spicy & very good. The bartender and a couple were exchanging dating advice. Kitschy decorations. Very Jerz. read more

We ordered the caesar salad and creamy Bolognese and burrata pizza. The pizza was decent - VERY OILY. The salad did not come with dressing and then we asked for some and it was perhaps the most disgusting dressing we've ever tasted. The bolognese was undercooked - not el dente - very crunchy and the sauce lacked flavor. We also ordered a tito cocktails from the happy hour. The drinks were clearly not titos - we were litterally having pounding headaches within 30 mins we could barely finish our first drink. Also, make sure to check your check! We were upcharged twice and when we tried to talk to them they said they were too busy and give them 30 mins. It was insane. The vibe is 50+ & annoying. read more

Good food very large portions and good tasting the owner Christopher makes sure that all guests are happy highly recommend

Had calamari which was tiny calamari with greasy coating. Hubby had bolognese which he said was ok. I had chicken parm and pasta with vodka sauce. Vodka sauce tasted like cream and the pasta was broken in pieces (shame cause I was looking forward to homemade pasta). Had a slice of peanut butter cake for dessert which was good. Food overall was SO salty and unfortunately I wound up with what I think was food poisoning around 2am. Would never return. read more

Beautiful ambience!! I was impressed with how many floors they have- I think there was even a wedding there last night (Saturday evening)- the service was great. We were a larger party of 16 in a private'ish room near the hidden cigar shop/lounge area. It was pre-fix family style which makes things easier but then I didn't actually get to order what I wanted.... For starters they brought out bread baskets, antipasto/meat platters and eggplant rollatini. They also brought out clams casino and penne vodka. The pasta was good! They also brought out another pasta, shells with broccoli robe/sausage, a chicken dish, salmon dish and a meat- I think it was pork chop? I didn't love it- I felt it was way overcooked? Didn't really try the other dishes as I was a bit full. They also had mashed potatoes and those were awful, too much pepper. We brought our own large birthday cake and they did offer coffee/cappuccino/ tea- I did have a decaf cappuccino and it was good. I did enjoy service and felt they did their best to accommodate such a large party. Would love to go back and order other dishes! read more

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Beautiful restaurant with fantastic service. Portions are huge! We get the eggplant rollatini and beef braciole - out of this world! Beautiful cocktails and red Zinfandel is fabulous. Love the Caesar salad! My go to place in Red Bank! read more

Buona Sera - Beef Braciole appetizer - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

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**4.5 Stars** We had a vendor Christmas party. I gotta say, I was impressed the first minute I walked in. The valet was very good and appreciative. The hostess, seemed like an owner, was so personable! Once we walked into one of their many private rooms, we were greeted by staff and our coats were immediately taken. The private bartender was friendly and he made a great Old Fashioned! The food was great - we tried their antipasto, eggplant rollitini, calamari, steak, chicken, mashed potatoes...and so much more. Everything was delicious! I couldn't get over how friendly the staff was. Although we live far from Red Bank, well worth the trip. Great town during the holidays! ENJOY! read more

Had a reservation for 6 people on a Tuesday night at 6:30 pm. We got there early and sat at the bar for a few minutes waiting for the rest of our people to arrive. Sat down at table on time. Good service, above average. The food was really good with big portions. We all enjoyed our meals, the atmosphere and a great night out. Parking lot across the street, free parking there for this restaurant. read more

Enjoyed a wonderful anniversary dinner at Buona Sera. Fantastic wait staff, fun patrons, and excellent food. Had the 5lb lobster special for $80 - and lobster ravioli. All delish. Great night! read more

Buona Sera - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

Came for dinner tonight before George Thorogood concert at Count Basie, was looking forward to a nice meal with my son . We were encouraged to order a lot of food, appetizers came and each were enough for four persons , and very mediocre. When we saw how much food had come asked to cancel additional side of meatballs with our main course, was told not possible , no reason but said ok. Main course pastas came and they were really poor , mushy, flavorless . Told waitress who told owner . Owner came to out table with huge attitude , his place is the best etc... told him in a non confrontational way what we thought of the food and he became extremely aggressive , his place is the best been in biz 40 years etc , asked me to step outside and fight him , then told us to get out . All this in front of my son . I asked him if he wanted me to pay or just leave , of course he said pay. Worst dining experience I have ever had in Red Bank, arrogant owner who could not listen to constructive criticism. I have been in restaurant biz in NYC for going on 40 years , never been treated , or treated anyone , in such an arrogant , aggressive manner . Will never go back there.Oh and in case I didn't stress it enough food is just simply terrible read more

Stopped in for lunch on a weekend. We were seated right away. The service all around was great. We ordered 2 apps. The bruschetta was delicious. Crispy bread and fresh ripe tomatoes. The calamari was tender and seasoned well but the bottom layer was sitting in a puddle of oil and soggy. Unfortunately our meals were not good. The penne vodka was over cooked and dry. The shrimp special had no flavor and the spinach was bitter. read more

Buona Sera - Bruschetta Pomodoro - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

We had the pleasure to be served by Rob--wonderful personality and he loves what he does. Made an already awesome time even better! read more

Buona Sera - Tortellini carbonara and chicken parmesan - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

Revisited this beautiful restaurant after a few years. The service was excellent . The food was disappointing at best. A pizza was quite burned on top making 1/3 of it inedible. The half portion of shrimp and scallop linguine in cream sauce came in a watery broth served with 3 small to medium overcooked shrimp with tails on. Two 1" bay scallops were dry and rubbery. Very difficult to extract the shrimp as there was so much liquid. The taste was okay best. An order of mussels left 7 en eaten as the condition was questionable. The cheesecake was excellent. To top it off we left the restaurant for the theater nearby and became ill spending the first act in the bathroom and having to leave at intermission. The prices are exorbitant for what it is. More attention needed in the kitchen and less on appearances. The posted menu prices are outdated. Extremely noisy. Forget proposing there. read more

Almost forgot to review this great place since I had gone in the summer ! My friends and I spent a lot of time down in the jersey shore area this summer and instead of a beach day we had wanted to try what was going on in this great little town and wanted a great lunch. The service was top of the line! Our waiter was so amazing and sweet. The sangria is to die for ! And the portions were more than enough to feed more than one! The ravioli is out of this world as is their salad options! I will certainly be returning ! read more

Buona Sera - My friends view from her sangria glass! One of the best sangrias I have had - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

Food was great. Excellent service and the restaurant is festive decorated for the holidays.

Sat at a table in a isle and kept getting bumped into bu staff and guests the waitress had to be asked by more then us for butter for the wawa bread. Was told no Patron but had every other type of liquor The place stunk like cigar and the bathroom you had to walk through one of the busy parties that was happening. apps we're burnt and my red sauce looked like water and oil. Main course as I stated looked and tasted like Chicken Ala King but was a stuffed porkchop all fat and covered with cold gross sauce.The Brussel sprouts looked like golf balls and cold. First and last time we eat here. Fire you staff and get a real Chef. Also get rid of the Cigar bar next to your patrons. read more

Buona Sera - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

The lobster Mac was the best I ever had! The French cut pork chop was delightful. Wonderful service and ambiance. Wish I lived in NewJersey to come back here. read more

The food never disappoints and the ambiance is tops I can honestly say that the service and reservation process never misses. Somehow they always accommodate and service is above par. This place is a staple in our rotation of places. A must if you are seeing a show at The Basie either before or after. Highly recommend !! read more

Fabulous place for a family get together! 13 of us went, were all seated comfortably and the restaurant staff was very attentive and patient. We stayed for hours and felt welcomed, full, and very pleased with the whole restaurant experience. Not pictured, but the dessert was absolutely to die for and our favorite part of the meal. The cheesecake and espresso martini are must try's. read more

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The food here is always amazing as is the service, classic Italian you know what you're getting. Plus parking lot !

Love the old school Jersey Italian ambience. Menu is extensive and prices reasonable for the portions. Service is always lively. All good. Yeah but, food is average. I keep wanting it to be better. I love the classic Italian sometimes. Ordered something unusual for me to try because menu said it was "famous" . Aglio olio capellini. Bland and loaded with tomatoes. Bibb salad had a weird vinaigrette. Side sausage in red sauce was yum. Stick to the red sauce here. read more

Buona Sera - Bibb salad - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

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The service was excellent. The ambiance is pretty. Food is just ok and really expensive, but they are the only game in town once you park to go to a Count Basie show. The risotto was not cooked properly. Many crunchy pieces. It was not edible. The braised pork was delicious. The half portion of stuffed rigatoni was huge, but it as well was under cooked. The chocolate cake was worth the $12. Huge and delicious. We do go their before any show. read more

Great experience from the time you enter until you leave. Decorated for Christmas Attentive service Culinary delight Just moved to RBank and can't wait to revisit. read more

So lively and welcoming. Close to Count Basie and NJ Transit. Food and service excellent. Will be back

Husband and I had a late lunch here on a cold winter day. When we arrived, I immediately noticed that the kitchen fans were REALLY loud in the dining room, and I knew I couldn't hear my soft-spoken husband over that noise. The hostess offered us a table near the window, but I was afraid it would be too cold (and not that much quieter). I told the hostess maybe we would come back on a warmer day. She very kindly offered to put us in the main dining room, away from both the fan and the cold windows. It was cimpletely empty and very quiet! Excellent problem-solving! Our server was pleasant and efficient. I had one of the Sardinian pizzas and a bowl of the pasta e fagiole soup - both excellent. Husband went a bit overboard and had linguini with clam sauce, onion rings, and roasted brussels sprouts. All were also excellent, with an extra point to the crispy and flavorful onion rings. It wasn't cheap but we each got another meal out of it. We really enjoyed ourselves and were glad we stayed. If they get rid of the noisy fan, I would give it a 5. read more

Buona Sera - Pasta e fagiole soup. - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

Now it's my turn for a birthday dinner. When mommy asks where to go for dinner down the shore we go to our favorite place read more

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Classic Red Bank restaurant with a mix of old world charm and more modern ambience and feel. The food is very good and the portions are large - a rare combination. The owner is always on site greeting and engaging with customers which I admire and enjoy. Been coming here for years and will continue dining at Buona Sera often. PS they have a private parking lot across the street so no circling the town and downloading app to try to park! read more