Was lucky enough to get a table outside for lunch on a rare sunny & warm day of the season. Cardinal has always been on my radar after hearing only great things and I can finally now vouch for them as well. We were seated right away on a Thursday afternoon on their front sidewalk patio. I ended up ordering the Green Machine bowl (normally vegan and gluten free) but added grilled chicken to it. It was delicious! A combo of roasted broccoli, warm lentils, parsley pesto, avocado, and marinated kale. Everything was cooked perfectly, and while this is basically something I make on rotation at home, I loved the pesto sauce and will definitely be trying to replicate that on my own. Perfect lunch that left my full and not even a little sluggish. They do have a few drinks on the menu like kombucha, cold brew, and sodas, but if you are looking for anything more than that in the coffee arena, you'll need to pop by a neighboring cafe afterwards. Service was friendly but not too fast. It was a busy day and we were in no rush, so we didn't mind. All in all, a great place for a delicious brunch. read more

Asbury Park has a moderate case of "Beacon Syndrome" in which restaurant abundance hasn't kept up with tourism levels. (It's more dire over in Ocean Grove, at least Asbury has the option of longer walks for non-touristy spots). The acclaimed cacio e pepe scrambled eggs is a solid pick, but based on a few bites I think the spring benny may have a higher BPM. Credit is due for beverage innovation; I enjoyed the black and hibiscus tea with pineapple nectar. read more

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Excellent schnitzel sandwich and my dining partner was very happy with his salad + protein. Service was friendly and fast. Ambiance is that of a casual, neighborhood place. Retro decor.would recommend if you're in Asbury. read more

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Really cute brunch spot! We had to wait for about 45 to be seated, but there's lots of shops in the area, so we had no problem passing the time. I got the bacon, egg, and brie, which I thought was such a cute name. It was also so delicious. Every single ingredient in the sandwich complimented each other. The jam with the brie was absolute perfection. My only complaint is that the sandwich was suuuuper messy, like I had it all over my hands by the time I finished but that's probably a me problem, lol. I wasn't a huge fan of the fries. I thought they could've been crispier for sure. They were just a bit soggy in texture. My friend really enjoyed her katsu sando. Overall a solid meal, though! read more

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We got recommendations from local friends not to miss the chicken and waffles at Cardinal. We sat outside under umbrellas for a lovely brunch experience. The cold brew was refreshing and helped take the edge off of the spicy chicken and waffles. I've never had it quite like this - there's a layer of green peppers, hot sauce and a bit of maple syrup and somehow it all balances perfectly. Sweet and savory and definitely spicy - yum! Service was great. I would definitely come here again. read more

Cardinal Provisions - Chicken and Waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

A cute spot with an eclectic, seasonal menu - some old standbys and some inventive dishes you won't find anywhere else (don't miss the "xuixo" just because you can't pronounce it; it's an addictive, croissant-like Catalan pastry filled with creme). A couple decent vegan options, too. Service can be leisurely, even on a slow day, and the place is a bit more spendy than it should be. But the quality of the food makes up for it, so I'll keep coming back. read more

My friend and I were in Asbury Park and looking for a fun lunch spot, when I came across Cardinal Provisions in my bookmarks list. The place looked adorable from the photos, so we decided to give it a shot. The restaurant was located downtown, just a block off the main drag, and reminded me of the farm-to-table cafes I had seen in the Catskills. It was clear that the place was focused on serving vibrant, healthy cuisine in a light-hearted environment. The staff was young, friendly, and gracious. I had been up early that morning for the long drive down to the Shore area, so I was in need of a good cup of coffee. Unfortunately, I found their Turnstile House Blend pretty weak, so it really did not do the trick, even after several refills. My Greek Bowl, on the other hand, was excellent! The large dish included lentils, parsley, cucumber, radish, olives, chickpeas, and crispy shawarma-spiced tofu. I ordered the lemon tahini dressing on the side; it turned out to be more of a hummus than a "dressing", but it was delicious! It offered a great balance of lemony brightness and earthy sesame flavors. The vegetables and legumes were super fresh, but I found the tofu too fried and hard. They were almost like flavorless breadcrumbs and really could have either been omitted or served steamed instead. Though not everything was perfect, I still found the food and atmosphere at Cardinal Provisions to be real delights. read more

I visit Cardinal once every year or so. I've been trying to like it, a lot, given the hype and lovely reviews. I've had some great dishes here, but there's always been at least 1-2 dishes I have thoroughly not enjoyed while I've been here. There's nothing wrong with it per se, but when I'm paying close to $20 for an item and it tastes meh, I'm going to be a little critical about it. Items we tried on our latest visit - 1. Lemon ricotta cake: stunning little cake that I will be back for. 2. Ube Dalgona: amazingly crafted beautiful drink with perfect Ube and a layer of Dalgona. 3. Black coffee: tasted like diner coffee. They don't have an espresso machine. 4. Eggs in purgatory: a glorified shakshuka that really did nothing for me. Eggs were set and not runny. Not "spicy" as advertised. Get the hot sauce. 5. Chicken Finger bowl: amazing execution. Chicken tenders over mashed potatoes, bacon, kale. Something I could eat every day. Great vibes, some really good food, abysmal coffee. I'll be back next year, probably. read more

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Visited a friend who lives in Asbury and he recommended we go to here for breakfast. For Saturday morning the wait was only 15 minutes and the staff was very professional and helpful. I got the blueberry crumb cake and shore fries. The crumb cake was fresh and the blueberry filling was sweet! I'm a big seafood guy and when I say the crab was amazing. It was a perfect balance of tasting like seafood, but not tasting like it just came out of the ocean. One thing that surprised me about this place was the portion size. Both the crumb cake and the shore fries were huge. You definitely get your money worth here, which is always a major plus! If you are in Asbury and looking for a brunch spot, this is the place to go! I highly recommend! read more

Cardinal Provisions - Shore fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

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My friend and I stopped by for lunch after a day sho shopping in Asbury, we sat outside, which was really nice. Our waitress was nice and was able to get us anything that we asked for very quickly. My food was good. I got the eggs and greens breakfast sandwich and it was really good and I also liked the added mustard sauce that came on it. It was a nice touch and surprise. read more

Cardinal Provisions - Eggs and greens sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

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***3 1/2 stars*** The Millennial Chum and I stopped here for lunch yesterday after going into way too many stores at the Jersey Shore Outlets (how do you say no to Uggs under $50?). The Millennial Chum is very much a regular in Asbury and was visibly surprised to find out from the hostess that this place had been around for almost a decade. Cardinal was busy but not overwhelming so, and we were able to secure indoor seating immediately despite this being prime meal time. Very pleasant interior; lots of sunlight and it reminded me of a lot of NYC brunch establishments in a good way, slightly less claustrophobic as well. I ordered the Banana Skillet Cake, and the Millennial Chum got the weekend special SXSW. I liked the Skillet Cake but it was on the bland side, even with the inclusion of the caramel and salted honey butter. It reminded me of some of the more mediocre banana puddings I've had, where the powers that be are solely relying on the banana - it's just not enough flavor. The cake itself is pretty dense/filling but was moist. The best part was the side of sausage patties I ordered, which provided a very necessary savory aspect to the proceedings and were juicy without being greasy. In hindsight, especially given how large the dish ended up being, I probably would have gotten something else. My suggestion to them would be to either go more aggressive with the caramel (maybe bake some of it into the cake as well?) or serve this with something like a scoop or two of ice cream. Your mileage may definitely vary on this issue, but I honestly thought Cardinal was a little disingenuous in how they presented their entree options. We were both decently hungry and opted for what we assumed WERE heavier dishes, but this was over the top. As you can see from my attached picture, the Cake is insanely large. It's like a legitimate cake that would serve multiple people. The SXSW was similar. I ate about half of the Cake (thankfully pre-gaming on the elliptical) but this is flat-out not a single serving or close to it. When we asked the waitress if she'd ever seen anyone finish my entree, she admitted it had only happened once. Here's the thing - there's a very compelling argument that you're getting a fantastic bang for the buck. This was about $18, and the equivalent of two or three meals (most of it is in my fridge right now). But I'd much rather have gotten a normal-sized meal without having to lug home significant leftovers (again, really depends on your perspective). The bottom line to me is that if your entree is this large, there should be a disclaimer on the menu that it serves two people. But as the Millennial Chum noted with a smirk, "Then people would only buy one." This is undoubtedly a selling point for some customers, I'm sure, but just be aware that these are not "normal" portions and if you're already loaded down with items with the Under Armour clearance rack, it could be a long trip home. The service was fantastic. We were warmly greeted outside by the entrance, and our food (which by definition included some legit prep) came out very quickly, probably in 10 minutes or so. And as mentioned, it's really hard to argue with this price point, especially when you consider we were in the heart of Asbury Park, where every business can easily upcharge on that basis alone. I've been to my share of Asbury restaurants, and I'm hard-pressed to think of a place with better prices. The breakfast sandwiches seemed to be super popular so I'd probably opt for that if I returned. Ultimately Cardinal has a lot going for it, especially in the intangibles section, which I've always argued is incredibly important and can make up for a lot of deficiencies. But it's hard to give a full-throated endorsement when the best food you had was the side. read more

Cardinal Provisions - Banana Skillet Cake. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

Overall, food and service was good. Food and drinks came out quickly and the servers were welcoming. We sat outside and the ambiance was calm and peaceful. For beverages we got a Mexican coke and the Ube Dalgona drink. The ube Dalgona was delicious and not too sweet. A must try when dining there! Started with biscuits and gravy which was slightly disappointing. Biscuit had chives baked into it and was fresh. The gravy, however tasted slightly burnt and had a bitter after taste. For entrees we got the Cacio E Pepe Scramble and tuna melt. The Cacio E Pepe scramble was delicious and came in a great portion size. The eggs were creamy and buttery. The sausage that came with the scramble was awesome. For the tuna melt I decided to get it made on sourdough and it came out amazing! The peperocinos gave the sandwich a pleasant kick. The star of the show was most definitely their house made piri piri sauce. Will definitely be coming back again! read more

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This place was not it. From the rude service to the lack of air conditioning to the mediocre food. We were put into a booth and it was a bit tight so I asked the waitress if there are any tables available and she said "no so if you don't want this table you can go outside and wait for another". Then I asked if they had Diet Coke and she looked at me like I offended her. I was given my food with no fork. I waited to see if she was around to ask for one but she wasn't in sight for a good 10 min so my friend gave me his fork. Anytime we needed anything she was no where to be found. My friend wanted hot sauce and I wanted some syrup so I had to ask a bus boy for those items. Absolutely awful service this woman provided us. Everyone else seemed friendly but she made our experience terrible. It was a warm day and the door was open so I guess the ac wasn't running. We were all sweating as we were waiting for our food. We basically rushed through lunch just so we could leave immediately. The food was ok, nothing special for the prices they charge. I ordered the chicken and waffles but received 1 waffle and 2 small pieces of chicken. My friend said his chicken sandwich was so spicy it was inedible. I wouldn't come back and I wouldn't recommend this place. read more

Cardinal Provisions - Chicken and waffle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

Definitely a must go when you are down in asbury park! Such a little gem! Super nice fun wait staff! Everyone are so friendly! They are extremely busy on a Sunday summer morning! They have tons of outdoor sitting, indoor bar sitting and dining tables. There is though quite a wait if you are there with a big group of people! Call ahead and reserve a table to save yourself some time! But it's worth the wait! I ordered chicken and waffles with an egg on top. Not a traditional chicken and waffles, so don't be disappointed when it comes to the table! lol I was looking for syrup but the dish didn't even come with syrup because of all the sauces that is already on the plate! It was very very tasty! Would love to come back and try other items on the menu! Great value too. Many of us asked for a to go box! read more

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Haven't been since 2021. Went yesterday for brunch with my mom. Curious if there are new owners now. Natalie's OJ; thought they use to have fresh squeezed. Mom ordered scrambled eggs, home fries & bacon. I had a skillet pancake. Waiter tried to politely tell me not to order it but I thought everything at Cardinal is amazing he must just not like sweet. Mom's home fries were black, dry and rock solid. Huge scrambled egg lump of wet eggs without seasoning & looked like they might've used six eggs. Bacon was fatty and thin, perhaps microwaved or pre cooked? My skillet pancake was so plain and bland. None of the typical table setting items or touches of ingredients and flavors in the dishes that were reminiscent of the Cardinal that once gave all the feels. I took two bites and that was it. The waiter came to the table with our check later & realized we barely ate and I think had a feeling of told you so. I assume Asbury tourism is sustaining them but not the charming breakfast place it once was and I'd say inedible. Skip read more

Cardinal Provisions - Scrambled Eggs, bacon, homefries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

This was recommended by the team at the hotel where I stayed. When you see something creative like cacio e pepe scrambled eggs on a menu... The dual young people at the host stand could have been a touch more attentive and communicative. They seemed unsure and nervous (maybe standing in for someone?) Once sat, a fair bit of time went by before I even got water. It was delivered by the server who did seem to have most of the tables, so I can give a bit of grace for the wait. The food came out relatively fast and it was delicious. Wonderfully executed dish. I recommend for the food. read more

Quite possibly the world's finest breakfast: cacio e pepe scrambled eggs, sausage, garlicky Parmesan toast, greens with lemon and olive oil. Superb coffee with refills. Memorable! read more

Cardinal Provisions - This morning. It never fails! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

Went here with wifey for Sunday brunch on this cloudy summer afternoon. We were told there was an hour wait and they would text us when a table was available. We walked up the street to another establishment to have a bellini and a blood orange mimosa to pass the time. Got the text about 45 min in and headed over. The drinks had us extra hungry. I ordered the cacio pepe eggs which comes with an arugula side salad, two pork sausage patties and grilled sourdough bread. I added a side of fries. My wife ordered the New Mexico Bowl. Eggs were fluffy, creamy, and seasoned well. Sausage patties tasted like pork from the farm not from the meat distributor. Sourdough was a thick slice that was a great complement to the rest of the food. Arugula salad was nothing special but the peppery arugula was a healthy addition to the meal. The fries were the unhealthy addition to the meal and tasted like it in the best possible way. Shoestring, fried to crispy and still soft on the inside. My wife loved the New Mexico bowl. We sat outside on a not too hot, overcast day and it was a great way to spend the afternoon in Asbury. read more

Cardinal Provisions - Cacio pepe eggs with sausage, sourdough, arugula, and fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

Chicken and waffles- special get again Balboa (pork sandwich) no Grilled cheese- nah Bfast burrito- well done, don't get again read more

My girlfriend was really excited to go there. Unfortunately that's the type of fancy place that serves matcha at close to $10 and doesn't have basic beverage like Diet Coke (but proud to have their "Mexican Coke"). Food was okay, service was bad (30 minutes to get the order) and our table outside, despite to have a European style, was not stable so that our coffee was spilling on the table. read more

An adorable little brunch spot in Ashbury Park! I was visiting friends near the area, and we stopped by for some brunch. I got a breakfast burrito and the apple cider dalgona, and we got an order of fries to share. First and foremost, the burrito hit the spot - very filling and worked well with the amazing hot sauce. The fries were also delicious and crispy. And my drink looked so pretty, and while the coffee and cider mix was a bit weird at points, it was not a bad combo. There was a long line to get into the restaurant, but my friends and I opted to dine outside. So we didn't wait too long. It was a really great spot, and I already have some ideas of what to order the next time I'm in town (I'm looking at you Banana Skillet Cake!). read more

Cardinal Provisions - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

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Food was really great. Lots of Mexican food options. Though the place is popular and crowded, our host was professional and speedy.

My husband and I recently returned to Asbury Park six months after our first visit, and our primary goal (aside from relaxing with our beloved dog) was to visit Cardinal at least two more times. I'm happy to report that we were successful, and both of our most recent visits were as extraordinary as our first two experiences. This place alone could easily convince us to relocate to AP. It's that good. I was happy to see that the market greens were the same as before (so tasty), and I loved finally trying the cacio e pepe scrambled eggs and their turkey club. My husband was almost devastated by the fact that the chicken biscuit sandwich was no longer on the menu, but then he experienced the brisket Benedict. I thought he was going to pass out when he took his first bite. I'm generally not a fan of brisket, but it was admittedly among the best brisket dishes I've ever sampled. Not surprising, given how amazing everything is here. The service was exceptional, as always, and one of the servers even remembered us from our visit six months ago. I wish this place continued success for many years to come and am already looking forward to returning someday soon. read more

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We came around 11am and the place was packed on a random Thursday! Oh my god, it smelled so good when we entered! We shared the kale salad which was so good and was only 5$! My wife got the Gravlax bagel and I had the chicken biscuit. Everything was amazing and fresh! The service was very attentive and friendly as well! We will be back! read more

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This place is AMAZING! The drink was so unique and delicious, the food was not only delicious but came out quickly and was truly something I will be back for!!!!! The service was also great and everything was very efficient. I also really liked the vibe of the restaurant, it's giving the usual asbury vibes (so cute!!!) if you're around the area, I highly recommend read more

Cardinal Provisions - New Mexico Bowl - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

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Cardinal Provisions is nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a warm, welcoming vibe that blends vintage charm with a cool, modern twist. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the food they serve -- and wow, the food! Every dish feels like it's made with heart and soul. Their menu is creative without being pretentious, offering bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and unique twists on brunch classics. The pastrami hash? Life-changing. The French toast? A decadent dream. Even the coffee is top-tier, and I'm picky about my coffee. What really sets Cardinal apart is how everything feels thoughtful -- from the plating to the playlist to the funky decor. You don't just eat here, you experience it. If you're in Asbury Park and love brunch (or just good food in general), do yourself a favor and make this your first stop. You'll be thinking about it long after the last bite. read more

My friends and I were passing through Asbury Park and decided to stop here for brunch on a Sunday and it was packed! Wait time was over an hour but it wasn't a problem for us because there are a lot of cute little stores and bakeries around so we explored while waiting. The staff is very nice and friendly and once you're seated, they're pretty prompt with bringing everything out. We got the chicken & waffles and cacio e pepe scrambled eggs and also tried the ube coffee, everything was super delicious! Definitely worth trying if you're in the neighborhood. read more

Cardinal Provisions - BRUNCH - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

This place was super cute! Their ube coffee was so gooooddd!! Super light and it was dairy free!! It was not sweet at all which I enjoyed. It included shreds of coconut which was a nice surprise. I got the eggs Benedict halibut special. Super light and the suave was the best part as it wasn't too creamy as someone that is lactose intolerant. Tip the last 1 hour they sell their pastries for $1 read more

Cardinal Provisions - Ube coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

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chicken and waffles were the best i've ever had. so many flavors and they went together perfectlyyyy. the herbed yogurt was a great add to it ube drink was pretty good cacio e pepe scrambled eggs were mid cozy ambiance great service, they gave us pastries on the house because it was our first time which was so nice!! cute merch too read more

Cardinal Provisions - ube + whipped espresso - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

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Okay.... So we came to this little cute place... Received with a smile and greetings. No one was waiting so we were sited right away. We order our drinks and they have oat milk for coffee. I was recorded by a very sweet (prego) waitress to try the vegan sub!!! Omg omg This is it!!! I am from Cali... tofu is a normal thing to eat in Cali. So far any other tofu sub has not had this great flavor... like Turkey. So my family loved it too. OMG THE BATHROOM SUPER CLEAN!!!!!!! parking on the street. read more

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Such a cute, peaceful, yummy place to try out. We sat outside along with flowers under the white parasols. So happy to have found this place for amazing brunch, lunch. We had * blueberry cake preparing 25 min but pretty good and huge * cacio e pepe scramble egg We will come back ! read more

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The short: this place is legit amazing, go here The long: We stopped by Sunday for brunch and there was quite a line, always a good sign. Had to wait about an hour for a table, but it ended up being well worth the wait. Plenty of drink options, we went for the fresh brewed black tea which was super refreshing. Next time I would skip my morning coffee and try one of the cold brew specials. Menu has a wild array of options I had a hard time picking. We ended up going with the Gravlax and the Kim-cheesteak with a side of marinated local greens and a side of fries. Sandwiches were fantastic, the Gravlax was the best bagel and lox I've had and the cheese steak was a delightful kimchee umami bomb. The sides were fantastic, I will be dreaming about that marinade on the kale. Overall a simply fantastic meal. Huge flavor, huge portions, and fantastic service. GO HERE read more

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This is one of the best breakfast spots with a unique menu and excellent service. The food is prepared with care. Also a great selection of beverages from Mexican Coke to Maple Brown Sugar Cold Brew. read more

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This place! We went for brunch on a Saturday. We loved the creativity of the menu. Excellent coffee and tea drinks. Perfectly executed dishes. Recommend. read more

The vibe of this place is like grown up hipster, the soundtrack is bands that played CBGB, and the food is comforting and decadent. The shore fries were covered in lump crab, cheese sauce, and shishito peppers. The croissant came with kettle corn on top and, like, a maple glaze inside, and the coffee was hot, acidic, and slightly painful, the way diner coffee should be. Definitely a great place to grab breakfast before heading to the beach. read more

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Good energy. Friendly service good food. Menu options has appetizing choices to experience, not just eat.

Popular and dog friendly with decent food, fantastic brunch beverages. Kind of off putting when, after having patiently waited 45 minutes for a table, we were rushed throughout the meal by the server repeatedly asking if we were ready for the check while we were obviously still eating and ordering more. read more

Cardinal Provisions - Ube dalgona coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Asbury Park, New Jersey

The food was okay - but given the rating and photos (because isn't that how we all decide on a place via Yelp?!) I expected more. The service was great - our server was attentive and offered prompt recovery of a sad bagel sandwich. Our first part of our meal started with having to return an OJ glass with lipstick all over it. I think this place is having kitchen issues because we noticed quite a few other tables had something a little off. Plus my order came without greens and Dijon and had to be sent back. read more

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Came here for brunch midweek. Place was full but I was seated immediately. I had the dalgona ube coffee. It was pricey for $10 but so delicious. I ordered the brisket grilled cheese and my husband ordered the chicken and waffle. Both were yummy! We will be back read more

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It was just okay. We waited an hour to be seated. I understand it's a holiday, but why tell us 30-45 and then make us wait close to 2x that. They were out of two dishes we wanted (shrimp Cobb and ricotta toast). The food itself was also mid. Ordered the eggs and greens sandwich and the greens were raw and dry (not what I expected). The sandwich was served on a small plate and small roll, which made it difficult to eat. The Cacio e Pepe scramble was just okay. It was more sprinkled on top and the bread was hard and stale. The avocado toast had no seasoning. The fried shrimp wrap was the best thing and enjoyed it as it was seasoned well and had nice textures. The server was pleasant but not attentive (e.g., didn't give two of us utensils). Maybe an off day. read more