As would appear to be the norm- over an hour wait which was fine as they made a nice drink and the peppered bacon was an interesting bar snack. Dinner was good but grossly over priced (or one could also say -- for the price it was a bad meal) Paying for location only and sometimes that is good enough. read more

Oh this is our favorite place. Never had a bad meal or bad service. A little pricey but well worth it. Menu somewhat limited and food very rich. Not for the health nut. Great seafood and steaks. Nice wine menu. Wonderful views and atmosphere. We loveChef Mike. He's the best read more

Food was great, high standard and really enjoyed. However one thing bugged me. It was the advertisement of the food as 'sexy', I think the food is of high quality and by referring to it as sexy cheapens it. I personally feel it's a bit trashy....the advertising I mean.,.....as I say the food was great..... read more

This is a review of the daytime deck bar which is open during the summer months. It's very small but cozy. Very reasonable priced food and drink specials for the Jersey shore in the summer on the beach. $1-$2 hot dogs and $5 frozen drink specials are common. Touristy drinks are less expensive than most other summer bar prices. Live music several times per week. Friendly staff and a great view of the beach. Decorated with a fun "Jimmy Buffett-ish" tropical style. Had great views of a very clean beach! read more

Good Experience ~ our meals were all delish ~ good service as well ~ Would recommend :) read more

Love, love, love this place! We've gone here before for dinner and it's always on point. We decided to make it the dinner venue for after our wedding ceremony and they killed it! We have nearly 30 people in our party and they had food out fast and as always, delicious. Love their desserts! read more

My friend and I stopped in last night to pick up a gift certificate. We stayed for a drink and an appetizer. Food is fantastic. Bartender was helpful. View of the ocean. ...awesome! Can't wait to go back again and have dinner. read more

Great food and nice view. We sat by the Bar right away but be prepared to wait. We were told they only took reservations for parties of 6 or more. One of the better restaurants in the area. Will be going back again. read more

I took my wife and daughter here to celebrate her graduation. What a great dining experience to cap off a great day! Excellent food, great service, beautiful view!! My wife and I have been to the ABG many times and it's always been great. Even when it's busy and you have to wait, who cares when you can have some drinks outside and watch the waves roll in. read more

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Not happy, my daughter has been raving about this place. I sent my chicken back, so dry, lack luster & waited over an hour for our meals Kitchen was over whelmed could not handle the crowd! Disappointed. read more

After countless visits to ABG and now Chef Mike's ABG we are still so happy with the wonderful food and drinks but also the incredible staff. We started going there for special occasions in 2005 . We make our way there every week now to enjoy Mike's 5 star menu and the friendliness of all of his staff. Each of the servers are always pleasant and professional as are the bus boys and hostess. Let's not forget the great view now enhanced by palms that give it a mini vacation vibe and the most important of all...the over the top food and drinks. Last night we had the soft shell crab special and scallops and a wonderful Strawberry Lemonade Martini...and have to say even after all the times we have enjoyed ABG...last night made us even more grateful we have such a great place to go to whenever we need to relax and enjoy Chef Mike's mastery!!! read more

When you first arrive, the building is "strange" and it is connected to a motel though I don't think there is an affiliation. Once you figure out how to get inside the atmosphere is lovely and there are views of the beach and ocean. The food was delicious. I had an appetizer, soup, and entree and all were wonderful. read more

Heard about this new restaurant from a good friend. Went there for a special dinner and was pleasantly surprised. The hostesses as well as the waitress were amazingly sweet. Started off our meal with grilled octopus. It was very well seasoned and sliced for us. The calamari which normally is pretty generic tasting at most restaurants was so yummy with its sweet tang. They have a great selection of seafood meals the teriyaki tuna with Japanese noodles was great. The grilled seafood platter consisting of lobster, scallop, tuna and shrimp was perfectly seasoned and tasty. The cocktails were great as well. You can't get a better view of the ocean ! read more

Went on a Saturday night without reservations, the place was crowded but we were able to be seated in the bar area in about 15 minutes. Great food and excellent service, Erin L was our waitress. She was friendly and attentive. Crab bisque soup was tasty and had small bits of crab. Filet mignon was cooked perfectly but lobster tail was a little tough, I haven't had a good one anywhere in years. The short rib Mac and cheese was to die for! It was creamy and cheesy with just the right amount of short rib meat. To end this delicious dinner we had a piece of the flourless chocolate truffle cake which sat on a raspberry purée with a dollop of whipped cream, as I said above it was to die for and the best I've had in years. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and am looking forward to coming again. read more

Hands down the classiest place in the Seaside area, all you have to do is find the entrance. For a second I thought I was in an escape room scenario. I knew this was going to be a good dining experience when I saw that they were offering peppered bacon at the bar. Great views of the water from both the bar and restaurant. Wonderful dinner atmosphere. Very creative food presentation only to be topped by the amazing flavors the food provided. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone who values excellent food. read more

My family and I have been coming to Chef Mike's forever and have followed Chef Mike to other restaurants prior. The service, food, drinks, atmosphere and view is amazing. Fried calamari, tuna lollipops, and hummus are some favorite apps. As for dinner- the steaks and seafoods never disappoint. read more

I really had high hopes for ABG. The wait was nonexistent. It was fairly busy and they seated us immediately. And that pretty sums up all the positive parts from this ordeal. Service was awful. No other way to put it. I'm not a complainer by any means. And I always tip well. I felt that the waitress stereotyped us before we even said 2 words. Unfortunately for her, we always tip at least 20% for average service. The service was far from average. It took about 20 minutes to get our first round of drinks. Then the waitress disappeared for close to 30 minutes. We actually had to flag her down in order to place our order. The apps were good. I had the short ribs mac and cheese. Decent sized portion, good flavor. For my meal, I ordered the filet mignon medallions. Another person in our party ordered mushrooms as a side and it looked like the waitress forgot. She had to wait another few minutes for the mushrooms to show up. The waitress seemed like she was eating Xanax in the bathroom or something.. she was on another planet. Completely apathetic towards all her mistakes. The food was average at beast. For $40 I was really expecting more. Don't get me wrong, the food wasn't bad. It was ok... it didn't make me sick, the portion was fairly large. It just was too full of sauces. You couldn't even taste the actual steak. In summation, over-priced and under-delivered. Which seems to be par for the course around here... read more

Very pricey and trendy and the portions are small. Its lure is where its located right off the ocean with beautiful views but that will lure you into a very disappointing and expensive night. I went a few years back and got a lobster with one claw- THEY would not get me one with 2 saying thats what they have- It was a crayfish for Gods sake it was so small and when I should have walked out-well you dont do that but it just plain sucked. My wife was shocked I took it. The bar is usually crowded and noisy and you know you will be paying big $ after a bender there. We stayed at IBML too and thought that would be a great place to hang- but it would have cost us as much as the vacation itself-so go find other hang outs that have specials. This place gives you nothing but an empty wallet. Lets just sat it was bad a few years back so maybe it improved-maybe not? For the cost go to the Pier House or Berkeley all right nearby and both with better reputations and food and cost! read more

Not one to write reviews but dinner with friends here last night was superb! Every course was delicious, the stand outs were the tuna poke, goat cheese salad, steamed clams, and seabass! The service was great, our waitress Ana, aka Jlo, was fun to interact with, we will def request her next time we are down! Thank you for the hospitality! read more

Recommended by a business associate. went for father's day, 4 adults. boisterous tables near us but view and food fantastic. Our server, Chelsea, was friendly, knowledgeable, and let us sit with drinks and menus for as long as we needed. when two steaks were underdone (for our liking) we were brought a complimentary shrimp cocktail (yum!) everything was great: oysters (malpec) were as fresh as they get, the shrimp were huge, and the king crab legs giant and as fresh as you could get considering they're from the west coast. would def go again. Would look for a bar menu though as, for us, this is def a special occasion restaurant. read more

The food was superb, I'll give it that. But it ends there. The service was just awful. Be prepared to wait long stretches between check-ins, to be confronted with complete indifference, to deal with total amateur freshmen runners, bussers and waiters. The entire waitstaff experience was just a joke. It's a real shame. If they retrained the staff, this place could still be a gem! I would probably try it again just for the food - but I sincerely hope they do something about those employees. read more

Unfortunately I can't review the restaurant or food. Being a local decided to wait until September to give Chef Mikes a try. As a fellow Johnson & Wales alumni was excited to experience his skills. Understand completely that a no reservation policy means a wait. But I was appalled by the hostess and 2.5 hour wait. It was not even the wait that scared me most, he was the most arrogant, rude, unprofessional greeter I have ever experienced. Even if he was busy or having a bad night! To make matters worse when we finally received a call at 3 hours later letting us know our table was ready, they were just as rude. Chef Mike's may have good food, but he needs to go back to J&W to learn hospitality if this is who represents the front of house and making the first impression. Completely turned off. read more

After reservations were made a few weeks earlier, we were denied entry because the reservation was for 6 people and only 5 attended due to one canceling on the entire trip. On top of this they were quite rude about how they spoke to us. We asked to see the manager and he was even worse. We stay every year at the motel where this restaurant is housed but we will never go to this restaurant again. As it turned out we went to a restaurant a few streets away and had a fabulous experience. read more

This is a restaurant with high prices ($25-$35 entrees), but a more middle-of-the road dining experience. Service was extremely slow -- slow for the appetizer, slow to get the soup and salad, then slow to get the entrée. The place was small, noisy and packed, and the lighting where were was dark. I thought the food I had was on the average side, but with spectacular presentation. The soup was bland. It had a dirty, hard-to-find entrance, and the bathroom should have been cleaner. But if they had better service, better lighting, more flavor in the food, and it were cleaner, I think you would be much much closer to the prices that we paid -- around $150 for three people and no drinks. ( read more

The view is beautiful, the food phenomenal and the prices aren't terrible for a waterfront high end restaurant. So why only 3 stars? The wait and the noise. ABG only takes reservations for groups of 6 or more. The result, a small restaurant filled with large groups. This makes the place loud and makes it impossible for a couple or a table of 4 to get seated. We went there on our Anniversary on a Thursday night. The bar was full of couples waiting for tables. We got there at a quarter to 8 and our "45 minute wait" ended up being 9:15 by the time we sat. There were 3 large groups in the dining room who took up the tables all night, leaving little space to seat anyone else. There are 4 2-top tables along the crowded bar and we watched as couple after couple refused to be sat in these tables that get bumped into by the 3 deep bar, while the groups, half full of kids, enjoyed their ocean view tables. Either take reservations or don't, but taking them for 6 or more in a place that small means misery for everyone else. This was our 3rd trip there this season. The first time was a weekday in May, no wait, no problem. But the second time we went at 5:30 on a Thursday and had to sit in the back after a 20 minute wait while once again groups dominated the ocean front room. Both times once we got seated the service was great and the food was great, but the acoustics in that place are bad to begin with and those groups make the room loud. Add to that on our anniversary a piano player whose piano faced into the room and played loudly to be heard over the noise. It was impossible for us to even talk to each other through dinner. The highlight of our anniversary dinner was dessert because it was so late by then the groups had left, the piano player quit and we could finally enjoy ourselves. And the molten cake was to die for. I do have to say we've never had anything there we didn't love and the filet with Gorgonzola crab sauce is out of this world. read more

Been going there for years as local resident. On average, we are dining at the bar 2-3 times per week. Unfortunately, Mike's (the new owner and old chef) slogan "Bringing Sexy Food Back" does not extend to the staff. They used to have very welcoming hostesses and managers (and owners). The hostesses were forced to leave because they were "too attractive" and "too nice". The manager is simply unapproachable and cannot hold a conversation. The assistant kitchen staff were observed berating the employees. And Mike, when confronted with compliments on the great change in menu does not take the time from the closet kitchen to greet the regulars and acknowledge the thanks. If you want decent food, go there. If you want to feel comfortable and welcomed, go someplace else. read more

In the Food and Beverage/restaurant industry, service is everything. I walked into this place a little after 5pm and the unprofessional hostess told me that if I wanted a table I had to eat a full meal, or go sit at the bar (same choice of words and disrespect). At the bar they told us we couldn't sit with my 15 yr old child, which makes sense, but they refused to sit us at a table so we could enjoy a couple of drinks. Did I mention the place was empty, except for 2 tables? I asked for the manager, after basically being told I couldn't sit anywhere. The manager said we could sit in the table by the entrance or in the backyard tables were there was no service. I felt totally discriminated against. Unprofessional staff from top to bottom. A waitress later offered a 2nd round for free.... no thanks! read more

Brought my family here over the summer for dinner. After our first visit, it was a must go to every weekend we were down the shore. There is quite the variety on the menu and something for everyone. We were able to get a table by the window a couple of times and you can't beat the view. If you are sitting at the bar, you have to try the bacon, it beats a bowl of peanuts anyday. read more

It's taken a little time, but ABG has gotten its act together. Service is good, food is very good- go with the fish specials. My only knock is the acoustics - very load mainly fo to large party's. read more

Good food not worth the wait or price. Very salty lots of fried food that covered small portions of seafood. Sauces kind of bland. Service sub par at best. I have eaten all over the world and for the price not worth it read more

The food is fabulous. The location is unmatched. On the beach, great views. If you come in a bathing suit you're an idiot. It's a restaurant, dress appropriately. Or go to the boardwalk restaurants/bars. Don't expect to take up tables just to order a drink, it's a small place. You know?...a business! Trying to stay in business! The reviewers on here need to be reviewed. You're out of line. Don't bring children and try to sit at a bar. For real? Sorry to be so blunt, but I'm a local and we're the ones keeping these places in business after the flock Of tourists leave. We can't keep them if reviews sink them for nonsense. With all that being said: it is loud inside. It does have a mix of dressy vs casual. They're are families and larger parties seated in close proximity to couples. If romance is your desire, maybe try another place. It is pricey, but they also have good "deals" when being run. Food is quality, maybe a little more butter or oil than I like - but that's just me. Salads ala carte and I'm not a fan of that (love me some salad!) worth trying and making your own opinion. Everyone has different expectations for a good experience. read more

Our waitress, Erin, who's proceeded to tell us married to the general manager, was extremely rude when one of our 12 entrees were not palatable. The food was good but can't modify any order. We wanted angel hair pasta instead of bow ties and was told that we could not deviate from the menu. You must order appetizers and entrees at the same time. Bread will not be put on your table until your full order is placed. We did not see the general manager. I hope he's not as rude as Erin. The owner should be concerned with having such a terrible employee and procedures in place. The bill was well over $750.00. We deserved much better service. read more

The food is good but for the price you expect it to be better. 2nd time there this season and both times the wine that we ordered was served WARM. not the proper temp., not room temp, WARM!! if you are the owner and you are reading this review, please spend the time and money to address this problem. You owe it to your customers. Next issue with this weekend's meal, "Lump Crab Meat Avocado Stack"...there was NO lump crab meat. It was a sliced cucumber topped with a bruschetta mixture and sparsely sprinkled throughout were tiny shreds of crab meat. 100% false advertising and at $16 you should be ashamed of yourself. Third and final problem, $65 wagyu steak ordered medium rare gets served rare, sent back to kitchen and comes back medium. I know that stuff like this happens and if I was at my local pub I'd take it with a grain of salt, but when you are portraying yourself as a high end establishment this is unacceptable. Aside from all of this, the rest of the meal was above average and the ambiance is nice. read more

This is the first time in 4 years that I have been back to ABG and it was extremely disappointing. While the appetizers and soups were good, the main courses were awful. Our table had steaks that were over cooked, fatty and with no flavor. The lobster meat was hard on the outside and mushy on the inside. The mashed potatoes were runny and the shrimp in the pasta was rubbery. For the prices we paid we expected a lot more. To be fair, our waitress Erin was excellent. I don't know what happened in the last 4 years but improvements are needed right away. read more

We were disappointed with the new menu. Their signature dishes are no longer available such as filet mignon medallions, tuna and even the great chopped salad was replaced. can't understand how they don't have not one chicken dish on the menu. this was always our favorite place. other friends have commented how disappointed they were as well. the roasted garlic with the bread is now replaced by cloves swimming in olive oil. unless the chef is the owner, why give him so much power and lose your faithful, all year round, customers! Hope hte new chef reconsiders some of the delicious old items. Trish, OG read more

I have eaten here many times throughout the years and always enjoyed their food. The atmosphere is good but a bit tight. There is outdoor seating and a good view as long as you look to the sea. To get to this restaurant one has to walk through a motel that gives you doubt about a good restaurant at the end but it is there. Excellent fish and other dishes that are delicious. A bit pricy but not over the top. A good wine list as well. read more

'Fine' dining options or at least those that approach the term are almost non existent in Ocean County but Atlantic Bar and Grill comes pretty close. I've eaten there on many occasions, both in and off season and the food and service has been consistently superb. The most impressive aspect is the scope of the menu and how well the food is prepared. Out of the dozens of times dining there, I don't believe I've had a dish I didn't care for and certainly came across a few that became instant favorites. The skill, preparation and plating, not to mention the freshness of the ingredients seem to surpass all other establishments in the area by quite a large margin. As others have noted, it is a rather small space but clean and modernly decorated with floor to ceiling window views of the ocean. It does tend to get a bit loud and reservations can be hard to come by, especially in peak times during the summer but a wait is well worth it. Once you've been seated, the wait staff is knowledgeable and better yet just as attentive as need be. A drink order is brought first thing and the staff knows enough to let the table enjoy their cocktail and relax, just talk and settle in without even cracking open a menu yet. Small touches like that go a long way in making a dining experience that much more enjoyable. read more

2 stars is for the service. Food and drink were awful. From the lackluster cocktail list, to the food that was anything but "sexy" as the chef says in his opening statement on the menu. The restaurant itself may have been the best part of my experience. A beautiful design. The food was prepared like the chef graduated from culinary in the 60s. Ahi tuna that's seared and served on sticks was frozen out of a bag and the kitchen can try to deny it but when I've worked in multiple kitchens throughout my culinary career I've seen it bagged from us foods/Cisco before. The entrees were very bland. Nothing sexy about the way anything was prepared. Ordered the land and sea and sent it back twice then just gave up. My counter parts didn't enjoy there meals either except for the chicken, cause I mean what genius messes up chicken. Very disappointed. I work for a Michelin chef, a James beard award winner. My advise to the owner don't try and pass yourself off as something you aren't cause someone like myself will pick up on it. read more

Amazing place!! Definitely worth the wait. We waited by the bar with tasty beverages and peppered BACON!! How brilliant!!! Instead of dull bar nuts and pretzels they had peppered bacon on the bar. We got fresh crispy ones when we devoured the first batch. The dinner was out of this world. Fresh seafood and great ambiance. We will make this a regular spot. Wish we had more places like this one down the shore. read more

Went to Chef Mike's to try out their Restaurant Week Menu. I haven't been there in a few years and I wasn't impressed. We had a calamari app. It was ok. Nothing special, though the spice heat of the dish was perfect. A bit too sweet, needed some soy sauce. Also had short ribs which were in baked beans that could have come out of a can. Breaded cod with a mushroom sauce over orzo. I understand that it was supposed to be a fall take on cod, but that sauce really belonged on some beef. My warm chocolate lava cake was just warm enough, but served on a cold plate with a cold chocolate sauce. Service was quite good. Doubt we'll be back. The value is just not there. read more