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.

Excellent and delicious choices of pizza. Staff was friendly & hospitable…read more We shared a few slices. The grandmas was excellent, the chicken and vodka was good, and we shared a Carmela salad which was fresh & simple yet great. We also took home a chicken bacon ranch and a veggie slice to try and, they were good. Crust is nice on all the pizza!

For a mom n pop pizzeria, Carmela's sure is one of the best NY style pizzas that I've had. We…read moreordered a large size cheese pizza, along with some garlic knots/bread. The pizza came out hot n ready from the oven. The cheese was just stretching away and the sauce was robust. The dough itself tasted very good. We sprinkled some red crush peppers and garlic seasoning/powder. Mmmmm more and more garlic. And more garlic. And wait....even more garlic. The garlic knots were delicious. They were heated warm And I asked them to lace it with extra garlic oil. A perfect combination of both items. There's a few tables inside and it's a simple looking pizzeria. They do offer pizza by the slices also.

The Doughfather had a smaller spot, but it has since moved to a larger place with a sit-down…read morerestaurant that's truly romantic, classic and special. The inside has the typical takeout pizza counter for quick, casual dining. The sit down experience you need to be or should dress up. Perfect for a family gathering, or a date with your special one. The owner and the staff know are profesional, they're funny and engaging. *The food quality: they only put the best ingredients- and you can rate it *alfredi pasta is incredible.. just amazing *the calzone is ridiculously huge -- My favorite experience was when i ordered a calzone with a ridiculous amount of pineapple and i love pineapple on pizza too

A friend and I grabbed some lunch at The Doughfather and overall, it was good. They offer indoor…read moredining near their pizza counter if you are just there to grab a couple of slices, but also have a separate dining room for the full restaurant service. I had a Stillwell slice and buffalo chicken slice, both of which were fresh and tasty. The buffalo chicken slice however was not spicy at all, so I'd consider getting a side of buffalo to dip/drizzle to add a kick. I also had their in house orange soda which was very good! My friend had a Sicilian slice, grandma slice, and root beer, all of which he enjoyed. We also grabbed 3 plain slices to go and the total was a little over $40, which was a little higher than expected. They have a large variety of slices which is enough to draw me in for another try. See you soon!

I absolutely love coming to Ciro's for their chicken parm! The chicken is always so tender and the…read moresauce is fresh and flavorful. On this lunch trip, however, we sat at the bar and I opted to grab a burger on my friend's recommendation. Our bartender was quick to take our order and the food came out quickly too. I picked a Cajun burger cooked medium and the temp came out just right. The burger was flavorful, but not very spicy. I wish they would have kicked up the spice level a notch or two. My one friend had the same burger and said they are usually more spicy. The portion of fries was a bit small, but overall the meal was filling enough to leave me satisfied. The bar area has a nice backlit display and seats about 15. There are some high top tables in the bar area as well. The regular dining area is much larger and is more elevated, but semi-formal dress is plenty fine You won't be disappointed if you visit Ciro's. NOTE: They do NOT have pickles. My friends knew this and knew that they were getting burgers, so they brought a few pickle spears

We had a company lunch to celebrate a birthday. Selected this restaurant based on reviews alone…read moresince didn't know anyone who had been here. We were a party of 8. Initially we were a bit taken back because the waitress told us she couldn't take an order for appetizers first, that we had to order the entire order at once. She eventually did take our appetizers order separately. Things definitely went up from here, not only the service but the meal. Everything we ordered from appetizers to desserts were amazing. Not a single complaint from anyone. Their bruschetta appetizers, excellent. And their salmon entree was delicious. Definitely recommend this restaurant for their delicious food and the great service.

Via Sposito in Old Bridge, NJ is incredible. A family run restaurant with great people and the most…read moredelicious food. We have eaten there 3 times in 6 days. Absolutely amazing!!! Appetizers to die for - fried calamari, clams oreganato, everything is DELICIOUS. Pasta dishes that make you cry they are so delicious. Now let's talk about the pizza. True Neapolitan pizza. The crust is light and crispy and so special. The margarita pie is killer, the Emiliano - with prosciutto, Arugola, truffle oil and Parmigiano Reggiano is the best pie in Old Bridge. It is not even close. Via Sposito is a hidden gem and among the best restaurants in NJ. Get there as soon as possible. You will be blown away.

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.

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.

Celebrated my husband's birthday with dinner here. The spot is moody and dark. Service was fine, no…read morecomplaints. What we ordered: - POLETTE (pine nuts raisins beef meatballs, tomato sauce, melted cacio cavallo - CALAMARI (fried squid, spicy tomato sauce) - SALTIMBOCCA (veal tenderloin scaloppini, prosciutto, bufala mozzarella, spinach, crispy sage, brandy sauce, fingerling potatoes) - CINQUANTA (fifty layered lasagne, spinach pasta, veal tenderloin stew, cheese, mushrooms, marsala sauce) - NON-ALCOHOLIC SPRITZ - NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK BELLINI The food was good. It was a good experience overall.

We had not been to La Cucina in a while. but let me just…read moresay.. our food was fantastic! fresh and big portions. we had grilled octopus, calamari, the Brussels sprouts salad is to die for! my husband and 2 others had the halibut special it comes over risotto, 2 of us had the chicken Milanese and one of our friends got the steak with onion rings! excellent! We were treated like family as soon as we walked thru the door, the owner Salvina is so accommodating and friendly. The ambiance is so nice, you can actually sit and have a normal conversation. Service was great! our waitress Nina went over all the specials and was very attentive... as so was the rest of the staff. It is a byob.. and Liz is the professional mixer, she actually comes to your table and mixes your cocktails. very nice touch!! The prices are not over the top and you're not rushed out, I highly recommend to go!!! It was a very nice experience.

We hadn't been back to LCN in a bit and figured it would be a good spot to meet for a cousin's…read moredinner. We had a 6:30 Saturday reservation and it served no purpose. We waited 45 minutes in a crowded vestibule along with others who also had to wait up to an hour. This did not go over well for our party of six. On to the food and service. Appetizers Burrata & prosciutto Beet salad Octopus Seared artichokes Crab cake- lots of filler, not the best Entrees NY strip steak Snapper over risotto Berkshire pork chop Rigatoni Bolognese Branzino Dessert Flourless chocolate cake w gelato- very good Blueberry tart Apple tart Blueberry lemon pound cake Only the chocolate cake was a stand out. The others fell short. The food and service are very good. In defense of the server, she did send fried zucchini on the house for our wait and it was appreciated. However, based on other reviews and our experience, I will return-but it won't be on a weekend night and be subjected to that kind of wait again. Cramming a restaurant and not honouring reservations eventually gets old.

You MUST try Amorina Ristorante Italiano in Marlboro, NJ!…read more I recently had the pleasure of dining at Amorina with a couple of friends, and from the moment we walked into the beautifully decorated restaurant, we knew we were in for something special. Everything was phenomenal! We shared baked clams, stuffed artichoke and salads, followed by Penne Vodka, Veal Parmigiana, Rigatoni Bolognese, and Grouper & Scallops Oreganata. Every single dish was beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious. And dessert? Bananas Foster -- incredible and the perfect ending to an amazing meal! Owners Joe and Colleen are always on-site, and you can truly see the love and attention they put into every detail. They really do a beautiful job making you feel welcome. Colleen Pisacreta 100% recommend! Amorina Ristorante Italiano Marlboro, NJ -- right next door to the Marlboro Post Office. Open 6 days a week -- Monday through Saturday! Definitely add Amorina to your list. We can't wait to go back! Amorinaitalian.com

Life is precious, we all know that. Its so hard to find places where the food and ambience are…read moreworth your time and money. Amorina is a rare gem where you get savor great food and spend that ever so precious time with family to make unforgettable memories. The food, ambience, and hospitality was amazing to celebrate my husband birthday . We will definitely be back

Italian Touch is a nice intimate pizzeria and restaurant serving the area for about 14 years and…read morethe son whose father was in the business a good 30 years. There is pizza of all varieties and moves fast. Their subs and meals are generous and made to perfection. You have your regulars at lunch and dinner and a line for take out. The three (pawn stars) will keep you amused. A nice welcome and a departing goodbye...Alan from Stonebridge in Monroe NJ.

Hubs picked this place while we were in Jersey. Being born and raised in NYC, I spent a lot of time…read morein Jersey and never had bad food. I wanted pizza so bad so I went along with my husband's choice, even though I was apprehensive about this place regarding the pizza. Upon walking in, we were greeted immediately by the staff behind the pizza counter. When you walk in, the ordering counter is right there and you can choose to order to go or sit & dine in, as well as table service. We decided to dine in with table service. The area seemed small space wise but there were plenty of tables and it did not feel crammed. I luckily browsed reviews prior to visiting because they do not serve wine or beer but you can BYOB. We brought a bottle with us to open at the table. I do not recall being charged a corkage fee. Since I was craving pizza, hubs was also game, so we went with a large pie, with half pepperoni for hubs. We also ordered garlic knots, hoping they would be real knots instead of rolls. Our food arrived in a timely manner and was fresh. I was disappointed though because there was so much sauce on the pizza but hubs was happy since he loves extra sauce. I didn't think to ask for light sauce because there usually is not a lot of sauce on pizza up north but I learned my lesson. Hubs thought the pizza was good. The knots were rolls so I was disappointed on that aspect as well. We were in the area for a training Hubs had to attend and he had this place for lunch one day and said it was also good. The service was great and the food was okay, I would just ask for light sauce next time.

Nice decor and pleasant staff in a very comfortable establishment…read more Menu has plenty of options to choose from. Pizza was very average, Sauce was sweet, cheese on the salty side and pepperoni toppings were a good quality and had a good flavor. Not bad, but didn't stand out. Average Pizza experience, prices can be a bit high.

The food was great. I had chicken Marsala. It was delicious. I also had penne with red sauce…read more It was tasty. My wife had shrimp parm she said it was good. The bread was warm and tasty. The service was excellent. The ambiance was like being in an Italian village.