Best service in Monmouth county! The food is excellent, and the atmosphere is extremely romantic!

My daughter in law again pick a terrific restaurant to celebrate Father' Day. The service was excellent and the food delicious. My short rib dinner was tender with just the right amount of seasoning. My wife had the scallops which were tender and cooked perfectly. Pictured is the fresh mozzarella and tomato which was also excellent. I would highly recommend this place. read more

Fresh Restaurant - New American Near Me - Highlands, New Jersey

What a lovely restaurant! I certainly wasn't expecting this in the Highlands but I took my daughter here for dinner and it was wonderful. Fresh Flowers and Rosemary on every table. Heirloom tomatoes for an appetizer. And wonderful scallops with a corn risotto for dinner. Extremely friendly staff and impeccable service. And BYO making it a great value. I'll be back. read more

Such a pleasure to dine here. The food is excellent. The service is professional and attentive. The room had enough sound soak to allow for conversation. You can bring your own wine. Don't miss it. read more

I've lived in Highlands for a year & have been wanting to try this place forever. Came tonight & it was amazing. The service was impeccable. The staff made you feel at home. They went above & beyond to make sure our experience was enjoyable. Their outdoor dining was quaint and the ambiance was relaxing. I rarely review places but this restaurant deserved a review. Thank you Fresh!!! read more

My family dined here on February 28, 2018. It was our first time! I'm so glad we took the opportunity to do so. The place is quite charming. It's not super big but that doesn't matter when it comes to the service and quality of food. Our waiter was darling! Sadly I don't recall his name but his Italian accent contributed to the entire experience. He made suggestions and just had such a super personality. This may be the first time that we've ever had the opportunity of saying each meal was tremendous. Cooked perfectly! The quality of the meal was beyond compare. Even the basic pasta dish for my daughter was cooked to perfection. A simple marinara sauce was so good. Chicken so tender it fell off bone. The special grouper was superb with capers from Italy. It's worth every penny and we plan to make this a regular dine in place for our family. It truly is FRESH. read more

This place has good food, and I'd like to come here more, but they need to have more appetizer specials. They tend to always be the same so it can get boring. The burrata is very good just would like for them to get more creative and have more choices. The seafood is excellent and always fresh, but sometimes it lacked some seasoning on recent visits. The veal chop is another very good meat dish here. The last time I had the halibut it was dry other than that seafood dish others been excellent. Portions are a little on the small side for seafood entrees too. Desserts have always been outstanding the best was the chocolate cheesecake and carrot cake. I highly recommend coming here, but would like to see them get more creative and offer more appetizer selection and increase their seafood portions as well. read more

First time trying Fresh and we were NOT disappointed! Every single item was delicious. Lots of great choices. I have a diet restriction and was able to talk to our waitress and my food was done perfectly. I was able to enjoy my entire meal (halibut with corn and pepper orzo salad) without worry, which is not easy when dining out. The restaurant is quaint, small and has a great outdoor space too. Will definitely be coming back. read more

Fresh Restaurant - New American Near Me - Highlands, New Jersey

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We were lucky to get into this charming, intimate, warm restaurant w/o reservations on a recent Saturday night, but I wouldn't take that chance again. Food and service were superior, the people there are warm and gracious. Menu was a one page, just the way I like it - if I want a huge selection, I'll go to a great Greek diner. Their seafood comes from Lusty Lobster just up the street and they clearly pick a few good selections for the night. The owner stays out front, meets, greets and seats and knows many of his patrons - clearly a lot of repeat business. We will definitely go again. read more

My boyfriend knows the chef/owner which is how we heard about this place. It's quite a distance from us but we went on a Saturday evening New Year's Eve. It's an intimate restaurant and byob which I love. There was a prefix five course menu. To start a mini grilled cheese with a shooter tomato bisque (excellent). For the second course we had a mushroom ravioli with a white sauce and I had the shrimp cocktail, both were exquisite. Third course was a salad with pear, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, pickled beets and some type of vinaigrette. For the main course we had steak and I had the lobster (both were perfection). Overall the meal was the best I've had in quite a while. Chocolate moose cake for desert was a great ending. The chef was even kind enough to prepare something special for our toddler (mac n cheese and chicken fingers). I'm excited to go back sometime. Service was also superb. read more

Fresh Restaurant - Lobster main course very tasty - New American Near Me - Highlands, New Jersey

This was one of the best restaurant experiences we have had. We were joined by my daughter her husband and our 6 month old grandson. Everyone went out of their way to make us feel like we we in their home. Dinner was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend this establishment. read more

Celebrating Valentine's Day with a first time visit to this Highlands gem. Chef Big Willy delivers delicious, creative dishes from appetizers to dessert. Gourmet dining with the feel of your Grandma's dining room. Thank you to Michelle and everyone who took care of us throughout the evening. We will be "regulars" for sure. read more

This casual and unpretentious restaurant is making food that deserves everyone's attention! Some of my favorite dishes are the the mussels which are tender and without that strong mussel taste, the scallops are perfectly crisp on the outside, the bone in Veal is another favorite as well as the seafood salad, lobster bisque and... honestly I've eaten here like 5 times now and I've never been anything but blown away from start to finish. All the the dishes feel light and indulgent at the same time and extremely fresh. The food is out of this world good and the service is outstanding. I think the prices are right on point for the quality of food being served. Seriously if you haven't eaten here yet you need to go immediately this will be your new favorite place. read more

We are a group of women who like to eat at different restaurants a couple of times a month. We went to Fresh two weeks in a row and this is what I experienced: VERY slow service. We walked in and waited at least 10-15 minutes before anyone even noticed that we were there. Our orders were taken in a timely manner, but both times it took an inordinate amount of time to receive our dinners. The second time we waited almost an hour and a half before we received our entrees. That being said, the food was tasty. The first week I went there, I ordered scallops and specifically asked that they be cooked well. When I received them, they were cold inside. The second week I ordered a steak medium and it was cooked well, almost a little too well. My gripe with this restaurant is that, even though it is very small, they only have one waitress and the services is ridiculously slow. When we first arrived they were playing music which was very pleasant then, suddenly, the music turned off and didn't come back on until later in the evening. There isn't enough help and it's difficult to get the attention of the lone server. Also, it is a BYOB and we brought champagne. Of course, they didn't have champagne glasses!! This is a small issue, but any restaurant worth its salt has champagne glasses! On the second visit we brought our own! All in all, I probably will not return. The food was fine, but not so wonderful that I will wait that long for dinner and it was relatively expensive. I paid $28 for a small/medium sized steak with a few potatoes. They have a bit of bread on the table, but we had to ask for butter. We ordered appetizers, but never received appetizer plates. We just used our bread plates! The first time we were there we ordered coffee and dessert and the dessert came out WAY before the coffee. We had to ask a few times before we received our coffee! All in all, there are other restaurants on the same street with better service, larger portions and just as tasty food. Go to one of them and skip this place. read more

Fresh Farm to Table! Warm welcome! BYOB! I was looking for a new place. This one did not disappoint! Bruschetta was brought out immediately. It was delicious! Next came warm bread. The specials were given to us in Great detail. Also certain menu items were explained to us. I decided to go with the Crab cake. It was perfect! All crab no filler. Chunks of crab were big. Top 5 I ever had. Next I had the fish special. Grouper. Perfectly cooked. Moist! My husband had the Homemade pasta with eggplant. By the time I went to taste it, it was Gone! He loved it. Although I'm not a dessert person, but heard such great thing I decided to order it. Peaches and cream pie. My husband told me he didn't want dessert. Well, after a few bites it was Gone! He loved it! I'm looking forward to trying different dishes o the menu. As well as the specials. The staff was very attentive. Made us feel special like we were regulars. I can say, from now on we will be! Came here again last night for my Birthday and once again it didn't disappoint! The tuna tataki appetizer was delicious. My halibut cooked perfectly! My husbands pork chop was juicy and delicious! And a Must order is the Lobster mash potatoes!!!! I could eat those everyday! Staff was wonderful! An overall wonderful dinner! I can't wait for my family to visit from California so I can bring them! read more

Well I have to say, after a rocky start with Fresh, Chef William has a superb gem in the Highlands. We have now dined there a few times and even had a private party for 20+ people and to say the food and service was great would be an understatement. The food is fresh, delicious, creative but simple and the surroundings are wonderful, small and charming. Staff continues to excel and they make you feel right at home. Dont miss this charmer and I know the 20 people who joined us a few weeks ago have already been back to enjoy Fresh! read more

I have been here twice. Great food, intimate atmosphere, BYOB. The other reviews are spot on. As in, it's sort of an unassuming, hidden gem in a cool neighborhood that hasn't quite come back from Sandy yet. The tiramisu here is the best I've ever had. Along with Drew's Bayshore Bistro, this is the place you want to bring a date or anyone else you want to impress with your taste and knowledge of where to eat in this area. read more

What a very nice meal I just had! The service was also a1 . They could use one simple thing though. Get the phone out of the dining room. The loud ring kills the atmosphere. As Arnold said , I'll be back . read more

I have heard and read a lot about this restaurant, so we visited with friends on a Wednesday night. The downstairs room is cozy and welcoming. We were shown to a table by the front window. Our server couldn't be more professional, or more welcoming. We felt at home immediately. It was like eating in a friend's kitchen. The bruschetta we were given was scrumptious, the home made rolls to die for. We ordered the Salmon, Scallops, lobster, and seafood with pasta. All were excellent, all were well made and the presentation very appetizing. It is rare to feel so comfortable in a restaurant, but we were made to feel like we were visiting friends. It was fairly busy for a Wednesday night. We were never rushed.We will definitely be back! read more

The food was outstanding. We shared crab cakes and salads, had a halibut special and scallops and 2 deserts, everything came out perfectly. Service was fast and friendly, great atmosphere and amazing food. And it's byob!! read more

Exceptional service, attentive but not in the way. Crab cake is a must try, salmon was amazing, risotto, pasta, steak - everyone loved their meals. The place is cozy and unpretentious - reminded me of the so missed Bay Ave. Trattoria. Found it on YELP - so glad - cannot wait to go back! read more

My all time favorite restaurant. They offer different meals with FRESH ingredients. Very innovative dishes. I always get an appetizer, entree and desert because they are just that good. Definitely a must for a special occasion or even a date night with the hubby. read more

Everything about Fresh is extraordinary. Calling in for a reservation and having to make changes due to Friday commuting was not an issue for the staff. Everyone was accommodating and professional throughout the night. The food was amazing. Every course for the table of four was outstanding. BYOB makes a night out reasonable. A great time was had by all. We will return sooner than later. read more

We had dinner here at the evening of December 31, 2019. party of 5. Great food, very friendly, good service, all tables occupied, prizes fair, good portions, good quality. Was our first try to come here and a very good decision. We enjoyed the evening and will came again. Thanks. read more

My wife and I went here with another couple and were really excited to try the food, especially based on the reviews. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. My appetizer was a mushroom tart with goat cheese and arugula and could not have been drier. There was no dressing and consequently not a lot of taste. My wife's shrimp appetizer was overcooked and was bland. For my entrée I ordered the black angus steak and requested medium rare - what I got was well done, very disappointing. Now, on the other hand, the couple we were with ordered the lobster and asparagus and it was delicious! Additionally, the chocolate and peanut butter cake was a delicious dessert. All in all, I was underwhelmed. I probably won't go back unless I'm invited by someone else. If I really want good "farm to table" I'll go to Via 45. read more

A true hidden gem and a must try! Quaint and romantic...Bring in special bottle of wine!

There was no question where I would hold my 39 +1 birthday party. I have been a patron of Fresh since it opened. The food, service, and atmosphere are the reason the restaurant is our default for special occasions. Whether it's Judy and myself or 20 of my closest friends, Fresh never disappoints. This past Saturday, we enjoyed an evening under a heated tent on the side the building. It was beautifully decorated and we were spoiled with a custom menu, impeccable service, and great entertainment. William and his staff always take care of us as he does for anyone who walks through the door. Fresh feels like an extension of home: incredible food and wonderful people in a comfortable setting. Thank you for a memorable night. read more

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I wish I had the ability to rate this restaurant with more stars. We have been coming to this restaurant for many years and it is a true favorite. The food is consistently excellent as is the service. Last night we had the pleasure of hosting my boyfriend's 40th birthday party at Fresh. We occupied a heated tent on the deck and the party/ food/ service exceeded all expectations. All 20 of us ate well and loved what we had; We could not have asked for better service. Everyone has been raving about this party. I cannot say more about how wonderful this restaurant is - if you are considering a party at the restaurant or catering offsite for an event, I highly recommend reaching out to William. read more

Very good dinner. The tuna app was delicious. The lobster n asparagus was better than I imagined. Halibut special was also good. Only complaint felt rushed, it's a small place and I guess they want to turn over the tables for next party quickly. We like to sit talk n enjoy our time especially someplace new.. We ate apps,dinner and dessert all in about an hour 15... read more

The staff is very knowledgeable and work together fluidly to provide a very enjoyable dining experience. I could taste the freshness of the ingredients in every dish that I tasted. Truly a superb restaurant and it's hidden away in The Highlands of NJ. read more

Delicious!!!!! And the name is very fitting because everything is sooo fresh. The veal chop was probably the best I've ever had and the halibut over risotto was cooked to perfection. We also had the mussels app on the specials and if it were socially acceptable I would have drank the sauce. Haha. The chef was so personable and we learned a great deal from him. I'm not normally a dessert person, but we had the peaches and cream pie and the chefs homemade specialty chocolate mousse cake. There wasn't a bite left on the plates . We will definitely be back and most likely regulars. We are both foodies and have eaten all over the country and several parts of the world. This is the best meal I've had in the area. Highly recommend it ! read more

Amazing!!!! I have a review on trip advisor giving specifics... Scallops, Fruiti de Mar...amazing. Service is spectacular. Tables are close together but thats to be expected when you are in a small place and everyone want to be there. Highly recommended. read more

Great restaurant, great food! I love the atmosphere of the whole place. I'd come back a million times and recommend to anyone

I chose this restaurant for my birthday dinner because of the mostly favorable reviews. It did not disappoint. We shared two fish dishes -- the large diver scallops which were very tasty and cooked to perfection (seemingly hard for many restaurants to be able to do) -- And the other was the fruiti di mare, which was also cooked just right and delicious. Our waiter, Cosimo was friendly, attentive and very professional. He recommended a fresh baked berry tart for dessert that was served warm with vanilla ice cream. It was quite good. The restaurant is a converted house with an upstairs, downstairs and an outside deck. it was a beautiful evening. so we chose to sit outside at table under an umbrella and were surrounded by many types of potted herbs. Overall it was a very good experience and worth a visit. read more

Exceptional food. Portions aren't huge but the taste makes up for it. The Frutti Di Mare was the best I've had. Service was top notch as well. Looking forward to coming back! read more

Service was good, food portions were poor. Went with party of 4 .Entrees were appetizer portion at gourmet price. Salmon with potatoes.. Salmon deck of card size, thin and 2 thin potato wedges 29.00. Ordered 2 sea bass entrees looked like they cut one portion in half and put on 2 plates with 2 pieces of vegetables 36.00. Crab cake decent. We all left hungry. read more

One of the best meals you will find in the highlands. This place is simply awesome. Very warm and cozy setting, great service, and outstanding food. As an appetizer I had the crab cake, which was one of the best crab cakes I have ever had, it was perfectly cooked and seared to perfection. As a pasta course, we had the fresh tagliatelle with eggplant. They used fresh pasta and their sauce was excellent. As my main course, I had the fresh lobster over mashed potatoes. It was the perfect portion and It was an unbelievable dish. Don't forget the dessert, the cheesecake I would definitely recommend. Will definitely be back. read more

Have eaten here several times. The food is exceptional. Great service and very quaint. Byob makes it a resl value. The best place in the highlands read more

Perfect meal. 8pm friday night - seated on time. Greeted warmly by staff and chef. Starters incl pasta bolognese were delicious. Entrees incl chicken, shrimp and pea risotto, meat loaf were esp good. BYOB. Will be back! read more

Went there with my wife last evening for a leisurely shore dinner having heard about fresh bistro as a up and comer. We entered a delightful quaint small restaurant at 5 ish driving up from north jersey and were greeted by our waitress Alexandria who was a delight she was personable attentive but not overbearing. Perfect waitress. We were brought fresh rolls and bruschetta which was perfect start with wine we brought a Joseph phelps Pinot noir. After reviewing a delectable menu which although limited had wonderful selections with assistance and recommendations of Alexandria my wife had the halibut special with basil pesto and I had lobster with asparagus a house specialty. Both dishes were spot on we loved the food so much we already have plans to bring friends back soon. Five stars. Great meal great warm atmosphere and perfect waitress read more