Serving food lovers since 2006, Toscano is a phenomenal steakhouse in Bordentown where the…read moreexecutive chef combines old-world cooking with new-world flair. A cozy bar area greets customers if you want to grab a drink while waiting to be seated. They also offer upstairs seating, rounding out a welcoming and highly professional atmosphere that has stood the test of time.   THE FOOD * Bread Service: The bread arrived with a tasty honey, chive, thyme, salt, and pepper butter, which was a nice touch. * Kumamoto Oysters: Ice cold and refreshing. They were complemented with cocktail sauce, watermelon mignonette, and fresh grated horseradish. * Crab Salad Special: Served in a martini glass. It featured cold, chilled crab marinated with tequila, triple sec, and lime, carefully laid on a bed of avocado mousse with an Old Bay-lined rim. Delicious and refreshing during a hot summer evening. * Tri-Color Beet Salad: A roasted beet and citrus salad with whipped ricotta and a pistachio honey vinaigrette that provided rich bites. * New York Strip: Sourced from Allen Brothers in Chicago. A showstopper with excellent crust and beef flavor. We ordered the Au Poivre sauce, which was tasty, but the steak was so good on its own that I ended up using the sauce for my sides! * 14 oz Center Cut Filet: Also sourced from Allen Brothers. Tender as expected with a wonderfully executed crust. * French Bordeaux Wines: We ordered the Chateau Loudenne Medoc and the Chateau De Sales Pomerol. Both were tasty, medium-to-full-bodied, and served as excellent accompaniments to the steaks. * Tuna Special: Nicely seared tuna served over vegetables and udon noodles. * Limoncello Pistachio Tiramisu: Very light and a nice end to the meal. * Kentucky Butter Cake: Served in a cast-iron pot with vanilla ice cream. Yummy and rich.   THE SERVICE Our server, Gene, has been with the restaurant for 8 years and provided exceptional service. He was knowledgeable about the menu and offered excellent recommendations, pointing out standout options like the pastrami-dusted bone-in filet and the 45-day aged tomahawk topped with a root beer bourbon bacon compound butter.   OVERALL A great steakhouse experience with a highly professional staff and a kitchen that flawlessly executes high-quality steaks. Excellent for special occasions or an upscale business dinner.

We enjoyed a bunch of appetizers to start! The beat salad is always my favorite refresh and…read moredelicious Our table also enjoyed the Giant or ravioli and the meatballs. Everything is magnificent here and cooked fresh. I also enjoyed my lobster. Ravioli was magnificent and plentiful and I actually had to bring some of it home with me because we had a lot of snacking going on. Very thankful to the hard-working staff to take care of us so well. Everything was delicious and hot and the staff is really magnificent.

I had a great dinner experience at Gabriella's Italian Steakhouse. I would recommend making a…read morereservation because it gets packed quickly, especially on a Saturday. Such a lively atmosphere with excellent service. The restaurant is spacious with beautiful decor and seating. There's valet parking, however, the restaurant is located next to other stores with a large parking lot. For dinner, I ordered the branzino with roasted vegetables. This was cooked to perfection. I really loved the branzino's flakiness. The roasted potatoes were delicious. My friend ordered the wasabi tuna. She said it was so crispy and cooked to her liking. We shared the broccolini side. This had a powerful spicy kick! There's a lot of cocktails to choose from. I went with the "Class Act" which was a spritz with St. Germain. For dessert, my friend and I ordered a pistachio martini, tiramisu martini, and Dubai chocolate bar. We saw that they have a special Birkin bag cake dessert. Looked super cute! Overall, a fun dining experience.

Get ready to party!…read more I have been eagerly awaiting my visit to Gabriella's for a special occasion and picked a post-bedtime reservation of 8:30pm on a Thursday. Unsure if my experience there was a result of the late night dining or if the same experience exists at 6pm. The guests were dressed to the nines, the DJ was bumping and birthdays were a big celebration. Hard to have a conversation, and lighting was quite dim (see photos) but it made it romantic and made you focus on your food and the vibes. Server Casey was stellar; plates were cleared promptly, our table was cleaned between courses, and dessert was a full on show! Needless to say service expectations were surpassed. Tomato-tini was served with a caprese garnish and the white lotus (mezcal) cocktail had edible flowers. The tomato cocktail was unlike anything I've ever had. Must order the Nori cones appetizers for incredible taste not just amazing presentation. The Tuna Tartare was served with tempura fried seaweed and was really surprising. The steak was easily the best we've had in the county; we ordered the cowboy and the filet with a side of brussels. Would come back for a celebration or just to feel young again.

THIS is how you run a restaurant. From the moment we arrived, we knew this was a special place. The…read morehostess and manager made us feel welcome. Brandon, our waiter, went above and beyond. The food was delicious, the service was exceptional, the room was beautiful. We couldn't have asked for a better lunch experience.

The service at Roots Ocean Prince is impeccable. The staff is exceptional and treats the patrons…read morelike royalty. As we stepped up to the main entrance, the host anticipated our arrival and opened the door for us. I've have never experienced that before in all my years of dining. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. The interior has an open bright dining area on one side. The other side has a more rustic and darker bar and dining space. My preference is the brighter area and we were fortunate to be seated on that side. Prior to our meal, we were served fresh baked popovers. They were delicious. My husband ordered the steak (prices not for the faint of heart) and I went with the lunch special (half sandwich, soup and salad). He was in heaven with his steak and enjoyed every last bite. My soup and salad was really good. The half sandwich is on the very small side. We also went with a side of mac and cheese. And to top if off we had the build your own sundae for desert. It was decadent if you are a sweets lover.

I am not good with written words, but here goes;…read more This is a shout-out to Manager Monica and the employees of Steakhouse 85. I visited Steakhouse 85 for the first time on Thursday, March 19th. We all know the food is fantastic, but what impressed me even more was the employees. When I walked in, I was greeted by the hostess, who had a big smile and bright eyes. She showed us to our table swiftly, and during our time there, her smile and warm welcome continued as she greeted other incoming diners. Our waiter appeared quickly with the first question would you like something to drink, water, etc. After the initial greeting, and now ready to take our order, he excitedly told us he had the pleasure of tasting most of the items he suggested. His excitement about the food he had the "pleasure of tasting" (his words) was apparent. Also, I had the pleasure of speaking to Monica, a manager at Steakhouse 85. She was kind, thoughtful, insightful, and well spoken. I could easily see why she holds that position and could have talked to her as I would a good friend. How a great manager like Monica gets those around them to react positively is by example; in other words, it's the ripple effect. It is easy to see that she is the type of person who, no matter what she does or where she goes in life, success will follow. Also, I want to say thank you to the owner and all the managers because hiring the right employees, from the cooks, busboys, and servers, is not an easy job in itself. The key to success is not just about the food; it's also the employees who add to the establishment's success! Great Job To All Of You! Kindness should never be taken for granted these days! Frances

My family and I have been to Steak 85 approximately 12 times over the past three years, and for a…read morelong time, we absolutely loved this restaurant. It was a place we genuinely enjoyed coming back to, which is why it is disappointing to say that the quality has declined significantly over our last several visits. The steak quality does not seem to be what it used to be. The risotto portion has noticeably decreased, and unfortunately, the flavor has gone downhill as well. It used to have a creamy consistency and actual sauce, but now it is more like slightly wet rice with very little flavor. This most recent visit was especially disappointing because even the crab cakes smelled and tasted sour, which is something I have never experienced there before. What makes this review different from simply having one bad meal is that this has now happened during our last three visits. At this point, I don't believe it was a fluke or an isolated bad night. There has been a noticeable decline in both the quality and portions of the food. I really hate leaving a review like this because we genuinely used to love Steak 85 and have recommended it in the past. We have been loyal customers and have given the restaurant plenty of opportunities because of how much we enjoyed it previously. Hopefully, the restaurant takes this feedback seriously and brings the food quality back to what it used to be. Right now, though, based on our last three visits, we are honestly very disappointed especially because of the price point we expect quality.

Great food, strive, and ambience. It is our go to restaurant for higher end experience. Can't say…read moreenough great things about the staff in particular. They don't try to over sell but really do their best to help one select the "right" meat for one's tastes and desires. Looking forward to our next dinner there!

Me and my family went to the Butcher's Block for my 27th birthday. From the moment we walked into…read moreButcher's Block, we knew we were in for a great experience. The ambience is absolutely beautiful warm, inviting, and the perfect atmosphere whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying a nice night out. I ordered the dry-aged bourbon ribeye, and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had. It was so tender it practically melted in my mouth, like cutting through butter. The flavor was incredible, with the perfect balance of smoky richness and a subtle sweetness that made every bite unforgettable. What really made the evening special was our server, Mark. He was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and took the time to answer all of our questions about the menu. His positive attitude and genuine hospitality made the entire experience even more enjoyable. If you get Mark as your server, you're lucky and guaranteed to have an excellent dining experience. To top it all off, we ordered the Chiro Bowl for dessert, and because it was my birthday, they surprised me by putting it on the house. It was such a thoughtful gesture and a perfect ending to an amazing meal. If you're looking for an outstanding steakhouse with incredible food, a beautiful atmosphere, and exceptional service, Butcher's Block is the place to go. I can't recommend it enough, and I'll definitely be coming back!

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.

618 hosted my daughter's graduation party in the beautiful Oak Room. We appreciated the…read moreprofessionalism of the staff, the manager, and the wait staff. The food was fresh and delicious, and we did not want for anything!

618 was the perfect spot to celebrate my mom's birthday this year. We started with the grilled…read moreflatbread -- loved the combination of mushrooms and goat cheese. I ordered the burger, which was pretty big and juicy. The fries were nice and crispy as well. For dessert, we got the banana dulce de leche gelato and ice cream cookie sandwiches. The gelato was so unique and rich. The ice cream cookie sandwiches were perfect for me and I loved the side of Nutella with nuts on top which added a nice crunch. Their commitment to hospitality beats most restaurants I've ever visited. In our reservation, I noted that we were celebrating a birthday. When we were sat at the table, a birthday card was waiting for my mom. Our waitress Bailey was so nice and accommodated my mom's request to not draw too much attention to the celebration. I also adore the atmosphere in 618. The lighting is so elegant with the many chandeliers and the flowers on the walls. 618 has easily become a top restaurant for me.

I've passed by this place many times and seen it from the highway, but never thought much of it…read more Recently, I went with some colleagues after work, and it turns out it's a really great spot for food at reasonable prices. We got some bread for the table, which was really good with the maple butter. The bruschetta was pretty good, and for my meal, I ordered the Cajun ribeye with green beans and asparagus on the side, all cooked perfectly. Service was on point throughout the evening - our server was very attentive and helpful, and the ambiance is really nice inside as well. Charming design and good times, and I would come back for a future work dinner. Prices are pretty good too.

Hub and I had dinner at Dawson's last night to celebrate my birthday. We had a reservation, so we…read moreonly waited a few minutes for a table. Our booth was in the bar areaI, which was crowded, but we didn't have a problem hearing each other. I ordered the filet mignon and he ordered prime rib. Let me tell you, this kitchen knows how to cook a steak! Mine was medium and cooked to perfection - it practically melted in my mouth. I have never had a bad meal here and this was no exception. All of the servers were attentive and cordial. John, the manager, took our orders, and when we had finished our meals he brought me a dish of ice cream with a candle in it. We will go back again and again and again. Highly recommend!

What a fantastic restaurant, the devote was so neat, since it was previously a bank they had…read morepictures tastefully done of known bank robbers in black and white and kept a vault on display. The explanation of the steaks was thorough, with great service. The had the fun couches for photo opportunities! We can't wait to go back!

A Steakhouse With History, Character & One Seriously Good Steak!…read more We recently visited Strickland's Steakhouse in Woodbridge, and now I completely understand why this place has earned accolades in both 2024 and 2025! From the moment you walk in, it's clear this isn't your typical steakhouse. Strickland's is located inside the former Woodbridge National Bank, and the restaurant has done an amazing job preserving that old-bank feel while turning it into a sophisticated dining experience. The décor is fantastic, with plenty of memorabilia and nods to the building's past--including some fun pieces highlighting the era of old-time bank robbers. There's something interesting to look at everywhere you turn. The main level features a full bar with plenty of seating, including booths if you prefer a more casual dining experience. But make your way upstairs because the second level is something special. There's plenty of room for larger gatherings, while still having an intimate feel that would be perfect for a date night or special dinner. Let's Talk About the Bread Service! We started with the Bread Service, and honestly, had I known what was involved, I would have taken a video! This is more than just someone dropping a basket of bread on your table. The server actually prepares and smokes the specialty house butter right at your table. Talk about dinner and a show! You can customize the butter with different ingredients, including brown butter, bourbon, and sea salt. The presentation alone makes this worth trying, but the butter was also absolutely delicious. The Star of the Show For our entrée, we went with the Elite Prime Dry-Aged Filet Mignon, an incredibly tender 8-ounce cut served with truffle shiitake butter. WOW. The filet was cooked beautifully and incredibly flavorful, and that truffle shiitake butter took it to another level. Tender, rich, and absolutely mouthwatering. This is the kind of steak you take your time eating because you don't want it to end! Sides We ordered two sides to share: Bourbon-Glazed Brussels Sprouts -- with diced bacon and Parmesan. The bourbon glaze added a nice touch of sweetness, while the bacon and Parmesan brought plenty of savory flavor. Creamed Corn -- with crispy chorizo, chives, and panko. Creamy, flavorful, and definitely not your ordinary creamed corn. The crispy chorizo added a fantastic little kick and texture. Dessert Of course, we had to save room for dessert! We finished with the House Bread Pudding, served warm and topped with ice cream. Warm bread pudding + cold ice cream is a combination that never disappoints. It was the perfect way to end an already fantastic dinner. Shout-Out to Henrique! A big Kudos to our server, Henrique! He was fantastic from beginning to end--super friendly, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. His recommendations were spot-on, and the way he described each dish made you want to order practically everything on the menu! Great service can make an excellent meal even better, and Henrique definitely helped make our experience memorable. Final Thoughts Strickland's Steakhouse is more than just a place to grab a steak. The historic setting, unique décor, creative presentations, quality food, and excellent service all come together to make this a really fun dining experience. Whether you're looking for a great date-night destination, a place to celebrate a special occasion, or somewhere to meet up with friends, Strickland's is definitely worth checking out. And now I understand those accolades from 2024 and 2025--they're well deserved! Great steak. Great atmosphere. Great presentation. Great service. Highly recommend Strickland's Steakhouse if you're in the Woodbridge area!

The best food, service and variety, as well as creativity and management. All food is prepared with…read moreskill and expertise found only in top tier Michelin rated eateries. Pride and skill are evident on all levels in this establishment. I have never been disappointed in all my visits to Manera's in Brick. Once you experience it, you'll be back, and probably with friends and relatives.

I had been to the Manahawkin location in the past for a birthday celebration and we had a very nice…read moretime. So when we needed a dinner location in the Brick, I figured we would try this location. Upon my early arrival, I was seated in the west facing room with ample natural light. There was only one other table of "early birds" nearby and they were loud but entertaining. Our waitress greeted me and brought some water and an ice bucket. I perused the menu while waiting for my friends. To my delight, this place is MUCH larger than Manahawkin. There are at least three rooms. Regardless, by the time we left, it was very busy. reservations are highly recommended. When my friends arrived, our waitress reviewed the menu additions. We decided on the oysters, octopus, arugula salad and the cod special. Everything was excellent. Service and pace were perfect. Plates promptly cleared, bread replentished. We shared a tiramisu and I had a double expresso. We will definitely return. I will take some photos on my next visit.