We came here for a special occasion and generally were impressed with the food and beverages. Our mac & cheese appetizer was sinfully delicious but probably filled us up a bit too much before our main course. I got the burger with bacon and it did not disappoint -- it was a huge serving, cooked perfectly, with a generous helping of crispy fries. The drinks were a bit strong, but if that's what you're looking for then this is the place for you. In particular, I was impressed that the Old Fashioned we ordered was served with a single large spherical ice cube, which helps keep the drink cold while preventing it from melting too fast. Pretty decent bar game if you ask me. Our server was very attentive and professional. Everything we ordered came back pretty fast. We sat in a nice oversized booth near the back of the house, so we had a cozy and private experience. We'll definitely come back again soon. read more

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Location is on main st in downtown Freehold which has such potential but as I've said at other reviews can't hold a candle to Red Bank oe Asbury Park, but I appreciate the effort. We were seated upstairs early for our reservation. I couldn't get a good view of the downstairs main level, but it looked like a dark and modern bar setting. Upstairs, where we sat, was ok. Perfectly clean and neat, but I can't place a finger on it, but something with the carpetting and lighting and walls, reminded me more of a hotel convention hall than a restaurant. Our server Paige was awesome and is probably the main reason for the stars in this review. Warm, friendly, attentive, helpful ... really just a perfect server! So I started with a tequila old fashioned (with casamigos anejo) which was great. Appetizers: yellowtail and jalapeno sushi- this was ok. Crab and shrimp stuff portabello mushroom- delicious. Mains: seared tuna with lo mein- disappointing. Tuna was ordered medium rare but was more medium well. lo mein was tasty but not fresh. Short ribs: tender but mediocre, with mashed potatoes and root vegetable. We've had much better. I had a screaming hill IPA which was fine. Finished with coffee. Overall this was ok. Star of the night was Paige our server, thanks for great service and making it a pleasant night for us! read more

This is a really cool spot to hang out in the bar/lounge area. They have ladies night on Thursday's with half price martinis which are pretty decent... other specials on other nights. Warning: late night it gets club-like, with a dj and dancing. Fun for people in their 30s-40s. Music is younger though, a shame more don't come out. The vibe of this place is very relaxed and upper class, it's nice. Bar food was good (had the chix parm sliders - decently priced and good portion size, tasty). I came here for dinner, however, and the service was absolutely atrocious! The waiter was nice, but it took my date and I 3 hours to order and complete our meals which is ridiculous. Very inattentive and disappeared multiple times. I had the duck and it was okay, not amazing. Side dish could've used help. The steak with rice and veggies my date had was also very average. The calamari appetizer was Asian-like not marinara based, so that was interesting and pretty tasty. Plus side: portions are large. The extensive wine selection is pricy, but very good wine there I will say. Would come here for nightlife or happy hour, but probably not dinner again. read more

Met a friend for dinner on Wednesday and enjoyed Wine down Wednesday where each glass of wine is half price. Love when that happens! We split an appetizer that was on their special and it was delicious and fresh! I ordered the Shrimp & Arugula Fettuccini which was out of this world. My friend watched it being cooked and then plated as we were the last booth before the kitchen! It was fresh and the shrimp were perfectly cooked! As luck would have it I orders the last Big Kid Chipwich and it happened to be #NationalIceCreamSandwichDay. Homemade each day it was amazing! Looking forward to my return visit! read more

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The ambience is really nice for a romantic dinner or to just have dinner with friends. The calamari is delicious. I had the avocado salad as an appetizer which was fresh and big and then I had the California roll and salmon and cucumber roll (come with six pieces). The traditional rolls had a great price. I will say they have less rice than normal but I was still happy with the size. I had Moscow mules for drinks and they were really good as well. The only reason I didn't give it a five is because we got there early and we were sitting in the bar area and at first the waitress was really nice but as it started to get busier I felt like she had an attitude. Our waitress once they sat us as the table was nice though. I would definitely go back. read more

Good local spot in downtown freehold. Love coming here for drinks, apps and happy hour especially sushi. We come here pretty often since we can walk and it's a great little place. Tonight we had the lettuce wraps for the first time and they were great! We also had the short rib tacos and the sliders, sliders were ok and tacos were great. Since it was a Friday no happy hour but that was ok. The food menu in the main restaurant is also amazing but we were just here for drinks and apps today. I got the French margarita to drink and it was great! Husband got a beer. It gets super busy on and loud as the night progresses and our table was being stalked since bar seating is first come first serve. I prefer going during the week for HH for sure. read more

Love this place. I used to come when I lived closer but moved too far away to come frequently. Came back for the first time in over 7 years and it's just as good. Great happy hour. More options than just fried food. I remember great sushi, will need to try again. read more

We've been coming here for years,and from before when it was Santa Fe Cafe. After a couple of bad experiences, we stopped coming but recently decided to go back and try again. Everything was delicious! We were so happy! Two weeks ago I ordered the Duck,I LOVED that dish and couldn't wait to get it again last night. What a disappointment! First it was the size of a small chicken leg and thigh I mean a child's portion, served over tasteless DRY white overcooked beans yuck! I love white beans this was just BAD. I returned it and waited forever for my new dish (Halibut) delicious. Turns out the dish had been changed since the last time two weeks ago. PLEASE bring back the old version,this one is inedible. My husband got tired of waiting and left,I stayed and finished eating alone,just not a good experience. read more

Metro is our favorite go to restaurant in the area and we dine here about once a week. Service is one of the strong points along with a menu that is updated more often then most other area restaurants. Weekly specials offer a nice array of choices. From seafood, salads to short ribs, steaks and sushi, Metro is always a solid choice. Drinks are good and reasonable . The staff cares about the customers satisfaction and it shows. Unlike many restaurants, Metro has many staff members who have worked there for years. That says something about the management. read more

My family has been coming here for years. It never disappoints. We like to sit outside especially since Covid and it's always super crowded inside. The heaters work great, we were very comfortable. The drinks are delicious. The food is phenomenal. They always have specials that are worth trying. I can never decide what to get when we go because so much sounds appetizing! Highly recommend the pear goat cheese salad and the Shrimp, Crab and Lobster Athenian pasta. The sushi is also super fresh! The banana bread pudding is to die for. I could've eaten two. Overall, highly recommend this restaurant for a family dinner or date night. read more

I had the special red snapper with asparagus and risotto and it was outstanding. Perfectly cooked, fresh and seasoned lightly to perfection. Great atmosphere and vibe and the perfect martini. The manager Emerich runs the place exceptionally well. It really is a gem. read more

I had my bridal shower yesterday at the Metropolitan Cafe, and I have nothing but positives to say about my overall experience! From coordinating and organizing with Robert Kash, to seeing it all come together, it was nothing less than perfect! He was willing to work with me from the get go, whether it was a good substitution or working within my budget fairly. Their overall decor of the restaurant is beautifully done, as well. The staff was incredibly nice and accommodating. And the food--omg! Unfortunately, I only got to try a few dishes, but if ever you're there for brunch, DON'T HESITATE ON EITHER THE BANANA NUTELLA PANCAKES OR APPLE PIE FRENCH TOAST! You won't regret it! read more

I went there last week with my wife and two friends and absolutely loved the place. We shared two great salads (the goat cheese salad, some other salad with avocados) a shared appetizer (fried shrimp and calamari) and sushi as my main course (the spicy girl roll and the tiger roll). I am very happy! Here's something else. The iced tea (nonalcoholic) was also very good. Not the totally watered down version that everyone else seems to serve. You could actually taste the tea. Our server was very pleasant, very helpful, and very efficient. Looking forward to going back again to this 5 star hip, casual eatery. read more

Came here after some holiday shopping at Freehold Raceway Mall (friday night). Luckily, the place wasn't too packed. Got in around 6pm and we were just in time for happy hour at bar! Got Guiness on draft, always my go-to when it is on draft. Bonus point already. Our friends from out of town met us here for dinner. We were a little worried about the menu, because it had an America-Japanese fusion. There was an extensive sushi list, yet an extensive traditional American fare list. I was confused, but then decided to order from both. Sushi was great! My burger was great! I was so surprised. Out-dated furniture upstairs in the eating area, but downstairs as a "cool" vibe to it. Give this place a 3.5 total. Nothing special to definitely come back for, but no reason not to! read more

I love this place! Came to celebrate being off of work for the holidays with my mom and we had great cocktails and food. I got the Mediterranean beef wrap and was pleasantly surprised with the portion and flavor. Staff is very attentive and it is a nice relaxing atmosphere! read more

Came for a dinner on a Friday and it was poppin for sure! Pretty crowded and the bar was full. I was slightly thrown off by the menu because half of the food is American with some little influences of italian and Spanish food. The other half of the menu was all Asian influenced and a long list of sushi. We had a little bit of everything, the calamari and steak spring rolls as well as some sushi rolls. Everything was very good so I wish I wasn't so thrown off in the beginning. We ended with the house made donuts which were amazing. A nice night for sure. read more

Have no idea, what people who gave this great place low score think! . We loved everything about this place. Food is great, waitresses were excellent - knowledgeable and attentive. Drinks were perfectly made: Ambiance is wonderful. I guess you can't please everyone. read more

The food here is fantastic as well as the presentation of it. Great vibes and friendly staff, I love coming here!

In the beginning of the visit this restaurant looked like a decent place. We ordered 5 appetizers, two kid meals, a salad and an entree. Appetizers were decent! When it came to tuna salad it was below average! I had better!!! The most expensive steak they have costs $49, was awful. I ordered it medium rare but It was burned on one side and was tooo chewy for an aged steak; not to mention macaroni served with it...¿lol, wtf? Really??? I think these guys just have to take the steak off the menu completely. Stick to appetizers, that's all you are good at. Anyway, I think these guys are trying to be sophisticated( which is much needed in this neighborhood ) but have a long way to go. I just might give it another chance... read more

Leaving more to be desired. Called for reservations a day ahead of time and they were hard pressed to give me the time I wanted either 15 mins earlier or 1 hour later. I took the reservation 15 mins earlier and the place was not busy. I ordered the Starbust drink and it was very good! They have a lot of interesting drinks at this bar / restaurant and I understand how the place gets good buzz with some desireable menu items. That being said I got 1 cocktail, the starbust, and one glass of wine....wait till I tell you the end bill for this trip with almost no food and very few drinks. We ordered two appetizers the "fresh gucamole" and chips and lollipop brie sticks. The gucamole I thought was pretty good but I am not huge on gucamole and I did notice while eating it there were very small, I mean insanely small pieces of tomato in it and I agree with other yelpers reviews on this appetizer that it tasted more like a frozen item and not fresh or made from scratch at all : ( The lollipop brie presentation was very well excuted with slices apples, some nuts, fruit and I was very happy to be suprised it was not fried brie. It has a tooth pick in all three pieces of brie that came over small pieces of toast with I want to say a cherry on top. My criticism for this dish is siimply its one cheese you are gettin here, 3 pieces and it just left me with the feeling that the dish could have been accompanied by a delious sauce would have really enhanced the appetizer. I have to reinterate 3 pieces! If you are spliting this with someone its basically 1 bite! My date got two glasses of wine, as stated earlier I got one speciality drink and one glass of wine. I ended the meal with the hot almond joy drink....very good....what wouldn't be with alcohol and hot coco in it. My dining partnter got a similar drink and bill came to $77. With tip almost $100 for 2 drinks each, one coffee with liquor and splitting 2 underwhelming appetizers.....will I give this place a second chance after this experience......I am not rushing back after spenting that amount but the place does look like it has some good items on the menu like the dim sum sampler, I would definitely get that if I ever come back here. read more

We asked for a table inside with some space due to COVID. We were given the perfect table for 4. Victoria was our server and she was A+! Our drinks, apps, dinner were served promptly- better service than we expected due to COVID and staffing issues. The food was spectacular- everything about the experience was stellar. We cannot wait to go back! read more

I had such high hopes after seeing the great ambiance this place had! We had excellent service, everyone we met with was kind, polite, and never rushed us. However the food was VERY subpar. I feel like nothing tasted super fresh. I got the sweet and spicy calamari which was probably the best thing we ate that night but the crab cake sliders and the KFC chicken tacos were absolutely nothing to write home about. Pretty disappointed. I did love my cocktails though so maybe I'd consider returning for drinks? read more

Metro Cafe is one of your Freehold staples. Definitely a great place to eat - I tend to have a lot of business meals here, as we usually enjoy great food and great service - in fact, the food generally seems to be a cut above much of Metro's local competition. Parking is usually not a problem as there is the huge lot out back. In nicer weather, eating outside next to the sidewalk is a great way to people watch, if you're into that. I was slightly disappointed they had removed my go-to favorite dish from the menu - a lobster ravioli with mussels and scallops in a vodka-like sauce. However, on my most recent visit I discovered the lobster and asparagus risotto, and all has been forgiven! It was one of the best meals I have had in quite some time. Bottom line, if you're looking for a great meal, great service, and great ambiance, head downtown and check out Metro Cafe. read more

Metropolitan Cafe - Lobster and asparagus risotto - excellent! - New American Near Me - Freehold, New Jersey

Was drawn to this place because of the menu! Don't be fooled by the name (as I was) this is not a little cafe.. They have a huge outdoor seating area, dining area, an upstairs AND a lounge area! My friend and I each ordered salads (summer diets) but I wish I didn't! Every dish that passed by for other tables smelled and looked AMAZING. There is a huge variety on the menu with an Asian twist. (There is a sushi bar) I ordered the seared tuna salad. It was huge - and I left stuffed. The tuna was crusted with sesame seeds (and was cooked exactly as I ordered) over a bed of mixed greens and mango salsa. Also on Wednesday they have a list of 25 wines that are 25 dollars a bottle (score!). The list is a solid mix of reds and whites. Our waitress was very attentive and knowledgeable about the specials and quick on drink refills. They were also pretty busy for a random Wednesday night. The attire is casual meets trendy. Think jeans, heals, and a nice top. read more

So this is the most horrible thing that happened at this establishment!!! I was in there eating and over heard a conversation between a staff member and another person I guess that was applying to work there he had some kind of test to take and this kid was being treated so terribly that I followed him outside and he was getting into his car he was so upset I said can I please talk to you for a minute and this kid was a real well mannered very attentive guy he said they told him he had to pass some kind of test to work at a restaurant I didn't get it the guy told him he had to leave I heard him with my own ears the way he was treated and I believe he was lgbt I'm horrified I will never go to this place ever again after what I experienced and the food is terrible anyway i left a review before went back tried it again and over heard this comment the guy was saying to this kid I made a call to the bbb and they are gonna handle this I hope this kid gets the job he deserves and leaves this place behind just a reminder always be kind you never know what someone is going through goodbye to this restaurant for me and my family I had one star 0 stars for the attitude and the food!!! read more

I have a pretty advanced palette and unfortunately I wasn't wow'd by anything. Came here for lunch and was sat towards the back of the restaurant near the sushi station. I got a whiff of a fish smell which is never pleasant. The staff was nice and food came out promptly but it didn't seem like they used quality ingredients. Would go elsewhere next time I'm in the area. read more

Love this place! My boyfriend and I had reservations for Valentine's Day this year and it was so good that we have gone two other times. The Crab Cake and the wontons are to diiiieee for! So yummy! The aura of the restaurant is so romantic as well. read more

Very close to leaving from the start, when the young hostess with a distasteful extremely revealing low cut top gave us a dismissive attitude when we arrived, not a welcoming first impression. After a weak greeting she remained seated with a second girl saying it was 45 min. Wait. We asked about sitting at the bar, she said we could look ourselves flinging her hand. Returning to the hostess, we then asked about that table that looked open. I asked her and she shrugged, so I then inquired, do I ask the bartender if the uncleared table will be available soon? (Since we were told there were no tables for supposedly 45 minutes late on a Tuesday evening The hostess didn't even get up to look around the corner to check for us or get menus... we asked the bartender and she said yes, so we stood awkwardly by the table when a wonderful gentleman came over quickly and cleared the table for us, apologizing for the negative experience we had. The rest of the night was pleasant and good food. read more

Very nice restaurant in downtown town freehold. Upon arrival they have a hostess stand who quickly attended to us and sat us down right away. Almost immediately the waitress came to take our order and the food shortly arrived quickly after that in the order it was placed. The food was absolutely delicious and fresh. There menu has a variety of items and the sushi was definitely my favorite. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was so good, and fresh. I also ordered the skirt steak and I was shocked that it was great. It's hard to come across a restaurant who offers sushi and also has excellent meat dishes. My only complaint would be they did not space apart tables, they did seat another couple right behind us when there was other open tables further away. Overall our experience was great and we cannot wait to revisit and hopefully sit outside. read more

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I've driven by this place for the longest time and finally had the opportunity to give it a shot! So glad that I did! The food was delicious! I ordered a crab and pumpkin gnocchi in a maple flavored sauce. I absolutely loved it! Such a creative dish. The only drawback was the serving size didn't correlate with the price. The prices are a little steep. Now, Usually this would be a turn off to me but as I always say I don't mind paying more money for great food. I can't wait to go back to try more menu options. read more

I walked into Met on a Saturday night and had to wait 30-35 minutes for a table of two. Pretty standard wait time, so no complaint there. The ambiance is very nice but that's probably the best quality of this place. We sat down and we're greeted in a timely fashion and ordered our meals. For appetizers we ordered the wonton soup and fried dumplings. The dumplings were ok but the soup was not very good. We even asked if they had spicy mustard and the waiter said yes, and brought us yellow mustard (it's ok to say no) Mid appetizers, the entrée came out (rushed) and it was two of the worst dinners that we've ever had. I ordered the tuna entree, accompanied by rice, and bok choy and it was incredibly bland. My wife ordered the Asian skirt steak and it was borderline unbeatable. She ordered it mid well, and it came out mid rare. The noodles had no flavor with minimal vegetables, and the steak was plated in pieces (not a full skirt steak) The quality of the food doesn't align with the pricing. I wouldn't recommend visiting this place. read more

Since it was a beautiful night, we were hoping to get an outside table. Unfortunately the wait was too long but luckily we were able to sit inside at a very nice booth in a quiet spot. Our waiter was amazing and very helpful. This place has a wonderful vibe and it's upscale-casual. We've been coming here over many years but I believe it does need to be freshened up with a lighter paint job. We felt it was a little bit too dark in there. We started off with drinks and house salads which were great. Then three of us ordered the mahi-mahi special which came with vegetables and a rice blend. It was delicious. We were all trying to watch our waist lines, so we did not order dessert even though it was very tempting. But the coffee was hot and just right. This restaurant is on freehold's Mainstreet which is a very happening area in the warmer weather. In fact across the street there was a concert going on which we could hear loud and clear. If you sit outside it's also great for people watching. There are many restaurants on the block with outside seating. In the rear there is an open parking lot to make it more convenient. read more

Love metro! Had my 30th birthday party here, they were super accommodating (shout out to Sierr. Great cocktail menu options. We have dinner here every once in a while and the menu is very diverse. I recently had the sea bass special, minus the rice, which was like butter. Hubby usually gets the sushi. Specialty cocktails are awesome. I usually get the cucumber basil gimlet! Recently got the pumpkin vanilla chai martini which was a boozy cup o' fall! Yum!! Also recommend the filet spring rolls. Get them every time & they are always delish!! Love me some Metro read more

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I love this place. It's a great place for dinner and drinks. Staff is nice & it's a great place for a girls night out, or happy hour with friends/coworkers. Highly recommended. Food is a little pricy, but their happy hour menu is great! read more

Unfortunately it was probably one of the worst meals I have had to date. Gave it 2 stars cause the service was decent but the food was awful!!!!! My son ordered chicken fingers and each one was a different shade of fried. Looked like some were fresh and some were old. Ordered shrimp bisque soup and it was basically tomato sound with a crab cake floated in the middle. And the 2 entrees that we ordered were both terrible Would not give this a second chance and would never recommend. Major disappointment. read more

This place is amazing! We didn't have to wait for a table on a busy Friday night, which is great. The lettuce wraps are messy but so worth it. And the sushi is some of the best sushi I've ever had!!! I can't wait to go back. read more

Metropolitan Café is situated right on Main Street Downtown Freehold. I've been to this restaurant a few times over the past three years. In summer time they do offer an outdoor seating. The bar has a relaxing lounge where you can enjoy a wide range of martinis/craft beers etc. The Asian-inspired menu was interesting and had lots of options for everyone. I opted for burger and fries combo. Both were very tasty and served beautifully. The wait staff was attentive, and came to refill my beverage often. If you are looking for new, asian fusion food, good tasting unusual meals try this place. Will come back for dinner when I'm in the area again.... read more

Metropolitan Cafe is our go to place. We always know we are going to get great food and service whether we do causal sushi/burgers or more upscale meals. The rotating menu ensures we never get bored with the food. Definitely the place to go in downtown Freehold. read more

Food was very good. Filet mignon spring rolls very flavorful although a little greasy. Shrimp and calamari app outstanding. I had the short ribs which were perfectly cooked but a very small portion. The pork chop was a good size but could have been a little less cooked. Mushroom risotto with shrimp was excellent. read more

Been here frequently and the bartender is always so rude. Never acknowledges your presence and always looks angry to be there. Service without a smile and mediocre food. read more