Last month, I came here for the first time with a party of nine and left thoroughly impressed. I'm…read morewriting now because of what happened after. There was an open item from that first visit; a receipt I needed for my business, and a week of calls that went unanswered. Then I walked in and met Iyanni and Aidan. Neither of them created the problem, and neither of them treated it as someone else's. They stayed with it until the document was in my hand and would not let me leave without it. That is not training. That is culture. You can teach a script; you cannot teach a young person to take personal ownership of a stranger's inconvenience. Today I came back to surprise my mother, who turns 79 tomorrow. Edison saw me on the way in, and remembered my name, and instead of deflecting, he said plainly that the miss was his. I have spent more than three decades in human resources, and I will tell you what most people never see from the dining room: an organization that admits error at the top is an organization where the staff are safe enough to do the right thing without permission. Iyanni and Aidan make sense once you meet Edison. Then the meal. Last month it was Dave who catered to each and everyone of my guests and in a way that made them feel special and made me sit up and take notice - because I believed then I found someplace special. Today Jorge served us with the kind of attentiveness that reads as genuine interest rather than performance, he took careful note of my allergies, and when I mentioned the last really well prepared Chilean Sea Bass I'd had was in Aruba, he let the conversation breathe. My Sea Bass arrived with a Coconut Foam and Forbidden Rice that would hold its own against anything I ate on that island. My mother had the Skirt Steak and Mashed Potatoes - enough to have a small bite later in the evening. Chef Peter Botros cooks with precision and generosity that taken together is rarer than it sounds. The room itself is warm, considerate, unhurried, the aesthetic design does what good design should, which is disappear and leave you free to enjoy your company. Money is tight for a lot of us right now, and every dollar spent out is a decision. What I can tell you is that Violette's is where I will be spending mine. The food earns it. The people earn it twice. Iyanni, Aidan, Dave, Jorge, Chef Botros, and ESPECIALLY Edison -- thank you for who you are, what you offer and how you show up in our world...and THANK YOU for making my Mother's Birthday Eve special.

Came here on a random whim after seeing them pop up on IG. Turns out I had looked them up three…read moreweeks prior & forgot. A large two sided venue with garage parking around the corner. It's free, just follow the signs. There's also a private event area right next door (attached). Classy & elegant venue where I'd dress business casual at the very least. Friendly staff who are almost comedically attentive, lol. The whole experience makes you feel upscale. Dim lighting and a service speed as expected, in a good way. We kept it simple as we weren't actually that hungry, but wanted to try it. We had the Bang Bang Roll & Truffle Tso Chicken. There's no complimentary item, such as bread, & the tap water is basically room temperature. Overall a nice experience. A nice place to come, but we wouldn't "rush" back. Grades: Bang Bang Roll: C Truffle Tso Chicken: A

The service was as a 10/10. Everything was explained and the food was the star of the show. I can't…read morewait to come back and pick a fish from the tank. I loved the hibachi rice , ribs and lo mein. The teas were AMAZING. Honestly anything you order from here will be a 10/10!

Had to see what Wu's Fish House was all about so I tried their fish FOUR different ways to get the…read morefull experience. In no particular order: 1. Wuva Bowl - Asian Flounder Duo with Sichuan Kang Pao Sauce 2. Squirrel-Shaped Branzino in Sweet and Sour Sauce 3. Sweet and Sour Fried Tilapia 4. Steamed Halibut Each dish had new textures and flavors to offer. If you're going for buttery, melt in your mouth goodness, the Steamed Halibut is a no-brainer. If you want a sweet and tangy dish with slight crispiness, get the Squirrel-shaped Branzino! Customize your dish from the type of fish to the type of sauce. Tip: if you're looking for a high protein dish to-go, get the Wuva Seafood Hibachi Bowl anytime M-F for 15% off! Honorable mentions: - Sichuan Twice Cooked Pork - Steamed Egg with Scallops Don't forget to try their drinks and Golden Steamed Buns for dessert! I'm a big fan of the Strawberry Matcha Latte. We also ordered the Blue Coconut Latte and Passion Kumquat Tea. Adjust the sweetness to your liking. We got 30% sugar and it was just right. Good service and staff was accommodating. Looking forward to coming back!

5 star experience at Capt Loui:…read more Came for the first time to surprise my son and niece after they'd been hooked on seafood boil videos all over social media. My son got the Pick 2 seafood boil: 1 lb snow crab legs, 1 lb shrimp, and a side. It was $81, which caught me off guard. I missed the small by-the-pound pricing list that came separately in addition to the main menu. My niece ordered the $17 Lunch Boiler Special which lets you pick 2 seafood options plus a sauce and side. Smaller portions (~ 1/2 lb to 1 lb total), but perfect for lunch and a great value. I went with the lobster roll and sweet potato fries. Solid, but a 3.5/5 for me. I could tell the lobster had been previously frozen, still enjoyable though. I also tried my son's crab legs, and that Capt. Loui Sauce is dangerously good! Buttery, Cajun-forward, slightly sweet, not overly salted. Service was A+. Our server was friendly, attentive, and even charged my phone while we ate. I didn't catch their name, but they had braided hair. We all had pina coladas served in clear zip-top pouches with straws, like something out of a K-pop karaoke bar. The vibe inside was open and lively, with music that felt straight out of the French Quarter. It had this fun Creole-Korean seafood boil kickback energy that just worked. One detail I really appreciated was the handwashing station in the back after a messy seafood boil. It's complete with soap, lotion, mouthwash, mints, etc. so you can freshen up before heading out. Very nice touch!! This place was absolutely worth it. We'll definitely be back soon.

This location is in the H-Mart Plaza. The food is really good and service was as well…read more What we ordered: - cup of New England Clam Chowder - 6 pcs Chicken Wing basket with Fries - Build Your Own Boiler Bag - we chose Snow Crabs, Calamari, Head on Shrimp, Clams, Corn in Mild Cap't Loui sauce with a side of Garlic Noodles We will definitely be back! We've used to go to other seafood boils but they have either closed or gone downhill so hoping this place stays. It was packed when we came so it seems like others agree that it's good.

One of the best restaurants I've tried this year! The highlights were the salt roasted oysters,…read morelobster Cobb salad, crab cake, and truffle fries. Every dish we tried was delicious and you can really tell everything was high quality. There is a parking lot across the street so parking isn't too bad to find. Sitting at a table by the bar can get a bit noisy so I recommend sitting away from it.

I came to Salt on a Saturday evening, as part of a party of 6. Thank goodness we had a…read morereservation, because I don't think we would have been seated otherwise. Our party was situated downstairs at a nice round table. This really helped us share the seafood tower and pass clams around. Our group ordered the small seafood tower, and it was everything I could have dreamed of. It had a little bit of everything. The presentation was flawless. I am still in awe of the lobster. Dinner was also very good. Just about everyone ordered something different, and we left pretty happy. The only issue was the music. I don't know if this is the case for the entire restaurant, but the downstairs had bouncy ukulele covers for the entirety of our time there. It was also a bit too loud. I felt like I had to get up to hear someone sitting a few people away from me, or speak too loud to for shared space because there's a bouncy ukulele covers of Without You by The Kid LAROI. (No, that's not an embellishment. That actually played.) All in all, we had a great time, great food, in a beautiful space. Natalie was a very attentive service. But please, maybe some different music?

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!

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

"I feel sorry for people that don't drink, because when they wake up in the moting, that is the…read morebest they are going to feel all day." - Francis Albert Sinatra Nice place. Very elegant place with nice decor. Definitely a nice date night place. Had a reservation for dinner for 7 people and they were able to accommodate. This place has private rooms that would make for nice gatherings. The menu is not so expensive as you would think. I decided on the 16 ounce pork chip grilled med well. Just a little pink. I can say it was cooked and seasoned to perfection. Sweet potatoes casserole who've was so good. Sweet but not even close to too sweet. The spinach was good and I did add some pepper to them. But tasty indeed. Our waiter was really good and attentive. We were one of the first to arrive as it was a early dinner at 4:30pm. But by 5:15 it was crowded and a wait if you had no reservations. Definitely a place I would come back to. I want to try the bone in ribeye steak 14 Oz. The birthday party was really God and this made av great place to enjoy it.

Chopsticks Charm is legitimately one of the best, if not the best to find genuinely delicious Asian…read morefood around here. Here meaning all of Jersey. Only place better and by slight margins is Tasty Moment. While people come to be delighted by the decor, it's really the food that impresses. Scallion pancakes - one of the best in Tri-state area Pan fried pork buns - juiciest lip smacking little things. Beef tripe is perfectly seasoned, not too spicy and high quality cuts. Soup dumplings are good but not the greatest in comparison to other spots but... still good. Beef with chili was good but fried to oblivion. Wish it was a dry stir fry. Desserts of brown sugar rice cakes were great. Best place in town.

Pricing is a bit much (for my liking) based on their serving size but I will still honestly go back…read moreto try more of their dishes. On this day, I craved for pork belly! I was surprised that the ambiance and decor lf this restaurant is like from an unpainted water color art and so 2D. I think it was beautiful. The service is nice and I love their open kitchen concept. The braised pork belly was divine and so tender and flavorful. I do plan to come back for their pork buns and other menu items. Before I forget - I got their mango mango smoothie drink and I love that they use real fruits (at least I think so). I will come back for this too!

I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent catered food and service Bistro 1051provided…read morefor my Fathers repass. I asked Michael for a full service offsite event for 120 people and he and his team provided that. The food was above and beyond and Jamie and Kristin could not have been more efficient and friendly and Bistro 1051 exceeded my expectations. Thank you Michael for your attention to details and professional service. Ed Komoroski

Coming here, I had the Sushi Parmesan. Just kidding. That is not a menu item. I did, however, enjoy…read morethe Pan Fried Dumplings - Pork topped with Scallions, Sesame Seeds and Teriyaki Sauce and Fried Calamari - Crispy with Marinara. My main was the Rigatoni Con Sausage - Imported Sweet Italian Sausage, Hot Cherry Peppers, Sun-dried and Cherry Tomato & Broccoli Rabe, topped with Pecorino Romano in a Light Garlic Oil Broth. I thought it was rather good but what caught me offguard for all the main dishes at the table was their portion size: Huge! I ended up having a second meal at home with this one. Service was great and though the place wasn't quiet you were still able to hear each other for good converation. Parking was easy too.