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    Washington House Restaurant

    3.7 (278 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Washington House Restaurant Photos

    WASHINGTON HOUSE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Live music
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Washington House Restaurant

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    Churros
    Edita G.

    From my two visits in a row this past weekend (and Michelle serving us - and recognizing me both times),my opinion is even more firm that this restaurant is a must try. Absolutely anything you order from here tastes amazing. Service is blitz-quick,everyone is super polite and efficient,the ambiance is chic and upscale. One of my top 5 favorite places to eat in New Jersey,no doubt!! Don't worry about parking,as street parking nearby is free (up to 2 hrs),and they happen to have a huge parking lot nearby for when it's super busy in town. If I had to pick my go-tos at any point,that would be their French Onion Soup (they don't skim on cheese!) and Churros...especially when fresh from the oven. Give it a try,you'll be coming back for more!

    Karina U.

    I don't understand why the reviews for this place are not higher! We tried going to another spot first but there was an hour wait so we came here and were sat immediately in their "tent" without issues. The decor is cute and it was very comfortable. Great menu with lots of GF options and mocktails that all sounded amazing. I got a Scottish salmon over risotto and they asked me what temp I wanted it cooked at (great first sign). I ordered it medium rare and it came out PERFECTLY with a nice crust sear. Risotto was delicious. My sober mule was absolutely so refreshing and flavorful. I also tried my friend's boom boom shrimp and would get that next time. All the staff were efficient and the food came out so quick even though we were by no means the only people there. This place deserves more love!!

    Crab cakes
    Grace A.

    Excellent service & fantastic food, love love this place! Never noisy but full of people, young old family couples, a lil bit of everything. Highly tecommend!

    Shrimp Cocktail
    Emily P.

    Had an excellent meal here. Miguel, our server was very attentive... he gave us great suggestions. The Chop Salad is a must try! So light but so delicious! I also loved the Seared Scallops Dish! What a great restaurant, will be returning soon!

    Butternut Squash Soup - cinnamon spice cream, micro greens
    John R.

    I have been here several times for dinner, trying a variety of dishes and have been happy every time. The Fried Calamari - spicy remoulade*, marinara, lemon is a great starter. The Lobster Thermidor Toast Points - Maine lobster tail, melted gruyere, fresh dill is a unique favorite. The Butternut Squash Soup - cinnamon spice cream, micro greens was awesome. For the main course the Fish & Chips - battered cod, French fries, tartar sauce, lemon wedge is a solid version of one of my favorite 'bar' type foods. The Asian-Style Salmon Burger - miso, shitake mushrooms, wasabi aioli, avocado fries or side caesar salad is quite tasty and if you choose the side Caesar to go with it, you will be very pleased. The place is huge. The permanent heated tent they have I am sure more than doubles the capacity of the original restaurant. I have never seen it at full capacity (and frankly I wonder how the kitchen would be able to service everyone if it was) so you usually have the grace of a more quiet meal with space around you. For dinner, since most businesses are closed at that hour in the surrounding area, parking on the main street is easy to find as well and at 25 MPH it is quiet enough not to be dodging speeding cars either.

    Blackened chicken & farro salad (with salmon and no cheese)
    Arrielle S.

    What a great find! I work in the area and this was close by while also off the beaten path from our office. The inside of the place in cozy yet modern and the wait staff was fantastic. I got the blackened chicken & farro salad and asked for Salmon instead of chicken. The chicken came with the salad regardless so the waiter put it on the side for me a take home later. The salmon was amazing, crispy on the top and tender and perfectly cooked on the inside. The salad itself was wonderful and I am still thinking about it! It was creamy yet had that crispness you want in a salad and all the flavors worked great together. I also later had the blackened chicken which was seasoned great having a nice little kick. Definitely a place I would frequent again if in the area or for a work lunch.

    Lou C.

    The restaurant has seemingly outgrown itself. The outdoor seating area, which is under a big tent that the town allowed to be constructed, holds a significant number of guests, and they now have the indoor space available for seating. Service was very slow on a not very busy evening. Food is as good as always, but seems like the kitchen is having a rough time keeping up with the expanded space.

    Scottish Salmon over risotto
    Peggy P.

    What a perfect dining experience for my husband, our son and his fiancé! This was first time back since only outdoor dining was allowed during the pandemic and first time experience for our soon to be daughter in law. The service was excellent taking orders, great waiter I wish I could remember his name, and the servers who bring the drinks and food were equally polite. Service was extremely efficient. Constant attention. Great variety for mixed drinks! Between the 4 of us there were different items ordered with beautiful presentations. Their clam chowder, onion soup, fried calamari all excellent. Entrees of sesame crusted tuna, crab cakes, beef filet tips and frekadella (danish meatballs) all amazing. Each course came out piping hot,simultaneously. A big win for us, am so sorry we didn't take photos but trust me the presentations really did justice to the delicious flavors. There was no room for dessert! Perfect ending to dinner as we exited the restaurant a beautiful double rainbow. The pot of gold was our amazing dinner.

    Amazing brownie

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    3 months ago

    Amazing food and a great setting. The service is excellent and the vibe overall is pleasant.

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    Mads J.

    That's great to hear, Rich. We hope to see you again soon! WH Team

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    Ask the Community - Washington House Restaurant

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    After my first visit, a friend encouraged me to give this spot another try, so I decided to go…read moreback, and I'm really glad I did! This time I ordered the banana bread latte, and it was absolutely delicious. The flavors were much more balanced, and I really enjoyed every sip. Instead of taking it to go, I stayed and sat inside. The café had a lively, bustling atmosphere, and it was nice to slow down for a bit and enjoy my coffee. Even though it was busy, the space felt welcoming and had a great energy. I'm happy I gave this place a second chance because this visit completely changed my perspective. The banana bread latte was fantastic, and I'll definitely be back to try more of their seasonal drinks in the future.

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    Strawberry matcha

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    For some reason this restaurant popped up on social media today and since my wife and I had the day…read moreoff, we decided to take the short drive here for breakfast. This popular cafe is located right in the heart of Basking Ridge. It's small inside but there's outdoor seating also. We had a half hour wait for a table inside. The place has a very cozy feel to it and everyone we met who worked here was very friendly. I started my meal with a Vanilla Chai Latte and my wife had a Macha Latte. My wife ordered the Blintzes with blueberries and I had the Paris Morning breakfast. We both loved the food! My dish came with 2 potato pancakes, 2 poached eggs, and smoked salmon. Just delicious! A cool bit of trivia is that Paul McCartney and his wife stopped in here a few years ago. We didn't see Paul today, but we did enjoy the experience!

    We came on a Saturday around noon so they were packed both outdoor and indoor. There were two seats…read moreat the bar so we decided to go with that because we were both hungry and didn't want to wait for a table to clear up. Glad we didn't because we got great service at the bar and a lot the people in the 2 chair tables were still there enjoying their meals when we were leaving. What we ordered: - Steak and Eggs (Grilled NY strip steak, two sunny side up eggs, breakfast potatoes with Chimichurri sauce) - Eggs Benny (Two poached eggs, thick cut candied applewood bacon on toasted baguette, topped with Hollandaise sauce served with grilled asparagus) - Lemonade The food was very good. I prefer my breakfast potatoes crispy so I didn't finish those but everything else cooked to perfection. This place was on my list for a while now so I'm glad I was able to cross it off and would recommend it!

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    Blue Cafe - Although there were many tables, this counter gave us the perfect cafe experience.

    Although there were many tables, this counter gave us the perfect cafe experience.

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    Blue Cafe

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    Monterey Fine Foods - Super dry cardboard chicken cutlet

    Monterey Fine Foods

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    Monterey Gourmet was once a staple of the Bernardsville and Basking Ridge communities. Fifteen…read moreyears ago, my wife and I would happily drive from neighboring towns just to enjoy their outstanding sandwiches, homemade desserts, extensive catering menu, and the warm hospitality of the two women who made the place feel so welcoming. When we moved to the area over a decade ago, Monterey still had that same charm for a while. Unfortunately, after it was sold, nearly everything that made it special began to disappear. The redesign of the interior was the first warning sign. The refrigerated display cases along the back wall and the bakery counter were removed, along with the shelves showcasing quality wines, spirits, and local craft beers. In their place came an awkward circular display island that forces customers to walk around it just to see what's available or even read the menu. The new layout simply didn't and still doesn't work. The food quality also declined. Hot sandwiches were prepared on the same small plug-in flat top grill used for bacon, leaving nearly everything with a bacon flavor whether you wanted it or not. Over time, higher quality meats were replaced with cheaper alternatives, and the thoughtfully selected wines and spirits gave way to lower quality bottles carrying surprisingly high markups. The business changed hands several more times, but each owner seemed to leave the store in worse condition than the last. The space gradually began to feel neglected; dusty shelves, tired fixtures, and the lingering smell of a freshly bleached floor mopped with what felt like a decades-old mop...an all too typical way businesses try to mask an odor with another. At one point, the shelves were so empty and the catering operation so diminished that many locals genuinely wondered whether Monterey was still open. Recently, the newest ownership has been promoting the business on Facebook as having "the same great food," great coffee, and now functioning primarily as a liquor store. While advertising the business isn't a bad idea, it's difficult to see how a small neighborhood market can compete with established retailers like Gary's or Adelphia in either selection or pricing. Of course we decided to give it a try, despite high expectations, the dishes felt flat and disappointing. Even more concerning is the marketing approach. Large "Under New Management" banners now cover the storefront windows, while bright advertising flags promoting cheap alcohol line the front lawn along Route 202, obscuring neighboring business signage. Rather than conveying quality, the presentation feels out of place for the community and comes across as more desperate than inviting. It suggests a lack of understanding of the local market and the customers they hope to attract. It's disappointing to watch what was once one of the area's premier lunch destinations become little more than a bodega style market. Monterey Gourmet used to draw customers from all over Somerset and Morris counties for exceptional food and catering. Today, little remains of that reputation. I genuinely do not believe the business will succeed and with the route it has taken, I hope it doesn't. If it does want to succeed, it will require more than new signage. It needs a clear vision. The space deserves a complete renovation: remove the impractical center island, thoroughly deep clean and refresh the interior, redesign the layout to improve customer flow, and create a menu that honors a handful of Monterey's classic favorites while introducing new, high quality offerings. Most importantly, the catering business should once again become the heart of the operation. Monterey was once known for catering lavish weddings, The Hunt, corporate lunches, parties, and community gatherings. Rebuilding that reputation could once again make it a destination rather than a stop of convenience. This will take time and money though, something most of the owners have refused to accept. The store should also return to offering a carefully curated selection of quality wines, spirits, and local craft beers displayed on classic shelving instead of relying on tacky outdoor banners and discount-style advertising. Finally, ownership should take the time to understand the community they're serving. Bernardsville and Basking Ridge value quality, consistency, and authenticity. Since the original owners left, each successive ownership group has seemed to overlook those values, and the decline has reflected that. Sadly, the Monterey Gourmet name itself has accumulated years of disappointment. Rebuilding trust may even require starting fresh with a new identity...a name change and riddance of the carbon copy logo from a neighboring pizzeria. Whatever the future holds, I hope someone eventually restores this location to the destination it once was, because this community deserves a neighborhood gourmet market worthy of its history.

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    Monterey Fine Foods - Mehh sandwhich - flaky dry chicky

    Mehh sandwhich - flaky dry chicky

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    Washington House Restaurant - bars - Updated September 2026

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