Went to Clarizio's Italian Ristorante and I'm still thinking about this meal closing my eyes…read moretonight. I ordered the pork chop and I swear it melted in my mouth faster than my paycheck disappears on Amazon. Perfectly cooked, juicy, and seasoned so well I almost stood up and applauded in the middle of the restaurant. Then came dessert... the cannoli cake. Whoever invented that deserves their own national holiday. Out of this world doesn't even describe it. I took one bite and immediately started questioning every other dessert I've ever eaten in my life. The staff was awesome, the atmosphere was great, and honestly I'd probably fight a small bear for another slice of that cake.

This past Saturday night was my husband and my first time dining at this restaurant even though we…read moredo live locally. Many of our friends have recommended Clarizio's to us but every time we gave thought about coming it has been particularly difficult to get a reservation on a Saturday night. I was working late on Saturday, so I was unaware that my husband was able to make a reservation for 8:30PM. Reservations are not made through Open Table. Instead, Clarizio's website send you to another site called Resy to make a reservation. What was shocking and disappointing is that Clarizio's hold your credit card number to secure the reservation and if you don't show a $25 fee is charged. My husband was so worried that they were going to count us as a no show because we were running a little late. He even tried to call to inform them that we were running late, but no one answered the phone. Luckily, Clarizio's called us because we were about 10 min late to inquire our whereabouts and we had just turned into the restaurant parking lot. Upon arrival, the hostess took us to a table set for 2 in a crowded dining room with all other tables holding large parties. Although it was crowded it did not take away anything from our wonderful dining experience! Our waiter John P was extremely nice and helpful especially after he learned that it was our first time dining here. Unfortunately, I was unaware that it was BYOB because I was working and was unable to check the website. Our waiter John eased our minds by saying that it was okay and that we would have to rely on their food to make a good impression. That certainly was no disappointment! Our food was so terrific, that we cannot wait to return and taste so many other delicious sounding items on their menu. John also told us that unless we have huge appetites, their entree portions were large enough to share. We were glad to take John's suggestion and shared the Zuppa di Pesce which was plentiful of shellfish in a tomato broth over angel hair pasta. We have had this dish in many other Italian restaurants and this was one of the best! This entree also came with one salad and I asked for an extra salad for me since we were sharing the entree. Not to go unnoticed was the crunchy outside and soft inside delicious bread. For dessert, we shared the Tiramisu suggested by John as it was his personal favorite. It was so light and flavorful that we too could make it our personal favorite! All in all this was a fabulous dining experience and I highly recommend this restaurant! Next time though, I will remember to bring a bottle of wine.

Is this the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to?…read more Actually, yes, it is. And I have been to a lot of Italian restaurants. The wait for a table was 45 minutes, but it was worth every minute. The food was delicious, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was wonderful. We ended up being seated in a back patio room and though it was very hot outside (one of those 100 degree days last summer), it was actually very nice in there. The show started with someone asking for our drink order, then coming back with said drinks. After that she brought out some starts on the house, courtesy of chef and owner Joe. We were off to a great start! Soon after she returned to get our dinner order. After that, Chef Joe himself showed up to our table to thank us for visiting his restaurant and ask how we liked things so far. We let him know those starters were perfect...eggplant balls and a corn/tomato salad. Eventually our dinner came. Both dishes were waaaaaaaay more food than either of us expected. I had ordered chicken with mozzarella squares on top and drizzled in balsamic, which was a special created by Chef Joe's wife, according to the menu. My partner got eggplant parm...and wow, what a pile of food it was. Two huge eggplant pieces piled high with delicious sauce and served with some delectable pasta. Chef Joe came back to the dining room awhile later to ask people how their entrees were, and we let him know this was a great experience. I want to go back to Point Pleasant just to get here again. This time I will make a reservation.

What an experience! Spano's is exactly what you'd want an Italian restaurant to be. The food is…read moreamazing. The customer service is exceptional. The ambiance is perfection. The night started with Joe Spano, the owner, stopping at our table to bring several little dishes before we even had a chance to look at the menu. The meatballs (made with actually no meat but rather eggplant) were pure sorcery...like so good there aren't words. He noticed our wine bottle (it's BYOB so come prepared!), and by pure coincidence, it was his favorite bottle. Joe asked to show another costumer because they had been discussing wines earlier, and he wanted to make sure they got to see the label. If that wasn't personal enough, the walls are adorned with black and white framed photographs of family from back in the day to the present. The environment is clean, well-maintained, and cozy. Every bite we had was exceptional and the portions were huge! We left contently full but with plenty of leftovers. I'm quite sure every meal will exceed the expectations of even the pickiest of eaters. Our server, Brian (or Bryan) was new but attentive and informative. He spent time talking with his tables and being personable while also making sure everyone was taking care of. Overall, I highly recommend experiencing a meal at Spano's at least once....but after your first bite, you'll likely be making your next reservation before you leave (like we saw many people do)!

This is one of my favorite places! The restaurant is very…read morewell decorated and has a real classy Italian modern vibe (with an incredible outdoor area in the summer). Staff is very professional and friendly, always making sure everyone is having a good time. Honestly, all the food is great here but some of my favorites are definitely the carpaccio and calamari appetizer (the calamari is the BEST I ever had, hands down) and their coffee panacota for dessert is also out of this world, just amazing! If you are a bread lover just know they make their own bread in house. 5 stars always!

I went here for lunch today with my husband and brother-in-law. The ambiance outside was very nice…read more It reminded me of the islands. The food, however, is another story. For appetizers, we got zucchini chips, fried calamari and mussels. The calamari was fried too hard and it had a very salty, spicy Chilean type sauce over it. The zucchini chips were thinly sliced, lightly battered with Parmesan cheese sprinkled over them. They were decent but nothing to write home about. In fact, after having about six or seven of the zucchini chips I began to experience heartburn from the grease. For entrees, my husband had the chicken parm. He said it was too thick and should have been flattened more before frying. It was also very breaded. My brother-in-law ordered the chicken and waffles and he said the chicken tasted day old so after having a bite of one piece of the chicken he pushed the chicken aside and called it a day. I called the waiter over and informed him about the chicken tasting day old. He didn't try to change it out or take it off the bill or get a manager. He just apologized by saying I'm sorry. My crab Mac and Cheese was decent. It wasn't seasoned the way I would have liked but the huge, plentiful chunks of crab made up for that. I ate a third of my dish and packed the rest for home where I will doctor it up to my taste. I've never been to this particular restaurant before. The only reason we came today is because my brother-in-law was here on business and staying at a hotel in the area.

We had a wonderful experience while in Red Bank for a birthday celebration…read more Fun vibe Great staff and service Great music Pretty place Wonderful food We would come again so upbeat and a great vibe I loved the avocado salad and the bolognese was perfect. ( two of my fav things and both were OUTSTANDING) All the apps, entrees, dessert was delicious we all can't wait to come back. Side note: if you don't love music we came for the first time and loved it but not sure if it's every night. But it wasn't to loud that we couldn't hear each other so we enjoyed the DJ) We will all be back soon. Fun vibe and upbeat place. Thx for a great night.

8 adults ate here to celebrate a special event....the restaurant is very loud, it was difficult to…read morespeak across the circular table. Cocktails were brought out but not as specifically ordered. When the appetizers and mains were delivered we got the "who ordered the .....?" At this price point the staff should know who ordered what and not be auctioning off dishes to whomever raises their hand. The food was good, nothing wrong with it but also nothing overly impressive. Overall I think I'd pass on a return visit and spend my money elsewhere.

Absurdly good. This place has been a staple in the area for a long time, and they really make the…read moremost of their space. The strip mall itself isn't anything special, but the surrounding area is beautiful , and once you're inside, the restaurant feels warm and inviting. The food is fantastic, and the variety on the menu is impressive. The chef clearly knows what they're doing because every single dish we tried was genuinely delicious. It's the kind of spot where you can't go wrong: date night, dinner with friends, or anything in between. We brought our own bottle and had a great time. Our waiter was super knowledgeable, friendly, and patient. The staff even joked around with me when I forgot my to‑go bag, and yes, I absolutely took it home because the food is that good. I also appreciate that they don't act like offering takeout is beneath them; even the takeout bag was nice. I honestly wish my meals were this good every night. I hope everyone who works here is paid well and enjoys what they do, because they're running the place exactly how a restaurant should be run. It feels like a true community staple somewhere that transports you a bit and makes the whole experience feel special. Lovely all around.

Luca's Ristorante in Somerset, NJ, is an amazing Italian eatery that captures the essence of what…read moregreat food and pasta should be. It's tuck in a nook of a strip mall, but you will notice that the parking lot is packed. Seating has intimate small tables inside or larger tables for groups. Also, they have outside seating for those warmer days. I do suggest you make a reservation just because of the limited overall seating. I always like to start with a good calamari but what made it was the homemade sauce to dip them in. I also decided to go for the special which today was a crab cake stuff pasta. Luca's Ristorante is a hidden gem in Somerset, combining great food, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere. It's perfect for a casual night out, a family gathering, or a romantic dinner. Whether you're a fan of traditional Italian dishes or looking to explore new flavors, Luca's is sure to impress.

So my wife and I have eaten here for a number of different events so we decided it would be the…read moreperfect place to host our 1 year old daughter's birthday party. This place is fantastic. I wish I remembered our hostess name but she was the best. She ensured all the food came out in a timely matter, any request we had she was on top of it. Truly exceptional service. As far as the food and their party package it's an amazing value. People drank and definitely left full, which all you could ask for. Highly recommend!

Meeting a friend for lunch, we decided upon this posh restaurant in the Holmdel center, where the…read moreanchor stores are Best Buy, Ulta, and Turning Point. Upon entering, we were told it was recently renovated. Being that I didn't know what it looked like before the renovation, this place looks very upscale. We were given two sets of menus. One was their regular menu, which is good for both lunch and dinner. The other menu had the lunch sandwich menu. The waitress indicated that the sandwiches come in two different types of bread: focaccia and Italian. I was not very hungry, so I ordered the Parma with focaccia bread, as my friend ordered the Cheese steak on Italian bread. We were then given a bread basket with whipped butter. My friend stated the bread was fresh and good, but she was hoping for the olive oil. Shortly after placing our orders, our sandwiches arrived. I was a little surprised as my Parma appeared more like flatbread than the thicker, fluffier focaccia I had expected. I didn't want to make a fuss in front of my friend, so I simply ate it. The sandwich was tasty, but I wished it had been warmed, as that would have better married the flavors and elevated the overall experience. My friend's cheese steak was huge, as the skirt steak was plentiful, and the cheese leaked out a bit, making it look remarkable. I inquired how it tasted, and she stated it was good. She just wished it had a bit more onions to break up the taste of the meat. We each ordered a cappuccino, and that was truly the highlight of the meal. The 6-ounce cappuccino came with 4 small biscotti, which paired well with the beverage. Neither of us used any sugar, and the cappuccino was excellent. The ratio between the espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam was perfectly rich in both taste and texture. I can't stop raving about it. Service was very good, and the food was enjoyable. The ambiance was chic. My rating is 3 1/2 stars, though I have rounded it up to 4 stars.

New Years dinner at Jasper Stone hit the spot. We went with friends and the palce was packed. A…read morelittle noisy, but that is to be expected. Our server, Willem, was attentive and knowledgeable regarding the menu. The menu is quite different from our last visit in 2024 - better organized and easier to read. We atarted by ordering a Caesar salad and Tagliatelle Bolognese to share at the table as an appetizer - quite nice and a good start. Charlie and I both chose the Creekstone Ribeye ( I opted for the Horseradish Creme Fraiche) and our wives both chose the Crab Crusted Halibut. all entrees came out cooked to order and piping hot. We also shared an order of creamed spinach. No dessert as we were doing that at home, but the coffee hit the spot. JS is BYOB so don't forget to bring your wine. Defintely a destination restaurant, and we will be back!

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.

An experience that everyone must have. The chef is awesome. He came out to talk to my family…read moreseveral times and even joined in the birthday song. The waiter and waitress went far beyond expectations. I would tell anyone driving thru the area or trying to decide what to eat. To choose Dolce Fantasia. This heavenly food of awesomeness is my number one pick. The food was excellent from appetizers to dessert. The chicken meat balls awesome the three cheese pasta awesome. The presentation dynamic. The whole experience is a 15 put of 10. The waitress named Bailey is by far great. But wait each waiter added a special touch to the experience as well. Giving a straw to my son to keep him distracted while we ate dessert. The other waitress and waiters smiling as they did roll call for the dinner portion of the night. Awesome would sum up everything. Chef my family and I thank you for opening your doors and table. Keep that helmet shining. MrC

Nice ambiance. Extensive menu and fantastic service. The squid ink pasta was served with fresh…read moremussels. It was pretty good. The crab ravioli special was great. Desert menu was awesome. Try the hazelnut gelato, hazelnut crème brûlée and Nutella cheesecake in a cup. Even the decaf coffee was good. We really enjoyed meeting the chef, he came out in person to each table.

Via Sposito never disappoints! We go here all the time and the food is consistently great. This…read moretime we had the chicken parm in vodka sauce--absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. We also tried the American cheesecake for dessert, and it was the perfect sweet ending to the meal. The place is always packed, which says a lot about how good it is. You can walk in, but I'd definitely recommend calling ahead or making a reservation if you can. One of our favorite local spots--highly recommend!

What a cute lil place we found! My son is a wrestler and we had weigh ins down the street at the…read morehigh school so what better way to Celebrate him making weight than throwing down some amazing pasta! First off, the food! I had a shrimp dish that was amazing, the sauce it came with was perfect, shrimps grilled nicely, and the fresh pasta was on point! I was able to steal a slice of the margherita pie before it was devoured while my daughter wasn't looking and two thumbs up there - the crust was great with the sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil -5 just the right amount. The penne vodka was pretty good too. The location was cute as mentioned, part of a strip mall with parking. Staff was very friendly! If I am ever in the area again, I know where we're going...

This restaurant creates experiences I genuinely value. The team members kept our glasses full and…read moreregularly asked if everything was meeting our expectations. This restaurant combines good environment, attentive staff and delicious dishes. The food follows authentic traditions. Thank you for the good time. And for the entire experience.

What goes great with beer? Meatballs!!! Hubby and I happened to come upon Your Sister's Balls, the…read morefood truck when we went to Alternate Ending, a local brewery. What a wonderful surprise! Two ladies who run the food truck have great homemade seasoned beef balls (their OG Sisters Balls), seafood balls, sausage meatballs (Tony's Balls), turkey balls (Gobble Gool Balls), Rice Balls, vegan mini balls, and even mini calzone aka "Italian empanadas."  All are topped off with their signature San Marzano tomato sauce.  If meatballs aren't your jam, they also offer specials such as eggplant parmigiana and zucchini flowers. We ordered the following, Gobble Gool, OG Sister's Balls, Tony's, and their famous OG Sisters Balls. All were perfectly seasoned and savory!! Your Sister's Balls, the food truck, serve their balls in pairs with a slice of fresh Italian bread, to mop up the delicious sauce in to-go containers. If you plan on eating right away, they do offer a paper tray, lined with aluminum foil. It should be noted, The Sampler, which includes 3 big balls, please note the seafood, vegan, and mini calzones are not included. If you want to know where their food truck will be found, you can check them out via Instagram or FaceBook. One of the ladies even told me you can sign up for their email list for updates, promotions, and where they will be to follow them. Can't wait to try out more of their specials. I've got my eyes on their eggplant parmigiana!