We found this place in route to QC after playing MusikFest in Bethlehem. We like to obviously…read moresupport small businesses when we are travel traveling when possible. The main woman (maybe Priscilla?) was super nice and helpful on what to choose the moment we got in. Everyone in the family was happy with what they got. There are tons of options too! Very very YUM! The sandwiches, salads and wraps are HUGE too and the coffee is GOOD. The pastries looked amazing but we only got one thing. :(

Stopped here for Small Business Saturday, but they were closed for the weekend. So, my wife and I…read morewent the following week and wasn't disappointed. We made a quick stop here for coffee and and a breakfast sandwich. Didn't get a chance to walk around and check out the entire space, because the photos on here shows it to be nicely decorated. The staff was extremely friendly and very courteous. The service was quick and the food is absolutely delicious. I ordered the bacon egg and cheese sandwich and it hit the spot! We will be sure to comeback and grab a seat!

A Wonderful Italian Dining Experience -- A Little Taste of Italy!…read more My husband and I have become regulars at this restaurant, dining here at least twice a week, and for good reason! The atmosphere is hip, stylish, and inviting, the food is consistently delicious, and the service is truly exceptional. We especially enjoy dining in the upstairs trattoria, where our server, Eric, has made every visit a wonderful experience. He is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, always helping us navigate the menu and encouraging us to explore something new. One of the things we enjoy most is trying a different dish each time we visit. It genuinely feels as though we're taking a culinary tour of Italy, discovering the wonderful flavors and regional influences that make Italian cuisine so special. Tuesday evenings are an added treat with their Sicilian Pizza Night! Having recently traveled to Italy, I especially appreciate how authentic and beautifully executed the flavors are. They are absolutely on point and bring back wonderful memories of our travels. We haven't yet ventured downstairs to experience what we understand is a more traditional Italian dining atmosphere, but it's certainly on our list! It's not often you find a restaurant that combines delicious food, a vibrant atmosphere, and genuinely warm hospitality. Eric and the entire team have made this one of our favorite dining destinations. A little taste of Italy, right in our own backyard. Highly recommend!

Ristorante MV offers a cozy atmosphere with classic Italian dishes. It's a cute little restaurant…read morethat's charming from outside of the restaurant, which offers a couple of outdoor dining, to inside which was well decorated. I ordered their Sogliola Alla Oreganata, which was a fillet Of Sole with Lemon, Garlic & Herbs, Lightly Crusted & Grilled.The fish was fresh, moist, and tender, allowing its delicate flavor to shine. However, I do wish it came with a sauce instead of just a lemon wedge to add a bit more depth. We tired their tiramisu for dessert, which was served in a cup which I was very skeptical about because I'm all about finding authentic ones. It delivered a wonderfully bold espresso flavor without being overly sweet, which I really appreciated. However, I did not like the construction of the dessert as it had only 1 layer of lady finger and another layer was replaced by a sponge cake. I would have preferred both layers to be ladyfingers for a better texture and flavor. I would also like more mascarpone layers instead of a layer of cream on the top. This just tells me they are trying to save on the cost by cutting the corners with the ingredient replacements. Our server was friendly and the service was super quick. There is also a valet parking available which was very convenient it may not be easy to find street parking especially on weekends. Overall, Ristorante MV is a cute little restaurant that's a good option for date nights serving Italian cuisine with fresh ingredients and balanced flavor. I do find it to be quite pricy for what you get and also the location. I initially was looking at their special menu and was shocked to see 1 meat dish for $70-80. The tiramisu was also very small (one small tea cup size) for $15. There are definitely other options in the area so this may be a one time visit for me.

Wanted to have brunch with a friend , made a reservation for this place , and this is how it went :…read more Upon arriving the hostess was very friendly and was able to sit me even tho my friend had not yet arrived . The place is amazing , so OLD and historic I could have walked around all day just appreciating the decor and the history behind such beautiful place . We had waffles and French toast and I enjoyed their mimosa flight , that was absolutely amazing . Our server Nathan was ok , he could use some training when it comes to customer service and being welcoming . We were also met by Tony and he was awesome , hung by the table with us talking about the weather , the food and Texas . I would recommend then if you want a historic experience. The server on the other hand --- Nah

We stopped in for lunch on a Saturday, three buddies and I on motorcycles. I had never been before,…read moreand had no idea what to expect. It was interesting - we arrived at opening, and were the only patrons... except for about 50 beautifully dressed women! Apparently there were two large parties, one a wedding shower and the other a bachelorette party. And us. The ambiance is great. The place exudes a sort of sophisticated charm, the kind of feel you only get in old, established places with great food and great reputations. Our waitress was impeccable, well informed, and right on point. I ordered red lentil soup to start, and a turkey burger. The soup was delicious and warmed the bones of this chilled motorcyclist, and the turkey burger was juicy and tasty. Service was excellent. Food was excellent. I shall return!

This is a charming spot in Jersey for an authentic Mexican meal. The prices are super reasonable…read morefor one, the food was very fresh, and it's some of the most delicious food I've had. I ordered the chicken enchiladas verde and ate every bite. This is clearly a family owned restaurant, which deserves a lot of love for the level of food produced and at the prices they do.

Good mexican meal with mexican interior design and music! Pleasant dining experience. Clean…read morerestroom. High chair seen. Accepts debit/credit card. Limited parking space since it is shared with other buildings tenants. See images for reference.

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!

The food and menu is pretty good and I'm a fan of the lighting and decor. It's a great place for…read morecomfort food. The service can be a little bit slow sometimes, but overall, I would definitely recommend it.

We stopped by here for lunch under a locals recommendation and it was a very solid experience. We…read moregot the nachos and a chicken sandwich.

My mom and I stopped in here to grab lunch - she couldn't stop raving about how much better it is…read morenow that it's under new ownership. They have a variety of hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches and paninis as well as a selection of prepared sides, desserts, baked goods and coffee. You come in, order what you want and then pay at the end. My mom and I grabbed one of the 4-5 tables they have to sit and eat inside. I had the Black Forest Ham and Brie with Honeycup Mustard on Pumpernickel and my mom had the Hot Breaded Eggplant and Mozzarella with Roasted Red Peppers and Balsamic on 7 Grain. My mom's sandwich was excellent but mine was pretty soggy and had way too much ham for the thin slices of bread it was served on... I'd definitely try something else if I returned. Other than that the ingredients are high quality. I especially liked the taste of the breads.

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.

Just great service, food and drink. Sunny out but sat at the…read morehigh top Bartender ? Awesome and engaging

The tavern was everything they said it was, good onion rings and massive burgers. The WuJu Burger…read moreand goat cheese fritters were very good. We really enjoyed the dumplings...yum. We all enjoyed the food and the ambience.. My wife loved wedge...portions were generous and delicious. The service was great and our server was friendly and welcoming. It will definitely be a destination next time.

This was a cool spot with tons of seating. I sat in the permanent outdoor tent where there was a…read moregreat ambiance. I did not get a look at the inside. There were tons of intriguing options on the menu, and it took me longer than usual to decide. The service was friendly and appreciated. For appetizers, the oysters ($1 each), and the salmon ceviche special ($21) was ordered. The oysters are typically $3, but on Wednesday and Thursday, they are $1. They were from the East coast and small. The cocktail sauce was pleasant with just enough heat. The ceviche had serrano chili, pineapple relish, and a micro salad. This was tasty. I really liked how the salmon was cut. There was a good amount present, but some parts were a little tough. I liked the combination of the spicy serrano chili with the sweet pineapple relish, but I surprisingly wanted a little more of the pineapple. For an entrée, I had the blackened pork chop ($38). It came with a roasted butternut squash puree, sauteed asparagus, and a pineapple chutney. This was great. The meat was cooked to a perfect medium temperature with the right amount of seasoning. The puree was a nice touch and the pineapple chutney paired nicely with the pork. The asparagus was nice in the puree and cooked ideal too. I also tried the sesame-crusted ahi tuna that came with a Jasmine rice cake, baby bok choy, and a ginger Thai coconut sauce. The tuna was cooked to perfect rare, and the sauce was essentially a curry which was flavorful. The bok choy was hardly seasoned though. Regardless, it was still solid. Will I go back? I would.

While visiting family in New Jersey, they introduced us to the Washington House. The restaurant…read moreappeared expensive with a pretty exterior. Pleasantly surprised how reasonable it was. The food was so delicious. The biggest surprise of the night was a dish with the same name as my husband. Eloy's Queso Fundido. My family knew this and brought us there to surprise us. Come to find out that was also the chefs name. All the dishes were delicious. Chef Eloy was so gracious. Highly recommend the Washington House Restaurant.