Went on a date night to Proving Ground on a beautiful summer night…read more We started with some sushi getting the shrimp tempura roll. It was delicious I was surprised they even had sushi. For mains we ordered the truffle mac and cheese and the steak sandwich. The steak sandwich was on garlic break, the steak was cooked perfectly and the added fries were a plus. The mac and cheese was also delicious not overly cheesy just an all around good meal. Definitely worth checking out we sat outside and admired the boats and sunset. The food came out quick and hot. Service was polite and genuine.

I'm not usually a fan of dishes with a lot of tomato sauce, and unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this…read moreentrée as much as I had hoped. Maybe I misunderstood the description, but I expected the Creole flavors to come through more. Instead, the dish tasted heavily of tomato and seemed to be missing some of the additional seasonings I was expecting. The orzo was also overcooked, which made it very soft and easy to break apart. That said, the lobster bisque was absolutely divine, and the fries were perfectly crunchy. Despite my meal not being my favorite, the restaurant itself is beautiful. It was pouring outside during my visit, but the waitress was incredibly kind and attentive, which definitely added to the experience. I would still love to return and try some of the other items on the menu. I especially want to experience their outdoor seating--it looks absolutely gorgeous with the lighting! Overall, it's a beautiful restaurant with a lovely atmosphere, and I'm looking forward to giving it another try.

Good food, quick service, large portions. It is a cash only establishment so you will need to hit…read moreup a nearby ATM beforehand. Authentically New Jersey vibes.

Great no frills spot, awesome pork roll sandwich and great coffee. Go support these ladies!!read more

Incredible coffee shop! The Breakfast sandwiches were out of this world!…read more My wife and I came here two days in a row the place is so good! First day we had scones and coffee, the Scones were baked to perfection and perfectly balanced, the coffee was strong and delicious. The next day before our drive home we stopped again, this time for breakfast. We had a quiche that was very tasty- and a Ham egg & cheese on a croissant that was SO good... I wept a little. I can't recommend this place enough. The prices are a bit higher than average but they 1000% deliver on that with the quality and flavor that makes you feel like you're instantly transported to a cafe in Paris.

-- A Beautiful Cafe In Highlands --…read more Stopped by after visiting Sandy Hook and wanted to warm up with some coffee and a bite to eat. There's quite a nice selection of coffee and tea drinks plus an array of beautiful french pastries. They also have a food menu that includes grain bowls and other sandwiches and salads. There's even a tea bar with matcha, chai and lattes. I had a latte and enjoyed the spinach and feta quiche. Service was timely and I opted to take it to-go. There are a few tables inside and some outside when it's warmer. While you wait for your order, there is a cute area with nice candles, dried flowers and other very tasteful modern interior design accents to buy. Enjoy!

Pebbles and marbles like things on my mind get lost…read more Thankfully not Gem's Outstanding bagel for me - visiting from out of state (made a social error - I used the term 'Taylor Ham' when ordering a sandwich). Rest assured their pork roll sandwich hit the spot. So much so that I went back the next AM for a repeat. Glad I found this place on my recent visit

Pretty good variety of bagels. Fresh on a mid-Sunday morning. Staff were friendly and efficient.read more

Excellent food. Great presentation. Friendly service. Pleasing decor. Loved the warmed chips with…read moresalsa and guacamole. It's well worth the short walk from First Ave. I had the pork chop. It was juicy and Hugh with great sauces and arugula salad yum!

Update: came here for dinner since the last time I just did a pick up order! 100% worth coming and…read moredining in-person! The staff was very friendly and sweet and offered up suggestions on what they think we'd like the best. We started off with their mocktails (I got the mango) and then shared chips and guac. We got a few things to share, including the tempura cauliflower and the eggplant appetizer. Everything had such a unique flavor profile and was different than anything we had tried before! There was so much on the menu we wanted to try, so we will have to come back for more

Fresh seafood, waterfront views, and a relaxing afternoon along the Jersey Shore made for the…read moreperfect lunch at One Willow. We skipped brunch and went straight for the seafood favorites, starting with fresh little neck clams and the bright, refreshing citrus calamari with fennel, yuzu vinaigrette, and citrus segments that tasted like summer on a plate. The spaghetti with local littleneck clams was packed with flavor, perfectly balanced with white wine, colatura, breadcrumbs, and aged Parmesan. Paired with an Arnold Palmer and the tropical "Vacation Mode" cocktail, it was the kind of meal that makes you want to stay by the water all afternoon.

I'm really surprised this spot doesn't have an even higher rating! This is one of the best outdoor…read moredining restaurants I've been at, specifically for the gorgeous waterfront views. On a beautiful, warm and breezy day, this is the spot to be! The staff was friendly and everything we ordered was delicious. We got a variety of raw bar items, including the oysters and ceviche, and also the tomato salad, which was amazing! Great vibes all around

Our server, Ellie, was just absolutely phenomenal so friendly and welcoming. She was the best! Food…read morewas tasty as well!

This was a great dining experience.from the service staff Erica to the kitchen farm to table…read moreperfectly prepared dishes dining areas both outdoor and indoor.and so much more. Thank you for helping celebrate my wife's birthday

I have selected Bahrs Landing as my yearly visit for Soft Shell Crab (most commonly blue crabs that…read morehave recently molted their hard outer shell to grow. Caught immediately after shedding, the entire crab can be eaten...shell and all. They offer an intensely sweet, rich flavor and a delicate, crispy texture when cooked). Bahr's Landing prepares this sautéed crab with capers, mushrooms, lemon & butter, mashed potatoes and vegetables. My go-to appetizer is always the Grilled Cauliflower (Topped with tomato pesto, quinoa, and wild rice blend). The crispness of the cauliflower....brushed through the surrounding ingredients.....makes this the perfect starter. Aside from enjoying the mouth-watering food, you'll also feel as if you're dining on a ship, have great views of the pier, water, and the bridge leading into Sandy Hook Beach. Don't forget to visit their gift shop and view all of the maritime decor and beautiful woodwork.

What a disappointment...been living in Monmouth County for over 45yrs...for most those years, my…read morefamily has dined here numerous times. Most recently, my older daughter, after college, married a young man from Long Island and moved there. My son-in-law and I have a friendly banter regarding who has the better seafood. They visited for the week and prior to them heading back to LI, I recommended going out to Bahrs, before they get on the parkway...easy and to prove my point, who has the better seafood...well, needless to say...my point was mute. First, let me set the stage, it's 4 adults and 3 children (7,5,3)....ordered steamers, mug of NE chowder, calamari, Caesar salad, linguine w/clam, kids cheese burger, pasta with butter, side of meatballs, fried founder and a Lava cake (baby girls bday-they were out of) replace it with a couple of scoops of ice cream...with a candle (best part). Mug of Chowder- $13 came out cold Caesar Salad- $15 couple of pieces of romaine, wishbone is a better dressing Linguine w/clam- $29 sauce was so think, uneatable (gave enough clams) still couldn't eat it Calamari- $17, only rings and rubbery, Costco has better frozen Kids cheeseburgers- $14.50 each, 4oz burgers It was a slider at best...no taste Pasta with butter- $14.50 dry, forgot the butter Steamers- $27....sandy and rubbery What has happened to this place...staff is summer help...inexperienced...it's not the fault of the help, it's the fault of the owners and management. For the record, we didn't complain to our waitress..it's not her fault. We tip her 25%, (my children worked locally, during the summers, not at Bahrs) Bill was over $300 with drinks...I'd rather spend that where I can get quality. There are many more options...guessing location plays a part...but, I'm a local and not a tourist. Sorry Bahrs, not returning......

Two story shore restaurant…read more The seating areas on both floors are comfortable. The cocktails are tasty. Some of the menu items are ambitious. For example, the Scallops with Risotto and Corn had good texture but lacked flavor. The service was attentive. There was a 3.5% service charge for credit cards.

Here's a refined, "elite" Yelp review that also subtly reflects the photo:…read more If you're looking for a spot that nails both presentation and flavor, Atlantic House is absolutely worth the trip. We ordered the fish tacos, birria tacos, and kettle-style potato chips--and every plate came out looking as good as it tasted. The fish tacos were beautifully assembled, piled high with crisp, fresh slaw that added the perfect crunch to the tender, flaky fish underneath. Light, clean, and balanced. The birria tacos were the star of the table. Rich, deeply seasoned meat tucked into perfectly griddled shells, served with a savory dipping broth that takes each bite to another level. Messy in the best way possible--and completely worth it. Even the kettle-style potato chips stood out. Thick-cut, golden, and topped with just the right amount of flavor to make them more than just a side--they held their own next to the tacos. The overall experience ties everything together: polished yet relaxed atmosphere, attentive service, and dishes that clearly have intention behind them. It's the kind of place where you can tell care is put into both the food and the experience. Atlantic House isn't just a good meal--it's a spot you'll want to come back to, and one I'd recommend without hesitation.

Fantastic service with a smile! The highlight of our experience was definitely the pleasant,…read morecheerful, and quick service from the staff at Sissy's At the Harbor. We were seated outside because it was a beautiful day, but it quickly became windy. Even though we were outside, we had multiple staff check in on us to make sure we were doing ok-- unfortunately not an experience I have with a lot of restaurants that have split seating . I'm so thankful for Sissy's staff for being so attentive and caring of their customers! I ordered the Broccoli and Cheese omelet and it was so delicious and it was probably one of the best omelets I've ever had! Keep in mind that this restaurant is cash only!

I have been going to sissy's at the harbor for years. It has always been a staple in my rotation…read more It is a classic spot in the Atlantic highlands with a perfect view of the marina. Today we went for lunch and got a chicken caesar wrap and a Philly cheese steak. The service was fast and easy just like it always is. Food is always served with love here. In addition this place is CASH ONLY.