My wife and I have been romancing the idea of a trip to Jessica's for months. Are we classy enough? Can our simple palettes appreciate the medley of flavors throughout the menu? We decided it was worth the gamble, and boy did we hit the jackpot. We loved the BYOB option, proudly flaunting local beers while most tables had a bougie bin of ice helping to chill their wines. As we sipped on our own version of bubbly, we started with a couple of delicious appetizers - meatballs and fried burrata. While both were great, the meatballs were the clear winner, served hot in a small cast iron skillet. Moving to the main course, the pasta ragu was another hit. It had a bit of a peppery undertone, but wasn't spicy, just a wonderful blend of spices that gave it a unique flavor. For dessert, I had an apple-based dish that was a special that night. While again another creative showing, I think I'd stick to some of the simpler options on the menu (like a Caramelized banana split - YES PLEASE) read more

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Hadn't been to the new location yet, after being a major fan of them at their original location. Had my normal octopus and lobster crepe for crepes. Outstanding as always. For dinner, tried the shrimp rigatoni (ridiculously good) and the ribeye. Steak was good, I just didn't love the sauce. It wasn't bad, I just prefer my steaks seasoned but dry with a lil char and full of flavor inside. Nonetheless I still enjoyed it. Staff provided great service and the new location is in a great spot, well designed, great ambiance, much bigger and pretty easy to find parking. If you haven't been to Jessica's, it's a must do. This gem that was relatively under the radar for years, is now being discovered. But the quality and consistency remains. read more

Jessica's Restaurant - Shrimp Rigatoni - Italian Near Me - Fanwood, New Jersey

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This is my second time at the restaurant, but first time at newer location. The new location is beautiful. This time I had to pork chop. It was incredible. The mashed potatoes purée was silky and creamy. The braised cabbage and apples brought that traditional pork chop and applesauce flavor in a new way. Everything together was a great bite. My wife and I both had the cosmo mocktails. They hit the spot. Flavorful and refreshing. My wife really enjoyed the octopus. There were notes of pesto in the sauce beneath. Lastly, the crème brûlée was the perfect birthday dessert. Simple yet perfect. The service was great. They were attentive and let us know timing of all our plates. read more

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What an outstanding dining experience this was! We actually attended a special event so they had a special menu but when I say everything was perfect I mean perfect! The octopus was delicious, the burrata salad was unlike any burrata salad I've ever had and so amazing. And the filet mignon was cooked to perfection. Very attentive and friendly service as well. Really outstanding place and I will most definitely be coming back here even though it's a little bit far from me! read more

A large sized venue in a retail/business complex. Free parking lot on the backside of the complex. Low lit interior, dark modern decor. Service was fast and friendly. Our server Lumi was very nice and fun. We had the Wood Fired Meatballs, Wild Mushroom Cream Soup, Rigatoni Al Ragu, & Short Rib Fettuccine. Everything was great starting with the complimentary bread. It came warm with a drizzle of melted butter already on it. When the complimentary bread is worth mentioning, you're off to a great start. This is a nice place for a date night without being too over the top. Small menu, that was surprising, but what they have that we tried, they do well. I wouldn't be opposed to coming back sometime and trying their burger. The meatballs were the all-star of our visit. They are incredible! Grades: Wood Fired Meatballs: A++ Wild Mushroom Cream Soup: A Rigatoni Al Ragu: B Short Rib Fettuccine: A read more

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Lives up to the hype. Wanted to try this place for years and finally got the opportunity. The place is very nice inside. The service was solid. Waiter was friendly but they didn't come around to refill water. We tried the fried burrata. It was excellent. We had the rigatoni and shrimp. This was a 10/10. Same with the short ribs. The dessert we got was a special. Key lime pie. It was good. Overall this is one of the better Italian restaurants in the state. A true must go. read more

Stopped by to grab some takeout and decided to try the lunch short rib sandwich--with a side of fries, of course! Service was super friendly and quick--my order was ready in no time. I was genuinely impressed by how generous the portion was (especially the fries--so many fries!). The sandwich? Absolute winner. The flavors were spot on, and the bread was soft and seriously tasty. And those fries? Perfectly crispy, no soggy ones in sight! The restaurant itself has a great vibe too--super cute outdoor seating that I'll definitely be coming back to enjoy. Their menu looks amazing, and I'm already eyeing a few other dishes to try next time! read more

Jessica's Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Fanwood, New Jersey

I continue to love the food, the service and everything else about this place. It is always my first suggestion when asked where I want to go out to dinner. Many of my friends feel the same way. My favorites are the White Mussels and the Pork Chop. Last night I had outstanding Soft Shell Crabs. I recently had their meatball appetizer. I have been fortunate to have had meatballs at Rao's which has generally been acclaimed as "the best ". The meatballs at Jessica's are a close second and I have eaten at many NYC classic Italian restaurants such as Emilio's Ballato, Parkside, and Bamonte's. I need to take more photos of the food but as soon as it arrives at the table, I can't wait to dig in Very pretty restaurant with plenty of parking. Cannot wait to go back again and again. Congratulations and thank you to Armand and Lindy for creating this amazing experience. read more

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Stop by over the weekend to have brunch with family and friends. The place has nice welcoming atmosphere. The brunch menu was perfectly what we were looking. A little something for everyone. Some wanted breakfast some wanted burger. The service was incredible. The wait staff were very attentive. Always filling our waters and refilling our teas and sodas. Looking forward to coming back and try their dinner menu. read more

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Had bench at Jessica's it's as good as a brunch can get . Almost a 5 star experience . Had the eggs and potatoes dish outstanding . I ate my meal slowly to get a full experience, definitely best breakfast around by far . read more

Jessica's Restaurant - Pan Seared U10 Scallops - Italian Near Me - Fanwood, New Jersey

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I attended a dinner party here and it is always difficult to judge a restaurant based on a party menu. The hosts choose the menu and it is difficult for a restaurant to serve 30 meals at once. I wasn't crazy about the choices or flavor profiles. The Caesar salad was very good. The pork chop itself was cooked perfectly. I did not like the plum sauce or the vegetables that came with it. The chicken dish was not rated highly. The service was very good. The restaurant is decorated nicely and there is plenty of parking. read more

I'm surprised that I didn't review this place when I 1st came to the new location back at Mothers Day 2024. Me and my besties brought our moms there for Mother's Day lunch that week and we all loved it . The mushroom truffle soup was a hit with me and my mom . We also loved the skirt steak with chimichurri sauce and the apricot bread pudding was to die for Our waitress was so sweet , professional and lovely. Actually all the staff was great Love the interior of the new place. Fast forward- I came here this past week and got the mushroom truffle soup YUM. Also tried the short rib sandwich which was good and took home the apricot bread pudding just because I was so full . I definitely recommend this place Lovely experience. It's BYOB by the way read more

Jessica's Restaurant - Cream of Mixed Wild Mushroom Soup - Italian Near Me - Fanwood, New Jersey

Food, Service and Ambiance! Plenty of parking too. What more could you want? Menu changes, but favorites remain. Quiet but has a vibe. We were never rushed and service is spot on! Love it here . read more

Incredibly nice staff. Dishes were very well prepared. Beet salad was refreshing with seasoned grapefruit and beets. Mushroom soup was creamy with a nice truffle touch. The cavatelli short rib pasta was delicious and cooked perfectly. Couldn't tell the difference between this dish and something served at Torrisi. The venison special was good and cooked perfectly. Desserts were pretty amazing as well. read more

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I visited this dimly lit spot with a seasonal menu and some specials thrown in. The menu had a nice French-Italian fusion vibe. The staff was friendly, and the food arrived quickly. They kicked the meal off with some sliced focaccia. It was not bad. The ends were a bit tough, but it paired well with the mussels and feta salad we started with. We ordered the white mussels ($18) and the watermelon feta salad ($15). The mussels were Prince Edward variety, which were served with shallots, Applewood smoked bacon, fresh herbs, a white butter sauce, and toasted bread. The dish was tasty and had a unique twist; the sauce reminded me of carbonara with its creamy bacon flavor. There were plenty of thick bacon pieces, which could be a bit overwhelming at times. The mussels were small but fresh, and even with the occasional overpowering bacon flavor, it was a solid dish. The salad came with sliced cucumbers, Kalamata olives, pickled red onions, fresh basil, arugula, and a lemon honey dressing. It was well presented, fresh, and the lemon honey dressing was a standout that really brought everything together. For my main course, I had the pasta al ragu ($29). It featured Angus beef, French veal tenderloin, and sweet Italian sausage braised in a red wine and San Marzano tomato sauce. The homemade pasta was definitely noticeable, and the meat was well-flavored. It was clear the sauce had been cooked for a long time, which was great. My only objection was that there were not enough rigatoni pieces for the amount of meat and sauce. I also tried the pan-seared scallops with summer squash, risotto, and lobster sauce. The scallops were huge and perfectly cooked, tasting like butter and pairing beautifully with the risotto. Will I go back? Absolutely. read more

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New location, same great food and service! So thrilled to see Chef Armen continue his success and welcome guests in a much bigger space that now includes a pretty outdoor area. The staff is very attentive, and detailed. Upon arrival, we were shown to our table yet my eyes wandered to another preferred table and the host noticed my wandering eyes and moved us to our preferred without any hesitation. That's service. The food is still as delicious as I remember it from the first time I visited the other location. I'm sad to see that pizzas are no longer offered. We all thoroughly enjoyed each dish - with a particular love for the crab crepe which was rich without overwhelming you with heaviness. Bring your preferred cocktails and wine and enjoy a leisurely dining experience. Well done Chef and staff! read more

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Absolutely LOVE Jessica's!!! BYOB! New location in Fanwood is beautiful! Service is always spectacular! Food is amazing! The various sauces are each so different and delicious! Ty Chef Armen! My favorite are the mussels! Can't go wrong with anything... mushroom crab crepe, meatballs, pastas!!! Everything we have tried is fantastic! read more

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ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! From the incredible staff and servers to the delicious and savory dishes, this restaurant deserves higher than 5 stars!!! I went there last night to celebrate my birthday and whole experience was top notch! I've been to high end restaurants before but have never experienced this level of attentiveness and service before and can't wait to go back! Kiddos to the chef and his team, every single dish that went on our table was incredible! They made my night unforgettable..The scallops, wild mushroom soup, meatballs, the short beer ribs, lamb chops and the deserts ... phenomenal! You can tell each dish is made with love and pride The restaurant interior is a gem! Cozy and very inviting. Jessica's restaurant now has a patron for life! read more

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This place was 5-stars. The food was on par with Michelin star-only better portion size. The service was impeccable. This is a definite must try. Apricot bread pudding, aged steak was out of this world. read more

Jessica's Restaurant - Aged steak - Italian Near Me - Fanwood, New Jersey

Absolutely love the new location of Jessica's Restaurant! Such fantastic decor! Love the color scheme! New location But the same amazingly delicious cuisine and service! Our Server Grand Was delightful! Checked in on us frequently. Thank you for a wonderful dining experience. My scallops were tender and flavorful! Hubby's pork chop was so so good! Allow BYOB. This location now serves wine- Limited selection. Parking lot available. Recommend you make reservations. See you soon! read more

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Absolutely fabulous dinner on Saturday night at the (new to us) location in Fanwood. We enjoyed the crab crepe, white muscles & octopus appetizers. The cowboy steak special & pork chop were delish as was the fig panna cotta. We'll definitely be back! read more

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The cuisine is spectacular as always. The ambience is enchanting. The prices reflect their esteeming themselves a top tier restaurant and they are so close. The service is. . .naive. Pro servers know who gets what without asking and never expect the diner to transport the dish the last 12 inches the table. This at a perfectly navigable 4 top. Maybe hire a couple of Europeans or NYC staffers to lead the staff on service skills? read more

This is a small place with some parking adjacent to the building. Came here to celebrate my husband's birthday with a party of nine and we were seated outside in their heated tent, beautiful setting!! Let me start with the ambiance and great service by Rosie! We started with a bunch of appetizers the flavors in each of them were exquisite. Most of us had the short rib fettuccine, it did live up to all the hype of the Yelp reviews. Finished off with different desserts that were just as good. We definitely will be back. Oh yeah service was so good that my husband forgot his leftovers and they called us to lets us know we forgot it. 5 star service read more

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I finally made it here to celebrate my Birthday ! I tried to come when they were at the previous location but had to cancel . Jessica's is centered in the town of Fanwood across from the train station and it is beautifully decorated and has a romantic atmosphere. Staff were super friendly and very attentive. We were a party of 5 and although there were plenty of tables open they placed at chair at the end of a 4 person table which made table feel a bit crowded. They have a very nice menu selection but felt it was more Italian than French . Portion sizes are on the small size especially the appetizers so keep that in mind if you have a large party . They bring sliced focaccia bread to the table to start. Also when you place your order it must be the entire tables appetizers and entrees order all at once . We ordered beet salad ( which was delicious) , meatballs which there were two perfectly cooked but missing flavor we also ordered the fried burrata which also lacked flavor would have been nice with garlic crostini. For our main dishes we ordered the Pasta Al Ragu which was hearty and tasty but pasta was very Al dente , Short Rib cavatelli which was good , fettuccini seafood pasta the sauce had good flavor but watery consistency, Potato Gnocchi which fell a little flat in flavor department and sauce was also watery, Also we ordered the pork chop which was nice and juicy but also lacked flavor by itself but with the cabbage it elevated the flavor . All in all we enjoyed our meal and the ambiance. I wish them the best of luck in the newer location . read more

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I have been here twice for dinner and it 100% lives up to the great reviews. It is BYOB which is actually a nice break. Service is wonderful, and they have a limited indoor seating area with a nice large tent outside. I think they have pizza to go - only - as someone tried to order it for dine in, and they simply don't do that which is fine. The first time here I had the Bucatini Carbonara - Guanciale, Parmigiano Reggiano, egg yolk and crushed black pepper. Second time it was the OVERNIGHT BRAISED SHORT RIB FETTUCINI - Maitake mushrooms, burrata, white truffle oil, fresh herbs, tomato ragù. There was a lot of time in between visits and the menu changed during that time. I enjoyed my first visit and appreciate that their menu keeps changing, making every meal a remarkable experience. The one challenge might be parking. The lot I scored a space in both times, is very small, thus when it is filled up I am not sure where the next best spot is. read more

Jessica's Restaurant - OVERNIGHT BRAISED SHORT RIB FETTUCINI - Maitake mushrooms, burrata, white truffle oil, fresh herbs, tomato ragù - Italian Near Me - Fanwood, New Jersey

A place where classic Italian cuisine mixes with French cuisine.. All inspired by Italian and French cooking techniques. Jessica's cafe brings you the sterling and undisputedly original flavor of the food from Italy and France.. We tried Classic Caesar Salad with chicken Jumbo Lump Crab Meat Crepe Bone in chicken Breast Australian Grass Fed Rack of Lamb Crème Brûlée served with berries In house special Lemon Tart Everything was super scrumptious and made with perfection They have a seasonal menu and locally procured, various meat and seafood entrees, on-site made desserts, pastas and Naples wood fired pizza, prepared with Naples Caputo flour and San Marzano tomatoes. ________________________ read more

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Best food experience I've had in a really long time. I want to note that it was fairly priced as well. Service was prompt and kind. The dining room was busy but not overly crowded. Music was at a perfect level. Overall a nearly perfect dining experience. Well done read more

We stopped by Jessica's cafe on a random Saturday night without a reservation and they were able to accomodate for us and we were so happy they did! I'd definitely recommend making a reservation as the restaurant is rather small. Its also BYOB so if you want to pair any drinks with your meals its on you! We started off by ordering the white mussels which were so rich and creamy. This was much better than most restaurants since the sauce had bacon added to it to make it more savory. It was literally so good I could eat two as my meal! My wife ended up with the scallops served on risotta and I had a steak. Both were cooked to perfection and everything was delicious. We were so full but had to try dessert to top off our visit so we ordered a creme brule to share. We've been itching to go back since our first visit but haven't found the time. Hopefully we'll be back soon! read more

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Fantastic food and service! Came here for a 10 year anniversary and we were very impressed. It is byob. The menu was seasonal. I loved their cream of mushroom soup, and the pork chip was delicious! The chorizo and vegetables on it were so tasty. For dessert we indulged in the caramelized banana split. I loved the flavor and texture on the banana, very unique! read more

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What can I say that hasn't been said before. Food, service, ambiance all great. Prices are steep but I'd definitely go back.

We had a Delicious beet salad. Tastes like Spring! Great combination of beets, figs, goat cheese, cranberries and grapefruit. read more

Jessica's Restaurant - Beet salad Roasted Beets Salad - Italian Near Me - Fanwood, New Jersey

Hidden gem in New Jersey, beautiful upscale place in Fanwood NJ with great service where reservations are highly recommended. We went for a post Father's Day dinner. We ordered Spanish octopus and crab crepes to start with. Octopus was succulent and juicy, crab meat crepe was good, felt like a more crab meat could have been added. Our entrees we had the lamb, pork chops the signature famous dish for Jessica's and seafood fettuccine. My favorite was the pasta, pork was a bit tough, lamb was medium rare and ok. I felt the meat dishes could have been made a little more flavorful , the pasta had a nice kick to it. Overall the entrees were huge so had to take leftovers. We finished with apricot pudding and ice cream. Overall a really good experience at this NJ gem, hoping to go again someday, very well trained staff. read more

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I am so scared that this place is going to really get the attention that it deserves... in a very selfish way. My experience at this tiny, unassuming gem was just what I needed while celebrating the 20th anniversary of my husband's and my first date. Making reservations was very easy, parking was easy... Upon entrance, we were greeted and immediately seated. Our server, Rosie, was absolutely great. Attentive, but not being overbearing... had a well balanced sense of humor.. and knew the dishes. Now, the dishes... everything was over the top good. From the crab meat crepes that were out of this world, the fried burrata... on to the entrees, I wish that I'd ordered my husband's shrimp rigatoni, the sauce was divine... I did like my short rib pappardelle, but it came it a 2nd to his meal, and I think it came down to the sauce and I preferred the bite of the rigatoni vs the pappardelle. For dessert, we shared the goat cheese cheesecake, which was nice. The gamey flavor of the goat wasn't overwhelming, if present at all. I love that it is BYOB, which keeps the cost down. Very reasonable experience for fine dining and I cannot wait to return! read more

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I just have to re-Yelp Jessica's, now that it has moved to Fanwood (yay!). This little town, home to 7K+ residents can now boast of an ideal place to gather, celebrate and enjoy exemplary meals for special occasions..or any beautiful night off from work like tonight, just because. We didn't have reservations and I wasn't particularly hungry, but my husband said, "you know Jessica's Cafe has opened.." Of course it was renamed Jessica's restaurant- bigger, brighter decor, more modern but with the same politeness from staff; all welcoming and all of them were so kind. Despite the busyness, the dishes came in with just the right amount of wait. And, exemplary as I've said. For example, that Chilled Corn Soup would be a summer's delight. Velvety smooth with bites of balsamic pearls to break the one-note texture as if to tell you, "I'm not that simple". I loved it from the first spoonful and I shared. Now, the orange emulsion from the Grilled Octopus .. so good! The tender octopus was such a star co-mingling with sun dried tomatoes and fingerling potatoes. But the show stopper was the 15oz Pork Chop - more than an inch thick of succulence; being robust and hearty and you know, just as with the octopus, a lot of thought and care were placed here for how was it so tender? We intentionally didn't finish our entrees to make room for the Banana Split that we scooped to the last bit. Soft openings usually have mishaps and such, but the staff of Jessica's Restaurant got it down pat like pros. read more

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Such an unbelievable dining experience !! I was never able to make it to their old location but this place is sharp. Awesome decor and tones for a nice little date night setting. Renovations look great, the service was top tier and the food was impressive across the board. Everything pretty much made in house, talented chef using a French Italian fusion technique. MUST TRY! read more

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I'm a regular customer -- was here Xmas Eve and last night and have to take time to say Jessica's is just fantastic. Every dish is consistently delicious ... i love how they keep some old favorites (meatballs, bread pudding, shrimp rigatoni) on the menu all the time but then always have new items as well. Service is great. Elegant decor and best of all the chairs are actually comfortable and because of the carpeting or whatever they have done with the acoustics, you can have a nice conversation with your table even when the place is crowded. I am lucky to live nearby, but I'd drive a good distance to come here. Service is always great as well. read more

Very nice place for elegant dining, great atmosphere. Everything we had was good, fried burrata and market salad were tasty, highly recommend the seafood pasta. I had the fish entree which was just okay. read more

Dishes tried: Meatballs, Cesar Salad, Scallop Risotto special, Pork Chop, Margherita Pizza, Bread Pudding, Banana Split, Chocolate Cake. The winner of these dishes was the meatball appetizer. The sauce was very old school Italian, reminded me of my grandmother's neck bone sauce. The meatball was well seasoned with the basil, garlic, and parmesan shining through most. I've had hundreds of meatballs, and I can say this was a top tier meatball and sauce. Next up is the pork chop, it was well cooked and the purée with the cabbage was the perfect compliment to the chop. 3rd place was the special of the day, the scallop risotto. The scallops were super fresh and perfectly cooked, as was the risotto. The sauce worked wonderfully with the scallop but not so much with the risotto, still a solid dish. I'm a pizza snob from Bayonne NJ, I'm hard to please, so no comment on the Margherita, except for it was basic and bland. The bread pudding was way too dense for me. Flavors were ok. I was very excited for this dish but it fell short for me. The other desserts were just ok. Servers/hostess were nice. They got a little busy so we waited a bit, but I'm ok with that for a higher caliber place. read more

Jessica's Restaurant - Scallops Risotto special - Italian Near Me - Fanwood, New Jersey

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What a gem, steps off RT22. Not a hotbed of fine dining, now Plainfield can add it to its resume. Carefully cooked food, they excel at sauces, old school technique with todays flavors. It can get a bit noisy from traffic but you soon don't notice it. Staff well trained and personable. read more

First timer here, I heard so many amazing things about Jessica's and finally got to try. Let me just say this place is worth all the hype.The pasta was delicious. The service was the best. Our server was so attentive and friendly. The new location has a beautiful patio area. Good vibes here all around. Will be back and highly recommend. read more

Jessica's Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Fanwood, New Jersey

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