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Lita has a happy hour on Saturdays so off we go! Hubby and I enjoyed the service, food, vibes and cocktails and red wine. We agreed the #1 item was on the regular menu though- the Pork sandwich. Tender, juicy, perfectly seasoned goodness on crispy Portuguese bread. We also tried the special roasted oysters, crispy shrimp turnover, crispy potatoes, grilled shrimp in garlic sauce, bread with homemade butter, and charred chickpeas salad- another delight. Ended the night with custard dessert. Only ordered 1 but easily could have eaten 2 more. Lightly sweet and creamy. Planning to go back!
Fantastic! Everything we ordered was so yummy and perfectly seasoned. The service was awesome. I'm still thinking about the cabbage, it was so tender and light. Will be back for sure to try out the paella! First place I've seen do a ticket system for picking up leftovers at the end of the meal. Cool idea.
A good meal for 25 bucks will get five stars from me. A great meal for $50 will get five stars. But a dinner over $75 per person has to be special to get five stars. Lita is an excellent restaurant and I will be back. But for the price, it falls a little short of five stars for me. The food was excellent, but I didn't have any OMG moments. The atmosphere is nice, but it does get a little loud. There were moments when I couldn't hear the person across the table. Finally, the service was friendly but uneven. They have a policy where the kitchen staff also spends time as wait staff. While very nice, our waiter struggled with knowing when to check on us. I encourage you to try it for yourself and be sure to get the hearth roasted eggplant.
Came for the Tasting menu experience, at the Chefs counter. Was quite happy with the visit. It's a nice restaurant inside, although located within a random strip mall. The parking was actually full when we arrived, possibly because of the bar using the same lot. But there is an elevated connected lot for the bowling alley that has plenty of parking. I have to say that the best thing about this place is the service: everyone was very friendly, and quick to attend us. Food was great, except maybe the flake fish (first course). Seemed more Spanish to me than Portuguese though. Portions were huge... actually had leftovers from a dish, which is the first for me from a tasting menu. The prices were reasonable In terms of why I'm giving this 4 star instead of 5: -we were seated at the "Chefs counter", but did not really have a view of the prep, which was really far away. Basically could just see the fireplace. The sister restaurant Heirloom is a much better chef's counter setup where you are seeing everything -Dishes seemed to be regular menu type dishes (just smaller portions), as opposed to super interesting types that you would expect from a tasting menu -Beverage pairing was okay... didn't really love the wines For these reasons, I'd likely return, but just stick to the regular menu/ experience.
This was such a cute little bar! Located in the back of the dining area, the bar is hidden in a separate room. You take a separate door past the wood burning stove and be transported into a more intimate environment. Everything is candlelit with each table having their own candle as well as candles, placed around the bar. There are both booths, seating at the bar, and separate tables. The service was fast as well, and the waiters come to serve you at the table and take your order. They come around every 15 minutes to check in, but also just to keep in mind that if you want the check, you are going to have to signal them. There are also different snacks and food available for the bar, including burgers and fries. There are good range of options for drinks and for the most part if you let them know, they can turn certain drinks into mock tails. I ordered the hotel nacional, and it was a fruity clean taste. They have also wide variety of drinks with different alcohols and different flavor profiles so definitely worth a try! Drinks are a little pricey, but this is also a pricer location so please keep this in mind. For the standard kitchen, it is a fixed menu at around $100 per person. There is a lot of Portuguese inspiration within the food served!
We've been to Lita before and loved it. This review is specifically for their cocktail bar La Otra and the Happy Hour they have Thursday- Saturday from 5-7pm. Drink menu is small but diverse. Same with the food menu. I had 2 Stonefruit Negroni's which were great and 1 Superbock beer which was a great pairing with the small plates we got. My wife had two glasses of the Portugese red wine they had and liked it very much. Off the happy hour menu we had shrimp turnovers, patatas Braves and the Bifana sandwich. We also got the garlic shrimp, grilled oysters, chickpea salad and Benchmark sourdough bread with homemade butter from the regular menu. Each and every item of food was delicious! The favorite for both of us was the Bifana sandwich. This sandwich was so simple but so well executed that we were blown away! The pork was very high quality, not supermarket pork. It was sliced thin and piled high and as tender as can be. Seasoned well and sitting in it's own jus. It immediately goes to the top of my list as one of my most favorite sandwiches ever! La Otra is a cool, minimalist, laid back lounge with music that adds to the cool vibe. Service was great. You can tell they take great care in making sure patrons are treated well. Same goes for the restaurant part too. Definitely not our last time visiting, especially since it's only 10 minutes from our house.
My friend put me on to this place and made reservations as I had not heard of it before and not usually the area I frequent None the less .... I enjoyed myself throughly. We went on a weekday which is my preference for going to most places . Our waitress was lovely- I forgot her name but it was her 1st day serving and she is also one of the chefs there. She did a great job . Actually everyone there was pleasant and friendly. Menu is mostly prefix ( about $90) but amazing . You get three courses. This is a place that is pricey but you get top notch service and quality food and experience. Some people this might not be the place but for people like me - I love it . We added on the sourdough with the garlic butter which is delicious . But we did get full and had to take majority of the entree home which I didn't mind eating it for lunch the next day :) We started with the Rissois de Camarao which is a shrimp turnover . Looks small but wow soooooo good . 10/10 2nd course we had the macarrao de anchova. Basically like a spaghetti Mac and cheese with Manchego . Could hardly taste the anchovies. Very delicious but also on the heavy side especially with the bread . It's ok - I'm allowed a cheat day :) 3rd course - me and my friend shared one of the three paella for two. We opted for the octopus and pork belly/bacon and it was delicious . Again - we only had room for a few bites and ate it the next day for lunch . So delicious . Drinks I had the white lotus and the chai brûlée espresso martini . Pretty good We had no room for dessert unfortunately 10/10 experience. Can't wait to go back and try other things
I wanted to add an update to our most recent visit from early July. I received a very gracious call from Danny, one of the owners of Lita. He expressed his desire to clarify the bill and wanted to go over my experience in an effort to make it right for us. As it turned out, the extra charge in the bill was not for the mint. Their system charges for cocktails in a different manner and hence the $4 charge. I really appreciated his imitative to reach out, Kudos to Lita and their owners for taking the time to care about their diner's experience.
I still dream about the paella I had here. It was cooked perfectly, with a deliciously crispy burnt crust on the rice and a massive, shareable portion. It's probably the best paella I've ever had. Lita is not only the best Portuguese restaurant I've been to, but also my favorite restaurant overall. The service is always excellent. They have a unique system where front-of-house staff and chefs switch roles, with everyone trained to work both in the kitchen and serving. This seamless rotation creates a dynamic and engaging experience.
Just be warned this is about to get expensive, but it will be delicious. Food was outstanding. Some of the best fish I've ever had. I ordered the chef special which is a mix of the favorites.
I have mixed feelings about Lita, Certainly this is a very nice restaurant. The staff was amazing the house is sleek open and modern and the food is elegant. Lita is an upscale dining event. They have a wonderful rustic Portuguese menu with a variety of small plate offerings. We sat at the bar to avoid the Prix Fixed dinner option and tried several plates. Each dish was excellent altogether the portions were very small with the exception of a bread plate that we mistakenly ordered. I must note, I ordered the wrong thing, they comped the first bread plate for the bruschetta item. Very nice touch, that said their bread and butter although exceptional was also pricey. I'm not a big fan of the Prix Fixe concept. This style and the price point is a turn off and almost pretentious. The location, small portions, high prices, and pricey cocktails along with a mandatory dining option doesn't raise the experience especially for a restaurant on 34 in Matawan. Don't mistake my review as negative. Lita provides an upscale dining experience and they pulled it off with style and class. Nothing on the menu or from the bar is drawing me back.
There is nothing I didn't love about this restaurant. Service was exceptional, everyone was so friendly, took their time to explain the menu to us and even make recommendations since it was our first time here. All of the food was phenomenal. High quality ingredients and meats. They left me absolutely speechless. We came for my husbands birthday and it was such a treat. Great place for date night. They also have a prix fixe menu option as well as a 5 course meal. Looking forward to trying more of their food!
It was our wedding anniversary, and we celebrated at Lita. Since it was our first time, we didn't know exactly what to expect, aside from hearing that it's a modern Iberian restaurant and a 2023 James Beard Semi-finalist. The menu is mostly prepared in an open kitchen, featuring a fire hearth oven at the sides, so you can watch the chefs in action. All the servers are also chefs, which means they know the menu inside and out and are great sources of information about how everything is made. It's also worth mentioning that they offer a prix fixe menu with three courses. For the first course, we chose Rissóis de Camarão (garlic shrimp) and Spanish Duck Confit Croquettes. Both were crispy and delicious, and the duck confit croquettes came with a perfectly paired aioli sauce that didn't overpower the crunch. The centers were warm, and we were encouraged to eat them with our hands, which added a fun touch to the experience. For the second course, we had Albondigas (Spanish meatballs) and Caldeirada de Vieiras (Portuguese fish stew). My husband raved about the meatballs, calling them exceptionally tender and full of flavor. My fish stew also had great flavors but was a bit too salty for my personal taste. That said, it was still an excellent dish, and the saltiness was just a matter of preference. The main courses were the highlight of the evening. We had Carne Guisada (short ribs) and Robalinho na Brasa (branzino) with a side salad. My husband couldn't stop praising the short ribs for being incredibly tender and succulent. As for me, I tend to eat salads with chopsticks, so I asked Rob, our server, if they had any. He wasn't able to find a pair at first, but a few minutes later, the managing director himself brought me a set! That level of attentiveness really stood out. The branzino was cooked perfectly, with charred skin and expertly filleted with no bones. The warm spices they used complemented the delicate fish without overpowering it. Both were truly outstanding. For dessert, our wonderful server Rob asked if we wanted anything sweet. We ordered the Baked Madeira for Two, and I was blown away when it was served flambéed. It was a dramatic and delightful touch, especially since I'd never had Baked Alaska before. The combination of ice creams, sorbets, cookies, and a bit of chocolate cake inside was flawlessly executed. It was definitely a showstopper. Overall, our experience at Lita was exceptional. From the impeccable service to the amazing food and the modern, open atmosphere, everything was top-notch. Not once did I see any table piled with dirty dishes. It was clear they take pride in keeping things pristine. It was truly a memorable celebration.
6 months ago
23 days ago
We had a very enjoyable dinner at Lita, but what really elevated the experience was the staff. Pricey yes, but... The service was outstanding from start to finish -- warm, knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about the food. The restaurant has a very open kitchen, and several of the chefs took time to show us what they were doing and explain the preparation. They were excited to talk about the paella pans, the saffron and sofrito rice base, the wood-and-charcoal fire, and the way the dishes were finished. They clearly take pride in the food and enjoy sharing that with guests. We had the pão with cardamom-chile butter, roasted oysters, garlic shrimp, picanha, the meatball paella, and olive-oil tres leches cake, along with Alvarinho wine and a draft beer. The paella rice itself was excellent, with a very good socarrat and a strong wood-fired character. The pork-and-beef meatballs were good on their own, though for me the combination was a little unusual and I would choose a different paella variation next time. Always changing paella of the day. Seafood would excite me when available. The picanha, oysters, shrimp, bread, and dessert were also all very good. The whole restaurant operated as a team. That added a lot to the experience because the people serving the food really understood how it was prepared. Even small details were thoughtful. Our leftovers were kept at the host stand and we were given a numbered claim disc to retrieve the bag on the way out -- a simple idea that avoids having takeout bags sitting on the table or floor. I had never seen that done before. Overall, Lita delivered very good food with exceptional hospitality. The open kitchen, wood-and-charcoal cooking, and interaction with the chefs made the meal feel personal and memorable. We would definitely return, especially to try another paella variation. read more
3 months ago
OUTSTANDING Portuguese restaurant! It's worth the drive if you're coming from afar. From start to finish everything we ate was top notch. We started with the ensalada de mariscos, and it was my favorite dish! It was OUTSTANDING, and packed with flavor. For dinner we had the vegetarian paella for one that we added shrimp to, the swordfish, and the patatas bravas. The paella is one of the best I ever had! It was perfectly spread and the edges had a slight crisp to it. The shrimp was packed with Portuguese flavor. The swordfish was very good, but on the small side. The patatas bravas was EXCELLENT! For desserts we had the pineapple cake and the chocolate basque cheesecake. The chocolate basque cheesecake stole the show! It was so delicious! The pineapple cake was good, but not something I'd order again. The staff was so warm and welcoming. I highly recommend Lita in Aberdeen! read more
Lita has a happy hour on Saturdays so off we go! Hubby and I enjoyed the service, food, vibes and cocktails and red wine. We agreed the #1 item was on the regular menu though- the Pork sandwich. Tender, juicy, perfectly seasoned goodness on crispy Portuguese bread. We also tried the special roasted oysters, crispy shrimp turnover, crispy potatoes, grilled shrimp in garlic sauce, bread with homemade butter, and charred chickpeas salad- another delight. Ended the night with custard dessert. Only ordered 1 but easily could have eaten 2 more. Lightly sweet and creamy. Planning to go back! read more
Fantastic! Everything we ordered was so yummy and perfectly seasoned. The service was awesome. I'm still thinking about the cabbage, it was so tender and light. Will be back for sure to try out the paella! First place I've seen do a ticket system for picking up leftovers at the end of the meal. Cool idea. read more
A good meal for 25 bucks will get five stars from me. A great meal for $50 will get five stars. But a dinner over $75 per person has to be special to get five stars. Lita is an excellent restaurant and I will be back. But for the price, it falls a little short of five stars for me. The food was excellent, but I didn't have any OMG moments. The atmosphere is nice, but it does get a little loud. There were moments when I couldn't hear the person across the table. Finally, the service was friendly but uneven. They have a policy where the kitchen staff also spends time as wait staff. While very nice, our waiter struggled with knowing when to check on us. I encourage you to try it for yourself and be sure to get the hearth roasted eggplant. read more
Came for the Tasting menu experience, at the Chefs counter. Was quite happy with the visit. It's a nice restaurant inside, although located within a random strip mall. The parking was actually full when we arrived, possibly because of the bar using the same lot. But there is an elevated connected lot for the bowling alley that has plenty of parking. I have to say that the best thing about this place is the service: everyone was very friendly, and quick to attend us. Food was great, except maybe the flake fish (first course). Seemed more Spanish to me than Portuguese though. Portions were huge... actually had leftovers from a dish, which is the first for me from a tasting menu. The prices were reasonable In terms of why I'm giving this 4 star instead of 5: -we were seated at the "Chefs counter", but did not really have a view of the prep, which was really far away. Basically could just see the fireplace. The sister restaurant Heirloom is a much better chef's counter setup where you are seeing everything -Dishes seemed to be regular menu type dishes (just smaller portions), as opposed to super interesting types that you would expect from a tasting menu -Beverage pairing was okay... didn't really love the wines For these reasons, I'd likely return, but just stick to the regular menu/ experience. read more
This was such a cute little bar! Located in the back of the dining area, the bar is hidden in a separate room. You take a separate door past the wood burning stove and be transported into a more intimate environment. Everything is candlelit with each table having their own candle as well as candles, placed around the bar. There are both booths, seating at the bar, and separate tables. The service was fast as well, and the waiters come to serve you at the table and take your order. They come around every 15 minutes to check in, but also just to keep in mind that if you want the check, you are going to have to signal them. There are also different snacks and food available for the bar, including burgers and fries. There are good range of options for drinks and for the most part if you let them know, they can turn certain drinks into mock tails. I ordered the hotel nacional, and it was a fruity clean taste. They have also wide variety of drinks with different alcohols and different flavor profiles so definitely worth a try! Drinks are a little pricey, but this is also a pricer location so please keep this in mind. For the standard kitchen, it is a fixed menu at around $100 per person. There is a lot of Portuguese inspiration within the food served! read more
We've been to Lita before and loved it. This review is specifically for their cocktail bar La Otra and the Happy Hour they have Thursday- Saturday from 5-7pm. Drink menu is small but diverse. Same with the food menu. I had 2 Stonefruit Negroni's which were great and 1 Superbock beer which was a great pairing with the small plates we got. My wife had two glasses of the Portugese red wine they had and liked it very much. Off the happy hour menu we had shrimp turnovers, patatas Braves and the Bifana sandwich. We also got the garlic shrimp, grilled oysters, chickpea salad and Benchmark sourdough bread with homemade butter from the regular menu. Each and every item of food was delicious! The favorite for both of us was the Bifana sandwich. This sandwich was so simple but so well executed that we were blown away! The pork was very high quality, not supermarket pork. It was sliced thin and piled high and as tender as can be. Seasoned well and sitting in it's own jus. It immediately goes to the top of my list as one of my most favorite sandwiches ever! La Otra is a cool, minimalist, laid back lounge with music that adds to the cool vibe. Service was great. You can tell they take great care in making sure patrons are treated well. Same goes for the restaurant part too. Definitely not our last time visiting, especially since it's only 10 minutes from our house. read more
My friend put me on to this place and made reservations as I had not heard of it before and not usually the area I frequent None the less .... I enjoyed myself throughly. We went on a weekday which is my preference for going to most places . Our waitress was lovely- I forgot her name but it was her 1st day serving and she is also one of the chefs there. She did a great job . Actually everyone there was pleasant and friendly. Menu is mostly prefix ( about $90) but amazing . You get three courses. This is a place that is pricey but you get top notch service and quality food and experience. Some people this might not be the place but for people like me - I love it . We added on the sourdough with the garlic butter which is delicious . But we did get full and had to take majority of the entree home which I didn't mind eating it for lunch the next day :) We started with the Rissois de Camarao which is a shrimp turnover . Looks small but wow soooooo good . 10/10 2nd course we had the macarrao de anchova. Basically like a spaghetti Mac and cheese with Manchego . Could hardly taste the anchovies. Very delicious but also on the heavy side especially with the bread . It's ok - I'm allowed a cheat day :) 3rd course - me and my friend shared one of the three paella for two. We opted for the octopus and pork belly/bacon and it was delicious . Again - we only had room for a few bites and ate it the next day for lunch . So delicious . Drinks I had the white lotus and the chai brûlée espresso martini . Pretty good We had no room for dessert unfortunately 10/10 experience. Can't wait to go back and try other things read more
I wanted to add an update to our most recent visit from early July. I received a very gracious call from Danny, one of the owners of Lita. He expressed his desire to clarify the bill and wanted to go over my experience in an effort to make it right for us. As it turned out, the extra charge in the bill was not for the mint. Their system charges for cocktails in a different manner and hence the $4 charge. I really appreciated his imitative to reach out, Kudos to Lita and their owners for taking the time to care about their diner's experience. read more
4 months ago
I still dream about the paella I had here. It was cooked perfectly, with a deliciously crispy burnt crust on the rice and a massive, shareable portion. It's probably the best paella I've ever had. Lita is not only the best Portuguese restaurant I've been to, but also my favorite restaurant overall. The service is always excellent. They have a unique system where front-of-house staff and chefs switch roles, with everyone trained to work both in the kitchen and serving. This seamless rotation creates a dynamic and engaging experience. read more
1 year ago
I have mixed feelings about Lita, Certainly this is a very nice restaurant. The staff was amazing the house is sleek open and modern and the food is elegant. Lita is an upscale dining event. They have a wonderful rustic Portuguese menu with a variety of small plate offerings. We sat at the bar to avoid the Prix Fixed dinner option and tried several plates. Each dish was excellent altogether the portions were very small with the exception of a bread plate that we mistakenly ordered. I must note, I ordered the wrong thing, they comped the first bread plate for the bruschetta item. Very nice touch, that said their bread and butter although exceptional was also pricey. I'm not a big fan of the Prix Fixe concept. This style and the price point is a turn off and almost pretentious. The location, small portions, high prices, and pricey cocktails along with a mandatory dining option doesn't raise the experience especially for a restaurant on 34 in Matawan. Don't mistake my review as negative. Lita provides an upscale dining experience and they pulled it off with style and class. Nothing on the menu or from the bar is drawing me back. read more
1 year ago
There is nothing I didn't love about this restaurant. Service was exceptional, everyone was so friendly, took their time to explain the menu to us and even make recommendations since it was our first time here. All of the food was phenomenal. High quality ingredients and meats. They left me absolutely speechless. We came for my husbands birthday and it was such a treat. Great place for date night. They also have a prix fixe menu option as well as a 5 course meal. Looking forward to trying more of their food! read more
It was our wedding anniversary, and we celebrated at Lita. Since it was our first time, we didn't know exactly what to expect, aside from hearing that it's a modern Iberian restaurant and a 2023 James Beard Semi-finalist. The menu is mostly prepared in an open kitchen, featuring a fire hearth oven at the sides, so you can watch the chefs in action. All the servers are also chefs, which means they know the menu inside and out and are great sources of information about how everything is made. It's also worth mentioning that they offer a prix fixe menu with three courses. For the first course, we chose Rissóis de Camarão (garlic shrimp) and Spanish Duck Confit Croquettes. Both were crispy and delicious, and the duck confit croquettes came with a perfectly paired aioli sauce that didn't overpower the crunch. The centers were warm, and we were encouraged to eat them with our hands, which added a fun touch to the experience. For the second course, we had Albondigas (Spanish meatballs) and Caldeirada de Vieiras (Portuguese fish stew). My husband raved about the meatballs, calling them exceptionally tender and full of flavor. My fish stew also had great flavors but was a bit too salty for my personal taste. That said, it was still an excellent dish, and the saltiness was just a matter of preference. The main courses were the highlight of the evening. We had Carne Guisada (short ribs) and Robalinho na Brasa (branzino) with a side salad. My husband couldn't stop praising the short ribs for being incredibly tender and succulent. As for me, I tend to eat salads with chopsticks, so I asked Rob, our server, if they had any. He wasn't able to find a pair at first, but a few minutes later, the managing director himself brought me a set! That level of attentiveness really stood out. The branzino was cooked perfectly, with charred skin and expertly filleted with no bones. The warm spices they used complemented the delicate fish without overpowering it. Both were truly outstanding. For dessert, our wonderful server Rob asked if we wanted anything sweet. We ordered the Baked Madeira for Two, and I was blown away when it was served flambéed. It was a dramatic and delightful touch, especially since I'd never had Baked Alaska before. The combination of ice creams, sorbets, cookies, and a bit of chocolate cake inside was flawlessly executed. It was definitely a showstopper. Overall, our experience at Lita was exceptional. From the impeccable service to the amazing food and the modern, open atmosphere, everything was top-notch. Not once did I see any table piled with dirty dishes. It was clear they take pride in keeping things pristine. It was truly a memorable celebration. read more
I am so torn over how to rate our experience. We were told great things about Lita from friends and had heard amazing things about the chef. I was very excited to try their take on Portuguese/Spanish food. I found the service to be hit or miss. The food unfortunately didn't hit the mark for me on nearly every dish we ordered. Patatas bravas were a bit mushy and drowning in sauce and was $15 for a few small pieces of potato. 3 scallops in very salty soup were $33. The meatballs were fairly bland and dry. The shrimp were nice and garlicky but too salty again. I did like my NA cocktail -El Tucan, the tuna salad and the fried shrimp turnover though. Romantic and trendy interior design but I couldn't quite forget that I was in a strip mall with a view of the parking lot. Maybe we came on an off night for the kitchen but I was super disappointed in the food. read more
2 years ago
Really great vibe and ambiance for a restaurant near my hometown. Almost like a taste of NYC in the burbs. Nothing like it in the area. Prices are a little steep for sure but the flavors and presentation of the dishes was superb. The cocktails were extremely well made. I recommend sitting at the bar if you don't want to commit to the pre fixe because you can sample more of what you want to. I did feel our bartender was trying to get us to order more than we wanted/needed but ultimately we left happy and with leftovers. The steak and seafood paella were phenomenal! They take a while for them to make it though so factor that in. Definitely recommend. read more
11 months ago
I had a very pleasurable experience with Lita in Aberdeen overall, the service and food absolutely is top tier, my only small gripe (a suggestion rather and reason for 4 stars) is the Martini de Español "Spanish Martini" has a main base alcohol of "Citadelle Gin". Citadelle Gin is from France(Not Iberian), and it is not a bad spirit by any means, and it compliments the cocktail quite fairly, however everything else about the drink is through and through Spaniard/Iberian. My solution is recommending a more exotic and premium Gin from Spain such as "Gin Mare", to have as the main base for this cocktail. The flavor profile of the drink may change slightly, but I believe it would make it more authentically "Spanish", and perhaps even set the drink OVER THE TOP! Other than that, I highly recommend Lita and would certainly go again!!! read more
1 month ago
Five star service and five star food. It is located in an unassuming strip mall area in Aberdeen. They take reservations online. Book early! My husband and I came for our 12 year anniversary dinner. We had the prix fixe menu. There were many options! The drinks were delicious also. Each food item was amazing. Service was attentive but not hovering. Book your rsvp! read more
Tucked away in a pothole'd parking lot, that is shared with a laundromat, bowling alley and a craft beer brewery is LITA. A very hip, loud, interesting restaurant with a fresh vibe to boot. Their "unique team structure" where every member is cross trained and rotates from back of the house, (kitchen), to front of house (floor), is so smart and beneficiary to all. Our server Marcus, nicknamed "jolly giant" , reminded me of Judah Freidlander (sans hair) in "The Wrestler". His big smile protruding from his Paul Bunyan beard, showed general happiness that we were there to eat, drink and be merry. So many choices on the PreFix was easier navigated thanks to Marcus. Suggestions like "When are you going to have Rabbit next" and "you must try the Paella" We started with a Bread Basket that was worth the extra charge and was devoured instantly. Shrimp Turnovers and Rabbit with Scallion Emulsion & Pepper Dust appetizers were both winners. The 2nd course of Spaghetti was amazing and The Gem Salad helped break up the carbs, and prepare us for the Octopus & Pork Belly Paella. Which arrived in a huge black pan. Big chunks of Octopus and Pork, with regions of crispy rice and a flavorful sauce fell short. A lot of char throughout, incredibly salty and a more is too much" was disappointing. Limiting me to only a few spoon fulls. The Basque Cheesecake was something that needs to be patented. Matcha and Strawberry with a mousse texture but yet, so light. I could have eaten the whole thing ! Marcus put a candle on it, for my wife's birthday. But how did he know ?!?!! I didn't mention it or specify in the reservation. Hmmmmmm.... Oh Marcus !!!!! read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
Came here for dinner on a weekend and it was pretty busy which is expected since they're usually fully booked. The space itself was simple and elegant. The open kitchen nice touch so you can see the action. For food we started with the sourdough bread. We thought it was just okay. I expected it have a little more crisp to the crust. It came with an Egyptian butter that day which I thought kind of overpowered the sourdough. Then we ordered the rabbit and tempura green brand. The rabbit was crispy and juicy and came with a bright, acidic sauce. The green beans were also perfectly fried. After we ordered the garlic shrimp and steak tartare. The garlic shrimp were plump and seasoned well. The steak tartare was one of my favorite things of the night. It came very well seasoned with a ton of paprika and topped with some of the best fried potatoes I've had. Next we got the paella for two. It tasted very authentic and the seafood was cooked perfectly. The rice had a nice crust on the bottom which is one of the keys to a great paella. The downfall of this dish however, was that it was not served hot. The rice was pretty much room temperature. I'm sure most of the dish is par cooked since it takes a long time to make but it seemed like it was sitting around for a while. Lastly, we ordered the olive oil cake. We wanted the pastel del nata but they ran out! The olive oil cake was moist and had a nice texture and the fruit and nuts balanced the sweetness well. Overall it was a very good meal. Some things fell a little short for us but maybe it was just the day and our luck. read more
1 year ago
i took my Girlfriend here for her Birthday and boy this place did not disappoint. Our server was incredible as well as the entire staff. The place is modern looking but it's just a little hard to hear when the restaurant is crowded. Our food was served promptly in 3 courses and was amazing. i look forward to our next visit to Lita already! read more
2 years ago
Great vibes here. Clean, professional, and classy. Staff are very attentive. 3 course meal for $89 felt like decent value. Bread was a bit steep for $10 since it's similar to bread they give you free at most restaurants, but the olives and butter felt luxurious. First appetizer had a wide selection. For the first main dish, I got the spaghetti chicken and it was very delicious and not overly sauced or sweet. There was barely any chicken though, which I expected a bit more. Underwhelmed, I got the Branzino after. The branzino was massive and exceeded my expectations. Perfectly cooked and crispy and was extremely filling. Others really enjoyed the large size of the paella but I thoroughly enjoyed my fish. The dessert for 2 for $25 was a great value and delicious. The snowman made it a very nice touch and ice cream with the banana and crisp was excellent. The passion fruit and banana overpower the chocolate a bit, but satisfied. Overall, great fancy dinner with excellent service and left happy. read more
Made a reservation for two on a weeknight. This was actually the second attempt as I tried walking in on a weeknight but there were no available tables. My husband and I enjoyed the ambiance - the back of the restaurant is an open kitchen so you can see how much effort is put into each dish. The menu is pre fixe/tapas style. Very very good food but also very very pricey. I would call this Portuguese/spanish INSPIRED, not necessarily authentic (still delicious). Just be aware that you will spend a lot here! Lastly, since it's pre fixe if you have a large appetite (like my Husband) you may leave still hungry unless you purchase more plates read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
The chef is from Elizabeth where there are many Portuguese restaurants and influence. He took that experience and made it to Lita! Lita is a beautiful restaurant with great drinks and simple, tasteful Portuguese food. You can be transported in a Portuguese grandmother's home when you bite into the bacalao and shrimp pastries. You will enjoy the food! read more
Our server Marcus put a candle on my dessert plate "just because" without realizing it was my birthday! Well, birthday-eve... With that said, the magic of Lita made for a memorable evening. The place is loud and the staff dance incredibly well with no wasted movements around each other, both in the dining area and in the open kitchen. I watched in awe at how...big and strong everyone looks?! Then, when I opened the menu I read a quick blurb that explained the staff rotation that eliminates front-of-house and back-of-house hierarchy so that everyone is professionally trained for both. That's pretty wonderful, and it was evident when Marcus very thoroughly explained the menu and our dishes before we took a bite. When he spoke of a dish he drew the picture in my mind so well I could almost taste it which swelled my craving and appetite. As for the dishes, try anything and you'll be impressed. Shrimp turnovers, fried rabbit bites, spaghetti, gem salad, THE PAELLAS oh lord...one thing we noted was that the paella was heavily salted, but the crisped rice, tennnnnder octopus, and juicy pork belly were divine. If you plan to come, please make room for dessert and choose the basque cheesecake. It was so light, so delicious, like a soft mousse that wasn't too heavy and sweet...matcha and strawberry, mmm mmmmm... I'm coming back for you. Also, another server came by and asked if I wanted another sangria but I was ready for a white wine, I just couldn't decide which. So he asked what I liked (dry, please) and recommended a wine that tastes like ocean waves splashing against the rocks. A light, citrusy, slightly effervescent wine that reminds you of the sound sea foam makes when all the tiny bubbles dissipate. Thanks again, Lita and crew. See you all again! read more
2 years ago
Some things impressed me, other things not so much. First off, the service was excellent and everyone was pretty much on their game. Our server, Chris, was very knowledgeable - helped us with our wine selection and walked us through the menu. We also mentioned our time crunch in which he was very accommodating. (We only had an hour or so before we had to relieve our babysitter) The place itself had a cool look to it. Reminded me of something in either NY or LA - which is crazy because it's in the back of a random parking lot ... but felt like a nice escape. The bathrooms were single stall but were decorated nicely. Ok now the important part. The food! I would say the food is a little hit or miss with a little sprinkle of trying too hard. The menu is prix fixe which is actually a good idea but it does limit the customer. The wine list and menu are both inspired by Iberian dining and Spanish vineyards. The wine our server recommended was perfect for our meal and so delicious. FIRST COURSE: We started off with the shrimp turnover and rabbit dish. My husband loved the rabbit and the sauce it came with - I believe it was an aioli. My shrimp turnover was delicious and the two turnovers was the right amount because the filling was very rich. 4.7/5 stars. SECOND COURSE: My husband had the octopus and it was delicious. He said it was one of his top octopus dishes ever (Giving Jack Shane vibes IYKYK). I had the meatballs and let's just say they were disappointing. It didn't belong on the menu, as it felt more Asian-inspired. My husband said he makes better meatballs too. Not very good and I should've known not to order. 4/5 because of octopus THIRD COURSE: We ordered the seafood paella which my husband LOVED. The calamari and scallops were cooked perfectly. I personally liked it but I couldn't eat too much of it because of the richness. I don't think it needs the squid ink and it felt a bit oily. 4/5 Anyway... would we go back? Perhaps. It's the perfect place to go out with friends or have a wine/date night (if you're willing to spend around $150+/person.) There aren't many places like this in the area and it gives off some good vibes. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
Lita is not a 5/5, it's a 10/5. This delicious treasure is out of this world. The service is incredible, the dishes are insane and unique, beautiful and very clear vision on the interior. This restaurant could easily be in Portugal, New York or Arizona, it's perfection. Each dish is so clearly made with love and the most quality ingredients. I've been to Lita more than 5 times and I don't intend to ever stop. I've had every variation of the paella, and tried almost every single dish they serve - favorites albondigas, octopus, shrimp, clams, rabbit, POPOVERS, bread. Oh did I mention the drinks are also insane. I wish I was being paid for this review, but frankly I will pay to eat here again and again. By the way the speakeasy is also insane, the burger, all the trimmings, chefs kiss. read more
11 months ago
We went to Lita with a reservation for our anniversary. The fixed multi course menu did its thing! Each course we had was perfect to not leave us full for the next one, but still had a good amount to satisfy our palate. For the day we arrived they had the duck confit paella ( the paella is enough for 2, and "takes up" the 2 main entrees for each fixed menu). The paella was good but I should've stuck to the traditional garlic shrimp paella since it is a classic dish. Beautiful presentation. Because other Yelpers raved about their roasted pork- we added it to our order for an additional price-- DEFINITELY WILL GET THIS AGAIN and 100% will recommend if this is on their Menu All the apps were beautifully plated and yummy/ loved the oysters! For drinks we had the Lita and an IPA that my husband enjoyed. We had the basque cheesecake with the blueberry compote to end our evening. Service is topnotch- front and back take turns, which I think is a great touch- your server is also a chef, and can tell you more details about your dishes. Ambience is lively and dressy casual. A gem in central jersey :) read more
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