AWESOME!!!! Excellent food, service , atmosphere. An iconic Jersey Shore restaurant run by…read morelegendary restaurateur Joe Spano.

The food is magnificent and the service is impeccable. A first-class establishment. We travel once…read morea year to NJ from South Carolina in July and always make a point to go to this restaurant. simply fabulous!

This is an amazing dining experience and by far one of the best Italian restaurants I've ever had…read morein the States. Really extensive menu with very reasonable prices for the quality and quantity of food. The spicy calamari is a must try and every entree and pasta are worth trying, too. Met one of the owners (two brothers) and this is a family run business with a benefit to the community. I will definitely come back on the next visit to Newark and would highly recommend if you're in the area (especially if you are staying at Newark airport overnight!)

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

I took an edible and went to this place and was at first was absolutely terrified due to it being…read morevery dark and hard to see. The waitress was an absolute sweetheart but because I was flying high she was making me paranoid, like I was thinking girl do you know me from some where? But then I ate the garlic bread, and maybe this is the edible speaking, but it was the best garlic bread I ever had. My husband and I both ordered steak frites, and I thought briefly that my husband and I had formed a psychic connection and were ascending together. It was cooked to perfection and seasoned perfectly. Overall I think I had a spiritual experience here. Anyway 10/10 will go back sober.

I was looking for a special Father's Day restaurant that wasn't too far from the ferry, and…read moreGabriella's was just perfect. Don't be turned away that the restaurant is located in a strip mall by Whole Foods. Once you walk in the revolving door, you are transported into foodie heaven. Matthew was our server and he was a pleasure. He was very attentive and knowledgeable and kept our meal flowing throughout. Since we were dining for an early lunch, all 3 of us ordered salads to keep things light.Two ordered the avocado salad with skirt steak and I had the caesar with grilled shrimp. Everyone really enjoyed their meal and I think my son inhaled his food... he was a hungry one. The grilled shrimp was fresh, delicious and cooked perfectly. The caesar was very flavorful and not your ordinary salad. It was my birthday and Matthew was so kind to surprise me with a small ice cream dessert with a fiery candle. A real nice touch to end the meal. We were all so full from our meals. Overall prices are not cheap, but the quality of food is so well worth it. If you're looking for a really nice atmosphere with elevated food quality, Gabriella's is a great spot for any special occasion. I'm excited to visit again and try other entrees!

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

Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall is one of those places you almost don't want to tell people…read moreabout--because then you'll have a harder time getting a table. Luca's Ristorante is a hidden gem that proves you should never judge a restaurant by its parking lot. Not long after we were seated, we were greeted by Luca -- a Luca and not the Luca. Still he was warm, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about his restaurant, taking the time to walk us through the menu and checking in throughout the meal without ever hovering. Luca's has a partial liquor license, offering a modest wine selection but is otherwise being BYOB. As we were told with a smile, they're much more interested in what's ON your plate than what's IN your glass. We started with two excellent appetizers. The arancini, already a family favorite, were crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and disappeared from the table faster than anyone was willing to admit. The Polpette, Luca's signature meatballs with pine nuts and raisins, certainly earned the praise they've received from NJ.com as some of the best in the state. Even if raisins in meatballs sound unusual, trust the process. The restaurant proudly calls itself "A Taste of Ischia," the beautiful volcanic island in the Bay of Naples, and the seafood absolutely lives up to that promise. My squid ink pasta with octopus (the Polypus) was outstanding, with perfectly tender octopus and beautifully balanced flavors. The scallops were buttery, sweet, and cooked to perfection, while the Ischia -- loaded with mussels, clams, and calamari -- was every seafood lover's dream. The rest of the menu proved just as impressive. The Pappardelle, featuring burrata and a rich Bolognese sauce, was a huge hit, while the Romolo, a comforting combination of chicken, pasta, bacon, and sauce, was another winner that had no leftovers to speak of. If you somehow still have room after dinner, Luca's offers a nice assortment of gelato. But do yourself one favor: don't leave without ordering a cappuccino. Rich, foamy, and expertly made, it's the perfect finale to a memorable meal. If you find yourself in Somerset, just a few turns off Routes 287 or 1, make the stop. You'll be greeted by a wonderful staff, treated to outstanding food, and very likely leave wondering how a restaurant this good has been hiding in a strip mall all along.

We tried Patricia's for lunch this time since it had been a while. It was good overall. Service was…read moregood along with our meals. Still a solid byob. Appetizer Seafood salad- we shared as a starter Eggplant tower Penne à la vodka We tried Patricia's for lunch this time since it had been a while. It was good overall. Service was good along with our meals. Still a solid byob. Appetizer Seafood salad- we shared as a starter Eggplant tower Penne à la vodka Frankie's famous meatballs Poached pear salad beet salad Dessert- Chocolate lava cake Poached pear salad beet salad Dessert- Chocolate lava cake

I have seen this spot in staten 100x, never ate there…read more My wife and i decided to give this one a shot, what an experience. The establishment is beautiful, clean & cool decor. The staff was kind, respectful and knew their stuff. Ashley was our server & she was awesome. Her knowledge of food and the menu was exceptional. She helped us decide on a few items and when i was going opt out of desert, she gave me a lesson on how an affogato came to be. The lamb chops were cooked to perfection, the flavor on the pasta was delicious and the fresh, table side mozz was phenomenal. Looking forward to going back!!!

Walked into a beautiful place. We stated with a great bread basket. Maybe the best I've ever had…read more And the great food continued. For appys, we had a wedge salad w/ a slice of bacon, which my wife enjoyed. I had baked clams, which I loved! For dinner, my wife had Filet Mignon and mac & cheese on the side. The meat was cooked perfectly and the mac & cheese was great. I had a Wagyu rib eye cap and Brussel sprouts on the side. The meat was perfect, and so were the sprouts. For dessert, my wife had the affogato, which both of us loved. The only disappointment of the night was the Tiramisu, not flavorful at all. The service was top-notch, I appreciated that the waiter was not a kid, which so many places use these days. It's very expensive, $380 for two (BYOB), including tip. As great a meal as it was, I don't think I will be a regular. If I come back, it won't be for the steak, mine cost $115. The mains don't include sides, it's all a la carte. If the money doesn't bother you, or it's a special occasion, I highly recommend this restaurant. Somebody in that kitchen, knows what they are doing!

What an unfortunate turn of events. We arrived as a party of 4 on a Friday evening around 6 pm…read moreexpecting a well needed, well deserved, enjoyable meal amongst friends. I was especially looking forward to ordering the ribeye and lit up instantly when the server listed it as one of the specials. The server shared that he would need to collect the orders for all of our courses at the same time which was fine with me. I actually had more confidence in the timing of everything for that reason. Our server had a delightful energy particularly at the beginning of our visit. After we placed our orders, everything began to fall apart. It did get noticeably busy since we first arrived, but we ultimately waited for our main entrees for over 3 hours. 3 hours. The table ordered the charred octopus and the oysters to start. The oysters hit the table fairly quickly, but then we began to gradually notice how long it was taking for the octopus to come. I had only a slither of the octopus so that I could say I tried it. Everyone at the table raved about the taste. I did, however, agree that their oysters were delicious especially when dressed with a little bit of mignonette, lemon, horseradish and a touch of Tabasco sauce. I'm excited to now report that I am a fan of fresh oysters from the east coast, because apparently the coast matters. The table also ordered the canaletto stuffed with mascarpone, parmesan and another cheese, langostines and lobster with morel mushroom cream sauce, garnished with truffles. I passed on this one also as it was too adventurous for my taste buds; although, their delicious bread and our drinks did distract me for a little while. The restaurant is BYOB, so we had our wine to keep us company while we observed other tables come and go. We eventually asked to see the manager and was told there wasn't a manager on duty which was either untrue or a very poor decision on the part of the owners considering it was a Friday evening. Having someone occasionally check in with our table may have also helped to take the pressure off of the server who may have gotten overwhelmed or decided to prioritize other tables. Having a manager offer a personal apology may have helped us feel less forgotten about. After the three hour mark, we decided this was enough. I didn't have much to eat at this point, but I wasn't at all worried initially since I was there for the main event, the ribeye. I stopped a hostess who was walking past our table and asked for the manager. We were again told the manager is not here but can be called, if needed. I simply replied, "Please do". Shortly afterwards, I noticed our server who at this time was standing by the host stand briskly walk into the kitchen and then return to our table with our plates. I sent the food back which was a decision that was supported by everyone at the table. Let me tell you, that was a difficult decision to make, but I also was ready to call it a night. Our mood had changed, and I truly felt like we were derservant of having the same experience as everyone else that night. Our server apologized for his part to play in the ordeal which I appreciated since I know his intention was never malicious, but unfortunately we had to call this night a bust. He offered us dessert on the house, and our entire meal was comped which we felt was an appropriate resolution. I ordered the Cinnamon Toast Crunch bread pudding which was a favorite. Very good. Jasper Stone is a beautiful establishment with decorative yellow and white floral arrangements throughout the dining area. It is clearly a popular restaurant and has many positive reviews. I regret that I could not have a comparable experience.

My husband and I chose to dine here for our anniversary as a result of our incredible first dinner…read moreexperience. Yes, it is an experience - from the atmosphere to the selection of beautiful dinner wear to the each element of plating to the awakening of each part of your palate to the personable owners who actually came to the table and talked to us. Wow! We are beyond impressed. As a couple who love dining and are appreciative of good cooking, we were left speechless for the second time. It's our secret spot now! Thank you John and Bruna for the amazing beyond believe dining experience!

Our first visit to Dolce Fantasia, and it will not be the last. My wife and I attended the Beer,…read moreWine and Spirits event in Asbury earlier in the day and decided to stay in town for an early dinner. Even though they only opened at 5pm, there was already a lively crowd at 5:30. We started with Polpettine Di Pollo, organic chicken meatballs with bell pepper, garlic, spinach and pomodoro. The order was large and delicious! Piping hot as well. Carol chose the Pappardelle al Telephono Nostro, house made pasta, mozzarella, tomato-cream sauce and fresh basil. this was a large order and my wife loved it. I chose the Tortelloni alla Bergamasca, veal tortellini with black truffle and rosemary veal reduction. Excellent as well! Dessert consisted. of a shared Pistachio Creme Brulee that was perfect. The restaurant is BYOB and I recommend making a reservation. Our server, Khrystna, was superb

Via Sposito in Old Bridge, NJ is incredible. A family run restaurant with great people and the most…read moredelicious food. We have eaten there 3 times in 6 days. Absolutely amazing!!! Appetizers to die for - fried calamari, clams oregano, everything is DELICIOUS. Pasta dishes that make you cry they are so delicious. Now let's talk about the pizza. True Neapolitan pizza. The crust is light and crispy and so special. The margarita pie is killer, the Emiliano - with prosciutto, Arugola, truffle oil and Parmigiano Reggiano is the best pizza in Old Bridge. It is not even close. Via Sposito is a hidden gem and among the best restaurants in NJ. Get there as soon as possible. You will be blown away.

On a recent vacay to visit family, we met up with some north Jersey cousins for dinner at Via…read moreSposito. I loved that they accommodated our group of 12 with just a few days' notice. They're an Italian restaurant with a good selection of dishes to meat various diets: salads, pastas, meat dishes, etc. The food was also pretty good, and service was fine. Better Italian food can be found in NJ, not too far away, but the location, quality and price point served our purposes. The servings are generous. I had the "Sunday Supper" (pasta served with red sauce, braciole, sausages, meatballs, and ribs), which I shared with my husband, and even so we had plenty to take home for another meal! I found the decor unusual in that there was a noticeable religious motif. In fact, a life size statue of the a Virgin Mary stood in the corner behind our table observing our little reunion. Odd for a restaurant, but it made for some fun comparing of notes afterwards.