So the first night I ate there the food was good (not memorable) but the service was HORRIBLE. Slow, pretentious and ill informed about menu choices/ingredients. I decided to give them anther try tonight and order some take out. I call and they hang up on me. I call back and state I want to order take out (mind you they have a dedicated link to a PDF specifically for takeout), they put me on hold. The host returns and says, sorry we are not doing take out tonight. WTH? I hang up. I am done with Meal. David Art kandidz.com read more

MEAL is our favorite local restaurant. Whenever we're in the mood for a really good, solid dinner we come here and have never been disappointed. The manager is super nice and have had favorable interactions with the staff. We always go for the meal chips which are insanely addicting. The steaks are so delicious but have been trying to explore more of the menu since the food is always so good. The burger and steak sandwich are killer and they always have tasty specials. If we have room, we enjoy the smores brownie which is unreal. Highly recommend this place! read more

I visited Meal last night with two of my girlfriends for some happy hour action and a light dinner. I was not disappointed. We chose to sit at the bar where the service was prompt and friendly and not intrusive. They offer a good happy hour deal for bevs, where it includes reduced prices on beer, half price wines by the glass and $5 well drinks. Tito's is their house vodka, so you're not getting some nasty rubbing alcohol type nonsense. Also, certain appetizers are also $5. I'd recommend the mussels as they hit the spot and you get a decent amount for your buck! We got the ahi tuna special appetizer that was served over guacamole which was also very good. The tuna was seared to perfection and the diced onions were a nice compliment to it. For our dinner, my one friend and I split the skirt steak and got it medium rare. Perfect. The chimmichuri sauce that we got was also full of flavor. My other friend got the filet medallions and got it well done (she's preggy so she had to) and we split an order of brussel sprouts which were pretty good but not the best I've had to be honest. The overall experience was very enjoyable. Will definitely be back soon! Oh and they have dollar oysters on weds for all my raw bar loving friends. :) read more

Number 1 : our waitress was amazing ! Love her so sweet ! Didnt catch her name but she was short and tiny with an accent . Number 2 : caprese salad and angry mussels = amazing ! Number 3: got two different wines , for me white Sauvignon blanc and for him red both amazing . Number 4: I had the cabanelli I think it was called (like shrimp scampi kind of ) and he had filet mignon . Both amazing Number 5: best service ever from bus boys to the waitress to I think the manager Honestly best restaurant around . Blows All the restaurant in the area out of the water . Will deff be back read more

This review is only for brunch. They have a pretty good lunch menu but it can be a little pricey depending on what you get. I've had the steak and eggs before as well as the huevos rancheros and both were good but nothing to rave about. I will say though that the s'mores dessert was incredible! I've been here a couple of times for brunch and each time I was really surprised with how quiet it was! I'd like to come back for dinner sometime to see how the steaks are. read more

I've been to MEAL a few times before for lunch, but tonight was the first time I've had dinner here. I ordered the salmon and I definitely was not disappointed! The salmon, wild rice, and cauliflower were all cooked and seasoned to perfection. I rarely clean my plate at dinner, but I managed to do it this time because everything was so delicious. The staff and manager were exceptional and didn't try to rush my friend and I who were at the table a few hours catching up. I'm glad we decided to have dinner at MEAL and I will certainly return if I'm in the area again. read more

Oysters Rockefeller: Good Filet Mignon: Cooked perfectly Loaded baked potato: Very good "Truffled" Creamed Spinach: TERRIBLE - spinach was neither creamed nor truffled. It was bagged baby spinach sauteed in a watery milk "sauce". So bad I had to ask the server if it was the creamed spinach or sauteed. If you are trying to be a proper steak place, please have proper creamed spinach. read more

This place is delicious!!! The ambience is perfect for a Sunday dinner. We were able to eat outside and enjoy the nice weather with good mucus playing. Our waiter let us know about the happy hour specials which were great and cheap. We left Bloomfield Steak House because service and food were so poor and I'm so glad we ended our night off with a bang! The waiter, host, and bartender all greeted us and the food was so good. I ordered the Filet and baked potato (huge) along with Mac and cheese. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

Honestly I've yet to have a sit down down at this place, I always end up at the bar because they have an awesome happy hour and Jason, the bartender is always great company. I like to start with $1 oysters and a glass of white wine. Then I usually have their French onion soup and the tuna tartar. Eventually I have to try some of their steaks because technically it is a steak place. It's a nice, local restaurant with a welcoming staff. read more

Got here, got seated, Sat for 15 minutes....Someone brought us water, but that was all. Was never asked a single thing . Not if we wanted an appetizer, anything else to drink, nothing ! Got up and left... horrible customer service, not how you do business . read more

I just left dinner at Meal, decent crowd for a saturday early evening. The bartending staff was attentive and excellent. While the food was decent tasting, the portions were very small. So small that my entire entree took up only 1/4 of the plate (ahi tuna) and even then most of it was rice. I just feel like if i am paying for a $30 entree, I would hope the portions were decent. After that, it was a bit of a letdown. Would I come back for dinner? Probably not. If I wanted tapas, I'd go to Spuntino. read more

I would give MEAL 3.5 stars, if half stars were an option. The food was pretty good, the service was ok, slow....painfully slow. I'm all for a nice slow meal, I hate being rushed through the courses, but this was too slow. We had appetizers which came out before our drinks (granted we didn't order anything that was cooked, but still). $11 for a drink in the suburbs is pretty obnoxious, and the cocktails menu doesn't have prices. We got our two rolls as we waited for our apps, the waiter didn't know what the stuff was that came with the rolls (some sort of herbed oils). We were then told that they ran out of the crab stack (7:30pm), so we chose the tuna tartar instead. The oysters were fresh, the tartar was very good, but really small for the price. We finished our apps in no hurry, our plates were cleared and then we waited...and waited. It was a Saturday night, the place wasn't particularly packed and the ppl at the table next to us had the same reaction about the slowness of the meal. It was probably 20min before our entrees finally came out. Hubby's steak was perfectly cooked, and the horseradish cream sauce was very tasty. I had the salmon (though it was the swordfish entree with salmon instead of swordfish), also tasty. As our side, we got the tater tots, YUM!! Overall, a good meal, but oh the slowness. Our waitress didn't really check on us during the waiting as our water glasses remained empty. We didn't have desert, but it looked good at a nearby table. As of now, the jury is still out on whether we'd come back. Pretty pricey for 3.5 stars and not particularly memorable. read more

This place is a hidden restaurant with great steak, sides, and sauce options for your steak of choice. You can pick your size too which is nice for people who will eat more or less. They have a small outside seating area. Inside is a bar with 2 additional rooms for seating. I love the roasted garlic that comes with every steak! The French fries were also really good. Ceasar salad not so good. Better options for sure. I wasn't disappointed except for the salad. Will be going back! read more

I mean. It's local. It's got fabulous steak. The oysters....oh, the oysters. The only thing...is that I'm definitely coming during happy hour to curb the pricey drinks BUT, 4-6 is my kind of hour. read more

MEAL - New American Near Me - Nutley, New Jersey

Hubby and I were searching for a BYO restaurant for date night and didn't want to go to our old favorites. I did a quick search for BYO and MEAL came up! I've driven past this place a million times and wondered if it was any good - the reviews were stellar so we gave it a shot. We didn't have a reservation on a Saturday night but it was no problem. The staff was beyond friendly, attentive and gave great recommendations for our meal. The music was relaxing and the atmosphere was romantic but chill. We started with the mac and cheese - a MUST try. Ham, peas, gruyere and smoked mozzarella - delicious and only $8 for a very generous portion (definitely enough for two). We each ordered steaks - My hubby had the NY Strip and I had the 8oz filet mignon. Stellar. Absolutely delicious. We finished the night with flourless chocolate cake and carrot cake and it was all mouth watering. I would definitely go back here. The owner, or the manager, frequented each table and was certainly happy to have customers here. A must try and we'll definitely be going back even though they're getting their liquor license at the end of January. Perfect for a date night or a night out with the guys / girls. read more

Oh my God. I ate so much here. Everything was so delicious! I would totally want to come back here. They have some healthy items on the menu, but all in all, if you go there you need to pig out a little bit. Its kind of impossible not to! The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the wait staff. We had a really dumb waitress who had a hard time serving. I realized things would be difficult when I told her I wanted "water with no ice" and she said "Oh, huh, well, we can't, because the water comes with ice" and then we had to tell her to get a different pitcher with just water. Really? I mean come on. It got worse with her during the night, but luckily for the restaurant, I would return because the food is awesome. read more

My husband and I tried this restaurant last night after discovering it on Yelp. It was absolutely phenomenal! He had the foi gras appetizer (he was born and raised in France) and said it was fabulous. I had the blue point oysters and they were the freshest I've ever eaten. For dinner, my husband had the "small" portion of the pork chops, cooked medium, with the red wine dipping sauce. I had the "small" portion of he hanger steak, cooked medium, with he horseradish cream dipping sauce. The meat was delicious. We split the creamed spinach with almonds as a side. This was also great. For desert, my husband had the crème brûlée, and I had the chocolate mousse and a cappuccino. Both desserts were both worth the smaller sizes entrees. We finished them quickly! Our server was fabulous and suggested the right dipping sauces for the meats we chose. It was great to have the option of different sized entrees instead of getting too full on the "one size fits all" dinner portions that most restaurants offer. We will definitely be back! read more

I live in Nutley and have always passed MEAL before but finally decided to try it out for Sunday brunch. It was delicious and definitely a place I would come back to. It was reasonably priced for brunch and everything was very good! The staff was super friendly and welcoming and the outdoor seating was wonderful. I had the Cuban Panini with a side salad which was very well prepared and the unlimited mimosas were great (a little on the strong side). read more

MEAL - Cuban Panini & unlimited mimosas. - New American Near Me - Nutley, New Jersey

Local spot near home. The place is pretty cozy ..think trendy steak house. Very modern and lots of metals. The service is great - the staff was curteous and checks up on their guests/patrons several times throughout the evening. The food comes out quickly and hot. The food was phenonominal but pricey.. i started with a few glasses of wine paired up with the truffle chips with blue cheese and bacon and for those who know me i can eat a bowl of truffles.. it was delicious. We also orderd the short rib tacos and they were delciious, the meat was extremely tender with a lime cheesy cilantro sauce .. it was life changing. For entree I had their recommended steak of the night - the cowboy steak.. it was awesome. I wanted to order a second to bring home and eat it for breakfast the next day but.. i didnt. The steak is extremely cut well and has the right amount of fat and juiciness. Its probably one of my favorite local steaks. I also ordered the peppercorn sauce on the side for the steak which was very mildly spicy (if that makes any sense). For sides we shared the whipped potatoes (with a hint of truffle) and onion rings. Def make space for dessert.. they have a big dessert menu. i ordered teh creme brulee and it was freshly toasted on top and it tasted like the one I've had in Europe.. vanilla with a hint of caramel and burnt sugar. It went well with the port wine. I heard they have BYOB on certain days but not too sure. We def paid for our wine and drinks that night from the bar. read more

I went to MEAL for brunch today. We walked in at 2:50 and even though the brunch ends at 3, we were accommodated by a professional and really nice staff who sat us right away The service was excellent . I loved my Chardonnay and they made an authentic Mojito that is so rare to find. I had the Chop Salad with chicken and it was delicious! Beautiful , stylish place that has outdoor dining too! I'll definitely go back for the live music and I'm looking forward to tasting dinner entrees too. read more

My fiance and I have been to many many restaurants trying to see who has better mussels than Lunello's in Little Falls...we finally found some that topped those! Def will be back!! read more

We went to MEAL the other night for a special event (Birthday). We went there because of Yelp and the "Steakhouse of the year in Essex" award. When we arrived (6:30 on Saturday) the restaurant was relatively empty and we were greeted by the host which seems like the owner and promptly seated. Our server came by to get our drink order and later for our food order. I was a little surprised he didn't have any specials - but that was OK, since we came mostly for the steaks anyway. I later found out they actually did have specials - when another waiter gave the list to the table next to us. I probably wouldn't have ordered any of them, but the omission did not signal a very high level of service. For appetizers we had the chopped salad, which should be a staple of every good steakhouse, the French Onion soup and a high end Mac N Cheese. The appetizers were mediocre in general. First, the chopped salad was a little over the top - it had so many ingredients, it simply tasted weird. With cheese, lettuce, olives, lettuce, corn, cucumber, tomatoes and maybe more ingredient it was simply not great - the vinaigrette was good and the salad would benefit from fewer ingredients. Next, the onion soup which should have melted Gruyere on it was burnt on the sides - a clear evidence that standards are not kept. The soup was rich - almost too much so. Finally, the Mac-n-cheese was nice with peas mixed in and a smoky flavor. I have tasted better - but again, not bad. For entrees we opted for the fillet, skirt and short ribs. The fillets were executed well at just the right doneness level. Wat can I say - a Fillet mignon requires very little tampering, which in this case they managed to avoid. The skirt was another matter. The skirt steak was again, not touched - which is a problem. If you don't marinade a skirt, the connective tissue remains which makes it chewy. That's exactly what I got, disappointing. The short ribs were well executed, soft and well braised with a good wine sauce. Finally, the sides. The menu promises "House Cut Fries". Well, if you live in a frozen fry factory, this would qualify. The fries were obviously not house cut - but frozen. We also had whipped potatoes that suffered from stiffness - I would suggest mixing in more cream/fat - but they failed to impress. Considering the lackluster appetizer and entrees we decided to skip the desserts who were on the pricey side. All in all - very mediocre with inconsistent quality of dishes. Very far from the quality of a high end steak house like Morton's, Ruth Chris or even the Park Steakhouse. Considering the value - I would most likely opt for the higher end steakhouses next time and avoid this one. read more

MEAL - French Onion soup - burnt cheese - New American Near Me - Nutley, New Jersey

See all

By far the best chopoed salad you will ever find a steakhouse!!! So hearty , delicious and condensed with veggies and kalamata olives!!! Oysters are also great here , good quality and there are mid week specials as well !! The bar is warm and cozy so great during winter time .. brunch is also delicious!! I love me some meals at meal !! :) read more

One of the best dinners I've had in quite a while. Beautiful ambiance for any sort of an event. The Cowboy steak was perfectly cooked and their banana pudding was to die for. The owner took time to check on our table made sure that each dish came out in a timely manner. This is my new favorite spot for a chill evening. read more

MEAL - Cowboy steak (their signature) medium rare with Meal bbq sauce -steak was so flavorful that I didn't even bother with the sauce. - New American Near Me - Nutley, New Jersey

Great ambiance with fantastic cuisine. I had the shrimp risotto, and was very impressed with the quality of the dish. It was creamy, perfectly seasoned, and had a citric touch with the addition of pomegranate. Overall, very pleasant experience! I would definitely go back. read more

MEAL - New American Near Me - Nutley, New Jersey

After days, weeks of calling MEAL to place an order for pick up - finally took a drive by and it looks like they have closed shop. If anyone knows if they have relocated please post in comments where... NO one makes truffle chips like they do ,,,, this place was my NY City chic vibe restaurant in Nutley... in tears that they are no longer read more

Very good brunch spot. 18 bucks for all you can drink mimosas and bloody marys with very good food too. Service is excellent as well.

Fabulous hidden gem! I've passed this place a bunch a times and finally decided to stop in with friends. Delicious food and drinks. Lots of creative options and good serving sizes. I particularly liked the happy hour specials! Can't beat $5 specials! read more

I went to MEAL with my husband and we loved it! I got the special, which was three petite filet medallions all topped with something different. I think my husband got a burger. The mac and cheese appetizer was hands down, the best I've ever had. We're planning to go back for our anniversary. I highly recommend MEAL! read more

Excellent steaks, I had the small NY strip and my boyfriend had a medium filet and we both walked out of there pleasantly surprised at trying this place for the first time! The asparagus and baked potato sides were amazing too! The loaded baked potato could have easily been a side to two people! Great service, and the host /GM was very friendly when making a quick reservation on the phone and greeting us at the door. read more

MEAL - Loaded HUGE baked potato - New American Near Me - Nutley, New Jersey

Meal is our go to for a great meal. Mark and the team never disappoint. Service is always excellent. The steaks can't be beat. Their steak specials are always interesting and exciting. Meal chips rule the world. Our kids even love to dinner here with us for their Delicious burger ! We love their boozy brunch and they have an excellent happy hour when you just need a quick reprieve ! We have never had a bad meal at meal ! Thanks for always taking good care of us and our guests. Only wish, for my darling husband, that they'd bring back the asparagus tempura with the Sriracha dipping sauce! read more

This was our second visit to Meal and it was as good as our first. We both got the Slow Cooked Braised Short Ribs which were outstanding. Full of flavor and fork ready tender. Our appetizers of Foie Gras and Thai style Calamari were equally as good. Our desserts of Apple Crisp and Fried Banana was a perfect finish to an excellent meal. Our serving team of Steven and Lauren was also outstanding, attentive and professional. Meal is becoming one of our favorite restaurants and we look forward to coming back soon. read more

Just left MEAL after my first visit. Service - very good. Waiter was quick to approach the table after we sat down, waters were refilled, he, the owner, and the bus boy were very attentive throughout the meal. Bread was great! Wheat rolls with butter and two dipping sauces -- a garlic sweet and sour (it was ok) and a basil olive oil (too salty) Ordered a 'heart of romaine' salad. Large in size. Had too much Cesar dressing for my taste. Was also very 'peppery' I had the Ahi Tuna --- I ordered it rare, but it was cooked a bit too long for it to be rare. The tuna had peppercorn on the outside which overwhelmed the taste. Truly did not enjoy it. My companion had the short ribs -- very tender, but same issue as the salad and tuna -- too salty. In short, if you like pepper - go for it! read more

Still an unbelievable dining experience. The best Steakhouse in NJ. Kudos to chef and staff. Class act and amazing food.

The amount of high-quality food that we had here was obscene! We arrived at Meal on Monday for a friend's birthday party and they had a beautiful table set for our group of eleven. We decided to do a double order of five appetizers (tacos, oysters, mac and cheese, soft pretzels, and the tuna tartare). Because of my allergies, I could only try the tuna tartare. It was fresh, though, and the pineapple chunks made it slightly tangy. The plantain chips with it were an unexpected touch, but I liked it. The rest of the group happily devoured the apps. It seemed like the right amount for our large party. We ordered an ahi tuna steak for the main with the brussels sprouts and pancetta. It was cooked perfectly. We also split various cuts of steak with the table (ribeye, sirloin, and filet). The presentation was lovely and the flavor was wonderful. I don't eat a lot of meat, but I really enjoyed this portion of our meal. You could tell that the chef was experienced and knew what he was doing. The group ended up going with all the desserts, but since milk, etc. is a no-go for me, I went with the green apple sorbet. It was creamy and delightful. This part of the meal was the only time I felt like we over-ordered because we all enjoyed the dessert wine that we brought with us. Our waiter pulled out all the stops and the manager stayed on top of everything the whole night. We were one of the only tables in the restaurant, so I'm not sure what Meal would be like if it was busy; we were a pretty high-maintenance group, though, so I really thought they handled our service very well. I definitely want to check this place out again soon. It's a great addition to an area that is typically saturated with chain restaurants. read more

Our favorite place in town. We go about once a month and it's always excellent. Wish they would bring back that cheesy bread. We ask for it every time but they don't make it anymore. Get it if they have it and thank me later! read more

Dined here recently while visiting a friend in the neighborhood. Had been curious about it...looks impressive from the outside. Impressed with the quality of service; the manager was very accomodating and stopped by a couple of times to check on us (in addition to our server's attention). Laughed when we saw a woman at a nearby table pull a cocktail shaker out of her purse...we are told they are getting a liquor license soon. That'll be nice with the steaks. We ordered a lot...house-made chips are delicious and you get a huge serving, with the cheesy sauce on top...it'll make a good bar snack. Enjoyed the smoky bacon smell on the iceberg wedge "blt". I ordered the cowboy steak...a large portion, very well seasoned, and I took some home. Not the ultimate cut of steak but I do like how the menu is organized: small/medium/large size cuts, then by type of steak then by the kinds of sauces you can have with them. A good system and pretty much something for everyone. Sides: creamed spinach was good, not too creamy or mushy. My companions shared the filet and the lobster tail; the filet was very good, cooked just to order and very tasty. The lobster tail: they may not have gotten the best tail of the day there...it was good but not fantastic. Lastly, onion rings were a great side. Big, crunchy and also grilled, a nice touch. I would recommend Meal to anyone in the area looking for quality and variety. read more

Before I start my review I think a couple things need to be mentioned. I am from VA and would have not clue where to go near MetLife stadium with out Yelp. Moreover I heard other guest speaking about yelp at their table so good job yelp. I don't give 5 stars easy, but our service, food and ambiance was perfect, so what can I do. Ordered French onion soup and blt salad , entrees were filet and also the short ribs(which were recommended) . Wine list is fair ($$$). Steak was perfectly cooked and we went with Red wine sauce (strong), plus the short ribs were great too. Little things, the dips prior to food with bread were amazing. Red pepper sauce and basil sauce. Beautiful place, and truth is I will more than likely never be in Nutley , Nj again, but if I am , I will go here. It was my wife and my anniversary and they knew that and had flowers on the table. Fantastic place. read more

The service and food are excellent consistently. They have a good drink menu and a huge wine selection. read more

MEAL - It goes down too easy:) - New American Near Me - Nutley, New Jersey

Great place, nice ambient, clean and great service. Food was delicious. Skirt steak was cold when it arrived to my table but was ok.( I think it might have sit in the kitchen while the other steak was being done). However, all was great. read more