My friend and I were in town for an event and looking for a place to grab an early dinner…read morebeforehand when I came across Moonstruck. The restaurant was located in a multi-floor home on Wesley Lake, just around the corner from the hustle and bustle of Cookman Avenue. The first floor was more of a bar and lounge, and they had a live jazz band on the evening we visited. We checked in with the hostess and were escorted up to the second floor dining room, which was a charming spot that was breezy and comfortable, yet refined. The floor also had its own bar. Our server was on top of things, but was also clearly newer to the place. Regardless, once we got settled, she took our drink orders, which had taken us some time to decide on since the menu was creative and vast. I went with A Sidecar Named Desire, which included Courvoisier VSOP, Cointreau, Chinola passionfruit liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. I adore passion fruit and had always liked sidecars as well, so I figured it was worth a try, and I loved it! It had a good balance of tart sweetness and smokiness. My friend similarly enjoyed her spicy margarita, and we both imbibed while picking on some bread and herb butter. For our meal, we decided to start by sharing the Greek Salad, which was a massive bowl of romaine topped with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, red onions, and Kalamata olives. We left off the feta cheese, but enjoyed the seasoned dressing made of red wine vinegar, honey, salt, oregano, and olive oil. It was a fresh and flavorful mix of vegetables that was a pleasure to eat. The entree options were endless and offered something for everyone. I wound up going with the Chilean Sea Bass, which was served over sweet onions and potatoes in a tomato herb reduction. The fish was tender and perfectly cooked. It was a light and tasty dish that seemed perfect for the Spring season. After our meals we were a bit too full for dessert, but we decided to get a second round of drinks, mainly because I was dying to try their Pistachio Espresso-Tini. Wow, was that drink delicious! It blended Ketel One Vodka, Mozart White Chocolate Liqueur, natural pistachio flavor, and fresh espresso. The coffee notes were not super prevalent, but the creaminess, nuttiness was the real highlight. It was a decadent way to end a delicious meal. After we settled the bill and headed downstairs, I noticed several bowls of after-dinner mints, which were a nice touch. From the relaxed atmosphere to the interesting and expansive menu, Moonstruck was a terrific option for our Asbury dinner experience.

My husband and I recently had dinner at Moonstruck, and unfortunately, it was one of the most…read moredisappointing dining experiences we've ever had. Our server, Michael, provided by far the worst service we've ever received. He appeared to be under the influence of something, as he spent long periods simply standing around making odd faces while our table and several others waited and waited for him to acknowledge us. We were left wondering if anyone was going to take care of us. When my husband politely asked about our meal, Michael became rude instead of apologetic or helpful. The food itself had good flavor, but it arrived cold, like it was not served right away, which was disappointing. To end the meal, we ordered a cappuccino, but it was so poorly made that it tasted like nothing but warm milk. It was completely undrinkable. What makes this especially disappointing is that I've always loved Moonstruck. It's been one of my favorite restaurants because of its excellent food and outstanding service. If this is the level of service the new owners are willing to accept, I worry about the restaurant's future. I truly hope management addresses these issues because Moonstruck has always been top notch!

On Instagram started seeing posts about Marée- a new French…read morecoastal bistro & bar inspired by the rhythm of the ocean and the timeless character of our coast! Located at: 1123 3rd Ave Spring Lake, NJ @www.eatatmaree. com Reservations will open on OpenTable the week of July 27. Currently Walk ins welcomed I was intrigued! Hubby and I had our Friday date night at Marée! We arrived at Marée ! 30 minute wait for a table! Awesome vibes! Steady stream of customers coming and going! At the bar, indoor and outdoor seating areas! Loved my cocktail special! & Garden Party! cheers! What we ordered! Trinity Beet roasted & pickled beet · cara cara orange · bleu cheese · pepitas Crab Blossom lump crab · dill pistou · mustard beurre blanc Parisian Gnocchi buckwheat gnocchi · jersey corn butter · confit tomato · jambon de bayonne Grits Bouillabaisse castle valley grits · seafood stew · saffron · rouille Chocolate & Hazelnut chocolate mousse · hazelnut praline · vanilla chantilly! Was a great way to end the evening! Each course was well presented and so flavorful! New set of utensils with each course. Loved the fresh flowers on each table & bar! Our Server Christie W was awesome! Checked in on us! Thank you for a lovely evening! Highly recommend! Welcome to the neighborhood! Wishing you much success! Street parking!

There's a lot to like about Maree, a new French bistro in Spring Lake. It use to be a bank, a Wells…read moreFargo if i remember correctly. The interior still has the bank's echoes and it's a large and noisy space. And yes, the vault's still there along with a new bar. We chose to sit outside in the courtyard on the side street as it was a pleasant night. Our waiter was an outgoing person new to NJ. Service was casual and definitely not rushed with us being there 2.5 hours. A tad long we thought. More on that later. Drinks were good and reasonably price. We had two Morning Glass cocktails which were enjoyed and a Garden Party. The Garden Party was a refreshing summer mix in a good size wine goblet which I'd have again. For starters we had the beet salad ( pic enclosed) which was beautifully prepared but a bit short on the cheese side and the Farm Greens starter which had some very nice fresh peaches. The greens were $19 , a bit high for the offering. After our starters that's where the kitchen must have gotten overwhelmed as the wait for the mains actually got us to the point of almost asking what the issue was when 3 of them were brought to the table. We had ordered two Steak frites and two fish ( Bronzino). After about a five minute wait, the other main was brought out. At $61 the steak was overpriced and we knew that going in but were optimistic it would be something special. It wasn't with one member not eating more than a bite. The medium rare I ordered was medium and the steak chewy. I'm familiar with the steak cut but this for the price should have been much better. The fish was deboned and crisp and then covered with salad ruining the crispness. Why chefs do this is beyond me. Put the salad topping on the side! The fish was fine. Oh yes, we had bread too. Four half pieces of one kind of bread with a herbed butter at $12. Skip it! A bottle of Cabernet at $26 was a bargain but it was no better than Two Buck Chuck, but fine. Next time I'd have a beer or another cocktail. Water was by the bottle $6 and tap water was not offered. Flat water was by the bottle too with a $6 charge. Desserts were good. Creme Carmel was nice as expected. Chocolate Hazelnut was yummy. I'd recommend them. There was a CC fee of 3% added to the bill which I didn't note on the menu. Sitting outside was enjoyable but potting soil bags for the many lovely plants should be stored not viewed by patrons. Also, dishes cleared should be bused inside and not piled for guests to view. Small things matter when you're paying premium prices. So, would I return? Probably not. With tip it was a near $500 night for four. Given it was a bistro experience, the prices were high without the value being present. Value being quality or quantity. They are new to the scene and hopefully will find their footing. I just think there's better options available.

If someone offered me a dish of spaghetti with pastrami, I would probably politely decline and say…read moreI already ate even if I hadn't. This same dish at J and H became the best dish of a part Jewish, part Italian culinary adventure that went way too fast and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Went with my wife, my son and his girlfriend and it won't be the last time we visit. Started with drinks in Harry's cocktail lounge which was dimly lit, just the way I like it and staffed by two bartenders who were at the top of their game. I like to put myself in the hands of the bartender in a place like this. Tell them my preferred drinks and let them surprise me. They were up to the task and we left the lounge to go to our table as very happy customers. The dining room is brightly lit but not overwhelmingly so. Modern sleek vibe with great music. Staff was on point throughout the night. They found the perfect balance between being attentive but not overwhelming. We started with the pillowy soft and delicious focaccia bread served with an olive tapenade and a balsamic and olive oil mix. Perfect start to the meal! We started with three appetizers, octopus, latke with smoked salmon and dill sour cream and a chopped salad. The octopus and especially the latke were excellent! That dill sour cream should be bottled and sold. We ordered 3 pasta dishes, all of which were great with the aforementioned pastrami and spaghetti pasta easily being one of the top pasta dishes Ive ever had and Im 62 yo. The dish is served with a dijon beurre blanc, emmental cheese and rye croutons. We also ordered the pappardelle with veal ragu and zucca with zucchini, basil and parmesan. For entrees we ordered the fluke piccata and the chicken parm with sides of schmaltz potatoes and cacio pepe jersey corn. The fluke was the favorite dish of the table with the chicken parm not far behind. The potatoes and corn went far beyond the level of being an afterthought like so many side dishes are treated as at a lot of restaurants. Both of them went neck and neck with the entrees as far as quality and deliciousness. The corn was sweet like Jersy summer corn should be and the potatoes were crispy on the outside and cloudy soft on the inside. Both were perfectly seasoned. A return visit(s) is definitely in the cards!

I had high hopes for this place. i came with a friend we ordered the chicken parm and the eggplant…read moreparm. This is supposed to be a 5 star restaurant. The service was great. The side dishes were good. As for the eggplant parm. It was quite bland and it is $48. I love eggplant and eat it almost every time i go to an Italian restaurant. I have had eggplant parm in little Italy and Brooklyn. I have been to many 5 star restaurants in Manhattan. The eggplant was bland and inconsistent They left the hard end of the eggplant on the plate and the surrounding part was not seasoned. It was horrible.i gave some to my fiancé and he spit it out. I thought it was a mistake so I bought it to the attention of the server and she explained that this is how it is prepared. So for $48 You have the end of the eggplant that is like a rock amd the part around it is unedible . The rest was ok. I have never seen this. The chicken parm was ok also bland and the chicken was very thick Not sure what all the hype is about Also it is so noisy in there if you are sitting across from someone you really have to raise your voice to be heard. I

Phenomenal drinks and the short ribs have absolutely no fat and tender and succulents. I had the…read morecrispy lasagna with beef Bolognese on it phenomenal. Highly recommend this place .Sat at the bar had a blast.

The ambience here is super impressive and a great place to socialize and have a few impressive…read morecocktails with friends or meetings. Service was also good also. But I am not impressed by the food. Things looked great but were overly salty or not cold or warm enough. The food came out ALL AT THE SAME TIME. The pace of the apps was ridiculously fast making everything we ordered get cold. We didn't have room on the table for 2 people. It was odd.

There are quite a few nice restaurants in Red Bank. This one is in the top 4. From ambiance,…read moreservice to food...excellence prevails. The menu is small so, what does one choose. Obviously a matter of preference, but you have to try the meatballs...soft....wow can't say enough. Bread service is excellent. Their salads are above par. We did not try the Crostinis ie appetizers on toast. You can only eat so much. Onto the main course Branzino and Chicken Marsala. If you like seafood and chicken, there you go. Judging from the next table, the 12 inch pizza pies look really excellent. Cocktails made from an excellent barkeep keep the meal aplomb. Violet our server was very attentive. Parking as us locals know is sometimes a headache in Red Bank. Leave for your reservation early cause you will pay to park. Just think Asbury Park if you get the gist.

Visited Catezza with a group of 8 for Jersey shore restaurant week…read more Jersey shore restaurant week is a fantastic opportunity to try new restaurants at a reasonable fixed cost. Catezza accommodated a table of 8 The restaurant is beautiful with a good size bar at the front of the restaurant Lovely drink menu with some high end bourbons at a reasonable cost. We sat near the open kitchen which was an absolute treat I enjoyed the meal, the desserts are stellar. Disappointed that the kitchen ran out of a few items. The spicy tuna over crispy rice with Calabrian chile sauce was very good. I prefer the tuna diced and mixed, this reminded me of poke. The meatballs were a huge appetizer portion of 3 and they were excellent The short rib over saffron risotto was very good, loved the crunch from the rapini. Their gelato is excellent as was the limoncello bread pudding. Michael took great care of us. I look forward to dining with Catezza again.

We had a fantastic time on a Mediterranean journey of flavors with our server Amanda. We…read moreparticularly enjoyed the branzino, Gambas, roasted eggplant, and bread service. So much flavor in each dish. Bread service is a must. Amanda was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. Based on her recommendation we tried the eggplant, which was incredible (and I'm very picky with eggplant) For drinks my favorites were Turkish Delight and Pheonician Scheme. Both very well balanced and expertly crafted. Will be back as there are many items on the menu I would like to try. Drink tips: Turkish Delight. Pheonician Scheme Food Tips: bread service. roasted eggplant.

On Instagram started seeing posts about a new restaurant in Shrewsbury!…read moreExcited to try Numa! Made reservations! Great vibes as soon as I entered! Upbeat music! Nice decor! Love the murals! Our Server Amanda was pretty awesome! Introduced Numa to us! Made recommendations! Knew menu well! The Busser Chris was attentive and cleared our dishes promptly and placed new silverware! Enjoyed my Levantine Libation cocktail! Cheers! Rose Beet Tartare- yum! Great start to the evening! Halibut Au Riviera Branzino Chermoula Steak Frites! Entrees were delicious and well presented! Ordered the Special for dessert! Apricot tart! Perfect sweet treat to end the evening! Utensils changed for each course! Plenty of parking! Unisex restroom- very clean! Highly recommend! Thank you for a lovely dinning experience!!

I guess things didn't work out as planned. For quite some time now they are private events only…read more Gotta say one thing, it's tough to get in, lots of stairs.

The wine bar is elegant and appealing. The staff were outstanding and certainly well trained. The…read moreplace had a real fine dining vibe. They have a happy hour deal with $6 selected drinks and half price selected appetizers. The choices are diverse from tuna tartar to a truffle oil tater tot. There are many small plate offerings. The entrée choice and salads see very appealing and from I'm told the portions are generous. I've heard chatter that the prices are a bit overzealous but don't let that deter you from a visit. This is the place you bring someone when you are trying to make an impression. Just don't show up in jeans and a tee shirt, think upscale casual. We did a small plate dinner and an early movie at the theater only a short walk away. Do not miss a chance to visit the Wine Bar.

We had a wonderful lunch at Pearl at the Oyster Point Hotel today. Bridget was our server and she…read morecouldn't have been more attentive and warm. We started with sharing the shrimp cocktail appetizer. We ordered 6 to share and they were very tasty and fresh... a little on the small side for $4.95 each. But then our salads came and wow... they were both packed with proteins! I had the Salmon Cobb salad which was really good... fresh and tons of protein. Besides a large piece of grilled salmon was feta, hard boiled egg, avocado, chickpeas and so many other great ingredients. I left off the bacon. My husband had the asian steak and avocado salad and he ate every morsel. His also packed a protein punch and he loved it. It was his birthday so we had to celebrate with a delicious blueberry almond frost pint dessert. It was in a parfait cup and filled with lots of yummy treats ... whipped cream, crushed almond biscotti, blueberry compote and vanilla ice cream too... so good. We loved the ambiance and the atmosphere and staring out at the Navesink can't be beat. While we ate our meal indoors, you can also eat al fresco and I'd suggest a reservation for busy times just in case. It's the restaurant inside of the Oyster Point Hotel.

Beautiful views from this restaurant. Right along the Navasink river. I'd recommend coming around…read moresunset as the view then was lovely. Service was attentive and friendly. Our food arrived quickly. Food was solid and good. The swordfish was a substantial piece, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. They have a bourbon flight and offer a smoked bourbon option. Food tips: Swordfish