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Rustica Lounge Bar & Restaurant

3.4 (625 reviews)
Open • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 1 month ago

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RUSTICA LOUNGE BAR & RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Live music
Casual
Intimate
Romantic

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Recommended Reviews - Rustica Lounge Bar & Restaurant

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Party Room /Dining Room
Eloy Y.

Opened in 2018 along New Jersey's Golden Coast in Cliffside Park, this real gem in the concrete jungle is a modern "American-Italian" bistro located off of Gorge Road. A reservation was easily made via OpenTable for a party of 4 to catch up yesterday. Upon arrival at Rustica Lounge Bar and Restaurant for some of us as first-timers, my partner, our friends, and I were greeted by the staff and got a table at the front where thick bare wood beams stretched over the space in the glow of a sparkling chandelier with a cozy and relaxing vibe. The decor was very inviting with the velvet-upholstered chairs, modern fireplaces, and very cool art that adorned the walls, adding a great feel. Besides the indoor dining, this establishment also offers an outdoor patio garden for one's dining pleasure to enjoy when the weather is nice. Their menu comprised salads, steaks, fish, pasta, and more. As appetizers, we selected the Charred Octopus, Crispy Artichoke and Garlic Shrimp. For our main meal, we decided on the Fettuccine Mare E Monti (opted without mushrooms), Filet Mignon 6oz., Chicken Capri, Duck Alla Rustica, and a side of Four Cheese Au Gratin. We even saved room for dessert and got the Ricotta Pistachio Cheesecake and Warm Chocolate Souffle. Complimentary bread with butter and olive oil started our meal and to wash them down with Lychee Martini, French Martini, and Jersey Lemonade. The various dishes were crafted with high quality so one knows your meal is one you can feel good about. Truly delicious food prepared using locally sourced ingredients, with skilled attention and superb presentation. The band skillfully played jazz standards during our meal. Staff were very warm and friendly and made us feel very valued all evening. Our server was Visar. We had an amazing 4-hour experience with good value for our money, which we can recommend.

Tuna Tartar

I've been here many times. Dinner and jazz. Brunch. This place is amazing! The food & cocktails are delicious. The service is good but can be a bit lagging but still good. The jazz is terrific. I just cannot figure out why it's empty so often. BUT, I don't mind - I like less crowded restaurants. Going back

Katya W.

My experience here was extremely delightful. From the time I walked in the restaurant until my stomach was full when leaving - everything was nice. Service was very attentive. The drinks were absolutely amazing. The appetizers and main entrees were also good. I just needed touch more salt. Some parts of our choices were bland but I will not short them a star because the overall experience was really good. The decorum and ambiance was so cozy and relaxing. It elevated my visit here that much more. I will be going back.

Paper Menu
Catherine V.

Decided to come try the outside seating area on Father's Day to then be shocked with the sauna temperature. We saw a fan on but it felt like the heater was on as well. The plastic roof definitely is a bad idea for the summer. They should know that by now. As for the food, I guess now entree sides cannot be replaced due to allergies. I have done this in the past but today they are claiming this is not an option. Sad change. Update regarding the food to come.

cerviche
Kia W.

I went here for brunch a couple of weeks ago. It is a nice little spot. Its a little more than your average pancakes. It is also a cool date night place. The parking lot is tiny so you will be subjected to street parking. We came on an early Sunday afternoon so parking was easy. Service was A-1. We ordered primarily from the brunch menu but I would return for the oysters and the spicy paloma alone. The eggs benedict with smoke salmon was pretty good but I didn't like the cerviche. We paid about $120 before the tip. I will definitely return soon.

RICOTTA AND SALAMI RICE BALLS, BEEF CARPACCIO
Angela A.

I am so glad that I stumbled upon Rustica in my search for a local restaurant for a date night. As soon as you walk through the door, you are greeted by an elegant and cozy ambiance. We started off our evening, sharing a dozen oysters, which were absolutely divine. Sometimes you don't get as lucky with the size of the oyster, but these oysters were large, and they were meaty. For our second round of appetizers, we went for the rice balls, as well as the beef carpaccio. The rice balls were our favorite, but we weren't too wowed by the beef carpaccio. I think we would've had a different opinion if it was paired with toasted bread; although delicious, the carpaccio alone didn't really stand out to us. For my entree, I decided to go for the bone in pork chop. Pork chops are another thing that I'm a sucker for and if I see that on the menu, I am most likely going to get that. This dish did not disappoint and I was able to leave with leftovers because the portion size was huge! One thing I will also note, is that we came here on a Saturday and there happened to be live music. That was a nice touch, and it really added to the whole ambience that evening. If you are looking for a quintessential yet unique unique take on Italian -American fare, Rustica is the place to go!

FRENCH TOAST
Rosie B.

Came for brunch. Great atmosphere, tasty food. The rustica salad only came with one fried goat cheese, could have been more for the price. But overall good service, will come back.

Inside
Rajni D.

Beautiful place, indoor and out. Promising menu and extensive drink selection, though I didn't drink and my companions all had bottled beer. There's live music too, which we missed, but that's fine coz we just wanted to talk anyway. We ordered small plates and shared. Food was good. Brussel sprouts were a bit oily, but I guess that makes sense if they were fried.

tuna tartare
Doris Y.

I had such a wonderful time here with my girlfriends. Thanks to Faiz, our Sunday brunch was absolutely perfect. He took care of us from beginning to end and we couldn't have been happier. Service is 10/10. We did the bottomless brunch that comes with unlimited mimosas and an appetizer and entrée per person. We loved each dish, including the tuna tartare, ceviche, and beef carpaccio. The brunch dishes have a lot of egg dishes, we had the Paradiso & benedict with smoked salmon, both delicious. We were all very surprised by the amount of food they give. The bread here is really good, we asked for a second round of bread. The servers are always making sure your glasses are not empty and they continue to refill and take away empty glasses. I loved the garden area outdoors with the live jazz band playing. Ambience is beautiful. This is my favorite brunch spot in the area so far. There are a few parking spots in the back of restaurant, otherwise you will need to find street parking.

Truffle fries
Valeria N.

When the highlight of your date night dinner is creamed spinach, something somewhere went wrong. We were very excited to go to rustica for our date night and to try their tomahawk. The ambiance is beautiful! Nice jazz playing in the background. Lots of dark wood, leather and velvet. Perfect for a date night. Our first disappointment, no tomahawk, 10 minutes after taking our order the waitress comes back to tell us that they don't have that cut of meat tonight. Fine, my husband orders the rib eye, medium rare and I order the lamb chops medium. The waitress comes back with two lamb chops. We clear up the confusion, and the waitress promises to bring his steak, it was then that we realized my lamb was medium rare. Rib eye- by the time the steak finally gets to the table my entree is cold. Right temperature? Sure. Seasoned? Debatable. The sides were roasted vegetables and roasted potatoes. The vegetables were meh and the potatoes were cold. Lamb chops- beautifully medium rare (not what I oredred but fine) demi glace was the highlight of the dish, well executed and the peppercorns were a pleasant surprise. They were served with mashed potatoes and spinach, which were nothing special. Creamed spinach - omg!!! I could've come to the restaurant and just ordered this and my review would've been 5 stars. The parmesan and cream complemented the spinach perfectly without being overpowering Truffle fries - good, arrived pipping hot but needed salt. The drinks were strong and well balanced. My recommendation would be to go there for drinks and maybe an app.

mold on the plastic ??
lee r.

I had to update my review . I've been here several times and always bring a new friend to enjoy this place . But sadly it's changed so much from my last visit in august . Last year they had set up a pretty courtyard dining space because of Covid . Airy , plants just lovely . This time they covered the whole back yard in tarp that created a steamy greenhouse effect . The swampy heat hits you the minute you step into the area . I managed to grab the only table literally in front of a fan . and summer is not here yet ! There is endless , hideous rows of black tape all over the roof to what seem patch it together . And you can see mold accumulating on the plastic . to make matters worse the many of the wicker chairs were changed to VELVET seats . Imagine sitting on that in the heat . ??? it's doesn't look cohesive with a outside dining ambiance . i certainly won't be taking anyone or going back there myself . Service w

Desiree F.

Some friends and I got together to get brunch. Reservations was for 1pm. When I arrived parking was terrible. I had to park a little ways away. We sat outside and it was so hot, we asked for a fan and they accommodated. The place was decorated very interesting on the outside, very busy. Pinar was our server and she wasn't the best. Her communication with us was very bad and not clear. For example 4 of us decided to get the 2.5 hours, which was stated on the menu, bottomless drinks. She then turned around at 2:45 saying brunch is almost over so we have to cut off the bottomless. She never told us brunch is over at 3pm. That was irritating because we didn't even start ordering until 1:30. I will say the drinks were tasty. For our entrées I ordered a shrimp and pasta meal and she made it seem like there was not a lot of dairy which was false. It came out full of cream. I had to send it back and get french toast. The french toast was tasty. The girls enjoyed their meals as well. There are no prices for the drinks on the menu so beware because some of the girls were surprised how much one drink cost. So now we got the check and one of the girls was charged $5 for a side of hollandaise sauce. The waitress never told her there was a $5 up charge for a small little sauce. They are crazy for that price. They did remove it. This is a spot I probably won't be returning.

Outside
Carrie G.

Giving this place 4 stars only because of the Groupon deal. If it wasn't because of the Groupon probably be giving it more like 3 stars because of how expensive everything is. Came on a Monday night without reservations. You have to look for street parking though. Staff members wore masks at all times and they make customers wear masks until you are seated at the table. They attempted to have dividers in between the indoor tables. Even though it doesn't look very effective. But overall, I was very happy with their COVID protocol. Bathrooms were decently clean just the sink was missing knobs. Super cute setup outdoor in their patio area. Very cozy. There is a large tent so that it's ok in the rain. Menu was also available with the QR code. We ordered the Fresh Jersey Lemonade which my husband thoroughly enjoyed because it wasn't too sweet. We started off with Beef carpaccio and mussels for the appetizer that the Groupon came with (two appetizers each under $18 in value). Both were solid. Mussels were fresh and the sauce went well with the mussels and your free dinner rolls! The Groupon also gives you two entrees up to $36 in value. We ordered the Linguine Fra Diabolo which was great. They gave like half a lobster and clams which all tasted fresh. The grilled branzino was also solid. nicely cooked. You can order it whole or filleted. Finally, the groupon came with a dessert. was sad that their mixed berry cake was sold out, but we ordered the tiramisu. If you like the rich tiramisu this one is for you. I personally would have liked it to be much lighter. Overall, it was very solid place! But I'm not sure if I would come here without the Groupon. But great place to take friends I would say.

The cutest coffee dish

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5 months ago

Went here for a birthday and had a great dinner. Everything tasted great and the live jazz was fantastic.

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

The food was eh. The service was not great at all. The ambiance is really what you pay for.

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Rustica Lounge Bar & Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Rustica Lounge Bar & Restaurant

Is there dancing for an older crowd 50-70 years old?

I am not sure but the outside seemed offer that space more than the inside at space for dancing.

Can I bmob?

I'm assuming this means bring my own beer/beverage, but no. It's a restaurant with a stocked bar.

Is high chair avaiable for babies?

Yes

February 2022 - is there outdoor heated dining?

Yea

Is there a dress code?

It's casual but nice. It's like business casual

Do they have hookah?

No.

What's the age demographic like here? Younger/older crowd or a mix of both?

Mix of both. Great atmosphere

How is social distancing and mask compliance?

Servers wear a mask at all times. You can be without a mask at your desk but not when you're walking around and going to the restroom.

Is there Jazz during Sunday brunch?

They have a Jazz band playing.

What's the parking situation now with outdoor dining taking up outdoor space?

Parking is on the street, it can be tough sometimes to find a spot! It's a 50/50 shot at best.

How many can be in my party due to covid?

There is not a limit. Can be a couple, or a group of 20. They have the space to accommodate any size party.

Do they have a happy hour menu?

We offer 20% discount from the regular menu items. http://rusticalounge.com/happy-hour/… 

What are the requirements for a private room for about 35 to 40 people?

Hi, Cynthia thank you for your inquiry. Every private event is personalized to the celebration and budget. Please call 201-313-0802 to see how we can accommodate your special event. Or, if your prefer, send us your contact info via private message… 

Do I need to make a reservation to get a cozy area to sit for drinks a few hours before having dinner?

It was pretty quiet when I went and, while I made reservations, they were not really needed.

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Review Highlights - Rustica Lounge Bar & Restaurant

“Since covid, the restaurant expanded their outdoor area which was heated and decorated so beautifully.”

Mentioned in 18 reviews

Read more highlights

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Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar - Rack of lamb with seasonal sautéed vegatables!!!! DELICIOUS!

Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar

3.6(302 reviews)
3.0 mi•Upper West Side
•$$

Definitely a hidden gem! If I hadn't looked it up on Yelp first we would have walked right by…read morewithout noticing it on while walking by. The unassuming outside hides a tremendously cool inside. As soon as we walked through the door, we were greeted warmly by Dinara (sp?) who was effortlessly cool in her own right. A young lady ( whose name I didn't catch) promptly seated us. It's not a huge space, but we didn't feel cramped. There was a bar up front, tables along the side walls and a stage in the back. Apparently they have live music nights and open mic nights too. When we went there was 80s/90s music playing and it was very cool. The decor is unapologetically Black and I love it! The restroom is clean and contemporary. The service staff is amazing and attentive. They gave us cornbread with berry butter. Very tasty! My only complaint is that they could have given us each a piece instead of giving us one piece cut into 2. Lol! But it was free! And if that's the "worst" part of the experience then you know it was an overall good time! I was wavering between whether or not to get the collard greens and asked if they were sweet or bitter or spicy. Our server went and got a small sample for me to try because it was hard to describe. I was grateful for her willingness to let me try them. By the way I did order them and they are more savory than any of the above. It's a gentle savory flavor. I also got rice and beans and teriyaki salmon. The beans weren't exactly what I expected. They were black beans which I don't typically associate with soul food. They weren't bad although next time I think I'll get potatoes. My dining companion got lamb chops and collard greens and mac and cheese. She loved everything and at it right up! The food presentation, flavor, and portion size were all good. I didn't leave feeling overstuffed but I was satisfied. The servers checked in on us an appropriate amount of times (we didn't feel rushed or under surveillance but they made sure we had what we needed). The manager/owner stopped by to make sure everything was good and chatted with us. All around good vibes & good eats--I would go again. Highly recommend!

Thursday, 07May26 - A night of celebrating Taurus' at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar Lounge - and…read morewhat a celebration it was. So much joy. So much talent. Thank you, Valerie Simpson, and your late husband; Nickolas Ashford, for creating this amazing venue. The guest host for the evening was the incredibly talented Olutayo. Olutayo is joy exemplified. His vocal range, dance moves, entertaining facial expressions...infectious. I fell in love with this man and did not hesitate to tell him so. Beyond his talents was Olu's ability to manage / juggle the night's open-mic entertainers with such grace. From the lyrics of En Vogue and Salt-N-Peppa: "Whatta Man, Whatta Man, What a Mighty Good Man!" All of the entertainers were incredible. What a range of singers, dancers, a poet, a violinist. And the band! The band! The band! Come on!! Outstanding. I was seated next to Darius, one of the several background vocalists that were positioned throughout the lounge. We became fast friends in this space filled with exuberance. Darius was a delight. He was also a big brother to me, making sure no one blocked my view of the performance. Thank you, Darius, that was so kind of you. I had such a wonderful time being in the company of all these amazingly talented people. It was a 6-hour dopamine rush that should not be missed. The dinner that was served was top-notch. I had the Sea Bass. My friend had the Golden Fried Chicken. Both meals were delicious. I had the ginger mocktail with rosemary and blueberries - so yummy I had two. Dessert was key lime pie - suffer we will. Our server; Vickie, was a delight and amazing to observe as she maneuvered around the performers and kept us and everyone around us well served and continually hydrated. Vickie is to be commended for how hard she worked throughout the evening. I made sure our tip reflected our appreciation of her. Put the Sugar Bar on your bucket list when visiting NYC. You'll leave there feeling you have experienced Heaven on Earth.

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Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar
Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar
Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar

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Cotton Club - High school playing

Cotton Club

3.3(25 reviews)
1.5 mi•Harlem
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Came in with our tour group to watch jazz and enjoy dinner after a day of site seeing. The team put…read moreon a great show for us and invited the guests to come up and play with them. Several kids and teachers participated and ended the evening with great music. Buffet style food for our large group. Good food and service was fast and pilot. Highly recommend.

Very excited to have the opportunity to hear the artists perform in such a legendary place. They…read moreare open on Saturday & Monday nights, and I believe they may be in the process of bringing back their Sunday brunch. My friend made the reservation, and they have an old fashioned, pen and paper, system. And the only way to contact is via email on their website. Needless to say, plan in advance. The inside was put together fine, you can tell there is need for updating the decor and fixing a few items. The musicians were phenomenal, they were engaging and each of their songs kept you moving. During their break, we were able to directly talk with them about their experiences and how things have evolved there at the Cotton Club. They were playing upon our arrival around 8:30, took an intermission around 10 and then played for another hour until 11. There were only two other tables that evening, I think around 9 people total. I was shocked at that as well. I found the temperature to be a bit chilly and it was even worse in the lady's restroom. The men's room had a space heater...so not really sure how that worked out? One of the hand air dryers on the wall was almost falling off as well. Needless to say, I was sad to see the disrepair the building was in when such talent individuals were on stage that evening.

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Cotton Club - Inside

Inside

Cotton Club - Performance.

Performance.

Cotton Club - Outside.

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Outside.

Melody's Piano Bar - Pianist on the early evening hours

Melody's Piano Bar

4.0(77 reviews)
3.8 mi•Upper East Side

On 4.18.26, the weather here in NYC was pleasant with a calm breeze, so upon leaving the theatre, I…read morehad decided to "treat myself," for a change and has an early supper at THE EAST POLE, were several of the staffers, including the CHEF JOE, suggested that I head on over to MELODY' s PIANO BAR . . . the dim, comfortable, piano playing was perfect night to send the evening. The drinks were exotic, refreshing. The only nip-in- the-bud for me was: I was a lil' undressed; it its a very cozy, but chic environment. I highly recommend it for a first date, a ladies night out, birthday, and/or anniversary. I will be returning, again, and again!!! SULE, www.nunuradio.com

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Melody's Piano Bar - Table seating

Table seating

Melody's Piano Bar - Ambiance

Ambiance

Melody's Piano Bar - Non alcoholic drinks..

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Non alcoholic drinks..

Rustica Lounge Bar & Restaurant - italian - Updated October 2026

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