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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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4 months ago

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6 months ago

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9 months ago

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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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5 years ago

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6 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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6 years ago

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4 years ago

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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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Patrona Fusion Restaurant

Patrona Fusion Restaurant

2.7(57 reviews)
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Italian/Latin American fusion has officially burst its way onto the New Jersey food scene, and all…read moreI want to do is ask why. Goodbye Vaporetto the Italian restaurant, hello Vaporetto/Patrona, the doubly named, odd fusion concept. If you jump in your time machine and go back to early January, Vaporetto was a quiet Italian restaurant with pretty decent reviews, a nice view of the city, and good food. Fast forward to now, and the classic white tablecloths and charming old school décor have been replaced with a plethora of neon art and lighting, as well as a gigantic red carpet backdrop when you walk in that you can take photos in front of, should the paparazzi follow you here. We had a reservation for three at 7pm on a Tuesday night. Having eaten here once before I knew it probably wouldn't be busy (the reservation was purely for 100 OpenTable points) but I did not expect so few people. Two, to be exact, sitting a few tables away. They left 10 minutes after we sat down, leaving us the sole patrons for dinner on a Tuesday night. We stared at the menu for a while, confused. Basically all of the Italian food is gone, and the menu now heavily favors the Latin American options. Drinks? Red wine, Montepulciano. As Italian as it gets. Great prices, nice bottle selection, and both of the ones we ordered came perfectly chilled. What better to pair with our Montepulciano than...chips and salsa? Nope. Not Italian. Super confusing for our taste buds. The chips were good but the salsa was too sweet. At one point we almost ordered a pitcher of sangria, but got a taste of it beforehand...also way too sweet. Apps for all of us? We decided to embrace the fusion theme and ordered two Italian and one Latin American dish. Eggplant pasta, grilled calamari, and a trio of mofongo. Working backwards, the mofongo filling was good (two meat and one shrimp) but the plantains were mashed and then fried or baked to look like cups in order to hold the filling. I've never had super crunchy mofongo before. The eggplant pasta was okay; the eggplant itself was nicely cooked, but the sauce was again too sweet and far too oily. The calamari were an interesting shape, and nicely grilled, just a bit bland. Three things that would have improved all three: more spice, less oil, lots of garlic. We ordered dinner after the apps were cleared, and we all went for three fairly different options. We got the parrillada patrona (pretty much a gigantic plate of meats, hot dog included), pechuga rellena, and a whole bronzino. Serving size? Gigantic. I was the one that got the fish, and though the sauce they put on it was bland and generally necessary, it was cooked very well and came with plenty of lemon for the meat. I love a good whole fish, and for $30, this was definitely worth having. The waitstaff was nice, but service was super slow. We got in at 6:45 and ate at a normal pace when food was delivered to us, but we didn't get out until almost 9. We were legitimately the only table there, so it's not like there was a backup in the kitchen...but we weren't in a hurry, so it didn't bother us too much. The theme of the night? Neon. As you can see from my photos, everything is highlighted in this odd neon glow from the lighting that spans the entirety of the restaurant. Vaporetto/Patrona, what are you? I came here for a stuffed artichoke, chicken parmigiana, and maybe some tartufo, but was disappointed to see those Italian classics are now completely absent from the menu. Your Italian roots, your staples, your bread and butter (and yes, literally, your bread and butter) have been abandoned in favor of an odd fusion concept that i'm still a little confused about.

This review is mainly for their Sunday brunch. My job made…read morea reservation which was made about 1-2 weeks in advance. Price was great, $35 per person for bottomless mimosas (ends at 4PM) and a buffet. What was failed to be informed to us was the horrible service we would receive. Now it makes more sense, we indeed PAYED for what WE GOT! When made the reservation they also failed to tell us it was CASH ONLY. You can imagine a large party of 12+ people arriving and now having to head to a nearby bank, because the atm at the restaurant charges a ridiculous % fee. Our reservation was at 1PM and this place opens at noon for brunch however when we finally sat down at our reserved table around 1:20PM the food buffet wasn't even close to being ready for everyone to begin enjoying their meal. The only time someone came to our table was in the beginning to give us a bottle of champagne with a bottle of OJ, After that we kept having to get up to go to the bar to get a new bottle or juice, as well as any other service. The hookah guy was probably the only one who had attentive service (Hookah $30 and refills $20) The cutlery was pretty gross, some glasses we had to exchange because they had stains on them. The tablecloth was a mess and it looked dirty or simply washed wrong. This doesn't surprise me since the windows were filthy and it was such a shame because the view it's amazing. The food was mediocre, the only thing I enjoyed was the sauce links and thankfully the music was on point. The DJ and the hookah was the ONLY thing I truly enjoyed. They have two restrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs, which I was glad because I did not want to keep having to walk downstairs. I'm not too sure how this place is during the week or when they don't have this brunch special. I don't think I will be coming back soon unless it's a last minute thing just to enjoy the DJ and the mimosas and I will know what to expect.

Photos
Patrona Fusion Restaurant
Patrona Fusion Restaurant
Patrona Fusion Restaurant

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Rustica Lounge Bar & Restaurant - italian - Updated October 2026

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