I took my girlfriend here for her birthday. I love the whole rustic barn vibe, it was great for dinner, just a really nice ambiance. Rick was a great server, I went for his recommendation of the A4 Wagyu ribeye, and it did not disappoint. It was one of the best steaks I've ever tasted in my life. Perfect medium rare, perfectly seasoned, and great char. My girlfriend got the Maribar filet mignon, that béarnaise made it all come together. The oysters were solid, and the foie gras was very good. I chose the chocolate tart with passion fruit sauce as dessert, along with the raspberry sorbet. The tart was amazing, and the sorbet acted as a great pallet cleanser. I'm going to be coming back soon, I highly recommend this place. Definitely not a one and done, that's for sure read more

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Food: was great we want for dinner last year or two years ago Service: top notch restaurant one good they took care of everyone Ambience; it nice dark but it make feel like you can go once n want up back I am thinking of going back again zoo read more

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Saddle River Inn and had a great experience. The food was delicious--we had the crab salad, crab cake rangoon, prime rib, and Dover sole, followed by ice cream sundae, crème brûlée, and cappuccino. Portions were just right for fine dining. Service on a Saturday night was very good, and the ambiance was dim, romantic, and perfect for the occasion. One thing I really appreciated was that no one was on their phones--it made the atmosphere feel more present (even felt a little awkward taking photos). We brought our own wine, and pricing is comparable to other higher-end restaurants. Overall, a memorable dinner and we'd definitely return. read more

Saddle River Inn - Menu - New American Near Me - Saddle River, New Jersey

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Well that will be my last visit to SRI, in a nutshell stuffy,,,,premade Cole slaw mix with lump crab meat on top? REALLY? I have had this many times, but this wasn't like the last time, or the times before,, other things good, but not good enough read more

Saddle River Inn - New American Near Me - Saddle River, New Jersey

Duck was underwhelming and overly sweet. Vegetables and noodles which accompanied the duck were inedible. Bread server gives thin slices of bread like it's being rationed, I don't want to have to ask for more bread. Service friendly but pace of courses was fast. Not typically a fine dining experience when spending a fortune on food. Not French at all. Great ambiance but that's the only thing that would bring me back a second time. I don't mind spending a lot of money but the value has to be there. read more

The food was very ok. Had the seafood salad which wasn't a salad and was sweet. More of a very small soup with very little seafood. The bolognese was very good but highly overpriced. Duck was excellent but again the small amount of Asian noodles which accompanied it was far too sweet. Service was excellent as was the rustic ambiance. We passed on the $350 porterhouse for 2. Overpriced. Sometimes simpler is better as Bordain always said read more

Absolutely Worth the Wait! I finally managed to get a reservation, and it was truly worth it. Every dish we had was absolutely delicious. This was easily one of the best restaurants I've ever visited. The staff were welcoming and friendly, which made the evening even more special. It's no surprise this place is voted one of the most popular romantic spots, the cozy atmosphere and fine dining experience make it perfect for a special night out. Highly recommend! Perfect date night. read more

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The food was absolutely amazing! Staff is sooo friendly. There wasn't a thing I didn't like. Great ambiance too. Just a chill spot to be. It's also BYOB which is awesome. Absolutely love it here. I book another reservation every time I leave. read more

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Dining at the Saddle River Inn was not just a meal... it was an experience, and an unforgettable one at that. Nestled in a romantic, rustic setting along the banks of the Saddle River, this charming log cabin-style restaurant delivered an evening that satisfied every sense and left me glowing with appreciation. As a passionate lover of French cuisine, I felt like I'd stumbled upon a hidden culinary gem where tradition and elegance merge seamlessly. From the moment we arrived, we were met with impeccable service... the kind that's attentive without being intrusive, warm yet professional. Our party of six felt completely cared for the entire evening. I began my meal with two appetizers that absolutely dazzled my palate: the Wagyu beef tartare was a decadent balance of texture and flavor that lingered beautifully. The colossal crabmeat salad was equally impressive... fresh, luxurious, and surprisingly filling. At that point, I almost forgot I had an entrée coming! But then came the Maribar... a filet mignon so tender it practically melted, paired with roasted shallot mash, chestnut butter, and a delicate bearnaise that made each bite feel like a celebration of French indulgence. On the side, the maple-roasted carrots in soy ginger butter were a delightful, slightly sweet contrast, while the smashed fingerlings with garlic, shallots, and herbs added a rustic earthiness that grounded the plate perfectly. The ambiance of the restaurant is where the Saddle River Inn truly sets itself apart. With its log cabin charm, soft, romantic lighting, and the gentle murmur of the Saddle River just outside the window, it felt like we were dining in a storybook. It's the kind of place where you could propose, celebrate a milestone, or simply savor the joy of being with great friends over great food. There were three unique elements of the restaurant that stood out to me: 1. The no children under 10 policy: while I'm by no means anti-family, I truly appreciated the serene, adult-focused environment this created. It made the evening feel that much more special. 2. The dress code was a refreshing change. It elevated the atmosphere and signaled that this is a place where dining is taken seriously... where elegance and effort are not only welcomed but expected. 3. Finally, it's BYOB, which I hadn't realized ahead of time. Fortunately, my friends came well-prepared, so it worked out perfectly. In the future, I'll look forward to bringing a bottle of something French to match the cuisine. In short, my experience at Saddle River Inn was culinary poetry. Every course, every interaction, and every detail of the setting coalesced into a night I'll fondly remember. If you love French cuisine, or simply appreciate refined dining in a beautiful, intimate environment, this place should be at the very top of your list. read more

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This was our second time here and we were left even more impressed than the first time. Yes, reservations are hard to get but if you plan in advance, you can get them. My bf and I knew we wanted to dine here to celebrate our 5 year anniversary so I made sure to call 30 days beforehand. The woman whom I spoke with was very nice and friendly. Just like the first time I called. The food is the best I've had as far as fine dining goes in Bergen/Rockland. The steak was cooked perfectly and the snake river skirt steak was melt in your mouth tender. We started off with the lobster roll special and noodles. Noodles were a bit spicy for me and my bf doesn't love lobster but I very much enjoyed it. Our waiter was friendly and prompt without being over bearing and repeated the appetizer specials for us. I feel sad for anyone who leaves a one star review b/c they can't get a reservation. It's really quite a special dining experience. I tried twice to get reservations and succeeded both times. I personally love the decor and rustic feel here. It doesn't feel stuffy inside and I never felt judged walking in. (As I'm not an overtly fancy person). We will be back to dine! read more

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My 2 friends and I had one of the best dining experiences we've ever had at Saddle River Inn last night. I work in Times Square so I'm used to eating at Michelin star quality restaurants. Saddle River Inn has better food than most restaurants in the city. The ambience is rustic. It's like a big barn. Romantic if you want to take a date. BYOB. The service is impeccable. Shout out to general manager Andrew, and the wait team of James, Rick, and Rudy who took care of us all night. We started off with a crab cake, their new truffle grilled cheese, and their lobster roll which was a special. The lobster roll, prepared Maine style with caviar on top, was really delicious. The truffle grilled cheese could be skipped if you don't like an overwhelming truffle taste. And I've had better crab cakes but it was by no means bad. For entrees, my party of 3 split everything. We had the lamb chops, the scallops, the duck, butternut squash ravioli, and 2 lobster tail accompaniments along with a side of brussel sprouts. Each thing was better than the next. My favorite dish was actually the ravioli. Very creative flavors. For dessert, we had a toffee cake/pudding, peanut butter mousse, and scoops of brown butter and vanilla ice cream. All in, the bill came out to $445 and we brought our own beer and wine. After a nice 33% tip for exquisite service, I'd actually say this place is a bargain, relative to the quality of food you get, compared to a lot of NYC fine dining restaurants. It's pretty hard to get a reservation. But now that they opened up on Sunday evenings, you might have better luck! I will be back and I hope this review convinces others to try this restaurant. It's truly a gem in north Jersey. read more

Saddle River Inn - Toffee pudding, peanut butter mousse, brown butter and vanilla ice cream scoops, and complimentary gluten-free chocolate-chip cookies - New American Near Me - Saddle River, New Jersey

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How can you go to a restaurant that has been around for 45 years, under only 2 owners, that consistently makes the top of some Best NJ Restaurant lists and not expect a 5+ Star experience? You dnight't! Every restaurant has a nioght where things don't always go perfect but those days are rare here. Under current chef\owner Jamie Knott ( who has his fingers in many other NJ restaurants) be prepared for a) an intimate, rustic, picture-perfect barn setting b) stellar service c) food that is prepared to perfection and ( for the 1st timer like me at least) will make you stop the table conversation and just talk about the prep and ingredients. American with Asian and French influences, the menu is full of fine meat & fish choices. For an appetizer a few of us had the Colossal Crabmeat Salad made with cabbage, snow peas, pineapple, sesame dressing. Absolutely amazing with loads of fresh, succulent chucks of top grade crab meat. All the ingredients perfectly balanced and finished with a de-lish sesame dressing... Oh My! Entrees I had to try the only item consistently on the menu for all 45 years: --The Maribar ( origin of name unknown even by staff!) which is a thick, 8oz cut of Prime filet mignon, with a dab of roast shallot mash potatoes in a mix of béarnaise sauce, and chestnut butter. PERFECTION! I've been to many top steakhouses in NY and NJ and this would have stood out at any of them. Each bite a blended bite of bovine satisfaction. Not just a home run, but a walk off grand slam ! -Veal Tenderloin Parmigiana with vodka sauce, burrata, parmesan, and chili flakes was iconic. Huge portion and not slathered in sauce like most places do. The veal was cooked perfectly. --Butternut Squash and Pear Ravioli with whipped burrata, pumpkin seed pesto, and sage brown butter was a perfect choice for this rustic, barn-like setting. You see items similar to this at many places. Try it here to know what it's supposed to taste like. Excellent! Note: many of the sides can be found as part of certain entrees. We ordered a few that were very good but I would probably skip next time: --Maple Roasted Carrots in a Soy Ginger Butter --Artichokes, Garlic, Parmesan cheese ( this was missing something and needed some crispiness. Breadcrumbs? Fried shallots or capers? --French Fries, Truffle Ranch But save room for dessert as they have a pastry\dessert chef who is very talented and creative (ideas like Cafe Matisse in Rutherford if you know what I mean) -- Passion Fruit Tart made with a sweet crust, guava sorbet, almond brittle........WOW! --Bread Pudding with blueberry sauce, and vanilla anglaise was just amazing and of the many bread puddings I've tried all over the U.S...one of the best if not THE best. --one special dessert item was corn ice cream. Sound boring? Absolutely not; This was so different and tasted like buttered corn. Sooo good! Excellent French press coffee too. For a special occasion or just a night out you MUST try The SRI and experience the way things are supposed to be at a fine restaurant. FYI--BYOB and plenty of parking; Make reservation way in advance! read more

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Food was good. Didn't expect to have to choose 1 piece of bread considering the overall menu prices. Needed to ask the bread server for another piece. Silly. Also, the 2 people at the front of the house should lose their gum, as their chewing with their mouths open was off putting for a fine dining restaurant. read more

Had a great anniversary dinner at saddle river inn ! The food was wonderful as always and the service even better ! Tai our water was helpful and super informative and make our experience a thousand times better ! Highly recommended the saddle river inn for any occasion. read more

The Food Always Amazing. Service from the First phone call with Brie The Best she did Everything to make my 55th Birthday very Memorable. The entire staff work like a Real Team and took Pride in the Great Restaurant they work for!! The atmosphere Romantic and It is Always be my Favorite Restaurant!!! Was a Great way to start your 55 th Birthday. We Thank You read more

Saddle River Inn - Birthday Guy and Husband Joe - New American Near Me - Saddle River, New Jersey

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Food was a bit over-salted, atmosphere was nice and chill. The waiters were nice, but pretentious. Overall, good food. I thought the cuts of meat I tried were a bit fatty and chewy. I had the seafood salad and the halibut, both quite good. Oysters were lost in the coconut milk they were served with, that was a miss. Great olive bread! The place used to be a stable, so interesting to eat in a space that once provided for animals and now provides for the rich. Come for the food. read more

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Oh. I really wanted this place to be a solid five stars. Have been waiting to visit for a while. The restaurant's location - as seen at night - is quite dreamy and set back in an idyllic corner with its big windows offering a peek into the cozy yet lively environment inside. It set the stage for a superb dinner ahead. The staff is incredibly welcoming, friendly and very accommodating. They connected us to the local wine store to get a few bottles delivered for dinner. The staff quickly set bottles to cool - now here's where it got a bit chaotic. The red was placed on the table, same as the white in an ice bucket and the champagne on a stand next to the table. Glassware was placed on the table for ALL types of drinks. So as you can envision- our table got really crowded and cluttered very fast. Thankfully - there was a decorative table with a bottom shelf next to us where I quickly stored the extra glasses and bottles. Generally, glasses should be presented when the bottle is about to be enjoyed. Our evening kicked off with an amuse bouche which sadly fell short in its awkward presentation (see photo). We had to distribute the offering as it was served in a central plate with the bread butter. The rest of our dinner was quite enjoyable with all dishes expertly prepared. I particularly loved the kale salad! Overall, a lovely space, great food and friendly (albeit a bit unfocused, chaotic) service. Just be ready for a superiorly hefty bill on par with many NYC fine dining for sure. read more

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One of the best dining experiences I have had. The food was absolutely incredible, Delicious!! The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The restaurant itself was rustic and gorgeous. Highly recommend. read more

Best restaurant ever!! We eating at this restaurant restaurant! The food is seasonal And always so good!! Special place to go for any occasion!! read more

My favorite special occasion spot in NJ. I've been here countless times for my birthday. It's super hard to get a reservation but the food is worth it. It's a super intimate location in a restored inn. Worth it every time!! read more

Saddle River Inn - QR code menu - New American Near Me - Saddle River, New Jersey

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Our first timing dining here (thanks to a friend of ours) and we had a lovely dinner. Inside had a warm and cozy cabin feel and the christmas decor was beautiful! We were happy to be served by Matt that night who was pleasant, polite and professional. He checked on us timely and even offered to take our photo (and we love photos! lol). For appetizers we started with their burrata which was so good. I loved both texture and flavor that it definitely worked our appetites. For entrees we got their 20oz sirloin which was cooked perfect and how the hubster wanted. I also got their Kurobuta Pork chops which was tender and flavorful. Even our sides of garlic mash and parmesan fries were delicious! Lastly we got dessert and went with one of their recommendations which was the smores sundae. It was sweet, decadent, with generous portions so it was also perfect to share. Overall we had a wonderful time and a great experience here. Pricey but you'll understand why once you taste the food offered and plus service was just excellent. So glad we were given an opportunity to try this beautiful place! read more

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Chef Jamie Knott has maintained consistent culinary excellence at the Saddle River Inn for decades. This is a beautiful venue especially for special occasions. When You want a culinary experience that's top shelf quality and a "sure thing", choose the Saddle River Inn. Plan ahead and book a reservation 30 days in advance for the highest chance getting the day and time you'd like. Our dinner included special pear and radicchio salad, as well as an off the menu selection of Sweet Thai Chili Grilled Shrimp that are phenomenal. Our entrees included their freshly made Butternut Squash and Pear Ravioli in a rich delicious cream sauce, and a Grilled Rack of Venison with Roasted Brussel Sprouts and an Elderberry Compote. Both were amazing and delicious especially with a fine Napa Cab. It is a BYOB which allows you to bring your favorite wine at cost. Desserts are great, but the homemade ice cream is simply a wonderful treat! Service from Our Maitre'd Anthony, Our Server Karl and his team was friendly, helpful and attentive. It was also nice to get a brief visit and chat with Master Chef Jamie Knott! We look forward to our next visit. Culinary Excellence Lives Here! read more

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We are regulars and try to get there at least once every month so the only complaint I would have would be how difficult getting a reservation is if you don't plan well in advance. There are multiple tuna appetizers that we love, we always wind up getting there pasta with fresh truffle also as an appetizer and the entrees Are always quite good and we certainly love the pork and the venison. We love the building it is quaint and beautiful. Services excellent and professional. read more

Fabulous every single time. The food is always divine, as is the service. You can't go wrong with any of their offerings -- although the fries are better at their sister restaurant, Saddle River Cafe, but that's neither here nor there. A must for a delightful and refreshing meal. read more

Getting a reservation here is hard. But with determination we got in last minute on a week night at 6 and had the most romantic, delicious meal. Starting with that mushroom truffle risotto dish... out of this world. The steak was top tier as well. The shallot mashed potato side was so unique and delicious. And the dessert stole the show for my husband. While it's an expensive night out, the atmosphere and quality of food is worth it. Also, the service was great as well. Looking forward to going back and also trying other restaurants by Jamie! read more

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We have always loved Saddle River Inn, and it holds a very special place for us, which is why I'm taking the time to share this feedback. I would not normally leave a review like this for any restaurant, but my expectations for Saddle River Inn are consistently five-star, and unfortunately, last night fell short. We were celebrating my wife's 40th birthday and were seated upstairs at a table directly beneath extremely harsh, bright spotlights. One of the lights was pointed directly into my face and was genuinely blinding, making it difficult to enjoy the meal or the evening. I asked our server if the light could be dimmed or adjusted. I was told the switch was behind another table and that they didn't want to disturb those guests, but that the table was about to leave and the issue would be addressed shortly. That never happened. The situation was ultimately ignored, and the lighting remained unchanged throughout the meal. What was most disappointing was the sense that one table's experience was prioritized over another's, which felt both unfair and out of character for a restaurant of this caliber. While this may seem like a small detail, the lighting became a central distraction and significantly detracted from what should have been a memorable evening. We left feeling overlooked and disappointed, which was especially unfortunate given the occasion and our long-standing appreciation for this restaurant. I share this feedback precisely because Saddle River Inn is typically exceptional, and part of what makes it special is the attention to detail. On a night like this, even small oversights can have an outsized impact. Overall, a very disappointing experience at what typically is one of the best. read more

got a reservation for the first day of the new year & this restaurant was totally worth the hype. the food was delicious & totally worth the price. great cozy atmosphere- I think this used to be a barn back in the day? also the service was excellent. absolutely looking forward to coming back!! read more

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In general, a nice evening at the SRI (my third time). However, I feel that the SRI may be thriving mostly on a storied reputation. The historic space is lovely yet in need of a refresh. The rustic elegance has faded away. The food was good and flavorful. The amuse bouche was tasty but literally a 2 oz shot of soup. The skimpy bread service was enhanced by the flavored butter. Crab cakes, noodles, tuna, pork chop, halibut and lamb chops were all good. The duck came up short. Desserts were fine but nothing remarkable. Cheese plate was especially underwhelming. Side note: not sure why this restaurants bills itself as French. Certainly didn't get that sense from the menu. If anything, a heavy Asian influence. Service was efficient, somewhat friendly, mostly hurried. A few aspects that need improvement. The serving dishes. Most courses came on a cramped plate. My crab cake was in a small bowl and my lamb chop plate had no margin for error. Ice cream in a bowl the size of a ramekin. No white wine glasses. And the sever attire was more appropriate for a butcher shop. Still perplexed as to why the water bottles were stored on the windowsill. Bottom line - the flavors are here. The atmosphere is here. But if they consider themselves "fine dining" (as the prices surely reflect), they need to assess and refresh the overall experience. read more

My boyfriend wanted to find a romantic place for our Valentines day dinner However we couldn't get a reservation online so I called and spoke to a gentleman named Anthony who gladly accommodated us for Saturday . The place is simply adorable , I loved their old fashioned decor , very classy and definitely romantic with dimmed lights and a great choice of music on the background . The waiter ( Ives ) extremely professional and pleasant . Appetizers: grilled octopus was good but the burrata and figs were simply amazingly tasty . The main course : we had the bone in lamb chop and the pan seared scallops with sides of broccoli and maple glazed carrots , everything cooked to perfection with a great presentation . The dessert : OHHHH MYYY GODDDD , that was hands down the best dessert I've ever had in my life :) nothing compares to that , it was a peanut butter mousse with raspberry sauce and walnuts topping .. simply heaven on earth , I even took one home haha YES it was that good . The bathroom : yes people , the bathroom !! Was spotless clean , for a place that busy it is extremely difficult to keep a bathroom that clean .. We definitely plan on going back sometime in the summer when we can sit outside and enjoy the river view . They have coat check and it's BYOB . But so worth it !! If you need a place for a special occasion I encourage you to go there , just make sure you get a reservation . read more

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All I can say is WOW. Made a reservation for 3 and ended up adding an additional person which they were so kind to accommodate. Small place but SO worth going if you're able to lock in reservations! We booked about a month in advanced and the food and staff definitely lived up to the hype! Waitstaff was amazing- so friendly and kind and made awesome recommendations on the entrees/dessert. Our table ordered the pork chops, Wagyu beef, lobster tails, and lamb chops. The sides were sautéed spinach, Brussels sprouts, and truffle French fries- all of which were to die for. I can't even begin to describe how each entree tasted. Everything was fresh, cooked to literal perfection. The truffles fries were SOOOO good so I HIGHLY recommend (although I highly recommend ALL the food) Will definitely try and make it back here!! BYO is also a plus read more

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Bring your own. Great ambiance. Attentive service. Varied menu. Overly salted food all around. Stuffy

My husband and I had a gift certificate (or so we thought) for $200. After finishing dinner, we presented the order # on our phone (this was all that we received from our son, which is all he received), we were told that this couldn't be honored and that we needed the actual gift certificate. Again, none was sent. We ended up paying for the entire dinner ($288 + tip). We called the office and were told there was nothing that could be done. My son had called several times, left voicemail messages, which were never returned. What a way to do business. I would advise anyone to think twice about using/buying a gift certificate to this resaturant. This left us with such a bad feeling and is no way to run a restaurant! So not worth the aggravation. Still waiting. I added the star only because I couldn't post without choosing at least one star. read more

Our friend's have a standing monthly reservation at the Saddle River Inn and we finally got to tag along. My mind is blown!! Everything was absolutely amazing. The ambiance is 10/10, the service is 10/10 and the food is 10/10! It's BYOB so definitely bring a red and a white, just in case Everyone was so friendly and super helpful. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. We are definitely going to be regulars here! read more

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This has been our special occasion go-to since we moved to the area 26 years ago... always a perfect evening for us. Amazing service & incredible meals. Just celebrated our 28th anniversary there! read more

SRI is better today than ever before. We're 30+ year patrons but haven't gone since new ownership/chef till last night. Our meal was fantastic. I had the wagyu cap of ribeye. One of the most unique steaks I've had. My wife had the duck which was delightful. Lobster appetizer was excellent as was kale Cesar salad. Service, ambience and hospitality all fire on 8 cylinders. read more

Make reservations!!! It's hard to get in because it's that good. The skirt steak might be the best piece of meat I had in a very long time. Cooked to perfection. Dover sole is light and seasoned well. The service speaks for itself. Our waiter Matt was fabulous with these amazing recommendations. The place has a cool old rusty vibe with a fire pit outside for fall nights. Enjoy!!! read more

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Although reservations were a bit challenging to make, it was worth the wait. The staff were extremely friendly, accommodating, professional and knowledgeable. We were made to feel very welcome and comfortable. Kudos to a well-run establishment! The food went beyond expectations and Chef Jamie Knott is to be commended. My dietary challenges were addressed with no fuss. I ordered the the side artichokes as an appetizer; and as I am unable to have cheese, they were prepared with butter, lemon and lovely seasoning - very tasty. I had the halibut special which was cooked to perfection. I was asked the doneness preference which surprised me as even in the best seafood establishments this is never asked. I don't like overdone halibut, but slightly moist but firm. It was delightful and utterly delicious! Such flavor! My husband ordered the Spanish octopus appetizer which was so tender and so tasty. His entre consisted of the lamb chops which were cooked to a lovely tender pink and were delectable. We split the mini chocolate cakes which were yummy! Service was spot on - all you had to do was look up if you needed something, and our server was there. I can't say enough about how wonderful everyone was. All in all, a wonderful experience. read more

First time here and it was really nice. Small, intimate atmosphere but much more informal than I expected. That's a good thing. Was just assuming to see more formal dress and atmosphere based on their dress code statement. We brought our own wine but noticed they had bottles for purchase. No corkage fee. Service was good. Almost too good. I had to finally cork our wine as server seemed to be refilling with every sip. Tried many things from oysters to lobster toast, filet, pasta - all very good. read more

elegant atmosphere, exceptional food, and top-notch service. Perfect place for a special dinner.

Such a lovely experience - wonderful service and delicious food. We were a large group and they were so accommodating and helpful with setting up our menu. Pretty ambiance, romantic so great for dates etc. Would definitely go back! read more