Bareli's in Secaucus makes a fantastic first impression. The restaurant sits on a busy route with…read moreeasy access in and out, and the parking lot is large enough to accommodate many vehicles. The interior is visually impressive: elegant table linens, comfortable leather chairs, and a dining room that looks polished and upscale. When we arrived, what appeared to be the owner was greeting guests at the entrance. Since he was welcoming everyone and dressed differently from the rest of the staff, we assumed he was the owner. It was a great touch and immediately raised our expectations. Unfortunately, the experience did not fully match that first impression. We started with drinks: a glass of wine for me and an Old Fashioned for my wife. As happens too often in restaurants, the stronger drink was automatically assumed to be mine, and the drinks were delivered incorrectly. It's a small detail, but one that reflects attention--or lack of it. Bread arrived quickly, followed soon after by the food. I ordered the gnocchi with meat sauce. The dish was acceptable, but nothing extraordinary. My wife ordered the house seafood salad, which was very good--fresh, flavorful, and easily the best dish we had that night. Our waiter spoke limited English. Once he realized we also spoke his language, the service became noticeably more relaxed and somewhat overly familiar. He immediately tried to guide us toward the most expensive items on the menu. When I declined coffee after dinner, he responded by saying something along the lines of: "Well, that's your choice, but the coffee here is very good," which felt unnecessary. We also had a small issue with the Old Fashioned garnish. The orange peel looked unusual, so we asked for the drink to be replaced. The waiter did replace it, though he first tried to explain that what we thought were worms were simply marks on the fruit peel. For dessert we ordered the tiramisu, which the waiter promoted heavily as the best dessert to try. Unfortunately, it didn't deliver. Instead of the classic layered presentation, it arrived more like a cup full of cream with a few pieces of soaked bread and very little coffee flavor. The issue was not just the dessert itself, but the expectations created when it was described. Bareli's is a beautiful restaurant with a great location and atmosphere, but the service details and execution didn't quite match the level suggested by the setting.

This should have been a 5 star review and I wish it was. Next time, I'll be updating to a 5, I'm…read moresure of it. We walked in to a beautifully decorated waiting area and were seating quickly. You could hear the live music playing and it was perfect. Our waiter Nathan R., was welcoming and attentive. The dirty martini was made perfectly and the hand stuffed blue cheese olives were a nice touch over the pre stuffed jar ones. To start we ordered the Burrata Salad. It was delicious. All the ingredients worked well together. For the second course we were floating between the Black Spaghetti and the Lobster Ravioli Special. We wound up going with the special and it was the move. The black inked ravioli, had chunks of lobster inside and hit nicely with the "angry sauce" on top. That bread helped clean that plate up nice. For the mains: 20oz Bone In NY Strip with sautéed spinach. Perfectly cooked to my liking and I loved that it was pre sliced for me. Spinach was lightly oiled and a perfect amount of garlic. Salmon Special - Pumpkin seed crusted with butternut squash. The plate was beautifully decorated and looked fantastic, but as soon as we cut into the salmon it was raw. It was a huge piece of salmon. So I'm sure that's what happened. Picture shown is the under cooked one that was taken back. I did not get a picture of the next. The manager saw immediately as my wife cut into it and we didn't have to say anything. He took the plate back and began making another. The dish came out and it was definitely well done this time. The piece of salmon was a lot smaller than the first. I'm sure it was to cut the cooking time down and get it out asap. The meal was fantastic. Just wish we were able to eat together. It happens. For dessert: Espresso Martini - Perfect. No baileys, 3 beans. Pistachio gelato - fantastic Zeppole - There were 3 different sauces for each one. It was amazing. Our waiter Nathan and the manager were extremely apologetic. They even came out with a complimentary limoncello spirit as we were settling up. I can't wait to dine here again to give Bareli's the 5 star it deserves.

my wife had a cob salad and I had the chicken sandwich with a house salad and French dressing on…read morethe side. Fantastic! waiter was friendly and helpful - we are from the west coast and had questions about the neighborhood. great ambiance which includes a 250 yr old tree growing in the restaurants and out the roof.

The Hutton has been on my list of spots to try for so long, but out of sight out of mind sometimes…read more We finally took a short walk and landed here for dinner over the weekend. On a Saturday evening there was quite a long wait for the patio but the 3 picnic tables outside were free and clear...perfect! Delicious food Great cocktails Kindest staff that brought water out for our pup All good things. We got the apple guac to start and loved that it was like a sweeter, chuckier guacamole. It was served with plantain chips and great for a hotter night app. For my main, I got the Grain Bowl. So good, so filling and I had plenty left over for lunch the next day. It had quinoa, tofu, chickpeas, yams, and a green goddess dressing. This will officially be added to the rotation of lunch/dinner spot. Cannot wait to come back.

I have to come right out and say it-- I've never been so enthusiastic about a "take-out" place…read moreafter just 1 meal. Ever. At work, the Godfather wanted to order (unusual for him to suggest it; usually I'm the 1 pushing for us to order out, and he's invariably resistant, although ultimately, he's acquiescent, although just as invariably he blames me for "pushing him into it" as he gobbles down whatever food it was we've ordered). I was willing but wanted to try something different than our usual fare (burgers, Chinese, Japanese, sandwiches). Someone else mentioned Exotic Eats, as a younger co-worker had ordered from there recently and seemed to enjoy what he had eaten. I asked, "Does this younger co-worker have a discriminating palate?" (Not actually being quite the jerk I oftentimes seem to be, I did of course use less pretentious, overblown verbiage in asking my question.) The reply was, "He's young; he'll order almost anything and like it." So...it might be great; it might be horrible. So we took a chance. They deliver, and I was intrigued by their on-line menu. I can't remember what the Godfather ordered, or another co-worker who wanted us to include him in what had once been known as the Lunchbox Mafia, but I ordered "the Island Bowl." Sliced jerk chicken breast on a bed of Mac & Cheese with jerk BBQ sauce. Being hungry, I ordered a side of blueberry cornbread, and the dessert of banana pudding cheesecake. All of it washed down with my ever-present bottle of Poland Spring water. We didn't have to wait long for it to be delivered. As I mentioned in my introductory remarks, I found the food fabulous. The jerk chicken in its BBQ sauce had a tangy sting, but it wasn't unpleasant or pain-producing. And I have to say-- the Mac & Cheese was the best I've had since my late mother used to make it for me in childhood. It's a baked "dry" Mac & Cheese as opposed to the overly sauced (and bland) version you get in most restaurants these days (all it was missing was the crumbled crackers that my mother used to put on top of it). Pure deliciousness, as they say. The blueberry cornbread was the perfect accompaniment, and the banana pudding cheesecake was wonderfully smooth, creamy, and decadent. I wasn't feeling bloated to the point of discomfort once I had finished it all, but I definitely felt "well fed." My fellow partakers were equally as enthused. Prices were fair, portions were immeasurably more than adequate, and the meal was luxuriously satisfying on every single level. As mentioned, delivery didn't take long at all, and it arrived hot. I'm not entirely sure how to classify the cuisine. The website described it as "Soul Food" with a "Caribbean Spirit." A long-time friend of mine is Jamaican, and she used to throw a big feast for friends and family every summer (I was usually the only white person invited, which was never any sort of a problem, although once a little kid of 4 or 5 looked at me with hostility and said, "What are YOU doing here?"), before health issues sidelined that annual event. She was a great cook, and everything was fresh-- jerk chicken, fish, ackee that always reminded me of scrambled eggs, breadfruit, sorrel liquor, etc. Despite the quality of the food served, I never really acquired a taste for Jamaican cuisine (I ventured out once to a Jamaican restaurant in Perth Amboy with friends; they were enthusiastic about it but it wasn't of the same quality as my friend served, and obviously didn't transform me into a "fan"), but I don't know that Exotic Eats is Jamaican per se. But I know that what I had was delicious and filling, and I can't wait to order from Exotic Eats again. Obviously, very highly recommended.

Execution: The mac & cheese showed strong flavor, thickness…read moreand proper texture. The collard greens were well-seasoned. The chicken was crispy and packaged in aluminum foil to keep it from turning cold. Flow: Ticket pacing was efficient, with food arriving in approximately 8-10 minutes without sacrificing quality. Hospitality: Service was attentive and composed throughout the visit. FOH member showed confidence in the menu and maintained strong awareness of the room. Guest interaction felt genuine and well-trained. Structure: The menu offers variety without unnecessary additions. Final Standard: A soul food operation where flavor, timing, and hospitality was well executed.

The food here is excellent (seafood always fresh and expertly prepared) and if you are seated at a…read moretable, the service is great! However, I made the mistake of sitting at the bar (I'd done this once before and forgotten what an unpleasant experience it was). Chilly doesn't even come close to describing the bartenders (both). We thought it was just us but we saw it extended to the other patrons too. It's disappointing as the spot is great, has delicious drinks and food. But I was really put off by the indifferent attitude. Needless to say we left for SRO (excellent cocktail lounge and everyone is very welcoming and professionally warm).

Cool spot in Hoboken for drinks and seafood. There's a bar, some high top seating, a few tables and…read moreoutdoor seating in the front of the restaurant. There's an extensive cocktail list and lots of great wines. The menu is heavy on the seafood but there are also some meat options. We were happy with everything we got. My favorite was the salmon with rice and snap peas. All of the flavors worked so well together.

10/10 for me Granted I went on a Wednesday night at 6/7pm…read more Parking garage available close by or valet for $20 Staff was excellent. Drinks were excellent Food was excellent Ambience was excellent Drinks.... Well I had one drink about doors times that night . It was called Stone Land and is was a lychee martini spinoff on stone and dry ice .... I dream about this cocktail . It was like $25 a pop lol Food.... I had the Lincoln Harbor roll which was EXCELLENT. Even my friend who does not like sushi liked it I also had the Blu Filet mignon which was stuff with blue cheese. I'm more of a rib eye gal but I wanted to try it with the blue steak and was pretty good and the truffled cream Spanish was just wow . You have to like truffle like I do :) Friend had shrimp cocktail and the lobster fra diavolo and love it as well . There was no room for dessert except another cocktail lol and I left with a doggy bag to eat for lunch the next day Hands down one of my NJ favorites. Will be back

What a beautiful, clean eats meal on the water…read more Such a fan of this place - it has the proximity to NYC without actually being in NYC. Plus you get the views of NYC. Seating wise there is plenty of seating inside and outside too. The lighting of the space is incredibly inviting with the white interior - it feels like the restaurant is pristine. Food wise - we decided to get a wide range of items from the menu from seafood salads and appetizers to steak to sushi. Overall, we didn't have one bad dish on the menu - everything felt clean, seasoned well, and came out pretty quick. The price is on the pricy side but it's worth it for the ambiance. Will definitely be back to try more items on the menu and hope for warmer weather to be able to sit outside!

This place is brand new and just opened about two weeks ago…read more Located in the heart of Secaucus, this local grocery shop mainly caters to the Indian community, offering a wide range of Indian-food, snacks, spices, etc. Prices are comparable to other nearby grocery stores on Newark Avenue, with the added convenience of its parking. There is also a restroom for customers use. Additionally, the store has a cafe section where you can enjoy paani puri.

We were very excited to see that Secaucus was finally getting a grocery store. Traveling out of…read moretown to grocery shop is highly-inconvenient, and Wal Mart is typically packed with massive lines. We cannot obtain our typical grocery list here, which is fine. This store largely caters to the Indian community. For our diet, the store is somewhat limited. We stopped in to grab some produce, etc., when we were in a pinch. Prices aren't bad. Workers are friendly enough. However, what we found was that produce didn't have a great shelf life, as if it had been sitting around a while. Dates on various items weren't far from spoiling. Shame to purchase grocery items to have them go bad within a day or two. We have stuck with the Green Grocer in the center of town for quick items as a result. Always fresh and reliable. I guess we will continue to patron grocery stores from other towns, as this is by no means a grocery store that hits the mark.

Thank goodness the doors have finally opened. Angelo's seafood market is perhaps one of the most…read moreanticipated and needed store to open in the last several years. At the best part, selection and offerings do not disappoint. A bright and welcoming space, the store is stocked with various prepackaged goods, including unique items, such as black cuttlefish gnocchi. There is also a variety of refrigerated and frozen food options, including what looks like some very tasty cheddar crab dip. The highlight obviously is the fresh fish counter. Stocked with multiple types of salmon, more obscure fish, such as whole snapper, and tons of different types of shellfish. prices are reasonable and in line with what is to be expected. The diamond in the rough in this place is downstairs, where they have a raw seafood bar. You can get anything from West Coast and East Coast oysters, hot or cold lobster rolls, and various dips. Best of all, it's BYOB. So pack your bubbles and head on over to visit Jesus downstairs who will shuck you an experience not to be matched anywhere in Hoboken. Welcome Angelos! We are so glad you are here.

I was waiting patiently for this place to open because the area needs a good fish market. When I…read morearrived I realized that they had both a fish market and a raw bar downstairs to order to stay or to go. I have not tried the raw yet but surely will soon. This fish market is a great addition to the area and I was amazed by the variety of wild caught fresh fish they have. Their selection varies but for the most part I've been pleased. I've had the Dorado, Branzino, Faroe Island Salmon, the cod, and the monkfish. They have even had sardines which are my favorite. Fresh whole sardines are hard to come by. All of the fish that I had tasted good and was very fresh. The staff members are very friendly and are eager to help. They clean your fish and cut it however you like. Definitely a great experience if you're a fish lover like myself. I plan on going back to try their scallops and clams.

My first time dining at Sirenetta because I have been a bit salty about a restaurant taking over…read moreMaxwells space. But in this economy, I go where the happy hours are, and Sirenetta's has a pretty nice HH menu. We went on a Tuesday (they have different HH specials depending on the day you go) and ordered: - $1 oysters - I would skip these as they are the only oysters I've eaten and not liked the flavor of -Whipped Ricotta Dip - This was okay, served with 2 pieces of bread when 3 or 4 would have been better -Shrimp Frites - this was fine -Kale Caesar Salad - mind blowing, possibly the best kale salad I've had - Olive Oil Martini - Full price and worth it I liked the martini and salad so much I'll be back to try more of the regular menu on a Thursday night when the martini's are $10. Service was also great and we were very comfortable sitting outside with our dog.

Sirenetta is my go to restaurant in Hoboken. The food and service are generally very good. The only…read moredownside is it's a bit pricey. You MUST get the lobster biscuits and shrimp cocktail. My husband always gets the lobster roll and I tend to get a fish dish. French fries are also top notch.