What a perfect ending to a family day at the park. Found this place when looking for«dog friendly» restaurants. It is located near Verona Park, which made it convenient for a light hike and a lunch. As we were bringing our four legged child we did not visit the inside, but instead dined on the patio area. The set up was more spacious than it looked and the waitress informed us that our dog(all 110 pounds of him by the way) were welcome, although she did ask if we could sit in the back as our boy does look intimidating. There was water readily available for dogs and the waitress asked if we wanted a bowl. We had brought our own, but the question was nice. We sat on a VERY clean patio area. No dirt or dust anywhere, the tables were clean and smooth, and the chairs were clean as well. They obviously take a lot of time to make sure the patio area is inviting and well maintained. There are large umbrellas and even though the temperature was around 85 we were comfortable the entire time. Service was a bit slow, but I think that was because they were slightly understaffed. We went around 12:30 and as we were leaving more waitstaff members arrived. The servers were polite and very friendly while still being professional. We ordered the spring roll appetizer the fish tacos. The fish tacos were excellent; the best I have ever had and my wife agreed. The spring rolls were good and tasty, no complaints. My wife had the burger for lunch and I had the lobster mac and cheese. The burgers were highly touted on reviews and the website, and it did not disappoint. She got the basic cheeseburger but it was thoroughly enjoyable. It also came with fries that were NOT greasy or bland and were a perfect complement. A few may have found their way under the table where they were quickly cleaned up by our other companion. The mac and cheese was also good. They must use«legit lobster» instead of frozen or imitation. I found a small bit of shell, but this actually made me feel reassured about the quality. The portion size was larger than expected and I wound up taking some home for the inevitable«second lunch». We had three cocktails and they were well made, though I think more care could have gone into the mixing of the drink but that’s a small complaint. A couple swirls with a straw and the flavors were fine. The only downside was that the service was a bit slow and at one time we asked for ice(the dog like to chew the cubes when he gets hot) and had to make the request about 3 times. Those are small issues though. The staff is friendly, the food is well made, the people are kind, and it is not overly expensive. We will definitely be back and we definitely recommend.
Frankly S.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Caldwell, NJ
Great food, nice décor, friendly staff, easy parking, and you can eat at the bar…
Sam S.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Fair Lawn, NJ
Reservation was honored upon arrival which started our night off perfectly. Booked through open table which is so easy too. Our drinks(beer and vodka sour) hit the spot. Our waitress was attentive and knowledgeable. We shared the 4 cheese dip with homemade tortilla chips– delicious and enough for 4 but we finished it. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the tuna special-prepared perfectly. My crab cake dinner was delicious. Can’t wait to go back again.
Matt K.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Manhattan, NY
The mezcal cocktail is really good. For apps we had the calamari and the fish tacos. The calamari was lightly battered and fried and with peppers, capers and olives. Really good though I think it’d be even better if the calamari was grilled instead. The fish tacos were fresh and full of flavor with the corn adding a nice crunch. We had the scallops and the blackened mahi mahi and both were very good. Andrew was a great server – very friendly and fun and good at his job. They have a large outdoor patio in the back which I bet is great during the summer. Will definitely be back.
Sarah L.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Montclair, NJ
Charming bistro. Love the décor and atmosphere. Went here for an early dinner on a Thursday night. Was quiet when we first arrived but was definitely picking up by the time we left. Great menu selection from soups to appetizers and main entrees. I chose the Mahi Mahi special which was cooked in coconut milk and came with black fennel and a few sautéed veggies. Very tasty and felt that potion sizes were generous but not overwhelming. My mom got the chicken Milanese and she enjoyed hers as well. And she had a decent amount to take home for leftovers! For dessert we split the brownie almond cheesecake. Omg yum soo delicious ! Will definitely be returning. Great spot for a nice dinner during the week with so much variety on the menu. Causal but elegant. Can’t wait to try other dishes and drinks!
Kurt H.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 West Orange, NJ
Avenue Bistro was the perfect place to have dinner with the gf for a random Friday night. The restaurant has a very nice intimate ambiance and is 1 step above casual. We started with the 10 Spice Tuna Rare Appetizer. It consisted of small rare tuna pieces served over soy sauce and a seaweed salad. It was delicious and cooked to perfection. The spice gave the tuna an interesting taste, but did not overpower the flavor of the tuna. For the entrée, I had the special BBQ Shrimp Over Cheesy Grits. I really enjoyed the BBQ sauce that they whipped up. It had a light tangy taste that was a great contrast for the heavy cheesy grits(which were amazing by the way). I wish I could try the sauce on ribs! They have a nice specialty cocktail menu as well. I had a Caipirinha and a Margarita. Both were very tasty. One last note is the service. The hostess, bartender and waiter were all EXTREMELY welcoming and friendly. I will be returning sometime soon.
Melissa K.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Caldwell, NJ
My family raved about this restaurant for months and I just finally got to try it! I love trying new«hidden treasure» restaurants, and the fact that the head chef won chopped definitely made me more eager to try it. I was definitely not disappointed. It was not crowded at the time we went so we were seated right away. The hostess was extremely friendly. Our waiter, Andrew, was an outstanding waiter. He never rushed us to finish eating, and if we asked his opinion he gave us an honest answer. The drink menu was different, I got the Shark Bite which was absolutely delicious. Not too strong but strong enough to know that it was an alcoholic drink. The menu had something for everyone. I got the Chicken Andouille Cavatappi which was delicious. I ate every single bite. For dessert I got the banana crème brûlée which was also delicious, and my boyfriend got the almond brownie cheesecake. Yum. Overall, a fantastic experience and I cannot wait to come here in the spring/summer and sit outside by the fire pit! Great job, Avenue Bistro!
Sharon l.
Évaluation du lieu : 2 Edison, NJ
We went for brunch yesterday and we were sorely disappointed with the food. I ordered the crab cake eggs Benedict only after ascertaining from the waitress if the crab cakes were made with lump crab and little filler. She assured me they were. I can assure you they were not. The manager overheard me and offered to get me something else. I opted for the lobster Benedict. Both the lobster and the hollandaise sauce tasted awful. Not sure how you can ruin eggs benedict but they were both inedible. My companion ordered a smoked salmon and Brie omelet which was over cooked and also not very tasty. We shared a banana crème brûlée which tasted like artificial banana flavoring in an overly sweet cream. The only happy diner was my husband who ordered the French toast. The small glass of orange juice I ordered came filled to the rim with ice. Really? Nothing like skimping on a few ounces of juice. I will say that the coffee was quite decent. Needless to say we won’t be dining here in the future.
Jeanna G.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Paramus, NJ
Just attended a baby shower for a family member of mine and I must say the staff here is impeccable. My mimosa was never empty and the food was absolutely delicious. This baby shower was more of a brunch theme with french toast, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, muffins, bacon, and not to mention lobster rolls and chicken salad wraps. The space was small but cozy and was decorated so cute for her shower. They have a really nice patio area in the back of the restaurant that I imagine would be amazing to hang there on a summer evening for dinner. I also noticed a chalk board sign in the back that says the chef was a contestant on Food Networks Chopped! How cool is that? I will definitely be back to come check this place out for dinner.
Eleanor B.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Wayne, NJ
Cute ambiance and clean. Wait staff and hostess — very friendly and service oriented. We ordered the firecracker calamari; it was just ok. Calamari was soggy due to the balsamic. It was an interesting presentation of hot peppers but it wasn’t amazing or anything. I’d call it average and I’m guessing the calamari is frozen because there were no tentacles. Maybe they can try buying fresh ingredients? That MIGHT help. Our table ordered the rare tuna and salmon. The tuna was cooked well but it was surrounded by some curry spice which gave it sort of an Indian type saffron taste. It was ok and pretty good but I just wasn’t expecting it. The salmon was decent. It was seasoned heavily but my goodness it was such a small piece compared to the tons of julienned veggies around it. It didn’t seem like the salmon was the centerpiece at all. Dessert was good; we ordered the cookie pie and you can’t really go wrong with that. Overall it was a decent experience. They have a great drinks/bar selection but the food was just average. The food décor tried to match the ambience(casual elegance) but the food itself was just a bit average, nothing tremendously spectacular. I may go back to try their other menu items to see if maybe we just ordered the wrong things.
Tiffany N.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Jersey City, NJ
This wAs my 3rd time here, they have great service and I love their appetizers! Try the plantain, shrimp margarita, and there’s also a good chicken stuck appetizer. I had salmon for dinner. It was ok. Comes with lots of stredded veggies on top. I’ve also had the filet mignon also, it was pretty good too. Drinks are great!!!
Jessica R.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Verona, NJ
I had been wanting to try the Avenue Bistro for some time now and I finally made it over! We went around 5 on Saturday evening and the restaurant was still pretty quiet. The staff was super friendly and perfectly tentative, without being over bearing. We always ask the wait staff for recommendations and they did not disappoint with the recommendation of the short ribs. My boyfriend LOVED it; I had to steal a bite and I was jealous of his choice! the meat was super tender and juicy and the sides made for a hearty and filling meal. I decided to be «good» this evening and got the special salad — bibb lettuce, pomegranate seeds, and smoked Gouda with grilled chicken. The salad was very tasty, I really liked the pairing of all the salad fixings. I could have eaten much more than what they gave me. The chicken was also delicious. Moist and well seasoned. I look forward to coming back and trying more off the menu! I am very lucky to live in Verona and be surrounded by some great eateries :-)
Marylisa K.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Verona, NJ
Went for dinner with an out of town visitor and we weren’t disappointed. The roasted pork special was great, filet mignon was wonderful, diver scallops w/ginger sauce was terrific and a dinner Caesar salad was good as well desserts were great. All served with a smile and efficiency. Really good food with good service– great value!
Aimee S.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Clifton, NJ
I’ve been here a few times for brunch and each dining experience was great. From the food to the service. I can’t wait to try their dinner menu. Had dinner here finally and I’m updating my review. I definitely prefer their brunch. To start we had the firecracker calamari. It was ok but the calamari was frozen not fresh, we also had the crispy shrimp which was just ok. For our entrees my husband had the salmon. He said the flavor was just ok but was given a very small piece and was covered with all vegetables. I had the grilled filet mignon. The meat size was very small and the flavor was ok. We would only return for their brunch not dinner.
Trish S.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Totowa, NJ
We went back again last night and we weren’t disappointed at all. The service is amazing, The people who work there are so nice and I mean everyone. The Last night I had the Firecracker Calamari with hot cherry peppers, capers, black olives. All I can say is yummy! My husband had the Ahi Tuna appetizer and he could have licked the plate. For dinner I had the blackened Mahi Mahi Fliet served with Plantains and in an awesome sauce. My husband had the Filet Mignon medallions. This place is so good. Here’s a HUGE plus, which I have mentioned before. They are dog friendly. And they are great with the dogs. They brought our boy a bowl of water when we first got there and gave him a little treat as well. When you have a big dog which is part ½ pit bull and ½ Italian Mastiff and they treat them that well, you know they are good people! I HIGHLY recommend trying this place if you haven’t yet! The Chef Michael Dilonno won an episode of Chopped and I can see why. This place is a keeper.
Derek D.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Garfield, NJ
To start off we were seated immediately and the host was very polite. Soon as we were sat we were quickly served delicious sliced bread with a rosemary and sun dried tomatoes infused oil. The waitress came off very nice. The prices weren’t affordable on all budgets but not to crazy compared to other places with such quality. I started off with fish tacos with were superb just a little to Much pineapple. Then for the course I had scallops with angle hair pasta with a white wine sauce which was amazing and they were not skimpy either. If you willing to spend a little this place is a must.
Cori P.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Wayne, NJ
Please Note: I can only review their brunch since I have never been here for lunch or dinner. I was actually drawn to this place because their chef won Chopped and being obsessed with all things Food Network and Cooking channel, I thought it might be fun. I’ve been here about a dozen times, service has always been very good. I usually get an omelette which is a combination of ingredients from 2 of their other dishes but they have always been more than happy to accommodate.
Kaylan B.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Egg Harbor Township, NJ
My fiancé stumbled upon this place while visiting Verona park. The door to this place is sort of hidden but once you walk inside you’re greeted by friendly staff and impressive décor. We sat outside and picked the best time, the sun wasn’t blasting on us and we had a nice umbrella to keep us cool. We started with the firecracker calamari which was quite good, the balsamic made the calamari a little soggy but no big deal. I had the herb crusted salmon with veggies which was a little heavy with chives but still good. My fiancé was smart and ordered the«tangled up in blue» filet and it was to die for. The fries were impressive, the ketchup came in your own personal skillet, everything on her plate was heaven. I gave this place four stars because they were out of meatloaf, and a good restaurant should never run out of food, also they didn’t have a lot of gluten free option. I would absolutely give this place a look see!
Tiffany H.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Columbia, MD
Interesting, cozy place, where the staff allows you to enjoy your meal and not feel rushed. The chicken in a lemon, butter sauce topped with prosciutto was yummy, however, the french fries were not. I would come back and order the same thing with a different side.
Joleen C.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Belleville, NJ
DELISH! My husband picked Avenue Bistro because Chef Michael won Chopped. We went in with a party of 15 which included 4 children, at around 3:30pm on a Sunday. Upon first entering the pub I was pleasantly surprised by the décor. I enjoyed the intimate space and the friendly staff. We came in during lunch time, but asked if we could order from the dinner menu to give our guests more options. Just about half of our party ordered the short ribs and every one of them said it was delicious, tender and flavorful. I ordered the Salmon, and I think I enjoyed the julienned vegetables more then the fish itself! They were cooked perfectly, with a little bit of crunch left to them, the white wine sauce was delicate and buttery; it complimented the fish perfectly. Our children enjoyed mac & cheese, pasta with marinara, grilled chicken with mashed potatoes & spinach, every plate was finished! Everyone was so stuffed by the end of the meal that we opted out of dessert. Absolutely amazing meal! They super impressed me on how well they took care of our large party, with no mistakes, everything came out together & everything was delicious! Definitely will be back again! Thank you Avenue Bistro & Chef Michael for making our celebration rememberable and so wonderful!