Brooklyn Bistro

Very nice atmosphere, the staff was polite and helpful, the food was very good and quick it wasn’t that busy (me and my boyfriend visited on a Sunday night at 7pm) our meals came out very quickly. I had the jumbo shrimp scampi in garlic sauce and for dessert tiramisu. Would recommend this place. My boyfriend had the cheesecake he loved it!

Visited over a half dozen restaraunts before deciding on this one for a family birthday party. We weren’t disappointed. From beginning to end, everything went great. The food was amazing! The service was very attentive. Maria & David did everything possible to make our party a memorable one. We’d book with them again in a heartbeat!

WORTH EVERY CALORIE AND PENNY SPENT!!! The food and service were both incredible. Our server was Mike R who only enhanced the overall experience.
Bread Basket and Dipping oil — Bread is fresh from the oven and absolutely perfect.
Calamari Balsamico — THE ABSOLUTE BEST I HAVE EVER TASTED! I had a #1 walking in on Saturday, but that was immediately bumped to #2 and there is no #3. (My pre-​teen has never had this before and she was also in heaven over this dish. My husband hardly ever even tastes it and he ate this as well!
House Salad (part of what you get with the Entrees) — I love salad but kept it to only half because I knew what was coming. Mixed greens of the Italian nature, tossed with a light oil dressing.
Chicken alla Bistro — husband allowed me to taste a tiny, tiny piece — wonderful dish!
Chicken Roullade — it was a special that night and when Mike R was done rattling off the many, many ingredients I stopped him because I love every single one of them; served with thinly julienned vegetables and homemade mashed potatoes!
Nonna’s Lasagna w/​Meatballs Side — this was my daughter’s and she absolutely did not need the side of meatballs. There was a ton of meat in the lasagna, meat, cheese, sauce — Brooklyn Bistro is NOT stingy with their ingredients!
***Portions were so generous that we took home leftovers and the 3 of us shared them the next night for dinner.***
Tiramisu — O M G — it tasted much better and different (yet still the same) then any other version I have tried.
Crème Brulee — I am not a chocolate person, so this is my favorite dessert. Prepared exquisitely; both the crème and the brulee! The brulee was so perfect and delicate, it is supposed to be to enhance the crème portion and it did!

The food is absolutely fabulous the service is superb you won’t find a better restaurant in toms River save room for dessert they’re amazing and homemade this place is always a hit with everyone I bring there !!! I’ve been coming from since they opened and I’ll keep coming because the food is phenomenal

I realy dont see the value in coming here. Place is dark and depressing, food is medicore, service is so-​so. Didnt know wher eto go upon entering. Left or right, or up the stairs. I will not go back since I can go to better places around the corner and throughout TOms River.

Take it from a real Italian who pronounces pasta Fagioli right and doesn’t say mozzarella like a medigan this place is Nothing special. Had the stuffed artichoke appetizer and it was quite frankly the worst I’ve ever had. Had two pasta entrees the gnocchi in pesto was good, the ziti with fennel sausage was just average. Both portions were very small. NOW this is the worst part, RATS yes while we were eating we saw two rats run inside the restaurant! Absolutely disgusting! We should of left right then and there but our entrees were served shortly after. Also get very unwanted when we entered. They asked «you have a reservation right?» which made us fee very unwanted. wouldn’t recommend this place and will not be coming back

We are at this lovely restaurant in Tom’s River last night with my parents, who are recent transplants from Long Island to South Jersey. We have had difficulty finding really good places to eat in that area… but no more. The service was excellent… the food delicious. I had lobster ravioli… my husband, a stuffed pork chop… and my parents both had filet mignonette. Not an enormous menu but a wide enough variety that we all found something we liked. The atmosphere is warm and cozy. We will definitely go back!

Came here cause we got a groupon. The food was ok, good but nothing to rave about. Hated the service, and I am a very patient person. There was no hostess in the front, waited for 10 minutes while poking our head into the dining area before the waiter finally acknowledged us. It seemed like they only had 1 waiter for the whole restaurant. No apology for the wait or the super slow service.

This has to be the worst italian food I have ever eaten. The place has gone downhill. The fish was water logged and tasted nasty. The gravy for spaghetti was like it just came out of the can. No flavor and not even cooked. Disgusting. The table tops were dirty. The salad unwashed. Save your money and eat elsewhere.

Was so excited to try this place because we had heard good things… was terribly disappointed in how we were treated. We went on Friday night, after my husband called to find out about attire, reservations, kid friendly… we were told definitely casual, definitely needed reservation & definitely kid friendly. We arrived at 7 pm for our reservation with our 5 yr old (she’s well behaved and well versed in restaurants) to walk through the arch way up to the door only to see a very small sign on the door asking to please use the other door, this would have been fine except for the hostess watched us the whole time never pointing or alerting us to go to another entrance. Once inside we went through the restaurant to the hostess stand, where I was greeted with «I guess you don’t have a reservation.» Even though there were only three other tables in the restaurant at this time, I informed her that yes we were told we needed a reservation and did in fact make one. As I mentioned, there were only three other tables occupied in the restaurant and yet she sat us right next to the door which everyone went in and out (it’s January and cold especially for a 5 year old), I asked to move but she ignored my request. After about 10 minutes a waiter finally arrived, he was almost as condescending as the hostess. It took another five minutes to get water and when he did bring it we were short one glass which took another five minutes. Without going through every detail all I can say is that they were very condescending when ordering etc., for example asking for more bread seemed to be like committing a crime. The food was good not the best Italian I’ve ever had but definitely not bad, but the experience was definitely ruined by the way we were treated.

Italian food, served and prepared with pride. Simple as that. This hidden gem is one of the most distinctive in Toms River: eating here feels like eating in the home of an Italian family that knows how to cook, rather than a stuffy restaurant or an uninspired pizzeria that seems to be commonplace for Ocean County. Boy, do they know how to cook. From the homemade gnocchi to the sauces made very well, there is a common thread of care applied to the dishes here. Although not on the menu, even the pizza is excellent when they do serve it. Save room for dessert as well as they make their own cheesecakes, and the cannoli here is one of the best I’ve had anywhere. They change up the variety of desserts often as well with inventive specials such as a pear pastry served with ice cream that was memorable.
When you eat here you’re eating at a real family-​owned joint. Move over (the horrendous) Olive Garden, when you’re at Brooklyn Bistro you’re family. They really seem to be building a following so they might not be as much of a hidden gem for long!

We have been going here since they opened at their old location. The food has remained excellent. I have to go when ever the have octopus as a special. Very friendly service and they make you feel like family. Portion have gotten a little smaller but quality remains.

I just came home and wouldn’t wait to review. Although it took some waiting in between serving, it was definitely worth the visit and money. I used the $ 80 for $ 45 Groupon deal to take my mom and family out for her birthday this weekend. They didn’t treat us any different, and we even got a complementary and deliciously creamy New York style cheesecake for dessert for our wait. We made a reservation this morning and was surprised we got it for how busy it got. The food was delicious, we had complimentary breads and wine, and the atmosphere was great. I’m from NY, and I can truly say this was a genuine Brooklyn Bistro. Very happy that there is still room for warm and cozy restaurants in a town full of chains. In the end, we only paid an extra $ 2.93 exactly for an extra cheesecake to take home (it was that delicious!). Definitely worth it and will be coming back soon.

If you KNOW how superb, authentic Italian food should taste, you will ABSOLUTELY love the Brooklyn Bistro [BB]. As a Unilocaler, who is NYC born & raised (w/​«Off-​The-​Boat» grandparents), I GUARANTEE to you, my fellow Unilocalers, that you will not be disappointed.
The FOOD: We all started with the Tomato Basil Soup (sorry, for the lack of variety, but the server (Maria) made it sound sooo delicious, we all wanted to try it; and, we were NOT disappointed — a creamy, fresh-​roasted-​over-​an-​open-​flame tomato base perfectly infused w/​fresh basil, fresh mozz, cracked pepper & a hint of garlic (the only thing I would have swapped was a garlic crostini for the pedestrian croutons), but it was fantastic nonetheless!
Ahhh, the Entrees…
My choice: perfectly-​cooked Salmon topped w/​Crab-​meat served with a luscious buerre blanc over carrot-​zucchini ribbons… there was absolutely nothing left on the plate — very, very rare for me!
Our 16-​yr old son, who is not impressed w/​anything (other than hot-​wings), didn’t even reach for the iPhone while he totally devoured Chicken Sorrentino & a Homemade Potato Croquet.
And, the super-​PITA Italian hubster? Totally SILENT as he ravished the Veal ala Bistro simmered in a Madeira wine w/​mushrooms. His comment? The BEST VEAL EVER! (OK, so those of you who have read my reviews know what a true PITA he is), so, yeah… the Ultimate compliment.
The guys also had dessert… Banana Fosters Cheesecake for the hubster … «OK, I know I shouldn’t have, but it was sooo worth it! And a Brownie Concoction (?) w/​Ice Cream for the «nothing-​impresses-​me» son … Still No Cell Phone! SCORE!
Brooklyn Bistro, a BYOB with an unexpectedly charming interior, somehow reminiscent of the classic NY Brownstone; and graced with a courtyard-​style outside entrance, flanked by wrought-​iron tables, adorned with fresh blooms in shabby-​chic vessels.
And certainly not inconsequential, the BB Staff:
Our server Maria, sister of the chef-​owner, made us feel like family friends — warm & friendly (but not in the typical «server-fashion»…authentic; and the hostess (owner’s wife) could give lessons of graciousness to quite a few of my reviewed eateries (so pissed that I can’t remember her name!).
Try this place… if ypu know good food… you’ll be thanking me!

Sat outside on a beautiful night everything we ordered was great. very personable and attentive service. You have to try this place you won’t be disappointed.

My in-​laws took me to this restaurant and we should have dressed up. It is a really nice, small, Italian restaurant that you should some what dress up for. The food is so good and the waiters were very friendly. I just had pasta but even that was really good and the bread was really good. Very much recommend this place. We would have gotten dessert but we were too full lol.

Would do send people there. Hanger steak was cook great and my husband swordfish was good very moist.

Had my Mom’s going away dinner for 4 with a Groupon on a Thursday eve. I was really looking forward to it based on reviews.
Very cute venue… I even commented to the waiter what a cute place!
I can honestly say it was the WORST meal I have had in years! (and believe me… I am not picky) The appetizers were cold in the middle and the cheese wasn’t even melted. My son got lasagna that he enjoyed very much. but the (3) of us that got meat dishes… OMG.
My veal piccatta was literally INEDIBLE. It was chewy and tasted so weird I was afraid it was bad. My mom had the bracciole… the thickness of the pork had to have been ¾ of an inch… undercooked…and she couldn’t even cut it. Her pasta sauce tasted like tomato sauce out of a can. Last but not least… my daughter got the pork chop. Same story… so tough she couldn’t cut it… dried out and chewy.
The waiter never inquired how everything was… my son kept telling me to go complain.
I just figured what good would that do… as I certainly didn’t want any substitutions!
My mother’s dinner was ruined… I admit mostly to my total dissatisfaction with the meal
I had bought the GROUPON for 2 for my husband for Fathers Day, and I actually decided to lose what I had paid for it… rather than go there again.
It was really THAT awful.

I trusted Unilocal on this hookup & it didn’t disappoint. Great warm welcome by beautiful hostess. The restaurant had a quaint, comfortable feel. The menu had a lot of options, I settled on the gnocchi, with a twist. no potato stuffing, Instead ricotta, Bomb. It was served in a Bolognese, with a veal reduction sauce. Desert was over top… only reason not a 5 star, we had to ask for service on a number of occasions… they were busy, but we paid good money. I will be back and recommend this restaurant.

Over the weekend, I came here for a a family party for my grandmother’s 95^th birthday. It was maybe around 20 something adults and 5 kids so it was kind of packed. We had some extra seating available which was good because I didn’t have to sit in one place. Although it was pretty cramped. I wish they had given us the more wide open space in the other section of the restaurant. But then again kids are unpredictable so I could see why it would be in their best interest to sit us in a more private space in order for other patrons to have a more peaceful dining experience. Though it didn’t seem like too many others came in until after we left.
But anyways, we got a group deal that cost $ 25 dollars a person which included a salad, fresh bread, a pasta dish, and a main entrée. We brought our own birthday cake for dessert and they accompanied us with a free cannoli.
The salad was good! I loved the dressing! Also I must say the freshly grated cheese was delicious! I would have eaten that raw if given the chance but I didn’t want to hog the cheese for everyone else! Freshly grated pepper was good as well!
Next was the pasta. You know I topped that sucker with the freshly grated cheese and pepper! Nicely cooked; it was starchy with plenty of sauce! It was a penne with I believe was a vodka sauce. My mom is normally not a fan of that but she liked this one so that should tell you it’s good!
The main entrée you got to choose between chicken, salmon, and veal. Kids got chicken fingers with fries (looked like a good amount for the kids). I opted for the chicken. I wish I remembered the description as the waitress went into great length about it. It was BYOB so I had already had a nice amount of wine and wasn’t exactly taking notes. So I apologize that this review doesn’t describe in great detail what was served. I can tell you though it was good! The chicken cutlet was thick and had a great flavor! It came with finely shredded vegetables (carrots and another vegetable I don’t remember) and a breaded potato dish that was cooked just right.
Cannoli was superb too!
So everyone was very satisfied food wise. It was affordable and filling with fresh ingredients in every dish. I must also add the staff was very accommodating, courteous, polite, and attentive. I know especially with kids things can get pretty crazy but the staff did an excellent job of taking care of everyone including my grandmother which is what mattered most!
I would love to come back here when I’m in the area visiting family again and try what else is on the menu! It’s fresh, home cooked Italian style goodness! I just didn’t like being so cramped. You won’t have that problem if you come without a big group. 4.5 Stars!