Aqua Blu Kitchen & Cocktails
| Address: | 3410 NJ-37, Toms River, NJ 08753, USA |
| Phone: | +1 732-270-1180 |
| Site: | aquablurestaurant.com |
| Rating: | 3.5 |
| Working: | 12–11PM 12–11PM 12–11PM 12–11PM 12PM–12AM 12PM–12AM 12–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
JO
jonesq63
We went there for our last minute reservation as a party of 7 for a birthday dinner. It was our first time there and went on a recommendation. The table was ready and properly prepared. The decor of the restaurant was tasteful in an art deco way, but a little dimly lit. The main dining room was better lit and was decorated in conservative earth tones. The wait staff service was top notch all the way. They seemed to work well with each other. Never needed to ask for anything; they are on it. And very polite and professional. The menu had something for everyone. The food came out at a nice pace and was hot. The kitchen, which is open and on the side of the main dining room, made a very nice presentation of the its dishes. The tuna was very good, but slightly small. No matter. They make it up with a terrific peach cobbler crust over vanilla ice cream. Very good. The prices were a little higher, but the food and the service was worth it. The price range for entrees went from about $20 to $45; and the apps were about $12 to $30, with one exception: the raw bar platter for $110 (yes, you read that right: $110). Three of us took advantage of the Sunset special: one entree (a very nice selection covering the main foods), one app (I recommend the butcher block antipasto), one glass of house wine, and one dessert for a total of $25 p/person. Thats pretty good. All in all, I got out for a dinner for 7 adults for $250, including tip. We are fairly local, and could tell the seafood was fresh. We had a very nice time and we agreed that we should go back.
NG
NGO NGO
$55.00 steak was tough, ordered MedRare. It should have been soft and tender and it was not. Assorted Crudo $30.00 appetizer of the four fish only the salmon was worth eating. The Yellow Tail was metallic in flavor, the olive oil was not of good quality. The other fish were also of poor quality and did not taste good. Service was robotic and anything done was as if they were doing you a favor. The Wine was not stored right as it was "just" close to turning but was drinkable. Even though it was a $110.00 bottle it should still be stored properly or their suppliers are not storing them right. Brought desert to the table with two dishes for three to share and no serving spoon. Knife placed on left hand side of table as opposed to right. Dinner for 3 with tip $350.00. IMHO this is TGIF or Outback or Olive Garden quality food with a "show" to present it as something else. Basics like setting a table, serving utensils, service should not even be issues with $100.00 per person prices. The bar that adjoins the dining room had a DJ rapping to music.... would think the place needs to decide what it wants to be. The dishes are too ambitious for the front and back of house. Better to make it a burger or fry fish joint with beer, music and DJ and be done with it.
CA
Carolena Cannata
Went and sat at bar..ordered drinks...then ordered 2 rib eye steaks...waiter came back to tell us the $39...steaks were now $10 more each steak because of the time of the year and pulls out a cow chart showing the cuts of meat ..we asked why they didnt change it on menu and got another sales pitch on its only for this month...because this month the meat is more money...we were amazed at his excuses...but we were hungry and he said he would give us a drink on the house...OK ..so steaks come out it looks like they were covered with garlic My husband took a bite it was rock salt Shining like a diamond on the top...it was so salty could not eat it...told the waiter... he had nothing to say...we didnt eat it....the girl came over and said we could take it home and wash it off...omg....really ..did not get credit or an apology we left $120 at bar....and left... this is the second time that we paid for a meal and didnt eat any of it JUDGE JUDY WOULD SAY IF U EAT THE STEAK YOU PAY FOR IT IF YOU DONT EAT IT YOU GET YOUR MONEY BACK.... very poor customer service.. WE WILL NEVER GO BACK
SH
Shaquile Blandino
Other than a small scheduling debacle when it came to making a reservation the whole experience was phenominal. We where greeted by the manager and hostess to our seats promptly. I suggest making a reservation on open table or google not over the phone. We where lead through the beautiful restaurant where we where greeted by our waitor Nick. Possibly one of the best and friendliest service ive ever had from a waitor. I ordered the 55 dollar dry aged porterhouse which i was a bit hesitant about ordering at first but oh boy was it worth it. It was already cut off the bone and garnished beautifully with a side of delicious mashed and brocolini. I want to say it was well worth the 55 dollars. I followed that with the creme buleď cheese cake which was just as good. All in all one of the best restaurants ive ate in. Be aware that the prices are a bit steep but well worth the price. I want to say that all the past reviewers comments have been properly addressed to this day.
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A Private User
Actually here as of this writing. Where to even begin… Sat down drink order taken promptly, that was about that all was prompt. Water had to be asked for multiple times. Bread had to be asked for. When ordering took place we where informed of a few things already sold out, before 5:00 pm An hour 20minutes after our orders where put in, myself and another party member informed that they sold out of our food. Ok we are leaving! Afterthoughts; When the apps where brought out they just threw them on the table, not given to or even asked who got what. While other small tables around us where given a bottle of water btw its Toms River tap water we had to ask for it & then they give us only one. While we waited other tables got up and left (walked out) until we where the only table in that section. We walked out after the two hours of waiting. They completely RUINED MOTHERS DAY FOR OUR 4 MOTHERS IN GROUP!!!
PA
Paul Iovino
Seriously good food and very different offerings. Did not experience the poor table service others wrote about. There may have been some growing pains here. Our server(Ellen) was prompt, efficient and attentive. Our major issue was the loud DJ music being played through the dinner hour along with the Piped in Dinner Music being played on the overhead speakers. Someone is not paying attention. If you are a foodie you will appreciate the menu and very different treatment of entrees and dressing on the plate. Nicely done food, very moderately priced (do ask the price of the specials before you order them as there a bit of a surprise when the bill came). Will go back on a night when there is no music, I think management needs to decide if it wants to be a restaurant or a disco when it grows up.
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A Private User
Service is lacking, inexperienced and disorganized. Hostess also cold have stepped in and didnt. Once ordered food came promptly and was good. Had to ask for bread when all others were served it and it was hard to get staffs attention if needed a drink refill and it was not that crowded! Went for lunch - wedge salad and mixed green salad both good but the star dish was an orecchietti pasta dish with sausage that was flavorful and very good. Beef sliders also good. Would go back at an off time, early dinner perhaps since staff was lacking at a light lunch I cant imagine it when crowded. If this place gets their service together it could be a top spot for food in the area but service was so frustrating we almost left.
