Dining Out Reviews NJ

Turning Point -Sea Girt

We arrived around 10:30-11:00 on a Sunday morning. There was a wait, about 20-30 minutes. There were two women controlling the incoming guests. One of them was always there while the other one seated people. They did a good job all around. While waiting I noticed there were plenty of servers and a few bus people clearing tables and resetting them as people left. We were seated in the appropriate time frame.
After being seated, we did have to wait a bit before being recognized. Drinks and entrees were ordered, and water was brought to the table. But the 4 drinks we ordered did not come all at once. Water was replaced without asking.
Our meals came out looking nice, well not exactly. One plate had sauce on the underside of the plate. We asked to sub fruit for potatoes on one entree. That did not happen. We had to tell the waitress. When the fruit did come out, that too had a crushed blueberry on the side of it. The fruit looked like it was previously frozen ad unappetizing. And the dish was not full. The cornbread on the benedict was soggy, peppers were overcooked and dull. French toast was barely dipped in egg and very dry. Bacon pieces were burnt and hard. The toast on the turkey sandwich was not toasted.
I have visited a few of the other locations of Turning Point without issues. But this visit at this location was sub-par. The rating for this review is Fair.

Harolds Deli, Edison NJ.
Upon arriving just after 2:00. There was a bus loading people from the restaurant. Entering there was a lot of people gathered by the cashier, most of them leaving. Whew! we beat the afternoon rush. As we approached the host stand, the hostess was there waiting for us. We were greeted and sat immediately amongst the other people seated. As we were sitting, waters were placed on the table. How many times does this happen to you? After we decided our meals from the large selection on the menu. From corned beef, pastrami, chopped liver and matzo ball (softball size) soup to salads, onion rings, potato latkas and more. And if you have never been to Harolds, they encourage sharing. You do not order for one, but two or more. Everything is Super Sized!
Our waiter approached us to take our order, corned beef and pastrami with Swiss cheese ( I love cheese). Waiter was nice enough to ask if we wanted melted on the sandwich or on the side. I got melted. We ordered and went up to the pickle bar. The pickle bar has a cabbage salad, 3-4 different types of pickles, spears, and sliced.
When we returned to the table our drinks were waiting for us. Sharing plates and extra rye bread were also brought to us. The pickles were fresh, crisp, and tasted good. The cabbage salad which has carrots, peppers and cucumbers in it. The vegetables were fresh and crisp while being perfectly balanced with sugar and vinegar.
Our sandwich for two came out in a timely manner. Opened face with a huge mound of corned beef and pastrami covered with melted Swiss cheese. The meat was warm, moist and along with fresh rye bread made for delicious sandwiches. Cole slaw with carrots and mayonnaise base was good. Crisp and flavorful. Not too sweet.
Our drinks were refilled promptly, without asking, during our meal. In addition to the staff being on top of serving us. They have bus people standing in the dining room, not on their phones, but looking to see if any customers need anything. Tables were cleared as people left. There was always a person at the host stand, ( which you pass to get to the pickle bar) whether it was the assigned host or someone else. The restaurant was clean, well taken care of and bright.
Upon leaving, at the cashier, they have packaged goods to go; Halvah candy, rugula pastry and the desert case with giant cakes in it. Which we did take some home. For this visit I give Harolds Deli a Good+

Dina’s Cafe
David’s Dining Experiences

Last week I visited Dina's Cafe, Toms River. My wife and I arrived around 5-5:30 middle of the week. We were greeted as soon we walked in the door, and seated promptly. The table was set nicely with a tablecloth, silver, salt & pepper, a bottle of olive oil and a small vase with flowers. The restaurant was clean with a pleasant décor. The restaurant was steadily filling up. Plus a private party in the adjacent room. There were two waitresses and a buss person. Not enough, so if you are looking for work, they may be hiring.
Soon after we received a basket of warm rolls. Which were good. Our waitress approached us and asked if we had wine needing to be opened. We did not. Soon water came to the table, which we asked for some lemon with it. The lemon took a while.
We ordered the wedge salad to be split between us. The split was recommended by the waitress., stating that they are big enough for two. I ordered the Blackened Salmon and my wife ordered Stuffed Shrimp w/risotto.
The salad was a nice fresh crisp wedge of iceberg, bacon was cooked well and nicely crumbled, roasted tomatoes were just wrinkled. Dressing, we got on the side, was a ranch style and separate blue cheese on the side. The dressing was good as was the salad. With the restaurant full, and a party in the other room we arrived just in time!
We received our meals. They looked good (sorry no pic this time) presentation on both were nice. My blackened salmon had a couple small end pieces on top? Salmon itself was a little over cooked. Seasoning was good, not too spicy. Came with asparagus, cooked correctly but had no seasoning. Mashed red potatoes were creamy, not seasoned. As for the stuffed shrimp. The shrimp were small, with small scoops of stuffing. They were overcooked. The stuffing while tasty, not of crab, had barely a shred of crab in it. The risotto had some asparagus in it, nice bite sized pieces. But it was more like rice, not risotto. Not creamy, no cheese and lacked flavor.
In the end my wife says the best part of the meal was the salad.

Hello and welcome to my page. For those who do not know me, I am a Chef David, retired chef/owner. My main goal here is to give awareness to customers, owners and other chefs by giving my professional opinion of different establishments I eat at. Mind you, sometimes I am very critical. But, I take in consideration of known circumstances. My ratings will be Poor, Fair, Average, Good and Excellent with a possible + or - to any.