We went here because we heard from a friend they had a good time at a happy hour. I can see how a happy hour here would be decent; they have a nice bar area, TVs, and a very good beer selection. But for food, wow this place was not good.

We went on a Friday night around 7:00, so we expected some type of wait and we were surprised when we were seated immediately. It wasn't a great sign that when we went upstairs less than half of the area was occupied. The decor and style of the place is very nice, modern looking, fresh and clean.

The service was pretty slow, but the waitress was very nice and seemed to be the only person managing the upstairs. There were two larger parties on the other side of the room, so I can't really fault her. There should have been another waitress upstairs or at least a runner doing drinks.

I was surprised that many of the entrees were price $20+, I just didn't think it was that level of a restaurant. We ordered a variety of smaller plates (for our own tapas style), and enjoyed their beer selection.

My wife said her crab wontons were very fishy tasting and pretty greasy. The chorizo pizza tasted like it had tomato paste as the sause, very plain and unseasoned sauce. The pork taco's were pretty bland and even dry. The highlight of the night for food was the Vegetarian burger, it was decent (nothing amazing) but the fries that came with it were bland, unseasoned, and mushy. If it wasn't for the beer it would have a been a complete waste of a night, but it wasn't enough for me to ever consider going back.

Creeds is very good (right off 422), but it's more upscale. What type of food are you looking for? What kind of prices?
In that exact area (it's been a while for me) but there's Charlie Browns, it's like a Houlihan's. Down on rt 30 there are plenty of more places to choose from.

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Charlie Brown's
11 Kettle Creek Rd, Toms River, NJ 08753

My sister had her baby shower there and everything was great. They were really nice as we setup the room and helpful throughout the entire event. The food was very good and the staff very friendly and courteous. We plan on going back for dinner sometime and might even use it again for an event.

Went there a few weeks ago. It was very crowded (the parking lot and the store), the fruits and veggies were of very nice quality, and they have a nice beer selection in their Pub cooler. I love not being at the mercy of having to buy beer by the case, and with such a nice variety.

Not in your food style, but Tamarindo's in Broad Axe is another good BYOB place. I can't think of many other BYOB places in the area.

We eat at Wing Lee for lunch about every other month. Everyone we go with really likes the Chinese food there. I can't comment on the Sushi, but the lunch menu deals are really well priced and very Tasty. I think it's some of the best Chinese food in the area, and when you add that Lunch is only around $7 (with Soup, Tea, and crunchy noodles) it's a good value.

What kind of food?
Bocelli's is a really good BYOB, I've enjoyed Arpeggio in the past, there are lots of places right in Ambler, Tamarindo's for Mexican right along butler pike, the Drafting Room if want a nice beer selection and something less formal.

I'd second Castello's. Another option would be Coleman's Restaurant in Blue Bell, the atmosphere is really nice, food seems to be hit or miss (I've had good and average experiences there).

We went out for a Birthday dinner to Solaris Grill. It's very close and we were interested to see what it was like, since it's fairly new to the area.

There were five adults and one child for a 6:00 Saturday dinner. We have eaten there in the past when it was LaBella Cuchina, so we were familiar with the inside and the appearance has not change much. The main dining room where we ate had maybe five groups of people, one group of around 8 and then groups of 2-3 people, so not crowded.

The menu is a strange combination of foods, they offer hibachi steak & spring rolls, fajitas & nachos, pasta & wings, steak & seafood. I felt I was looking at a diner menu, aside from the fact it's a huge single laminated sheet.

We waited for a while before a waitress approached us. The waitress was very slow, which was surprising since we saw two other waitresses around (not including the runners for the food). The time to receiving our food was very quick, but all other waitress interaction was sparse at best. (We passed on dessert because of a nearly 15min delay in bringing out the dessert tray).

Everyone in the group enjoyed their food. I got the sirloin steak, it was good (not amazing) but the size was smaller than I expected about 6-7oz. At first I thought they sent out the filet on accident. The asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes were very tasteful. I would say the food was decent for the price they charge.

I know what they offer now, and I doubt I'll go back. I'd rather spend the same somewhere else where the service is better.

Another Vote for Roma Bakery. They are right on 202 near 73 (next door to Trinacria next to Lai Lai). Tiny little place but their cakes and cookies are fantastic. I will admit they are a bit pricey but worth every penny. We use them for all our major family get-together's.

I realize this is old, but Cravings moved near the Pennbrook train station. I ate there about a month ago with my family and everyone truly enjoyed their food. I would recommend a visit.

My two experiences at Ted's Montana Grill were very good. This is in the Warrington / Willow Grove area location. I have to say the burgers were great and very juicy. Luckily each time we've eaten there it was for lunch during the week so the it was not very crowded.

I've eaten at a majority of the restaurants mentioned already, My Opinion:
- San Marco : Overpriced and the food I had was average, my wife did enjoy her food.
- Trinacria : Also overpriced and ok food and not such great service
- Bucca De Beppo : Chain restaurant and average at best.
- Maggianos : Even though it's a chain I actually enjoy a few of the dishes
- La Campagnola : Overly garlic

And the best in my opinion, Ristorante Castello. I ate there because of all the recommendations on chowhound and everytime I've really enjoyed the food.
This past weekend we ate at the new Cravings Cafe (not sure if it's considered italian) but everyone really enjoyed their food.

I've had great experiences at Tamarindo's too and the free margaritas are also very nice. Another option might be a Hibachi place, with 15 people you would probably need two tables, but it's always a fun and lively atmosphere. There is a Hibachi right off 202 in Devon/Berwyn area and there is Kobe Japanese Restaurant that is in the Hilton (recently changed to another hotel, not sure if the restaurant was effected) right on 202.

Interesting timing. We were going to Ravenna for the first time yesterday (Tuesday) and to our surprise we show up and it's closed, no sign, no note, and nobody inside the entire building. Not a very good first impression, especially since their website and answering machine both state hours for dinner on Tuesday.

What area are you looking for?

I would have to amend my previous comments. I ate there once over the holidays and I have to say it has gone downhill in my opinion. Maybe it's the little things, but the first two times I ate there, I didn't remember using cheap, paper napkins, which were on every table on my third trip.

Out of the five of us out to eat, only two of us had good food with proper portions. I'm not sure how you justify a sea scallop appetizer that contains only one medium size scallop and then a sea scallop entree with four small scallops that costs $24. My one friend commented that her fish tasted like cleaning solution and the others who tried it agreed.

I will say that the Hanger steak I got again was very good and in proper portions for the cost. The atmosphere and style of the restaurant are very appealing, but I was disappointed to recommend this restaurant to friends and then have such a lacking experience.

Need to try both Ravenna and Basta Pasta, I hear so many great things about these places.

If I want better food I hit Tamarindo's (Broad Axe), La Campagnola (Lansdale), or Abacus (Lansdale). For something quick: Houlihans, PJ Whelihans, Bacco.

I've been to Alma De Cuba twice (once was me and my SO, another time was a group of four) and both times everything was excellent. The last time I went in the group was after seeing Cirque Du Soleil, so not too long ago. I don't remember what everyone else had, but the Vaca Frita (Fried Cow) was very good and everyone else at the table enjoyed the Ceviche. I will say that the Tres Leches we had for desert was decent, but I've had better elsewhere.

The service was decent but not as attentive as one would expect in a higher class restaurant. The style and decor were very interesting and appealing, but it was very loud and I felt like I spent the entire night yelling across the table. All-in-all I would say I had positive experience and would eat there again.

I would agree with AmblerGirl, Not sure that San Marco would be considered a reasonable priced restaurant and the staff does have a hint of arrogance. And JB Dawson's is just like a Houlihans or other nicer chain restaurant.

Not to far from Ambler I would recommend: Tamarindo's for Mexican; it's BYOB and they offer Free margaritas. Ravenna in Center Square for Italian. And I've heard good things about Bourbon in Blue Bell, but I still haven't had the chance to try it out.

It depends on the level of Mexican food. I ate at Los Archos back in August and the food was good, but I don't remember it being amazing. It was very small inside and the style of the restaurant was very low end (similar to a pizza shop, so don't expect fine dining).
I would say that Michoacana had a similar level of food as Los Archos (at least last time I ate there back in early summer), but their dining area was nicer.

But for higher end mexican I would HIGHLY recommend Tamarindos in Ambler. The food there is excellent (obviously more expensive dishes in the 17-25 range) and who can resist BYOB with free margaritas? I also like El Sarape, but the food wasn't as good as Tamarindos and our bill was always higher.

I did not have a good experience at Coyote Crossing in Conshocken. My food was very plain tasting, but my girlfriend enjoyed her entree. It was also very expensive (food and drink), but I will say that their outside seating section is very very nice.

I would NOT recommend El Cancun in the Shopping center at 202 and Germantown. You get big portions, but everything was very bland.

I have now been to Blue Sky twice with my girlfriend and both times the food was excellent. Both times we ate there, they were still remodeling the front, so we were pleasantly surprised when we saw the inside. The decor was very nice and I enjoyed the style and layout.

Both times I got steak, the hanger steak (A+) and I believe it was called the cowboy steak (solid B). The sides were very good and well seasoned. I also remember greatly enjoying the chicken chili appetizer. My girlfriend got seafood both times and remarked on how much she liked everything (I can't remember what she had). We were too full to try the desert, so I can't comment.

I will say that the first time, the service was very good. Our waiter was very attentive, polite, and checked on us frequently. But the second time, our waitress wasn't as good. She was OK, but took a while to get drinks/refills and didn't seem to be as familiar with the menu.

Living around the area and enjoying the food very much, I plan on eating there again.