Really enjoyed my time here. Came out to dinner for my mother’s birthday with her husband and spent about $242. We were serviced by Mike who was excellent and knowledgeable. We were also greeted by the owner’s son.We ordered the Clam Chowder soup, Mahi Mahi(special), Filet Mignon and Duck Breast meals and a bottle of their red wine. Portions were great, flavors were wonderful and overall experience was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
AX IT
Servicw was great. Ambiance iffy dependent on seating. Food is served in good portions and entered above average but nothing notable. Mussel appetizer unimpressive. Three stars for the price point on the food, far too expensive for what it is
I'm a frequent loyal customer to Scarborough Fare, however though food was very good service was neglected! Menus given out & specials announced. We ordered a bottle of wine with our dinner sekections. The food icsme out 1st & had to send back as bread, wine not served initially. Truly placed a damper on the dinibg experience which is costly to begin with...?
Tracy Zarriello
Title: A Disconcerting Experience at Scarborough Fair: Navigating Beauty, Beast, Babies, and the RampOur recent journey through Scarborough Fair in Spring Lake, NJ, turned into a disconcerting tale, emphasizing beauty, beastly behavior, baby challenges, and the ramp issue. Despite the venue's potential charm, the staff's rudeness cast a shadow over the atmosphere, creating a less-than-ideal ambiance.In this dining fairy tale, accommodating babies posed an additional challenge, exacerbated by the staff's unwelcoming demeanor and the pressure of a lunch menu nearing its end. The sole ramp into the bar area added an unexpected layer to the patrons' experience, as if it were their burden to bear.To add a further twist to our ordeal, my water arrived with floating food particles, introducing an unsettling element to an already challenging visit. Additionally, a peculiar discovery of yellow salad under the steak bites contributed to the overall discomfort.Scarborough Fair's potential for a delightful dining experience was marred not only by the beastly encounters of staff rudeness but also by the unexpected and unappetizing details that surfaced throughout our visit. The combination of these factors overshadowed what could have been a more enjoyable and satisfying dining affair.Kid-friendliness: Not welcomed obvious by staff huffing while seating
Service: 1
Raymond Starego
Extremely romantic beautiful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Citrus & Chipotle Braised Boneless Short Rib
Stacey
I would not recommend this restaurant. It's billed as a "romantic" place but is very loud and is has more of a bar atmosphere. There are lots of stairs and on the first few levels there were highly scented candles everywhere. If you have a sensitivity to smells, this is not your place. It was decorated with millions of tacky valentines day twinkling lights and decorations everywhere; literally everywhere they could place or hang soemthing, it had something. We made a reservation and we seated in the bar (for our "romantic dinner") The service was very good and the food was good. They do add unnecessary incredients and sauces to make the entree's sound interesting and more special than they are but the food overall was good. If you are looking for decent food in a bar atmosphere you might enjoy this place but if you are looking for a classy, upscale dinng experience, I would recommend taking a hard pass.
Matt Ross
2024 .. A year later and we are back for my birthday again!Again, Valentine's Day decorations are still up and look amazing.This time we had drunken mussels that were very good. The broth was so good, I brought it home. Will be adding some of my own shrimp and linguine to make great leftovers!Then I had an amazingly tender and tasty rib eye steak. It was served with truffle oil mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. Everything was delicious.Desert was crême brulée and an espresso martini. The pairing was amazing.The staff was very attentive, friendly and do their job wonderfully.2023 ..Decorations for Valentine's Day we're wonderful!Tuna tower was tender, fresh and brightened by little red peppers that were not hot.Clams with brussel sprouts and chunks of bacon in a wonderful sauce and crostinis was outstanding.Spare ribs were very tender and flavorful.A special was strip steak that was cooked to perfection in a light pepper sauce. It also had a very bright, lemony pesto that a great compliment.White chocolate creme brulee was very good. The top wasn't caramelized, but was topped with coconut and whipped cream.The wine list is very good and there are lots of house drinks and espresso martinis to try.The service was excellent (Thank you Ivan)Reservations are highly recommended.There is a Happy Hour at the bar with reduced prices drinks and a bar menu.Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian optionsWheelchair accessibility: Wheel chair access brings you into the side entrance at the bar with plenty of tables available beyond the bar
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve Skesavage
Went Saturday nite. It was packed. Service was good and the food is top notch.. had steaks. Very good. Going back..?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly T
Absolutely DELICIOUS! The appetizer to the dessert were so mouth watering. The decorations are beautiful. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angela Buquicchio
I hate posting a bad review but I had to. I had the rigatoni dish with cauliflower and chic peas. I just want to ask the chef how do you even send out a dish like this? Literally and I mean Literally not an ounce of flavor. It was pasta with water. No garlic, salt..nothing. I mean how do you screw that up? Terrible. Just infuriates me because how do they not know what they are putting out. Anyway maybe it was an off night.
Once you walk through the door and set your eyes on the decorations you know that next two hours will not disappoint. You are as they say not here for a meal but a wonderful experience.
MichaelP
SF never disappoints. Ambiance simply the best. Just magical and superbly decorated for Valentines Day. Service exceptional from our server Corrine to all other staff. Food delicious. Had the opportunity to meet owners son Elias. Great guy. If you haven't dined at SF suggest you get there to indulge in an extraordinary experience.
FranciR
My wife and I have been going to Scarborough for 5+ years and always try to make it there during Christmas and Valentines days for the decorations and ambience. And the food has always been outstanding. This time, however, the food was not good, my wife's seafood dish, Mariscada Salsa de Verde was bland and my ribeye steak , though a special, was way overpriced at $84! We were disappointed to say the least as we have recommended this restaurant to family and friends over and over again. We have had birthdays and family gatherings here for big announcements (engagements, births, etc.)...such a letdown this time around?
MatthewS
Our server Gabby was awesome. She was kind, happy to serve, and very attentive. The food was spectacular although the portion was a bit small for the scallops. However, there was a gaggle of obnoxious New Yorkers at the bar acting like they were at a bowling alley; very loud, using profanity, and blocking the way of servers and other customers. I expected this to be a classy restaurant given the atmosphere and the expense, but this was very off-putting. Please have management control the bar atmosphere. The dirty sweatshirts and jeans, obnoxious laughter, and crowding around dining tables would be acceptable for a dive bar, but definitely is not appropriate in the least for a restaurant of this caliber. I expect people to be showered, dressed appropriately, and polite at an upscale restaurant. Management needs to control the atmosphere if they want to keep it upscale.
Jane W
I am not sure what happened with the quality of food and service, but it’s not what it’s used to be. The ambiance and decorations are still very pretty, but can’t compensate for mediocre food and incompetent service. We went there for Valentine’s Day and were very excited to go to the most romantic restaurant. We were disappointed, the food was so mediocre, sea bass was not grilled as waitress mentioned but was steamed and had bones in there. The risotto was undercooked and the whole dish was smothered in sauce. The shrimp dish was something you can easily make at home and was OK, not worth the prices they charged. The bottle of wine we ordered was not in stock, we were told about it after we were almost done with dinner. The dessert that was printed on the menu was substituted with something else without our consent. When we asked the waitress about it she just said it was substituted in hopes we won’t notice. Wow. Then the bill came, the restaurant automatically added 22% gratuity even thought it was only 2 of us. We asked to see if it’s printed on the menu and it said automatic gratuity is added to party of 6 or more. Too many strikes for fine dining expensive restaurant. It will be a long while before we even consider going there again. Please get back to the level you were before, no excuse for mediocre food and service.
Really enjoyed my time here. Came out to dinner for my mother’s birthday with her husband and spent about $242. We were serviced by Mike who was excellent and knowledgeable. We were also greeted by the owner’s son.We ordered the Clam Chowder soup, Mahi Mahi(special), Filet Mignon and Duck Breast meals and a bottle of their red wine. Portions were great, flavors were wonderful and overall experience was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Servicw was great. Ambiance iffy dependent on seating. Food is served in good portions and entered above average but nothing notable. Mussel appetizer unimpressive. Three stars for the price point on the food, far too expensive for what it is
I'm a frequent loyal customer to Scarborough Fare, however though food was very good service was neglected! Menus given out & specials announced. We ordered a bottle of wine with our dinner sekections. The food icsme out 1st & had to send back as bread, wine not served initially. Truly placed a damper on the dinibg experience which is costly to begin with...?
Title: A Disconcerting Experience at Scarborough Fair: Navigating Beauty, Beast, Babies, and the RampOur recent journey through Scarborough Fair in Spring Lake, NJ, turned into a disconcerting tale, emphasizing beauty, beastly behavior, baby challenges, and the ramp issue. Despite the venue's potential charm, the staff's rudeness cast a shadow over the atmosphere, creating a less-than-ideal ambiance.In this dining fairy tale, accommodating babies posed an additional challenge, exacerbated by the staff's unwelcoming demeanor and the pressure of a lunch menu nearing its end. The sole ramp into the bar area added an unexpected layer to the patrons' experience, as if it were their burden to bear.To add a further twist to our ordeal, my water arrived with floating food particles, introducing an unsettling element to an already challenging visit. Additionally, a peculiar discovery of yellow salad under the steak bites contributed to the overall discomfort.Scarborough Fair's potential for a delightful dining experience was marred not only by the beastly encounters of staff rudeness but also by the unexpected and unappetizing details that surfaced throughout our visit. The combination of these factors overshadowed what could have been a more enjoyable and satisfying dining affair.Kid-friendliness: Not welcomed obvious by staff huffing while seating
Service: 1
Extremely romantic beautiful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Citrus & Chipotle Braised Boneless Short Rib
I would not recommend this restaurant. It's billed as a "romantic" place but is very loud and is has more of a bar atmosphere. There are lots of stairs and on the first few levels there were highly scented candles everywhere. If you have a sensitivity to smells, this is not your place. It was decorated with millions of tacky valentines day twinkling lights and decorations everywhere; literally everywhere they could place or hang soemthing, it had something. We made a reservation and we seated in the bar (for our "romantic dinner") The service was very good and the food was good. They do add unnecessary incredients and sauces to make the entree's sound interesting and more special than they are but the food overall was good. If you are looking for decent food in a bar atmosphere you might enjoy this place but if you are looking for a classy, upscale dinng experience, I would recommend taking a hard pass.
2024 .. A year later and we are back for my birthday again!Again, Valentine's Day decorations are still up and look amazing.This time we had drunken mussels that were very good. The broth was so good, I brought it home. Will be adding some of my own shrimp and linguine to make great leftovers!Then I had an amazingly tender and tasty rib eye steak. It was served with truffle oil mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. Everything was delicious.Desert was crême brulée and an espresso martini. The pairing was amazing.The staff was very attentive, friendly and do their job wonderfully.2023 ..Decorations for Valentine's Day we're wonderful!Tuna tower was tender, fresh and brightened by little red peppers that were not hot.Clams with brussel sprouts and chunks of bacon in a wonderful sauce and crostinis was outstanding.Spare ribs were very tender and flavorful.A special was strip steak that was cooked to perfection in a light pepper sauce. It also had a very bright, lemony pesto that a great compliment.White chocolate creme brulee was very good. The top wasn't caramelized, but was topped with coconut and whipped cream.The wine list is very good and there are lots of house drinks and espresso martinis to try.The service was excellent (Thank you Ivan)Reservations are highly recommended.There is a Happy Hour at the bar with reduced prices drinks and a bar menu.Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian optionsWheelchair accessibility: Wheel chair access brings you into the side entrance at the bar with plenty of tables available beyond the bar
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went Saturday nite. It was packed. Service was good and the food is top notch.. had steaks. Very good. Going back..?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely DELICIOUS! The appetizer to the dessert were so mouth watering. The decorations are beautiful. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I hate posting a bad review but I had to. I had the rigatoni dish with cauliflower and chic peas. I just want to ask the chef how do you even send out a dish like this? Literally and I mean Literally not an ounce of flavor. It was pasta with water. No garlic, salt..nothing. I mean how do you screw that up? Terrible. Just infuriates me because how do they not know what they are putting out. Anyway maybe it was an off night.
Restaurantji Recommends
Once you walk through the door and set your eyes on the decorations you know that next two hours will not disappoint. You are as they say not here for a meal but a wonderful experience.
SF never disappoints. Ambiance simply the best. Just magical and superbly decorated for Valentines Day. Service exceptional from our server Corrine to all other staff. Food delicious. Had the opportunity to meet owners son Elias. Great guy. If you haven't dined at SF suggest you get there to indulge in an extraordinary experience.
My wife and I have been going to Scarborough for 5+ years and always try to make it there during Christmas and Valentines days for the decorations and ambience. And the food has always been outstanding. This time, however, the food was not good, my wife's seafood dish, Mariscada Salsa de Verde was bland and my ribeye steak , though a special, was way overpriced at $84! We were disappointed to say the least as we have recommended this restaurant to family and friends over and over again. We have had birthdays and family gatherings here for big announcements (engagements, births, etc.)...such a letdown this time around?
Our server Gabby was awesome. She was kind, happy to serve, and very attentive. The food was spectacular although the portion was a bit small for the scallops. However, there was a gaggle of obnoxious New Yorkers at the bar acting like they were at a bowling alley; very loud, using profanity, and blocking the way of servers and other customers. I expected this to be a classy restaurant given the atmosphere and the expense, but this was very off-putting. Please have management control the bar atmosphere. The dirty sweatshirts and jeans, obnoxious laughter, and crowding around dining tables would be acceptable for a dive bar, but definitely is not appropriate in the least for a restaurant of this caliber. I expect people to be showered, dressed appropriately, and polite at an upscale restaurant. Management needs to control the atmosphere if they want to keep it upscale.
I am not sure what happened with the quality of food and service, but it’s not what it’s used to be. The ambiance and decorations are still very pretty, but can’t compensate for mediocre food and incompetent service. We went there for Valentine’s Day and were very excited to go to the most romantic restaurant. We were disappointed, the food was so mediocre, sea bass was not grilled as waitress mentioned but was steamed and had bones in there. The risotto was undercooked and the whole dish was smothered in sauce. The shrimp dish was something you can easily make at home and was OK, not worth the prices they charged. The bottle of wine we ordered was not in stock, we were told about it after we were almost done with dinner. The dessert that was printed on the menu was substituted with something else without our consent. When we asked the waitress about it she just said it was substituted in hopes we won’t notice. Wow. Then the bill came, the restaurant automatically added 22% gratuity even thought it was only 2 of us. We asked to see if it’s printed on the menu and it said automatic gratuity is added to party of 6 or more. Too many strikes for fine dining expensive restaurant. It will be a long while before we even consider going there again. Please get back to the level you were before, no excuse for mediocre food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 2