Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in Red Bank

This is my new favorite restaurant. Love the charming rustic decor. I feel like we’re in the Pennsylvania countryside when we’re here. The service is phenomenal, the server and the support staff are there whenever you need them. Very friendly and attentive. Now, the food. Absolutely delicious. Best rice balls ever. Honestly, I never liked rice balls until these. Crispy, cheesy delicious! All the salads are exquisitely composed. The way the greens are sliced and perfectly dressed. We had the tricolore with roasted butternut squash (finely chopped) with crispy shallots and cider vinaigrette. I’d had the halibut with lobster cream sauce and lump crab last week, which was a large fresh piece of flaky moist fish. Someone at the next table had the shrimp scampi and I already knew I had to try it this time. It was without question, not even close, the best shrimp scampi of my 50 years. The sauce was the perfect combo of wine lemon and butter. The shrimp were cooked perfectly with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Oh, the Brussel sprouts side is also a standout. Dessert, don’t bother looking at the menu- just get the graham cracker gelato with a cappuccino, You’ll thank me later; I promise.

Delicious food, excellent service!! A gem of a restaurant!

Yet again another great Blu Grotto experience! Entrees veal chop Milanese ( perfectly cooked and huge) and special ink squid pasta with assorted seafood ( clams, mussels, calamari and lobster chunks- in a wonderful seafood broth. Amazing. Dessert shared hazelnut torta caprese- dreamy. We love Blu Grotto! Great wines by the glass ! Great service.

Gorgeous setting. We had river views in summer there are outside tables. A stylish restaurant with a central bar area. The food was fast and delicious and had a great vegetarian selection. About 5mins walk from York Street. Really can’t recommend this place enough.

Semolina is always our first choice when we come back to NJ. As usual is was phenomenal!!! The coffee crusted venison carpaccio was tender and delicious. I had the squash angolotti that were plump and the creamy sauce has just enough truffle and pepper notes. My husband had the spicy octopus ragú and it was light and flavorful. Finished the night with a hefty pot de crème that was perfection. Trish was out server and she was attentive, witty and efficient as the dining room was filling up punctuated by Bryson and Jillian who made sure we had everything we needed. once again walked away full and happy!