Dolce Fantasia 4 — Restaurant in Asbury Park

We were wandering around Asbury Park in December on a very cold windy afternoon , and we were just looking for a place to duck inside and have a nice hot cup of cappuccino and maybe something sweet.

We stumbled upon Dolce Fantasia, it's not on the main drag so we almost missed it.

The inside is decorated very kitschy eclectic with a sense of welcome. Bright yellow and black with great personality just starts you off in a happy mood.

And then it gets even better!

I have recently been told that I need to stay away from gluten, that eating it inflames my joints and inflicts pain. Do you know how hard that is to do when you have a massive sweet tooth?

The dessert menu had so many amazing choices that I could eat, I was so excited.

And then I met the pistachio crème brûlée. Seriously, this had to have been heaven sent. I have never had such a delicious, decadent dessert. If it wasn't so rude, I would've licked out the bowl.

We were telling friends of ours about this great little place we found and decided to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday dinner there on a Saturday night in the middle of January.

If I was impressed by the pistachio crème brûlée, everything we ordered was equally delicious and beautifully presented. They definitely do not skimp on quality and you leave there quite satisfied.

I'd say the worst part of the evening was trying to narrow down the choices, we sat there watching as the waiters delivered plates to other tables for inspiration, everything smelled and looked amazing and the people around us were really enjoying each dish. We actually struck up conversations with total strangers to find out if they recommended what they were eating.

Sadly, I had to narrow it down to just one appetizer, one main dish, and my beloved crème brûlée.

The crabcake appetizer was scrumptious with surprising flavors on the side. My lamb shank was fall off the bone tender and the accompanying risotto was really tastefully done.

The three other people I was with all ordered different dishes so we can taste test everything, and even the pickiest among us, Meat and Potatoes Bob, cleaned his entire plate.

Unfortunately, the rest of our birthdays are in August so we are brainstorming to find an excuse to come back before. I think if we went there more often, I would be extremely spoiled and not want to eat anywhere else.

So we're going to keep Dolce Fantasia as our special celebratory home and visit Chef John and his remarkably professional staff at the next possible excuse.... we missed everybody's half birthday so we'll have to wait for someone to share good news

I know I'm going to be very sorry for writing this review, it's going to make it harder to get a reservation, but Chef John deserves every...

Big thanks to John and his wife Bruna who make everything fresh daily from scratch! Alright, folks, buckle up because we're about to dive into the Dolce Fantasia restaurant located right in the heart of Asbury Park. Now, let me tell you, this place is nothing short of amazing. If you're looking for an Italian culinary experience that will leave you begging for more, then Dolce Fantasia is the place to be. First things first, let's talk about their homemade pasta. Holy moly! These guys really know how to make pasta that will blow your taste buds into another dimension. Each bite is packed with flavors that will transport you straight to the streets of Italy. From the delicate ravioli to the rich and hearty lasagna, their pasta dishes are a force to be reckoned with. But that's not all, folks. Dolce Fantasia also offers a brunch menu that will make your Sunday mornings truly exceptional. Picture this: chocolate croissants that melt in your mouth, leaving behind a divine cocoa goodness that lingers on your palate. And don't even get me started on their French toast. It's the kind of French toast that dreams are made of—perfectly golden and crispy on the outside, while fluffy and soaked with flavor on the inside. Now, let's talk about the savory options. Dolce Fantasia doesn't hold back when it comes to satisfying your taste buds. Their homemade sausage is a game-changer, bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. And if you're a mushroom lover, their mushroom frittata will have you doing a happy dance in your seat. Trust me, folks, every dish at Dolce Fantasia is a step above the previous one, making it nearly impossible to choose a favorite. But let's not forget the ambiance. As soon as you step into Dolce Fantasia, you'll be greeted with warm and inviting vibes that make you feel right at home. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about providing you with an exceptional dining experience. So, if you're looking for a restaurant that delivers on its promises and takes your taste buds on an unforgettable journey, Dolce Fantasia is the place to be. With their homemade pasta, delectable brunch menu, irresistible chocolate croissants, and the best French toast you've ever had, this place is a foodie's paradise. You won't be disappointed, my friends. Make your way to Dolce Fantasia and get ready to indulge in some seriously...

VERY disappointing for the price and the fact it was so many great reviews . I took four of us for dinner to celebrate a birthday. I will start with the fact that there were WAY to many specials. As our server perfectly put it " I have a laundry list of specials to tell you about tonight". Pistachio, truffles and cherry tomatoes seem to be a real favored ingredient on the menu. Eggplant appetizer that had almost no eggplant in it! Just cheese, sauce, and for some reason raw cherry tomatoes thrown in. Caesar Salad was underwelming and underdressed. Smoked tuna tartar appetizer was clearly plated well before we ever ordered it as the fish was stuck to the plate and the accompanying sauce was dried to the plate. I would not be surprised if it was from the day before since our reservation was for 5pm and the place had only 1 or 2 tables when we arrived. The tuna tartar and dessert were the worst the dishes. Mushroom risotto with truffle was way too salty and with way too much truffle oil. The pasta special of filet mignon and porcini mishroom sauce lacked flavor ( a little salt would have helped) and the filet was overcooked, dry and chewy. Branzino was cooked perfectly and the puntanesca type sauce with it was delicious. The gratin potatoes were just ok as they were not hot all the way through and slightly too salty. Lastly the pistachio cannoli was awful. Grainy/powdery over sweet filling that tasted nothing remotely close to cannoli cream. In fact it tasted exactly like matcha but not at all in a good way. I was so embarrassed by this meal as it was part of my gift to a family member for their birthday. Our server was very nice. The BYOB policy is always a plus, and the ascetic of the restaurant was cool. However, $250 for a dinner for 4 with zero alcohol and sub-par food is a crime. If I had been there just with my husband I would have gotten the check and left after the appetizers. However, I did not want to ruin a birthday by making an issue and finding dinner elsewhere. Especially since we had a time constraint due to having tickets to a show nearby. Try at your own risk. I can't fathom how they have such high reviews. It's either that people don't really know what good food tastes like or that we got them on a really bad night or with a new chef. Who knows, but I would not recommend and I would not return. Especially...