STRADA — Restaurant in Atlantic Highlands

Went there on a Friday night. Very busy but service was very good, although we felt a bit rushed. Had an old fashioned which was very delicious. Arugula salad was ok but topped with way too much cheese. My wife had tuna, which she enjoyed but didn't finish. I had a bite and it tasted like they put too much pepper on it. She didn't mind. I had the rigatoni vodka sauce. I was told that they had big portions (by our server) but they are not. It was served in a tiny half bowl. When it came out it was luke warm, like it was sitting on the heating lamp for several minutes. The dish itself was very good, just wish it was warmer and a larger portion. Between two drinks, bottle of wine, salad and two entrees it was well over $200, including tip. Also, for some reason that charge a $3 service fee for opening a bottle of wine. And the wine bottle was a screw off! And that doesn't go to the server. It's a restaurant charge. Kinda ridiculous. Never seen that before. Hopefully they add a few more items to the menu. If you don't get pizza, there's really not many other options. I cook often and hardly go out to eat because I'm constantly disappointed. I like going out to eat somewhere that can make something better than I can. That's at least my goal. Strata is most likely a one-and-done for me...

Owner is a nasty, bitter, horrible person. She deserves to have her restaurant shut down for how she treats customers. We walked in and we’re sat at bar tables. I asked politely if we can be seated at a normal low table and she proceeded to say that the bar top table was a regalar table and that if I wanted to leave I can. I walked away and she followed me, tapped me and told me to leave if I don’t like my table. That is not a way to talk to customers I simply asked for a different table. She was clearly ready to fight from the moment we walked in. Terrible hospitality would never return or recommend. Additionally, restaurant looked dirty and unsanitary.

Edit in response to owner: we were given NO options. And the only one who was rude and argumentative was you. It was clear you were being discriminatory from the start and based off many other reviewers I see here and other places of you and your restaurant, it seems this is a regular issue for you. I am clearly not the only one who feels this way or had this experience at your restaurant. No need to worry- I will definitely never be coming back. Treating customers with respect and kindness is clearly...

Stopped in for a quick bite and drinks . The restaurant was empty. It was maybe two or three tables taken. There were two people at the bar. The owner approached us and asked if we had a reservation. I stated no. She said, then you can sit outside or at the bar. With a nasty tone btw . I don’t know who these people think they are but they make you feel very uncomfortable unless you’re a regular. It’s a pizza place with overpriced drinks calm down . We waited over one hour for a margarita pizza. The people to our left, and to the right of us at the bar received their pizzas before us, and they sat down after us, but they were regulars. The nasty bartender only speaks to regulars. He has the personality of a pencil. He asked us if we wanted to eat. I said yes we’re going to split a pizza because we weren’t that hungry. I ordered a beer and we got a bottle of water. And from that point, he judged us the entire time. If I wanted to drop $300 at a pizza place I can but at this moment I just wanted to split a pizza and grab a beer. Super pretentious, overrated...