Charlies of Bay Head — Restaurant in Bay Head

In interest of being as fair as possible, we are going to leave you two stars instead of the one we initially wanted to. Being two hard working individuals that work in your industry, we rarely get time to go enjoy ourselves. However, we were able to get off of work earlier than usual and wanted to enjoy an experience that was highly recommended. Although there are many other surrounding restaurants we could have chosen we were excited to dine there finally. Here is why we are leaving this negative review, I believe you could grow from this experience.

We made a 9:00 P.M. reservation but got held up at work which often happens in the restaurant business. We called to let the restaurant know we were running late and they said no problem as long as our food was in by 9:30 P.M. and ensured us that there was nothing to worry about. They seemed very accommodating in the beginning. They then called us when we were en route just to be sure again that we were coming and we assured them we would arrive shortly and also assured them we would order right away and be out of their hair. We would never want to hold up a restaurant. The hours said 10:30 P.M. on their site and on google it says 10:00 P.M. Again they said there was no problem.

We arrived at 9:23 P.M. and as soon as we walked in I have never felt more unwelcome and it was very disheartening. We walked up to the hostess desk and I simply said hello and the woman said nothing at all and had a scowl on her face that sucked the enjoyment right out of us. Not only was this happening right before our eyes but still no hello or any acknowledgment as we stood there feeling uncomfortable. There were five other employees behind the bar cleaning that all stopped cleaning and were staring at us in disgust as well. The hostess still silent is only talking into her headphone and we were left staring around and helpless. It began to get very awkward very quickly and we knew we were not wanted there. I then said you know what this is just weird and I feel uncomfortable just forget about seating us. Still no words out of the hostess until we had our feet out the door and then we heard her say you sure?

We would never let that happen in establishments we manage at. I would never let a customer walk out of that door especially when our kitchen is open until a specific time. That is just bad business and not to mention left a very sour taste in both of our mouths. During these difficult post pandemic times, what business can afford to lose new guests? When a simply greeting, smile, or explanation would have left us happy. If the hostess communicated that the kitchen was closed we would have left and been understanding. Instead we got stared at for 30 seconds by your staff in silence. We came to spend money in your building but instead we found another local restaurant that was very accommodating and we will return with friends and family.

We wish you the best of luck...

Where to start...we booked a party bc the venue was beautiful and the food was pretty good the 2x we dined previously. Jennifer, the assistant manager AND event coordinator was by far the worst person I’ve ever worked with for an event. Getting her on the phone was close to impossible. I would email her on Thursday, 5 days later she still wouldn’t have gotten back to me...I’d have to call her again. She said 2 weeks before the event we would review the menu and seating. 4 days before the event I was the one calling her! 2 days before the event, she changed my seating, I had to rearrange tables for 82 people, because she changed the tables from 6-7 people, which was previously discussed, to tables of 6 and tables of 8. Speaking of 82 people...the room capacity was 75, she accommodated our 82 people, however required us to have a buffet instead of a sit down dinner...FOR 7 MORE PEOPLE!!! I expressed my concern of too much traffic in the room, but for $10 more a head she insisted, because the kitchen couldn’t push out more than 75 meals...because 7 more really would have made a difference. They obviously have a lot of faith in their kitchen staff. It was pure chaos! Our event was from 530-930pm. At 5:20, people started coming off the elevator, with drinks in their hands. When I asked my guests, they said they held them downstairs at the bar, Some people knew to go right to the 3rd floor, but when I asked my friends and family where they got their drinks, they said they were held at the bar because they weren’t allowing them upstairs. So in extremely poor taste, they had them purchase drinks at the bar and they refused to let them upstairs before 520pm. We chose to have a welcome platter of antipasto. When you say welcome platter, you would think that would be out while your guests are arriving. Nope, they put it out with our dinner buffet. So when the dish was empty and we requested more, they said they weren’t sure if they had enough, but would see if they could make a smaller one...had this been out when my guests arrived, this could have been avoided. So an additional $90 later, Which they charged to the final bill, and did not disclose until we saw it at the time of final payment, was the price we paid for their poor taste, and lack of knowledge on how to conduct business and put together a successful party. The whole time while planning my engagement party, I just couldn’t wait until it was over! The experience was beyond horrible. Although we previously dined and enjoyed the food, I will never return, nor will any of my 82 guests, and I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone ever again! They need to hire someone specifically for events, and someone who understands the importance of customer...

First, let me start by saying I LOVE this restaurant. The food and the ambiance are incredible. The issue I have had twice is with the staff. I normally do not write reviews but the past two experiences I have had here deserve a review.

I came here in July to celebrate my friends surprise birthday lunch. I came inside before everyone got there, said hello to the host and told her I had some balloons, cupcakes and things and asked if she'd be able to hold onto them for me before the reservation. She stared at me like I was crazy and said "uh, sure." As if it was an inconvenience. I then asked if any bus boy or staff member would be able to help me grab the stuff from my car that was parked in the front, since I would have to take atleast 3 trips because I was by myself. The host has no idea what to say, looks at a male manager and asks "can someone help her?" The older male manager says "No, no staff is available right now". (The restaurant was empty) I said oh ok. After my second trip up the stairs he says to me "We have an elevator, if that helps." Like seriously? I used to work in a restaurant for years and the staff I worked with would drop anything to help customers. I guess this place isn't like that. This put such a bad taste in my mouth.

Fast forward to now, October. My birthday is next month. I call up to see if there is a open reservation for 11 people on a Saturday. The host who had no interest in helping me and must have been a teenager, told me there is not 1 available reservation that Saturday. I was so disappointed and said okay. I look on Resy.... (The largest reservation you can make on Resy is for 8 people) There was lunch and dinner reservations for 8 people AVAILABLE. How are all these time slots available for 8 people but not 11?! I then look for 7 people, 6 people, etc, and plenty of reservations were available. It was not making sense. I call back and finally speak to someone who knew what they were talking about. They have 1 available spot at 5:00pm, so I take it. The next day, I realized I have 2 more people. I was NERVOUS to even call back because of how difficult it is to speak to these hosts!!!! So I call, she tells me "no we cannot accommodate that for you." So I canceled my birthday dinner here, and I'll go somewhere that would be happy to take my reservation.

I love this restaurant so much. I wonder if the owners know how the staff treats guests. It's a shame! And I see a review from 5 days ago with a similar experience. It must happen often. They're missing out on business because the hosts just...