The Clinton House — Restaurant in Clinton

Dined here this evening for my wife’s birthday, which we often do. They have dishes that are a bit overpriced for what it is and others that are more economically priced. Special occasions like this, we splurge a little. Service was excellent. Our soup was out in 5 minutes and our entrees were out in 20 minutes. There was no lobster in the lobster bisque soup, but it was good. I ordered the 22 ounce Rib eye for $85. I’ve had $80 rib eyes before…this wasn’t one of them. It looked more like 16 ounces and should have probably been $45-$50. It was a perfect medium rare and good tasting. I’m familiar with the food here, so I wasn’t surprised nor disappointed. I expected this actually and it’s fine for this establishment. The beef Wellington I had last year was good, just small in comparison to others I’ve had. My wife had the “rack of lamb” which is actually 3 small lamb chops. It’s not a rack of lamb by any stretch of the imagination. The entrees are À la carte, so you’ll have to order any of the inexpensive sides. I had the brussel sprouts with bacon which were really good. My wife had broccoli au gratin which was soupy but just ok. Total bill for 2, soup, sides, rib eye, lamb chops, 2 cocktails, soda, and one tiramisu was $265. $315 with the tip. Yes, high price for 2 people, but so what. But it’s my wife’s 50th birthday who also has stage 4 cancer. Life is short and we need to cherish these times together. We like the Clinton House. The atmosphere is charming and the people are very nice. Service is excellent.

On one negative note… not that I totally expected it. In finer restaurants I’ve been to, it has been typical to give a free dessert on a birthday, especially a big one. After spending a few hundred dollars on dinner, you would think they would throw in an inexpensive dessert like the one we had. They put a sparkler in it and wrote happy birthday, so they did set it up that way. Again, didn’t expect it but after we left I thought about it. Not a good customer service move, but that how this place is…and why we only come once or...

If I could give a lower rating, I would. We went to celebrate my brother’s birthday on a Sunday with a 5:30pm reservation. Upon being seated, I said hello to the server and asked how he was, he replied “Crazy,” with a groan. When our entire party was seated and our drink orders taken, it was another good 25 - 30 min for our drinks to arrive. Once the first round of water was gone, it wasn’t refilled until 1 1/2 hours later….the same time our entrées were served. My steak came out on a warmish plate with ice cold butter on top of it. All of the entrées were room temperature to cold. None of it was worth the price. The waitstaff ranged from a few who cared but were contending with horrible management and an even worse kitchen staff to people who actively didn’t care. Another table of two was sat in our empty dining room and was left waiting for their water for @ 20 min. It was around then that the bartender said to their server, “You know that’s your table, right?” I sent back my dish being disgusted by it coming out ice cold, the wait and the lack of concern about our experience and it was brought back in a “to go” container and told it was taken off the check, which was supposed to be split but never was. I left the entire entree behind. I even offered it to the table of two who were STILL WAITING for any food to be served to them. I have extensive experience in the service industry and am very forgiving. This place should be avoided at all costs. When the staff seems most practiced on how to comp parts of the check over getting the ordered food actually served, get out while you can. Our server was no where to be found most of the time and didn’t even apologize or explain why it took over and hour and a half to be served…and only after we complained twice. It was the worst dining experience I’ve had in recent memory. DO NOT BELIEVE THE 5 STAR REVIEWS. There is no way they are true when we experienced what we did. And the waitstaff seemed to be used to things failing instead of tonight being...

Just had another incredible dining experience at The Clinton House! I’ve been going here for over 50 years and it just continues to get better and better! The menu choices are outstanding, and the presentation of each dish is always impeccable. The prime rib, available from Friday to Sunday, is the best anywhere—bring your appetite for the King cut!. The traditional beef Wellington would even humble Gordon Ramsey😂 , with tender beef and flaky pastry that melts in your mouth. Always a go to choice for me on mid-week indulgences. The appetizers, like the burrata and crab cocktail, are absolutely delicious and a perfect way to start the meal. Equally impressive to me is what some might consider the vegetarian option - the eggplant rollatini is bursting with rich and creamy flavor. While I am by no means a vegetarian, I often share this main course as an appetizer (that’s a lie😳 - I don’t share it😜) Whether you're a vegetarian or not, their eggplant rollatini is an absolute must-try.

Aside from the amazing food, the Clinton House has a rich history dating back to the 1700s, giving the whole experience a sense of rustic charm, tradition, and heritage. The atmosphere at The Clinton House is warm and inviting, thanks in part to the cozy fireplace that adds a touch of charm and warmth to the dining area. It's the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a delicious meal. Not to be outdone by the food, the staff always provides top-notch, friendly and attentive service, making you feel right at home. At the risk of making the fine dining establishment even harder to get into, I highly recommend dining here for one of the best restaurant experiences New Jersey has to offer! FYI, I am genuinely only a customer, But feel this restaurant deserves all the praise...