The Roosevelt — Restaurant in East Rutherford

We absolutely plan on going back-- this is our nit-picky review with suggestions. It was our anniversary and they gave us a dessert on the house of our selection. That was very personal and nice. The tiramisu was really delicious.

Ambiance: Beautifully designed bar and speakeasy. We loved the feeling of those two spaces. We ate in the back room and it was far less of a "vibe" in comparison. It was nice but it lacked the feeling of the overall concept of the restaurant. If we went back, we'd eat either in the bar or speakeasy. Backroom would be nice for a party and maybe that's why it is the way it is. There was a cute nook back there for a larger party.

Cocktails: They were good, they were balanced, but not terribly creative. For a bar focused on prohibition we felt they could have had a more creative and extensive cocktail menu-- especially in the speakeasy-- with some reinventions of classics during that time OR straight classics. (though you can order classics, e.g. gin martini etc.)

Beer: Beer selection could be stronger. We would like to see more local NJ breweries on the menu. :-)

Food: Upscale bar food, appetizers are suited better for about 4 people rather than two (just as a heads up). There was no light fare on the menu besides salads. It was very bread-heavy. I would have loved to see some more inventive salads--that was maybe a-little too old bar food for me personally.

That said... the pretzel was delicious and buttery. The oysters were fresh. We did the dry-aged steak for dinner-- it had a good crust on it, both were a bit under for what we asked, we didn't really mind, but if you do... the medium was medium rare, the medium rare was black and blue. The sides and the broccoli puree under the steak were also great! I really enjoyed the roasted broccoli.

Service: Our service was fine. We realized he had tables in the bar area and in the back that are really spread out. So he was running around the whole restaurant. The servers don't seem to work in sections and I think that is on the restaurant, not the server. Their service would be greatly improved if they changed this.

Would change my review to 5 stars if the cocktail and beer menu was...

I recently (12/16/23) celebrated my birthday at The Roosevelt's "Lucy's Parlor" Speakeasy - what an incredible experience! I can't stop raving about the exceptional service. From booking with Keith, he helped selecting my menu ensuring that my favorite items were included, to planning layout and logistics with Alejandra, to the set up and day of execution with Soraya (and Alejandra) - they absolutely went above and beyond, ensuring every moment was perfect from start to finish. Their attentiveness and pleasant demeanor added a personal touch and helped make my celebration extra special. I need to add that Alejandra and Soraya are an absolute blast! These 2 ladies are so fun to work with!

The food was a highlight, from the first bite to the last, it was a culinary journey of delight. And let me tell you about the drinks – top-shelf quality that elevated the entire experience for my guests. Bartender Brian was the absolute bonus - an expert mixologist!

Beyond the fantastic service and exquisite food, The Roosevelt itself is a gem. The ambiance was enchanting, creating the perfect backdrop for my memorable celebration. It's not just a venue; it's definitely an experience.

Kudos and many thanks to The Roosevelt and their entire staff for making my birthday celebration unforgettable. If you're looking for a place where every detail is taken care of with a touch of excellence, The Roosevelt is an absolute gem. I can't recommend it enough! My guests are still raving about the space, the food, the...

My girl and I went there for a nice evening out and I have mixed reviews. The front of the restaurant is very nice, beautiful bar area. The back of the restaurant is kind of bland, decoration-wise. There was a group there that was so loud that it made it hard to enjoy our night out and nobody on the staff did anything about it. The burger looks just like it did in the pictures, very nicely cooked too, just not blown away by the choice of arugula on the burger instead of a crispy lettuce of some kind. The fries were awesome, high marks there. Also, the chicken and waffles alone are worth repeated visits. The waffle is crispy and buttery, truly delicious. The wings are the best I’ve ever had. Sticky, charred, and juicy on the inside plus the flavor is amazing. Avoid the skirt steak! They pre-slice it for you like you’re a child, I got mine undercooked and cold (another review said the same thing), plus the chimichurri sauce is dark, bitter, and just all wrong. The worst I’ve seen and tasted. We also ordered gelato and sorbet. The mint leaf that was placed on my sorbet had yellow on it, which is bad. I ignored it, but then I encountered the next problem. They must have served both frozen desserts on hot plates, because they both melted super fast, didn’t make sense. I’m going back because I gotta check out the speakeasy AND get those wings again….but just the wings. Add a beer, a cocktail, and a couple of sodas and we paid $150 including %20 tip. I was upset, imagine paying $150 for...