Europa Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Elizabeth

We were a party of 2 and I'm not sure if it's standard practice here to include a mandatory tip for such a small party. This is what happened to us and i felt like we were targeted because I was dressed down in a nice restaurant on a weekday. Maybe I'm wrong and that's how they are doing things during covid so their workers are paid better. I didn't notice if the menu said the tip was automatically included. The experience makes me feel like the server thought we were not going to tip well after spending almost $100 on lunch. I always tip 20% so he probably lost out on an extra $2 tip. We didnt have any discount coupons for this restaurant as other reviews mentioned

If the restaurant responds letting me know this mandatory tip is standard practice for small groups then I'll edit my review. It was our first time there as we trying to experience more of the local restaurants but it's extremely rare in my experience as a local guide to have the tip already included for only 2 people. The only time this has been the case for me (in a few other restaurants) is when there's some kind of coupon or daily special and they'll add the tip based on the full price of the meal.

The food itself was delicious. I had the seafood (paella) with safron rice and my wife had the Chicken Alfredo. Both dishes were really good. I also had 2 cups of sangria.

The server was attentive though he spoke more direct instead of being friendly.

There's only street parking though my wife and I were able to both park without trouble about 1/2 a block away on the...

We were visiting from out of town and read all the positive reviews on this restaurant and decided to give it a try. Overall we were not impressed. From the moment we walked in there was a bad smell in the front of the restaurant. We ordered the red sangria since so many people commented it was a must do. I thought it tasted like children’s cough syrup but my husband liked it. There was not a cocktail menu but they boosted a full bar and wine list was very limited. The bartender had limited knowledge of cocktails. The server brought us hard bread and the butter cups were frozen solid. We ordered calamari as an appetizer. We enjoyed the dipping sauce and it was lightly battered however it was very rubbery. Sadly our salads (house and Caesar) were probably the best part of the meal. My husband ordered chicken Alfredo and said the sauce had good flavor however the chicken tasted frozen and reheated. I ordered the mixed seafood pasta. The sauce was tasty and plenty of seafood, but poor quality pieces. Our server Sandra warmed up and was funny at the end. They have a good menu but poor execution of presentation. I would not...

My fiancé and I have been coming to Europa Bar & Restaurant ever since we discovered it. And so have dozens of regulars who we have met over the years who dine here several times a week or more. And there is a good reason why. The food is always delicious and prepared well. The service is friendly and attentive. I would have to stay the cuisine is authentic Portuguese, as the owner and many of the diners are Portuguese. The sangria is among the best we’ve tried anywhere. Paul, the owner, is a gracious and efficient host. One can sit at a table and have an intimate meal, or sit at the bar and watch one of several hi-deftvs, or enjoy a convivial conversation with the patrons. My fiancé recently planned a party of 34 people for me which was set up in the back dining room. (There are several dining areas plus the bar.) The table layout was beautiful. All 34 people commented on the quality and abundance of the food. The wait staff was excellent. What more can be said? This is...