Charkol — Restaurant in Freehold

This restaurant was recommended to me by a coworker as one of the best meals she had ever had.

As a result, I made a reservation for dinner for my husbands birthday which was 7/29.

When we arrived and were seated, the temperature in the restaurant felt balmy and not cool so we asked the server if we could move to a cooler area. He said, there is no cooler area since the air conditioning isn't working in the entire restaurant. We were astonished! With a reservation, did the restaurant have my contact information to make me aware of this issue and ask if we would like to cancel and reschedule? I asked the server how he was dealing with the heat in the restaurant and he said, "I need the money and I am here 4 hours a day so I just deal with it."

At that point we should have left but since it was a special occasion and already dinner time, we stayed and ordered our food. We had brought a bottle of wine which the server offered to open and proceeded to push the cork into the bottle. He said, "That will happen with a 15 year old bottle of wine." He poured a tasting amount into a glass and i offered it to my husband and the server said, "If you don't like it, it's not like we are going to take it back."

We proceeded to order the wedge salad to share as an appetizer and asked if the kitchen could chop the salad. The server said, "No. I am just telling you what the kitchen will and won't do." This was also surprising. When the salad was served, it was in fact chopped and the server said, "Just because the kitchen doesn't do it, doesn't mean I can't do it." He could have mentioned that when we asked, instead of just saying, no.

Our food was served and fruit flies in the restaurant circled and landed on our side dishes of the brussel sprouts and mac & cheese. It was so bad, we had to cover the food with napkins.

At this point, we were sweating from the heat. When the server brought the dessert menu, I asked if i could get a latte to go. Obviously it was to hot to drink in the restaurant. The server again said, "No. we don't have any "to go" cups." I said, OK, and he replied, I can put in a different kind of to go container but it won't be a cup. I said that would be fine.

The check was over $150.00 and I must say, it was one of the worst service experiences I have ever had at a restaurant. When we were leaving, we wanted to ask the hostess how long the air conditioning had not been working but there was nobody at the hostess stand or front door as we left and our server already seemed to be removing his apron to go home.

We were at Table 12 and our server, according to the check, was Jeffery. I would appreciate a refund for this beyond disappointing and uncomfortable...

I just had the absolute pleasure of being served by Nick during my recent dining experience, and I must say, he truly exemplified the epitome of exceptional service. From the moment we were seated until the very end of our meal, Nick's attentiveness and professionalism were second to none. His warm and welcoming smile instantly put us at ease, and his genuine enthusiasm for his job was truly infectious.

Nick's knowledge of the menu was remarkable. He effortlessly guided us through the extensive selection, offering insightful recommendations and expertly answering our questions. His passion for the culinary arts shone through as he eloquently described each dish, leaving us salivating with anticipation. He was attentive to our dietary preferences and ensured that our meal was customized to perfection.

What truly set Nick apart was his impeccable timing. He seemed to have an innate ability to anticipate our needs, discreetly appearing whenever we required assistance, yet never intruding upon our conversation or dining experience. His efficiency and precision in delivering our orders were admirable, leaving us impressed by his seamless coordination with the kitchen staff.

Furthermore, Nick's charismatic personality and genuine interest in his customers made the entire evening truly memorable. He engaged us in delightful conversation, sharing interesting anecdotes and making us feel like valued guests. His genuine warmth and sincerity created a welcoming atmosphere that enhanced our overall dining experience.

In addition to his exceptional service, Nick's attention to detail was truly commendable. Our table was impeccably set, and he ensured that our glasses were consistently refilled and our dining area remained neat and tidy throughout the evening. His dedication to maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and presentation further emphasized his commitment to providing a flawless dining experience.

In conclusion, Nick's outstanding service truly elevated our dining experience to another level. His unwavering professionalism, knowledge, impeccable timing, and warm personality combined to create a five-star experience that exceeded our expectations. He is a true asset to the restaurant, and I would highly recommend seeking out his exceptional service to anyone looking for an unforgettable...

Update 4/30/2025 We tried again. Arrived at 6:10 pm, seated at the end of a wind tunnel, ordered promptly. Way too much truffle oil on the 2 apps, steaks got there eventually (65 minutes) asked for medium and they were very rare. Waiter forgot to get drinks, forgot a side, and the worst part was it was very expensive. If you want to charge that much, 1) get a liquor license. 2) be on point. We won’t be back. 3 strikes!! Staff seemed overwhelmed.

Update 2/2024 Seems like lunch is a bad time to go? The waiter was very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately the kitchen did not seem to understand how to cook anything in the burger came out raw and the flay came out underdone as well. They tried to correct the burger by taking the entire thing, bun and all and sticking it back in the broiler which resulted in a charred bun and slightly more done burger. The waiter seemed embarrassed but not able to resolve any of it. The rest of the meal was OK but the entire restaurant was ice cold like a door was wide open and a strong breeze was coming by the table the entire time. At one point the entire restaurant then smelled like cigarettes smoke so I’m assuming that the kitchen door is being left open and people smoke directly outside of it. Great job making the customers feel appreciated. With the prices as high as they are, I would expect it much higher quality overall. Having a bar in house would be spectacular. At this point we do not plan on going back.

Amazing location within walking distance of so much. Lots of township parking by you will need to pay. The restaurant is modern and loud. Lots of interesting lighting. Everything seems new and fresh, well kept and clean. The hostess team could use some attention to detail training. The food was good, pizza was decent pizza, and the main course took longer than expected. Not having a bar was a huge letdown though. There was a decent variety of options including...