Summer and Autumn Brunch Cafe — Restaurant in Lodi

Let me start this review off by saying, go to this place right now before you have to stand in line to get a seat! This little place, on a little corner, in little Lodi NJ has a big personality and big promise.

I honestly didn't know what to expect when a friend invited me to eat Brunch there (I drove from NYC). It's only slightly off the beaten path but absolutely worth the trip. It's situated right on the corner of Summer and Autumn Streets. They have outdoor seating, indoor tables, as well as counter seats. It's all very quaint.

We brought a bottle of champagne. The server gladly sent us over a carafe of orange juice with champagne flutes. Everyone working there was pleasant, friendly, and welcoming.

They were happy to allow us time to enjoy our mimosas as we looked over the menu and chatted for a while. Oh, the menu...The menu is QR code scannable. I really wish more restaurants would do this in the semi post pandemic world that we now live in. With that said, I looked over the menu online before we arrived. I thought I knew what I wanted until I walked in and saw all of the amazing dishes on other tables. I settled on the Brunch Board and it's is too die for!!!!! It's an item that you can order for the table and then order other items as your main course. It's a must try. My friend ordered the Avocado Toast on some of the most amazing bread I have seen in well over a year. She relished every bite. I cannot wait to go back and sample every single item on the menu.

Atmosphere: we arrived shortly after they opened. There was some music in the background. There were a few occupied tables inside as well as outside. It didn't take long for this place to get hoping! They played great music which made us want to get up and dance (but we stayed in our seats and danced lol).

The kitchen is an open floor plan and it's immaculate. We thanked the chef and sous chef as we were leaving. While we were eating, the chef never looked up from his task of turning out great food in a timely matter but he welcomed our small interruption graciously.

Everybody there was having a fantastic time, clearly enjoying the food, and taking in all of this...

We came here thinking it would be a great spot but our experience was the opposite. The service is terrible. The staff doesn’t say anything or come to take your order until you go to the front and inquire and when you go and speak to them they are not nice and don’t not show any enthusiasm. We had asked for water and the lady who brought our food said they had no water (did not offer any options for bottle water either). I am not sure how a cafe would not have any water to serve. We ordered the Starvin Marvin on the menu. The food is overpriced and not that good. At least for the price we expected better taste and portion than what we got. The pancakes and French toast were okay but the potato and eggs were not good at all. You can tell that the potatoes were not fresh (probably in the fridge and they warmed those up and served). It doesn’t look like any of the food was fresh. On top of it all, the music inside was too loud and didn’t go with a brunch ambiance at all. Based on our experience we are definitely not returning to this spot. In response to owner’s comment below: after we entered, the staff was sitting behind the table and just chatting until we asked them how things work and how we can get the menu. No one said anything to us until we asked ourselves after we sat for a bit. A proper etiquette would be, as soon as a customer enters you can say, please have a sit anywhere you like and the menu is on the table or you can access it using QR code and please let me know if you need anything or something like that. No place has staff that just sits there assuming the customer will eventually figure it out that is not how you serve. Additionally, the waitress DID NOT come to our table (not even once) to ask if we needed anything or to see how it was going with the food after she served. Again this is not how you serve and someone else mentioned this on another comment as well. Other places have waitresses coming to check on each...

My wife introduced me to this place as an impromptu Valentines Day brunch date and from there on we were hooked. Summer and Autumn is officially my wife and I’s go to spot for brunch. The Chef Oscar is a master in the kitchen and you know it is quality that you will get every time that you go there. Generous portions of food guaranteeing that you will leave satisfied!

Their brunch menu consists of some of the best stuff put on a plate anywhere in NJ. The pancakes have to take the top spot for best I have had anywhere (and the numerous people I brought said the same). Fluffy inside with a bit of crisp on the top and melt in your mouth goodness all around. Waffles are hearty but light also!

I default to their brunch board, which is literally a slab of wood laid out with everything you could possibly want for brunch: Sausage, thick cut bacon, pancakes, a waffle, and the juicy and tender fried chicken. I have made the mistake of ordering eggs on the side whenever I get this (which they always throw bistro potatoes in with on the plate) and I have always left with a food baby! My wife loves the starvin’ marvin, which you get the eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon, and choice of Waffle, pancakes, or french toast.

The ambiance is very rustic/farm style but a tinge of modern too. Chill atmosphere with a lot of natural light in the place, great music always playing. Everything feels hand crafted and substantial.

Prices are great for what you get and BYOB is a must when coming for a birthday brunch or special event, which you will definitely want to have here as it is a must.

This place is a must have and will be a...