Belford Bistro — Restaurant in Middletown Township

Had been here a few years ago and remembered having a good experience, not so much this time. Its bright, loud and the staff seemed very frantic. Initially seated us near the kitchen at a four top, when there were clearly better two top tables away from the clanking and smoke billowing area near the bathroom. Service was disjointed. Salad and mussels came out fairly quickly, but quite under-seasoned. After adding quite a bit of salt the mussels were pretty good. Entrees took a bit and looked nice upon initial inspection, but then we noticed a complete lack of sauce for the gnocchi. Luckily my girlfriend asked and we were later informed the chef forgot to add the sauce. What was brought, was barely enough to season the dish. Also, there was quite a bit of garlic, which was unfortunately burnt; my girlfriend described it as equal parts flavorless and bitter. Similarly the scallop pork belly risotto was tasteless. Couldn't taste the leeks and it was clear the risotto was cooked without any salt in the broth. Even after vigorously adding salt, you still couldn't taste the flavor...or lack thereof. Our lack of enthusiasm wasn't lost on the waitress, so they gave us a slice of cheesecake as a peace offering on our way out. Upon arriving at home we tried it. Literally no vanilla flavor or lemon...or really anything at all. Also, while light, it was an odd texture for cheesecake and we wound up throwing it away... A first for us both. Wanted to like this place and had high hopes, but at every turn, from the tasteless food, disjointed service, bright and loud atmosphere...this is going to be a no for me dog. Not sure if they were having an off night, but we won't be back for another try of this overrated...

The Belford Bistro has just opened on Main Street, and what a welcome addition to the neighborhood. We have been there for brunch and dinner, and were very pleased both times.

Our first visit was for dinner. We both enjoyed our starters - the Market Salad and a fabulous Scallop dish. It was apparent immediately that the food was extremely fresh and expertly prepared. For dinner, I ordered the Rack of Lamb, and was not disappointed. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his New York Strip. The only flaw was that we did not save room for dessert, as their offerings looked fantastic.

We recently returned for brunch, and had an equally positive experience. I ordered the Apple Strudel French Toast and was pleasantly surprised. The French Toast itself was perfectly cooked, and complimented nicely by the fresh, warm apples and maple sauce. My husband also chose wisely - the Crab Benedict. A superior crab cake (and that is a term I do not use loosely), served on an English muffin, topped by a perfectly poached egg, and finished with an outstanding hollandaise sauce. Most of all, a fantastic brunch that is also affordable - our bill was less than $30, and this was by far the best meal we have enjoyed in a long time.

The atmosphere is also a treat - an elegant room with wonderful jazz in the background. The service was professional, efficient, and friendly, but not overbearing. We were able to relax and enjoy our meal. The Belford Bistro is a BYOB...

This is my absolute favorite restaurant for a lot of reasons: It’s a BYOB! It’s family-owned-and-operated, by a wonderful family at that. The atmosphere is cute, cozy, and romantic, definitely giving French cafe/bistro vibes - I’m a sucker for a candlelit table. The energy of the dining room radiates through the entire space, from the top tier service to the guests clearly enjoying their food and company. The chef/owner is c l e a r l y a very creative and knowledgeable person whose attention to his craft truly shines through every dish I’ve ever seen leave the window. And you can see them cooking which I love! Those guys work hard, man. I don’t know how they do it. The servers are incredible and knowledgeable, and you can tell they’ve tried everything on the menu. He offers daily specials to keep things fun and fresh, and they change their menu based on what is available seasonally while holding on to the staples. I get SO excited when birthdays or milestones come up because I always make the reservation here! They can also cater your party and host intimate gatherings in their space. I for sure feel the love when I go in here :) also GET THE...