Gabriella's Italian Steakhouse — Restaurant in Middletown Township

We had reservations for valentines. Plenty of free parking as this is in a strip mall. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. As previous reviews stated, caters to a younger 25ish crowd with the atmosphere, but the price will probably turn away return visits--prepare to spend at least $100 per person (app, entree, side, shared dessert and 1 drink per person).

The good....well let's say the great...the food...it was AMAZING!!! Appetizer: crispy pork belly-it came pre sliced, was so so good, not too crispy but so tasty Oysters-my husband had these, he liked them Entrees: spicy rigatoni-the rigatoni was cooked perfect for me (al dente), it wasn't overly spicy and not smothered in the sauce, just enough. Our waiter suggested adding a chicken cutlet which I did and was so happy I did. It is a generous portion of pasta, chicken wasn't needed but still glad I got it--it was a somewhat thin crispy chicken cutlet--so good Ribeye--it was cooked medium-rare to perfection. There was a nice char on the outside, nice and pink inside. Had a bit of fat, but seasoned so well. Side: truffle fries-the fries are almost like wedge cut with fresh truffle shavings ok top as well as truffle oil. These were my absolute favorite. Possibly the best truffle potatoes/fries I've ever had. Dessert: carrot cake--this wasn't really cake, they were small round pieces of carrot cake with a wad of cream cheese icing---separating the 3 round circles of cake---ratio favoring the icing which was a bit much. Mine was to go, but it came with fresh strawberries and blueberries that were amazing--the cake was the only disappointment

Our waiter, Joe G as the receipt said, was so attentive, made great suggestions without being pushy, answered all our questions and was just a really cool dude. The other wait staff were also so accommodating. A rose at the end of the dinner was a nice touch, being it was valentines day.

The not so good... The price. While everything was fantastic, it's a bit pricey to be a return customer more than a few times a year. The noise. I had read reviews how loud it was. At arrival, 5:45pm, it was still reasonable, not too crowded. By the time we left, 2 hours later, it was SO loud inside idk how anyone was having a conversation. Loud music doesn't quite vibe with anyone over 25, when you're trying to eat a rather expensive dinner. We were seated outside under thr tent, which made for freezing cold legs, but the outdoor heaters were on, keeping your upper body warm.....so warm I thought the skin was melting off my face...and the smell of propane was a bit much. However, indoor seating was so so cramped it was uncomfortable and certainly not private by any means. Outdoor it was somewhat spaced out--id suggest the melting face over sitting 2 feet from the next table.

Will I return??? Probably not, but only because of the...

Let me begin by saying this: I don’t typically write reviews. As much as I enjoy dining out and discovering new places, I’ve never felt compelled to put my experience into words—until now. Gabriella’s truly exceeded every expectation and was more than worthy of the time it takes to write this.

While I wouldn’t consider myself a traditional “foodie,” I’ve had the pleasure of dining at over 30 restaurants across Manhattan and have lived in culinary-rich cities like Jupiter, Florida, Providence, Rhode Island, and Boston. I’ve experienced some exceptional meals throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties as well. Yet, none quite compare to what Gabriella’s delivered.

To give context, the closest comparable dining experiences I’ve had were at CUT 432 in Delray Beach and Peak at Hudson Yards. While Peak boasts a Michelin star and an iconic setting, Gabriella’s brings a warmth and attention to detail that rivals, and in some ways surpasses, even that level of prestige.

I chose Gabriella’s to celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday, initially drawn by their sophisticated menu and Italian-inspired cuisine. Admittedly, I had a few hesitations due to the location and its 4.5-star rating. But from the moment we stepped in, those concerns quickly vanished.

The ambiance is immersive and elegant, almost like stepping into a modern-day speakeasy. It’s stylish without being pretentious, and intimate without being overly quiet. The true standout, however, was our server—Dimitri (forgive me if I’ve misspelled it). His service was nothing short of phenomenal. He was attentive, personable, and incredibly knowledgeable. He didn’t try to upsell us on the most expensive items but instead gave genuine recommendations that turned out to be spot-on. His wine suggestions paired beautifully, and his attentiveness elevated the night in a way that’s hard to describe.

My girlfriend was smiling ear to ear throughout the evening—between the exquisite food, hand-crafted cocktails, and the thoughtful touch of a birthday sparkler, it felt like a celebration tailored just for us.

We spent $372 for the evening, and not once did it feel overpriced. When you factor in the quality of food, ambiance, and truly exceptional service, every dollar was well spent—and then some. I’d gladly do it all over again.

If you’re visiting New Jersey or a local looking to treat yourself to a high-end, unforgettable meal, Gabriella’s should be at the top of your list.

If I could give it 10 out of 5 stars, I would. Bravo, Gabriella’s. You’ve...

I am rewriting my previous glowing review because tonight was an absolute disappointment. What started as a much-needed night out to escape the pain of a recent death in the family, turned into an experience that left us feeling disrespected.

We have been loyal customers for years, spending thousands of dollars every time we come in, celebrating every special occasion here. This restaurant was our happy place but after tonight I don’t know if we will ever return.

After paying our bill, we stayed for a little while to unwind. We used a gift card and accidentally tipped slightly less than usual because of said gift card by complete accident…something that was unintentional given the circumstances we were dealing with we weren’t thinking straight. We can go back into our many visits here to see us OVERTIP and that was never questioned??? Funny.

To our complete shock, the manager on duty approached us to QUESTION OUR TIP AMOUNT. We were essentially put on the spot and asked whether the service was inadequate simply because we didn’t tip at least 25% of the total bill. Which would have been fine if she was genuinely just trying to find out if there was an issue with the staff, but it was clearly a larger money grab when she BROUGHT OUT NEW CHECK FOR US TO RE-TIP.

As someone who owns multiple businesses and worked in the service industry, I would never allow my staff to confront a paying customer about their tip after the bill had been settled. It’s unprofessional, uncomfortable, and frankly, a complete overstep. A gratuity is just that, gratuity, not a requirement.

Maybe word is getting out because this is also the slowest I have ever seen it on a Saturday night so maybe now they’re getting desperate?? I don’t know. All I know is, it is not the responsibility of your CUSTOMERS to ensure YOUR staff is being paid properly. That is the responsibility of the restaurant itself which is a bigger issue if that’s the case.

This experience left us completely frustrated, turning what should have been a comforting evening into another frustration we did not need at this terrible time in our lives. I will never bring a client here again if this is how they like to embarrass their patrons because if this is how long-time patrons are treated, I cannot recommend this establishment anymore. I hope they learn from this moving forward because for an extra $30 on a bill, I don’t think this was...