The Oakley -- Kitchen & Cocktails — Restaurant in Nutley

Not a bad place with its outdated 2010s industrial gentrify-chique corrugated metal ceilings . However on a Saturday afternoon there was only one server on the floor with about a dozen or so tables active. He was a very nice young man, however he was clearly overwhelmed because he returned to our table 20 mins after we ordered the food to ask if he put in the order or not. I couldn’t believe my ears. I had been in the food service industry for years and never thought of ever asking a customer that. Just check the computer system. However I asked 15 mins later for him to check the food. He came back saying that he forgot to put in the order. We had been waiting for our food for around 45 mins at this point. He was very polite about it, and I can understand the overwhelming nature of being the only one on the floor, but that was insane. We had been there for an HOUR before we got our food after we ordered it. The food was just okay, the cheese on our burgers weren’t melted and had to send it back. The fries and chips were amazing (definitely out of a bag), but it was the highlight of all our meals, which shouldn’t be the case, the main dish should be. There was no silverware or condiments on the table, and took 30 mins to get our water. The Guinness wasn’t bad, but the bartender who was sitting at the bar on her phone just filled it straight up without the proper way of pouring a Guinness, for $10 might I add, blasphemy. I have to stress it isn’t the much the servers fault, but the manager/owner’s fault who was too busy with his friends at the bar to actually check on his guests and put more servers on the floor on a WEEKEND. That poor server was sweating like Nixon and clearly was very stressed, I know that feeling, and I appreciated the honesty. However the owner clearly has some ineptitude with regards to staffing. This was something I had seen on many reviews of this place before I came here. I’d like to give it another try some day, but only if they are...

So the first two times I ate at this place I loved it. First was lunch with my niece, second time I picked up dinner for a quiet Christmas Eve. Steak frites and crab cakes. Both were amazing.

A few weeks ago I went back with my niece because I wanted the steak frites again - and I am not a huge meat eater. And there is a $8 surcharge on this item. That’s what it says on the menu but I really thought it was more.

So the service was very good, the server was very friendly and helped us out with our order. But when I got my meal the steak was very chewy. I should’ve said some thing then and for that I blame myself. I thought it was over cooked and I was very disappointed because the steak I had on Christmas Eve was cooked to perfection.

I took the leftovers home anyway, just because I don’t like to waste food. When I took them out the next day to see if anything was salvageable I took a look at the meat. It was nothing but fat! Every piece of meat was riddled with fat. It was disgusting but at least then I knew why it was so chewy.

Between the food that we ordered and the drinks and the to go meal for my aunt, our bill was over $100. For a meal I didn’t enjoy and barely ate.

To charge someone that kind of money and then serve them an inferior piece of meat is unethical in my opinion.

I won’t be back. And I see from reading the reviews Oakley only responds to their rave reviews so I don’t...

While searching on Yelp for Indian restaurants my Boo said let's get pizza instead. We had decided on an Irish pub but Yelp gave us other options and choices. And by chance this restaurant came up in our search.

What a GREAT find. We loved everything about the restaurant. The decor, the ambiance, the customer service, the drinks and the food. We even got to interact with the owner. What an amazing experience. Roman the bartender was excellent.

We had the sangria which was very good. The butternut squash soup was uniquely delicious. We also ordered the Margarita pizza. Very good.

The only reason I gave 4* instead of 5* is because they forgot the basil on the pizza. How do you forget the main ingredient to a Margarita pizza.

We spoke to an employee who was off duty having dinner and what I truly appreciated was her inquiring how did we found out about the Oakley and asked our names. That's how you do business. She told us about their live music on weekends. Their private party room. The balcony that will hopefully be open by spring to enjoy outdoor brunches. Just a warm and friendly interaction.

We wanted to try more food on the menu but we were absolutely full. The food servings are plentiful. I will DEFINITELY be back. Thank you again Yelp for suggesting this gem of an...