ORA FreeStyle Italian — Restaurant in Oradell

Restaurant Review: Ora – A Nostalgic Gem with Exceptional Food & Service

As someone who grew up in Oradell and has fond memories of the old Cool Beans and occasional visits to Medusa for haircuts, stepping into Ora felt like a delightful trip down memory lane. The location itself is a clever choice, bringing a much-needed breath of fresh air to the town. It’s clear that Ora’s founders understood the community’s desire for a high-quality dining experience, and they’ve delivered in spades.

Ambiance & Vibes: 10/10

The moment you step into Ora, you’re immediately struck by the perfect blend of modern elegance and cozy charm. The lighting is soft and inviting, setting the mood for both intimate dinners and group gatherings. From the moment we walked in, it was evident that every detail had been carefully considered — from the stylish interior decor to the well-curated music that provided just the right background vibe. It’s clear that Ora’s team took great care in creating an atmosphere that makes you want to stay for hours.

Exterior/Interior Design: 10/10

Ora’s exterior beautifully merges contemporary design with the classic charm of the area. The building has been transformed from its former life (where Cool Beans once stood), and the redesign truly elevates the space. Inside, there’s a seamless mix of sleek lines and comfortable seating that invites you to unwind. Whether you're seated by the bar or in one of the dining areas, there’s an undeniable sense of sophistication without feeling stuffy or overly formal. The interior exudes warmth and modern luxury.

Staff & Service: 10/10

Our server, Michael, was phenomenal. His attention to detail, friendly demeanor, and extensive knowledge of the menu made our experience all the more enjoyable. It was clear he cared about the dining experience and took pride in his work, which made us feel well taken care of from start to finish. A genuine standout in the service world, he truly enhanced our visit.

Food & Drinks: 10/10

Now, onto the most important part — the food and drinks. Every dish we tried was incredible, showcasing the kitchen’s commitment to quality and flavor. We started with a fresh and vibrant salad, which was perfectly balanced, followed by crispy and flavorful calamari that was cooked to perfection. For the mains, the Snapper Milanese was a standout — beautifully crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The mushroom pasta was rich and indulgent, with just the right amount of earthiness to complement the dish. And to top it all off, the espresso martini was absolutely to die for — rich, smooth, and with the perfect kick.

Location: 10/10

Located in a town that has long needed a place like Ora, this restaurant is a true gift to the area. It’s the kind of spot that makes you proud to be part of the community. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Ora feels like a destination, and it's easy to see how quickly it will become a beloved staple in the neighborhood.

Overall Experience: 10/10

From the flawless ambiance to the top-notch service and exceptional food, Ora truly exceeded all expectations. It's a place where nostalgia meets modern sophistication, and every element of the experience is carefully curated for an unforgettable evening. I can’t...

Before the food makes your eyes roll back in your head, the hospitality has to always will be front and center. When you go out to a restaurant be it a hamburger joint or a fine dining establishment, you want to have a good time. You want the restaurateur to provide that, whether the reservation is rolling as smooth as a marble on teflon, or as rough as trying to ski on sandpaper. Either way it is up to the establishment to make you feel wanted and comfortable. How can they do that, making you feel wanted, comfortable and valued, could come from complimentary drinks, or it could be from coddling the patron by management and acknowledging the situation with the dining patron. and that is whether the dinner is rolling according to plan or schedule. We all want to leave the restaurant saying," We had a great time and the food was sublime. Mind you for a restaurant that was only open a month they were flawless on all the check marks and the hospitality was on equal par with the food. That is what ORA did for our party of 4.

From the moment we walked in for our reservation we were acknowledged and seated for the time of our rez. The host staff was friendly and professional. We were seated and our waitress quickly greeted us and integrated with us in the most congenial and cohesive way. She took our cocktail order and brought back drinks that were so tasty and beautiful looking. The timing of all the courses couldn't have been better executed by A I.

Everything we ordered was delicious and outstanding in its presentation. Some of the dishes like the Clams Casino with was an eclectic take on the usual preparation offering pepperonata instead of bacon and nduja butter a beautiful taste combination. One of the other apps we ordered was fried calamari NOT your frozen variety these were lightly coated in the kitchen and were charred with lemon aioli sauce and cherry peppers. The Garganelli pasta entree with Short rib and Oxtail ragu was outstanding it had bone marrow and caramelized onions. It was a well conceived dish power packed with flavors that can all work harmoniously. The Squid ink Lumache pasta with Lobster in Coral Sauce was another well conceived dish. The portion size on all the choices was not paltry along with strong outstanding visuals and plating arrangement on every dish. With all the fine freshly baked crusty bread we devoured, dessert would have been way to overload but the way the dinner was going we had to try at least one, the choice was the Citrus Honey Saffron Panna Cotta. What a finish to an extraordinary dinner, the unusual tart sweetness with the hint of saffron was a superbly conceived combination. I certainly was bowled over by the whole dining experience at ORA. The Hospitality, The Food, The Look of the building which is entirely new. I am so glad a restaurant of...

Waited a few weeks so they could get settled and went mid-week. Walking in the first thing that hits you is the noise level. It is akin to Chucky Cheese during a 4 year old birthday party for 20 (and that is the "dining room", not the bar). The designer and/or architect responsible for the design/construction knew nothing about noise abatement or simply didn't care. I have nothing against an industrial design and many other restaurants I have been to have used the style very effectively, but this was the absolute worst as far as noise I have ever experienced. In the "dining room" there are hard surface floors (ever consider cork??), a raw plywood ceiling, exposed joists, hard surface walls, wooden tables (no table cloth), wooden chairs (except for banquettes along one wall) and the seating is so close together that you can hear EVERYTHING from neighboring tables. We sat along a wall (which would perhaps would be the least noisy) and looking out over the dining area seating was just as tight. Groups that you'd think were all together as a party were actually at tables pushed just as close together as we were. The bar area is probably worse but the dining room is deafening. The noise is so bad that the wait staff had to literally bend over and be almost nose to to nose to hear and be heard and you can't hold a conversation with the person sitting about 25" across from you that you are having dinner with. The service is still spotty but that was to be expected. What I didn't expect is that you cannot order a drink and appetizer while you look over the menu! Appetizer and entree must be ordered at the same time ?? Drinks were good but the wine pour was small. Every dinner entree had some kind of sauce on it! Even the steaks came with sauce. If you ask for sauce on the side for a steak they bring it to you COLD (and it was pretty horrible cold but I assume it would have been hot liquid if actually on the steak as opposed to cold pudding). I agree with another reviewer that for the price, it simply wasn't that good. I will say the pizza that another couple further down our "row" ordered looked very good but I guess that's what take out is for. There is NO ambiance, and be prepared to become new best friends with the people seated on either side of you. I'll wait a couple of years before going back (if it's...