KARDEN — Restaurant in Ridgefield

Overrated. From when we sat down, it took 20 min. to get our first glass of water, which we were only able to get because it took the same 20 min for the server to take our orders only after we tracked him down. Then it took another 15 min from when we ordered to get our sodas, which we managed to get refilled only once the entire 1.5 hours we spent there. I agree with the reviews/comments about the service and wait times.

We got the expensive large duo platter (serves 2+ at $119). It's not worth it. The presentation of the food on the platter was nice. Looks good in photos. It even comes with a wide variety of things on it. Each thing by itself was just not that good. The BBQ brisket was more like Texas style and was pretty overcooked. There was so much smokiness infused into the brisket and the bacon, too. It was overwhelming. The other Korean-style BBQ meats were mid compared to other Korean restaurants. It came with steamed fluffed egg and spicy stew that was probably the only good part about the platter. It came with little sauce cups. The portions were comical. I had to ask for extra bc it was so little. It was three dabs and it's gone. Overall, the platter was gimmicky, which I should have expected when it arrived on a giant dish along with a swivel. I have no idea who these diners are on social media hyping this platter up. It's just not how they described. It's like it was only made for social media.

We also had two appetizers: The tartare and the potato pancake w/ truffle sauce. These were actually the best despite the tartare being kind of frozen in the middle.

The service was abysmal. Early on, we gave the benefit of the doubt because the restaurant was packed that night. They were swamped and appeared understaffed but I've seen worse at more popular restaurants. Even when the place emptied out later, we still had to track down our server to get our checks. When we couldn't find him, we just asked a busser who kindly found another server to get our check.

Seems like the roles are pretty clear at this place. The busser serves water, a separate server serves the other beverages, and the "main" server takes orders and serves the food. Not sure if this main server had other roles but I can't understand why he was always absent.

For the service, I attribute it to poor training, little experience and/or poor management or lack of. Taking orders, serving water and beverages shouldn't take 20-30 min. I don't mind waiting for the food prep especially if it's busy but water is the least you can provide. I don't want to knock the servers intentions because he was mostly kind. The issue is that he was absent and sometimes overwhelmed. As I mentioned earlier, what topped it off was the comically tiny amounts of sauce in the dishes came with it. It urked me because the server looked at the sauces too, and then looked at me for a reaction as if he was waiting for me to state the obvious. He must've seen it too. The average person could look at this and tell you that there is barely anything in the cup. So, why serve it like that? We laughed when we first saw it. I thought they were messing with us. I later asked him for more and he gladly did. Oh, and we didn't get the sauces until we tracked down the server again. It was supposed to come with the platter, and they forgot, which again, we had to ask them for it.

Overall, the experience was tiring and tests your patience. On a busy night, I can handle that but the staff had every opportunity to serve us water but instead they just left us hanging. The food is mid if not meh. It's extremely overpriced for the quality. I would only return for the ambience, which was very pretty especially in pictures. It looks good for date nights but you will be disappointed by the staff if not by the food.

TL;DR - Food is mid at best. Ambience and presentation were good. I think the positive reviews are mostly enamored by the atmosphere. Service was abysmal. I'm not returning unless I hear about some miraculous improvements. Solid valet parking. Bring cash...

My wife made our reservation last Sunday a dinner for 2, but host can't find our name and got a email from open table today that we were unattended, no-show. Open table has our reservation, but no record on restaurant? Interior was modern and have full bar, but I don't know why they seated the guests from the inside, which right next to the loud kitchen. All the window seats were empty and stay empty until we got out. I am guessing it's for the people who might come more important than who actually made the reservation. We ordered Hanpan duo, Looks wow just for second, but basically put every dishes on paella pan. First, a table was too small for the pan. You have to worry about the pan handle every time it rotates. Suggestion, how about instead leave all the big tables empty, give it out to who order Hanpan? Second, the food... if you eat one by one, it's not bad. Smoked beef and pork... chicken... fries... egg... kimchi stew... But when it comes all together, un-balance. American brisket and fries with Korean traditional kimchi stew, fried chicken and spicy rice cake... Feels like having a good coffee and coke at same time. Third the service... I've got nothing to say about service, because there were none. Yes, server delivered dishes in and out, but that's about it. No explanation about sauces (it's on the menu, but you don't keep it right?) and no question about how was food or is there anything you need etc... Having $150 dinner with the...

I visited this modern style Korean restaurant in Ridgefield NJ this summer with my cousins and I had to go back with my family even though it’s 45 minutes away. We arrived ten minutes before it opened for lunch and they let us in, which is rare for a restaurant. It was cold and windy out and we were happy to sit and drink their hot tea while we studied their menu. The Captain recommended an appropriate set called “Hanpan for 2” for 3 of us, saying it will be enough food for us. We wanted an appetizer just in case and she recommended the Jeon and we wanted to try “Fried Pork Skin” (why not? They’re full of collagen!). Oh boy, were we surprised how delicious everything was. Meat was tender and flavorful, banchan was on point without being salty or spicy, pork skin was chewy and delicious with Korean chives and red onions! The staff was so attentive and we never had to raise our hand or yell to get their attention. They read our minds and brought over anything that needed refilling. Our glasses were always full with barley tea without asking. We were so full by the time we finished everything that I regretted asking for rice since we left most of it. I HIGHLY recommend Karden on Broad Ave in Ridgefield NJ. I’d travel 45 minutes again to take my...