Dining at Breaking Bread in Seaside Heights, NJ, was more than just an underwhelming experience; it was an affront to the standards of the food and hospitality industry. To say my experience was a disappointment would be a massive understatement. I had heard rumors of the shoddy service and sub-par food, but I underestimated the extent of the catastrophe this establishment truly is. A thorough critique is the least I can do to warn potential patrons.
To commence, the food was abysmal, a statement I do not make lightly. The steak, which should have been the epitome of hearty culinary enjoyment, arrived overcooked and unappetizing. It was apparent that the meat had been prepared without any semblance of knowledge or care, rendering it a mere shadow of what a steak should be.
Regrettably, the fish suffered a similar fate, leaving an indelible mark on my palate with its overcooked texture and lackluster flavor. The vegetables accompanying the main course were not spared either; they were as overcooked as the mains, devoid of the vibrancy and crunch that well-prepared vegetables should offer.
The dishes we were served in were far from clean, with obvious food debris that was indicative of a staggering lack of hygiene. This breach of basic cleanliness was not just shocking but also deeply concerning, as it points to a general disregard for health standards that should be inherent in any food service operation.
The behavior of the staff, meanwhile, was nothing short of atrocious. Our server approached us with an unnecessary, disconcerting volume that was not only disruptive but also profoundly unprofessional. Dining out should be a soothing and pleasant experience, not one fraught with tension in anticipation of the next unwarranted outburst.
The owner of the establishment was no better, exhibiting rudeness towards guests that was not only disrespectful but also harmful to the ambiance. An owner should set the tone for their establishment, fostering a culture of courtesy and professionalism. Unfortunately, the environment at Breaking Bread is steeped in incivility, reflected in the discourteous attitudes of the staff as well.
Contrary to the owner's defensive responses to previous criticisms, I implore potential patrons to examine the collective voice of disappointed customers. Their critiques serve as a cautionary tale, warning potential diners about the unfortunate experience that awaits them.
In conclusion, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend a visit to Breaking Bread. There are numerous alternatives in Seaside Heights that not only respect their guests and the culinary arts but also uphold essential health standards. Your time, money, and taste buds warrant a far superior dining experience than Breaking...
Read moreThe food and service (from our waitress Sydney) at Breakin' Bread on the Boulevard was very good. Their specials are divine and they had several items on the menu that I'd never had before. Everything we ate was fantastic and our food was well spaced out so that even though we ordered our apps and entrees at the same time, we had a bit of time to digest the appetizers before the entrees arrived. It was cooler outside than it was inside on a steamy summer evening, so you may want to consider that when making a reservation.
The ding on the atmosphere has to do with the fact that the backyard area is much nicer when you are facing one direction than the other, and other servers and bus boys kept walking between my chair and my neighbor's chair instead of going around, and bumping me in the process. After the fifth or sixth time this happened, we shifted our entire table down. I also thought the music was working against the atmosphere out back, taking a bit of the romance out of the evening.
Overall though, it was a great experience, due in large part to Sydney's service. I would definitely return and encourage others to...
Read moreThe service really sucked. The girls were rude. Seriously, rolling of the eyes and throwing of silverware. The dishes and glasses were dirty (completely unacceptable dirty with food debris) and they were not apologetic for anything. The fish dishes ordered were overcooked. The pasta special was swimming in water, should have called it soup. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone…
Update: The owners response is not completely wrong. We did add a family member. But for a restaurant to tell us to go away because of 1 extra person is ridiculous. We kindly squeezed 6 of us around a 5 person table. (That says a lot about this place also!) The owner (Pete) came out to go over the specials. We enjoyed his presentation and how he treated us. It was at that time I asked to book a 12 person reservation 2 weeks out. This was before we received the awful service and food. Hence why we didn’t book the reservation. The owner didn’t even inquire why. Enough said… I speak the truth! A real restaurant owner would actually ask questions and try to resolve an issue, but not...
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