Heights 27 Bar & Grille — Restaurant in Spring Lake Heights

This was a really great place until the ownership changed and it became Heights 27. The new owners have apparently never operated a restaurant. They kept the very good staff and chef, which gave us hope that it would still be good. However, they tried to go upscale in a little local strip center. The new interior design did not account for acoustics and is horrendously noisy, even without live music. They now require the staff to wear really goofy uniforms which contributes to the loss of a comfortable environment. They reduced the assortment of the package store to almost nothing. We will no longer go there for package goods because they carry such a limited assortment. On Grand Opening night the scrimped on staff. We were there for an hour and we’re only able to order one beer. We were never brought menus and never got close to ordering food. The bar was in such chaos that they pulled the only waiter behind the bar. We finally got up and got our own paper placemat menu. We were shocked to see the price increases from the previous CJs menu. The lowest price steak is a $39 filet. We can go to very nice oceanfront restaurants here and have a $39 steak. This place is in a strip center with a post office and a dry cleaners. This place is very convenient to our house and we typically ate dinner there 4 to5 times per week. It is very sad to see that it has been destroyed by absolute incompetence. We feel bad to not be able to go there and support the wonderful staff. However, it was the worst experience we have ever had in any restaurant anywhere in the world. The new owners attempted to go upscale to try to get rid of the loyal local crowd. They will be very sorry when summer is over and they try to survive the lonely...

The family called to see how long the wait was for a table the 2nd night they were open and were told there was no wait. We live down the block, when they arrived they said it would be a 45 min wait. Owner never offered to have them wait in the outside area to have a drink or take there name for when a table did open up so they left. My wife and I then stopped in on the 4th day they had opened. The staff is mostly from when CJ's was there which we were glad to see. We sat at the bar and had a couple of drinks and ordered the buffalo wings which were just ok. Noticed that there was only 3 staff members working the bar and wait staff, bartender was running food and restocking the ice etc. Might want to add more staff. The owner was near the front door most of the time we were there with no interaction with the patrons. It was clear to us the staff is not happy with this owner. Limited menu for now and we were told that some of the items from CJ's menu will not be offered as the owner is trying to be upscale, I think this is a mistake as we frequented CJ's often and enjoyed the food. Don't see this place lasting long term if the owner doesn't improve. Not sure how upscale you can be in a strip mall. The previous place was a favorite for the locals but so far this place doesn't seem to be catering to the locals. The renovation that was done looks...

Heights 27 is located at the old CJs site on route 71. The renovation that took place brings it into the 21st Century. The menu is short but the food is good. The hog wings pigs can fly appetizer is superb . Three pieces of charred pork shank coated in a hot hotsauce and vinegar peppers with fall off the bone meaty goodness. We had the mac and cheese burger, grilled chicken sandwich with gruyere, guacamole, and spicy mayo. The special was a prime rib served with sauteed vegetables and a rustic mash potatoes and earthy gravy. The prime rib was a perfect medium rare and did not disappoint with hitting off our beef cravings. The grilled chicken was moist and flavorful with a tasty guacamole and creamy melted gruyere. Now the mac and cheese burger hit the right spot with that inner child who craved the cheesy goodness and the adult who wants a savory burger with a nice cold beer. This place will be on my roster of shore stops for...