Aqua Blu Kitchen & Cocktails — Restaurant in Toms River

I have been frequenting this restaurant for 3 years since I moved to the area. I have always liked the food, and the environment. Most of the staff is very friendly and helpful. The owner is always around and so is her brother Sal and they seem concerned about the operation.

I had my daughters communion party here, my other daughters graduation party here and the last meal with my father here before he died in 2017.

I have had many business functions here as well for which I spent thousands of dollars on. I also dine here 18-24 times a month for lunch and dinner. On average I spend 1500-2000 there a month besides the parties and functions I have them host for me. I would consider myself one of their best customers for sure.

Last week I was there with a girl friend of mine sitting at the bar. The place was completely empty except for the bar manager. A few minutes after I started eating a man and his friend came in and sat at the other end of the bar. This person began staring at my friend who told me that she previously had dated him for a brief time and his behavior was bordering on creepy at this point. I was also informed it was the bartenders husband. He just kept staring and finally after the bartender walked out I turned to him and asked him if he needed help with anything since he seemed so interested in our area of the bar. We exchanged a few words in a calm manner and when the bartender came back in she asked what was going on. I immediately explained to her that he husband was creeping us out, and after a short talk with Sal the manager I asked for the bill, left a 30% tip and walked out.

Since I had the bartenders cell phone number, as a frequent customer I texted her and indicated she had no reason to take offense with me as I as a Customer in the Establishment I felt uncomfortable. She texted me back saying I WASN’T WELCOME THERE ANYMORE. I reached out to the manager Sal and we spoke briefly and he indicated it was up to the bartender and his sister who owned the restaurant and that he would get back to me. Even though I did nothing wrong I took the extra step to apologize and dropped off a card to the manager. He failed to respond or return my phone calls. If this is how they treat one of their best customers no wonder why the place isn’t packed on a daily basis. The number one rule is the customer is always right, and I did nothing that would have prevented me from coming back, I did not use any profanity or I did not participate in any violence. I felt uncomfortable which is my right and I spoke up. When I have a disgruntled client I take the time to understand their concerns and even if they are wrong I do what I can to make them happy. I was very disappointed that I was treated this way and no one followed up as promised. So I found another place Beacon 70 that has great food and a nice environment....

Aqua review

My husband and I got married at Aqua Blu on 9/25/21 and it was the best choice we could have ever made! We got married at the Lavallette gazebo and our cocktail hour and reception was at Aqua with around 125 people. There aren't enough words to express our gratitude towards Cathy, Oscar, the bartenders and all of the waiters and waitresses. They truly exceeded all of our expectations!

Cathy was there for our wedding night and everything went smooth and perfect (and if something did happen, i didn't know about it!) We got SO many comments about how involved, accommodating and hardworking Cathy was the whole evening- it did not go unnoticed! Thank you Cathy for bringing our entire vision to life- the welcome table, the memory and Polaroid table, the most iNSANE cocktail hour and figuring out how to fit our very large band :)

Our guests CANNOT stop talking about the cocktail hour (many said it was the best they’ve ever been to!). The quality of the food and the presentation was truly out of the world. People are still talking about the muscle display, the freshness of the raw bar, and the insane antipasto table! Oscar and the catering staff absolutely blew us away!!!! Oscar- you are absolutely incredible at what you do! Our guests were served surf and turf (how many tradition wedding venues would offer this option?! None!) and the food was incredible!

The bartenders were absolutely unreal! All of our guests said they never waited more than 15 seconds for a drink. I apologize on behalf of my friends for making them make 100 espresso martinis :) They were all SO sweet, personable, and made incredible cocktails with top shelf liquor.

Our after party was held at the big bar and Oscar cheffed up some much needed chicken fingers, fries and pizza. ANYTHING that we wanted to do, they accommodated our requests.

We wouldn’t have changed anything about our wedding and couldn’t be happier we chose to have it at Aqua Blu! You do not get this quality of service at a traditional wedding venue- I promise !

To Cathy and the entire staff: Every single thing you did to make this the best night ever makes our hearts want to explode! We truly cannot thank you enough. It was everything we wanted and SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT! You are AMAZING at what you do. Our hearts are so full!

With Love- Jenna &...

WOW, I had heard from a local that Aqua Blu was amazing, but I didn't realize it was AMAZING!! Our server Lori was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. We have never been here before. We tried their price fixed menu tonight. For thirty bucks. We also wanted to try appetizers. I got the bruchetta, I have never had any bruchetta that resembled this one. The bread is delicious from Philly. The Basil pesto flavorful, but the roasted cherry tomatoes, burst in my mouth, it was fabulous. My spouse had clams, they were from the Jersey shore middle grounds, nice and fresh. The cocktail sauce was different and delicious. For dinner I got the pre fix, grilled romaine with Caesar dressing and grated Parmesan cheese cheese, for dinner I had a pasta, I have never had before with pachetta. Then a pistachio gelato for desert and a cuppachino. My spouse had calimara on the pre fix menu with a huge crab cake in an aioli sauce, all crab too, and a sweet potato with ginger. He has a banana foster gelato for dessert. We were stuffed, I had to take half of my pasta home with me. The local obew what he was talking about. Check out my pics I posted. Giving this place a five star review. No...