Berta's Chateau — Restaurant in Wanaque

Update(1st review on bottom): Simply put I am thankful they did not give me food poisoning/parasites tonight(so far).

This was my second time here (for my birthday again) and I had a completely different experience. I am extremely disappointed and disgusted. During our meal the Chef came out and "entertained" the table next to us by being rude to them. His pompous stage act made my table extremely uncomfortable as he was loud and cursing. Even having the gall to loudly insult an older adult about their clothing. As he said " we used to have a strict dress code here". I guess times have changed... Because I ordered a pork chop that came to the table unfit for human consumption raw (blue/translucent through the center). And in his brilliant wisdom he threw a sauced porkchop (that was glazed in a sweet reduction) into a high heat broiler. So... I had the pleasure being served a improperly cooked pork chop (twice). The second time it came with a nice burnt sauce everywhere. Overall I had several issues with this restaurant... instead of continuing this review. I would rather just apologize for my first review. I will not be back again. Please be safe. Eat elsewhere.

Below is my unchanged first review:

First time here. We went here for my birthday.

I haven't had frog legs in years. They were amazing! The escargot was outstanding. The prix fixe menu is well balanced with outstanding value for the price. This is a four course upscale meal that is thought-out, perfectly cooked, and priced far below what you get.

My father has told me for years about this place. After eating here... I now understand. Sometimes daddy knows best. (Sometimes lol)

Make reservations and plan accordingly. This is fine dining and having many courses takes...

No what it once was. I have gone here many times in the past since the early 1970's and moved away in the late 90's only to return to Berta's a few weeks ago. We made reservations for a Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM and when we arrived there was only one other couple in the entire place. We sat down to order a cocktail and the waiter had to get his father (Peter) from the kitchen to make us a drink. My mate wanted a mojito and Peter said (in a stuck-up and nasty tone) "this is an Italian Restaurant we do not make those drinks here." What no bartender during the daylight hours or on Sunday's? The small dips and bread stick came out on the table and as I remember the crab spread was white with crab and other seasonings mixed in. The crab spread that we got was grey in color and did not look appetizing. I wanted to order king crab legs but our waiter (Peters son) said that they did not have any in stock so I ordered a lobster tail. I was expecting the lobster tail they served before, a large tail broiled and partially removed from the shell with melted butter on the side. What I got was two small rubbery pieces of lobster out of the tail and very tasteless. My mate ordered risotto and she said it was not as good as the $9.00 risotto she had in Asbury Park. The bottom line is after a two hour drive to get to Berta's. two cocktails, two entrees, one bottle of wine and a $200.00 bill, I could have gone to the local pizzeria brought my own wine and had a...

Go to their website, get on their mailing list - The occasional Prix Fixe menus and wine dinners (order a case!) are a fantastic value. The casual and somewhat anachronistic atmosphere of this gem of North Jersey are often the first things I mention when I recommend it to anyone who might wander into the region. Do not let the location or the exterior scare you off. It's out of the way location and "funeral home" (as someone described it once) exterior are camouflage for something quite wonderful and unique. The freshest ingredients and skillful artistry in the kitchen is paired perfectly with Peter's encyclopedic knowledge of wine and the regions in which it is grown. Leave the stuffy, pompous facades of NYC metro's top restaurants to their overpriced and unimaginative menus. Stray from the "popular" choices and let Peter lead you into new and wonderful vineyards, with a palate to match. I have never been let down by the food or the wine here. Be prepared for a little 'Jersey familiarity from the staff, and perhaps bring along an older relative to marvel at things have not changed in a half century. Good things. Forgotten things. If it is a slow night, peruse the collections of images on the walls, you may find something surprising. I will always say yes to friends and family who ask "so I was thinking about going to...