The Squire at Branches — Restaurant in West Long Branch

It’s difficult to know where to begin. I had heard many good things and was excited to try this restaurant. We arrived promptly for our reservation and there table wasn’t ready, so we were told to please have a seat at the bar. Since there’s no other seating, this is what we did. We don’t drink, so when the bartender approached, I explained that we were waiting for our table. He walked away without offering water or anything. A short time later, he approached us and asked if they were going to text us when our table was ready. I said yes. He said that he had people waiting to eat and drink at the bar. He made it clear that he wanted us to get up since he had paying customers waiting to eat and drink. He told us he was going to check with the front desk. We were appalled and I also went to the front to share the bartender’s rude behavior. The manager, Faye, was properly embarrassed and seated us immediately and told us she would comp our appetizers and desserts, which was appreciated.

Unfortunately, it didn’t get much better. After our appetizers, we waited almost an hour for our food. Then, it was served to the wrong table. As my food sat in front of another customer, there was confusion. I realized what happened and told the runner. He was going to give me the food, but after it was sitting under a stranger’s nose for several minutes, I wasn’t comfortable eating it. Our server arrived and ushered the food away. However, I asked if they will be just keeping my partner’s steak warm and they said no, he would get a new one.

Our food was out again in 8 minutes. I wasn’t confident that they cooked me a new meal and my partner’s food was now clearly not just off the grill, one side was cold and another missing. Eventually, it was explained to me that I received the next person’s food but by then my food was cold.

Our server, Marissa, and all the staff other than the bartender were very sweet. I did have dessert and that was delicious.

Sadly, the experience was poor and ruined our evening. I would like to give the restaurant another try but I’m not sure that I can convince my partner to...

I was so impressed with The Squire, I had to write my very first review of a venue. On April 20, 2024, I held my daughter-in-law’s baby shower at The Squire at Branches in West Long Branch. NJ. My daughter-in-law saw an Instagram post on the restaurant, and we decided to schedule an appointment, as pictures can be deceiving. The venue was really very pretty. I always check out the restrooms in a restaurant or venue before making a decision – The Squires’ rest rooms were exceptionally clean and beautifully appointed with designer soap pumps and lotion and nice hand towels. We chose to have the shower on the restaurant side. The lobby was so lovely with a place for guests to take photos, a place for the welcome sign and seating chart / cards, etc. before entering the reception room for the shower. Artificial flowers hung from the ceiling giving it a soft elegant appearance. Each of the windows was adorn with flowers and candles as was the fireplace. Gorgeous room! We chose the Breakfast Brunch Menu for our guests. Although their Brunch menu is extensive, I chose to add an Omelet Station and an extra Hot Station. I probably didn't have to add anything extra as there was a lot of food! The presentation of all the stations, cold and hot, was exceptional! My guests kept raving about the food. Several went back for second and third helpings. I was told there would be a screen behind the hot station tables to hide any tables and chairs not in use. This was not just a plain old screen or room divider. It was a beautifully detailed wall that matched the other walls in the room. Again gorgeous!

The sales manager, Stacie, was a pleasure to work with, and let’s not forget about the bartender and wait staff ladies. So very professional, helpful, and accommodating. Knowing that I was busy with my guests and activities, the staff was very attentive, always checking with me to see if I needed anything.

I only wish I knew about The Squire at Branches before this year. Without a doubt, I would have held my other...

This past weekend, my partner and I decided to explore a new restaurant to us renowned for its ambiance and service, particularly during the bustling Restaurant Week. The setting of the restaurant immediately impressed us with its well-crafted interior, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Service was a standout during our visit, thanks to the attentiveness and patience of our server, Marissa, who navigated our dining experience with grace and professionalism. However the manager on site did not acknowledge us nor asked if we were satisfied, our table was skipped over. On a positive note the starters were a delightful beginning, with the clams reganato and calamari presenting a tasty and promising introduction to the meal.

The bar also left a notable impression. The drinks were mixed to perfection, and the desserts, including a lava cake and cheesecake, were delectably executed, rounding off the pre-entrée courses on a high note.

However, our main courses unfortunately did not mirror the success of the earlier dishes. Both the halibut and the pork chops were significantly overcooked, diminishing what could have been a flawless culinary experience. This may have been a consequence of the kitchen operating under the pressure of Restaurant Week's high traffic, but it was a disappointment nonetheless.

Overall, the restaurant delivers a strong performance on ambiance and service but falls short on consistency with main dishes, particularly during peak times. We would rate our experience as 5 out of 10, reflecting a mixed dining experience where excellent service and appetizers meet less-than-satisfactory main courses. A revisit outside of a peak period might be considered to reassess the kitchen's capabilities under normal...