I am very disappointed in my experience in McLoons Boathouse. We go to the McLoons in Long Branch all the time and love it there. We always wanted to visit McLoon's Boathouse but never had a chance to. My aunt and uncle got married today in a very small and intimate ceremony and asked for dinner reccomendarions from us. We decided to go to McLoon's Boathouse because we love the one in Long Branch and wanted to treat my aunt and uncle especially since they don't usually go out and it was their special day since they just got married this afternoon. I should have looked at the reviews before so that's on me because they don't look too great :(

1. I asked in my notes when I made the recommendation that they seat us in a nice and intimate location as we (6 of us) are celebrating a wedding ceremony. We get seated first table by the entrance. So cold!. I politely ask if they could move us somewhere more intimate and lady says this is where they put parties but she will see what she can do. Well, she never came back to us to even tell us "tough luck". Then I saw her seat other party larger then ours, where we wanted to sit. And we made our reservation over a week in advance so we gave them ample time. Clearly no one cared.
2. This was the kicker. We ordered a seafood platter. 6 pieces of raw oysters and clams and 3 cooked jumbo shrimp. Everything was ok until my husband took the last claim. He put it in his mouth, gagged and spat it out. It was bad! As soon as he spat it out I smelled it. It smelled like bad raw meat. Are they not supposed to check their clams for the smell and quality before they bring to the table. They other ones seemed find thankfully because we already ate them all. The manager came in apologetic and took it off our bill, but they should have a a process of checking raw seafood before it's plated. This, to me, was unacceptable.
3. The food took for EVER to get to us. They put the serving tray by our table at leas st 10 minutes before the food came out, I assume to make it look like it's coming out any time. It was about 45 min before it came out from when we ordered.
4. This would normally not be a big deal to me if a single incident, but to add to this, I asked for broccoli Rabe with my meal, I got sautéed spinach.
5. I told the waitress to surprise my aunt and uncle with a slice of carrot cake at the end. I specifically expected a cake I pointed out to her. Three layer, looks pretty, etc. They bring out something that looks completely different. I asked the waitress what it is. She said banana cake. I'm like what? She corrects herself and said it's carrot cake and that it's brand new and fresh just made by chef. Looked absolutely nothing like the cake I ordered. It was a slice of a sheet cake with some frosting on top.
6. Asked for 2 cappuccinos and a tea and expressio. Brought out one cappuccino and forgot about the second one. Had to wait another 10 minutes for that.
7. At the end some manager lady came over and asked how everything was. I said well, it was alright, and I sounded disappointed. She blew it off said "ok it was alright, that's good" and thanked us and walked away.
8. Forgot about this one! So my aunt ordered salmon. It was alright but she kept pulling out pieces of something thar resembles a dry overcooked piece pasta, which had no place in her meal. I asked the waitress what that is. She said she will ask the chef. The chef comes out and says "someone here had a problem with the food?" I'm very taken aback but let him know why and he said it's a piece of lemon grass. I cook with lemongrass and not once did it look like that to me, but oh well. Wasn't arguing.

I regret bringing my aunt and uncle there. It was a disappointing dining experience and knowing how awesome Long Branch is, I really expected more. I was terrified by the oyster situation. If you enjoy Long Branch McLoons, do not assume the one in West Orange will be the same..service was mediocre and food was not spectacular at all. I was embarrassed this was my recco for my aunt and uncle. Hope the owner sees this