Kona Grill - Woodbridge — Restaurant in Woodbridge Township

Great experience!

Kona Grill is located right off of Route 1 so the access to get to and from there is pretty nice. There is ample parking in the lot, though you may need to walk a little if you find yourself parked further away. This will likely be the case once the dinner crowd starts rolling in. We went for an early dinner (around 5pm-ish) as walk in patrons and were readily seated upon arrival.

The aesthetic is modern and trendy with some Asian touches. Walking in, towards the right looks to be more bar/intimate seating, the left end is more family style with booths/larger tables. Then there is seating along the sushi bar towards the back. It looks like they also offer outdoor seating, but it was a chilly night so they didn't have that available during our experience.

To start, we ordered the angry edamame and the avocado spring rolls. With regards to the edamame - what a delight! It was edamame with some punch! I like edamame as a standard go to option to start off a meal, but the angry sauce mixed in (a buttery mixture that was spicy and tangy at the same time) was a great touch to elevate the dish. The avocado spring rolls were also tasty. I appreciated the kitchen serving enough pieces for the table so each of us could enjoy.

For the entrees we ordered the Greek salad and the goat cheese/portabello flatbread. Each was so good! The Greek salad was piled high with tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, red peppers, feta, and seasoned with oregano (we asked for the olives and dressing on the side). The flatbread was also ample in portion size with the portabello mushrooms on just half the flatbread. I have to say the kitchen was very accommodating with all the modifications to the menu items. As for the flatbread, the crust was well seasoned and thin, and the toppings were fresh. It was a little flimsy but that didn't take away from the taste at all. Overall a hearty dish.

After finishing the first two courses, we toyed with the idea of dessert and it was well worth to cave and go for the sweet indulgences. Our waiter recommended a few of his favorites and we went with those choices - the apple bread pudding and the Snickers pie. DIVINE! Both dishes were just the right size and hit the spot - especially following the more savory part of the meal. It wasn't long before we devoured each dish haha!

It was a nice evening to partake in. Kona seems to have a vast menu and though I'm skeptical when a place tries to do it all - Kona seems to rise to the challenge and delivers with good food of a variety of cuisines all at a decent price. I also want to add that there were many veggie friendly options on the menu which always is refreshing!

We ended up paying around $50 for four people including tip - what a deal!

Definitely would like to go back and see what else is on the menu, and maybe even sit outside during the warmer months. The service was excellent and the ambiance was chill. It's a great choice no matter what the occasion. Keep...

I visited Kona Grill on a bustling Saturday, eager to try them out based on recommendation from a friend.

The night kicked off with a mixed bag of cocktails; the New Old Fashioned, revamped with Jim Beam Vanilla Whiskey, was a delightful twist on a classic, boasting a unique texture that impressed me. Similarly, "The Rum Drink" was an excellent summer refreshment—light yet satisfying. Unfortunately, not all drinks hit the mark. The Electric Lemonade was overly sour, reminiscent of Warheads candy, and the Cucumber Southside was dominated by an overpowering cucumber flavor that eclipsed its mojito roots. It was a nice and strong drink so I'll give it a pass on the strong cucumber taste.

Appetizers were a similarly varied affair. The Chicken Satay was adequate though unremarkable compared to Thai versions elsewhere, and it suffered from a stingy portion of otherwise tasty peanut sauce. The Fire Dragon Roll, meant to dazzle with its flamed alcohol-infused sauce, ended up a disaster as the sushi absorbed too much of the vodka(?), significantly detracting from its enjoyment and effectively ruining the dish.

Main courses painted a more positive picture. Although the 10oz Prime Rib, which I requested medium, arrived well-done, it was still enjoyable enough not to warrant a return to the kitchen. The star of the evening was undoubtedly the Macadamia Nut Chicken—a unique and flavorful dish with a wonderfully crunchy macadamia crust and a delectable sauce that both my companion and I found exceptional.

Dessert was a high note on which to conclude our meal. We shared a slice of carrot cake, a perfect balance of flavors with just the right amount of sweetness, and mercifully free of raisins—a common pet peeve. It might just be the best carrot cake we’ve had in a restaurant.

Service was exemplary and even a manager stopped by to see how everything was going and comped the carrot cake for us for the birthday. The interior was fine but the window seat we sat by had a lot of bird poop on the windows. Just made a note on that.

Kona Grill offers some standout dishes, particularly in the main courses and desserts, the inconsistency in the starters and some drinks could be improved. The venue has potential for a great dining experience if it irons out...

All I can say is WOW! This restaurant is pretty good by itself. But the TRUE experience of this fine establishment has to come from a fine fellow named Jon. If there were a Michelin star awarded solely for exceptional service, Jon would undoubtedly earn it.

You see, this wasn't just a meal; it was a culinary odyssey, guided by the gracious, the gallant, the grill-taming guru, Jon. His mastery of the menu was matched only by his enthusiasm to share his wisdom with our table. Jon wasn't just our server; he was our culinary sherpa, guiding us through the smoky peaks and sizzling valleys of the grill world.

As we pondered over the menu, Jon appeared like a grilling Gandalf, ready to lead us on an epic gastronomic journey. He regaled us with stories of the grill, each sizzle and sear, as if they were chapters in an epic novel. We were spellbound by his tales of the grill's secret society, where flavors conspire and taste buds tango in the moonlight.

The food, of course, was impeccable, but Jon elevated the experience to a whole new level. His recommendations were like golden nuggets of wisdom. When in doubt, trust Jon! He had the uncanny ability to pair wines and meats as if he were composing a symphony. Every bite was a crescendo of flavor, and every sip was a harmonious note in our gastronomic opera.

In the world of grilling, Jon was the maestro, and our taste buds danced to his tune. It's not often that a server becomes the star of the show, but Jon was the leading man in our unforgettable grill experience.

So, in the end, if you're seeking a restaurant that offers not just exquisite food but a memorable encounter with the legendary Jon, you've found your haven. Come for the grill, stay for the Jon, and leave with your taste buds waltzing and your heart full of laughter....