Buona Sera Ristorante & Bar

I think the title says it all. Had planned a nice group dinner and make a big mistake by picking Buona Sera. They used to be good, but something ha... more

Three out of four diners had bathroom ailments following having dinner at this restaurant (July 19 2008). If that?s not enough for you not to go, read on...,\r \r If you can understand how ?A light tomato pancetta cream sauce? translates to a chunky cream sauce overloaded with fatty undercooked (looked raw) pancetta, then you will have no difficultly ordering here. Broccoli Rabe with Penne ($3.00 extra for sausage). The sausage was a breakfast link sausage (tasted like jimmy dean) cut into 4 pieces. \r \r Then there was the wait staff. When we gave our orders the waitress looked at us as if we were crazy for ordering our choice of food and rolled her eyes with each order. Maybe our menu selections didn't meet 'her' standards?...Maybe she wanted us to order the specials? \r \r If the table is full of plates and no one is using the salt and pepper, I usually put the shakers at the end of the table. Every time the waitress came by she fixated on them and moved it back to the middle of the table. \r \r Why are olives already on the table prior to guests arriving? They should place on the table when you are seated. The waitress was not knowledgeable of the dessert menu items. If fact she gave us wrong information.\r \r When leaving, I saw a guest holding a framed poster of Frank Sinatra (when he was 26 and got arrested) He was talking to the owner Chris Mariani about buying it. That framed poster came from the men?s room. I know because I saw it in there 10 minutes earlier. If he didn?t buy it, it?s hanging to the left of the urinal. Maybe he wants to buy the urinal too?\r \r Anyway, do yourself, your friends and your family a favor, either go somewhere else or buy an extra large bottle of Pepto Bismol for dessert. Pros: Limited parking, broken streets (spouse fell), overpriced Cons: That's really fitting -you will feel conned more

I don't know who would want to go there and eat, especially outside, what outside on the sidewalk, smelling the exhaust from cars and what are we looking at the inside of a mattress store! oh yea just what I want to do on a beautiful Saturday night! and if your there later it turns into a club, for New York wannabe's. I thought no smoking was a law, well not at this place if your the owner that wants to be a gangster and his friends, smoking cigars, nasty!!! NEVER NEVER again!!! oh and the food, was horrible, veal chop was hard and was like a leftover!! Cons: a lot! more

This restaurant is in the heart of Red Bank. The owner is very rude and thinks he is John Gotti, we complained because our very unexperienced waiter spilled a very expensive bottle of wine on my husbands lap and did not offer a new bottle or a discount or to clean my husbands suit pants. The owner suggested that we not leave a tip for his waiter. We ordered a cold fish salad for (4) it was not on the menu it was $85.00 The beef was well done on the outside and raw on the inside. Very expensive. I believe they think they are in Little Italy no chance lets just say stick to the small places in Red Bank - by the way Carraba's was better thank Bona Sera now that is scary Avoid - the parking stinks and the drinks are way to pricey besides its above an old pet store never know what you can find in your dinner - YUCK more

Don't waste your time...overpriced, overrated and not worth wasting a Saturday evening for. Food was mediocre, service was slow and inattentive. We dine out a lot and figured we would give this ""trendy"" place a try...we will not try it again any time soon. Pros: its dark and you can play footsie and other under-the-table games.. Cons: food, service..and they lost our reservations!!! more

This is by far the most Americanized, over-sauced, over-cheesed, tasteless Italian I've had to date. The atmosphere is tacky, the service is so-so and the food is disastrous. The first clue that the food will be terrible is the diner-sized menu - it isn't possible for any chef to produce quality, fresh food when he has a list of 300+ items to prepare on any given night. Steer clear and head to one of RBs smaller joints like Bienvenue. Cons: All more

The food is tasteless. Not great service The veal was so not cooked proper you can see in the kitchen and when you are finished ordering the waiters stand is the back just watching not working make you feel extremley uncomfortable I will never take my children to this restaurant again it was not a place for them or us either more

At first glance I thought wow the food will be good here. I do not know where to start the waiter did not even know the menu. My husband's sirloin was a hockey puck how could you botch that one for gods sake.Not to mention my chicken boneless had a small bone.We infromed the waiter only of my husbands unfortunate meal. This is the best part tey did nothing or offered nothing. Everyone aked us did you leave a tip yes we did less the 20% od course. I even followed dinner with a phone call still just an well I am sorry. If you want good bread and olives well this is you place. Cons: everything more

Quiet, and personal is how I would describe the place. The food is good, and the servise is great. For a good dinner go here. more

Buona Sera is great! The food is perfect, and plentiful. They have an extensive menu, with great authentic Italian choices. The place is very big, nice and romantic for couples, but spacious for big groups. The decor is lovely as well,very beautiful on the inside. It sets itself apart from every other mediocre rest in NJ. Perfect for special occasions! The service is great and food fantastic, really go now!!! And be sure to try the chocolate cake with rapsberry sauce, its the best you will every have!! Pros: Extremely friendly service, spacious, beautiful Cons: Literally NONE!! more

The ambience and food are very good. The dining rooms are usually packed and the volume of both people and noise are high. Service could be slow and sometimes a bit inattentive. Nevertheless, we always enjoy the food and generally enjoy the atmosphere. Dishes are well prepared and portions are ample. Pros: food, menu Cons: crowded, parking more

The food was amazing. There were 6 of us, and all of us were very impressed. I have a huge appitite, and I was unable to finish my diiner. Actully, only one of was able to finish. Bring your credit card, or a big money bag, as the prices are high, but the food well offsets that. Average entree is around $25, and my crab soup was $20 by itself. Cosmopolitains are $10, to give you an idea of drink prices. The cigar lounge upstairs is well stocked with very premium brands. I did have to get all the drinks several times, as the waiter seemd to ignore our empty glasses, and also forgot to bring out our Rabe. I would say reservations are a must! Pros: Incredible food, Great atmsophere, Plenty to eat Cons: Expensive, Parking is difficult more

Had been looking forward to dining at this restaurant and finally this summer had a chance to sit outdoors to enjoy the passing parade while having a nice dinner. The parade was the highlight of the evening. My husband I both ordered the Veal - he a thick chop and me a scallopine. Both orders were tough and we left over half our food - and did not request a take-home package! The woman sitting next to us had the same experience with her veal chop. Also, service was inattentive and perfunctory. Will not be seeing them anytime soon. Pros: Outdoor dining Cons: Mediocre food, Inattentive service, Highly priced more

Great food, Large portions, good wine list. What else can I ask for. more

Upscale New Jersey without an attitude. Noisey as Wall Street in a bull market. Reservations a must. Hard to find street parking. Excellent food and wine list. I recomment the veal chops. This is where Tony Soprano would bring his wife for a dinner party of eight. Red Bank has been called the hipest town in New Jersey...this is the hippest restaurant in Red Bank Pros: Excellent food, attentative staff Cons: no parking, noisey more