Lorena’s
“BYOB means you can bring your best wines and keep the price reasonable, though it ts expensive.”
“I love this place, and it is my go-to for a special occasion, or when visitors are in town.”
“I had the braised short ribs and my fiancé got the lamb special and both dishes were so rich in flavor and cooked to perfection.”
Lorena’s
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Accepts Apple Pay: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$$$ Price range Above $61
8 reviews
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This place is straight out of a fairytale . This restaurant is beautiful, cozy and delicious. Glen the waiter was exceptionally hospitable and friendly. Only fueling my satisfaction of why this place ROCKS!!!!
The presentation of their dishes were exquisite to the point you feel like diving in head first. We had the Long Island Duck and Braised Short Ribs and from the moment the dishes came out we were transported into a World of BLISS!!! The Long Island Duck simply melted in your mouth while the Short Ribs was simply mouth watering. We were so caught up in the moment that we forgot to take pics. This restaurants food and service will do it to you. You will eventually look up from your dish wondering where you are. They truly have the combination that would make any date you take fall in love with you, even if its for one night.
If you have never been to Paris or have heard what it is like in terms of food , well this is the place you need to bookmark and go. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny but my goodness it is so worth every red cent.
I came here for brunch and although my dish was delicious I have to say I left hungry! I ordered the crab crepe which was $21 and it was portioned as a very small appetizer, literally 3 bites! Being French I'm used to small portions but this was beyond ridiculous especially for a brunch main dish! My friend got the cavatelli carbonara which she did not love… I may try this place again for dinner at some point however was disappointed with brunch. Service was good and attentive.
When reviewing a dining experience, I try to avoid using descriptors like "sublime," or "superlative," or "exquisite," but referring to a meal at Lorena's with any of those adjectives would not be far off the mark. I have eaten at a lot of fine dining establishments in my day and while Lorena's may not be a place I'd rank nationally, it is certainly a local gem and a shining beacon of light in the Garden State. My review is only for dinner service, FWIW.
I'm in a list kind of mood today, so here are the key take-aways:
1) It's small and somewhat dated. The quarters can feel a bit tight and a tad formal. The front room faces the street with windows, and the back room (which I understand is a more recent addition) is just four walls. You want to sit in the front, if possible.
2) You will need a reservation, and they book up pretty far in advance.
3) If you are 40 or under, you will likely be the youngest people in there by 20+ years. Not a big deal to me, but it seems like a lot of their clientele are older regulars who've been coming for a while (Decades? Kidding, sort of.).
4) BYOB! Whether you like Schlitz in a can or magnums of back vintage Dom Perignon, you are welcome to bring it free of charge.
5) Because of #4 (and the lost potential revenue), they compensate for that by charging handsomely for their food. I'm talking about, on average, $18 appetizers, $40 mains and $15 desserts. That can add up quickly, so be prepared.
6) In spite of #5, it's worth it! The food is outstanding. The execution and presentation are flawless, and the service is spot-on. Attentive enough to handle our needs, but not hovering and certainly not rushing us in any way.
7) If you're looking for a reliably satisfying, decadently pleasurable, and undoubtedly wallet-depleting fine dining option for your next special occasion (or random Wednesday night), I highly recommend checking this place out.
Went here for brunch for my mom's birthday. Lorena's certainly has flavorful food but it's a place where they give you little portions and charge big prices.
Now, I can appreciate a lovely place like this, however I also like to eat. I enjoy the first world problem of leaving overly full and bordering on self-hatred because of a self inflicted food coma. Sadly, I didn't leave satiated. (Or maybe I did and I'm just used to rolling out of restaurant and not walking out on my own volition. Hm…)
I had the heirloom salad which was really fresh and a great way to start off the meal. My main dish was a delicious take on Eggs Benedict using chorizo. SO good. A couple people shared one or two desserts so I was able to taste the peanut butter bread pudding and the chocolate cake. Both were good but nothing I haven't really experienced before. I'm a tough crowd with desserts.
Above all, the staff was flawless. Very attentive, knowledgable and well trained in basic service etiquette. THAT is something I can get down with no matter where I eat.
I enjoy going out for a brunch. However, I love going out for a great brunch, and I absolutely loved my experience here in Lorena's.
My friend and I visited Lorena's for a Sunday brunch, and it was definitely one of the best brunch experiences.
This place is fairly small yet very cozy and intimate. And I very much enjoyed the atmosphere.
The presentation of the food was gorgeous. Not only the they looked delicious but they were very aesthetically pleasing. The more exciting part is that not only we were pleased by the beautiful presentation of the food but also were extremely satisfied with the food. Definitely, they were using fresh and high quality ingredients and they without a doubt made the most out of it.
We only visited here for a brunch, but can't wait to visit this place again for the dinner!
You will not find better service. I was feeling cold, and they actually gave me a shall to wear! This place is very intimate and romantic. Great for celebrating a special occasion. As for the food, it did not disappoint. They brought out complimentary pea soup, which was outstanding. We shared the crab meat crepe, roasted organic chicken, and salmon. We don't usually order chicken at fancy restaurants, but it looked so good on the menu that we had to try it. Our meats were cooked perfectly. My husband says this was the best cooked chicken he ever had. The crab crepe was nothing short of delicious. Food is pricey, but well worth it. Lorena's is a byob, so that helps bring down the cost.
Consistently the best restaurant around. It really doesn't get any better than this. Everything about Lorena's is top notch, from the food and presentation to the service. Lorena's is the type of restaurant you might visit only a few times a year because it is pretty pricey. However, you get what you pay for and for me, it's worth every penny. The freshest and highest quality ingredients are used and it shows. Some of my favorites here are the Scottish salmon tartare appetizer, braised beef short ribs, North Atlantic halibut, just to name a few. There are only about six entrees to choose from each night and usually a special or two. Advance reservations are a must, especially on the weekends. Chef Humberto Campos is the master behind the kitchen doors and often steps out into the intimate dining room to greet his diners and ensure everyone is enjoying their meal. Whenever I want to celebrate something or just to treat myself, Lorena's is always at the top of my list. BRING YOUR OWN!
We've eaten here 5-6 times and have always had an awesome experience. Very small restaurant with great staff and an awesome chef/owner umberto.
Start off with an amuse bouche. Usually an unusual concoction in a shot glass…a gustatory delight. Next, warm, fresh baked bread.
Hands down, probably my favorite appetizer ever is their salmon tartare with creme fresh and roe. It is an experience by itself. I could get this as my appetizer, entree and dessert. Yes, it's that good. When I am not lucky enough to have it on the menu, we have enjoyed their salads, pea soup, risotto, and crab crepe appetizers. You really can't go wrong.
For an entrée, I usually choose the salmon or halibut. My bf has enjoyed the chicken and beef. Our friends have tried the pork and lamb options and everyone has agreed that the food is awesome. There are so many flavors to each dish that each is an individual experience. The food is locally sourced and supports the neighboring farmers.
I am usually full for dessert. We have loved the creme brulee.
Now, to mention the service. It is impeccable. Properly trained staff who are extremely attentive to detail.
Thanks Umberto. We love your restaurant. It's one of our favorites. And we love that it is a byob.