Matisse 167

For our anniversary last month we chose Matisse as our first tasting experience. Each course was one of the best things I've ever tasted. We requested to sit outside and had a blast talking to another couple about the different dishes, they mentioned they've come several times and it's consistently good. I'm a big guy and I was satisfied by the end of the fourth course. The server was passionate and well trained to discuss the food, owner made a point to chat with us on the way out and thank us for coming. The restaurant ambience is classy and has a couple different rooms, I'd like to come back to sit in a dim and elegant room off to the side when you walk in. Felt like we had a special evening visiting this place and will be enjoying again in the future.

I was here last Saturday with 2 other people to try their Spring Menu. It was absolutely amazing. We each ordered one item from the menu and shared so we were able to try the entire menu. Have to give lots of credit to the service and ambiance to the restaurant. Very intimate and artistic. Just a beautiful place. You feel like being transported to another place instead of being in Rutherford, NJ. The presentation of each dish was art and the taste was pure satisfaction. I prefer the seafood course because the flavors were just captured so well. The crab cakes the Chillean Sea Bass and the tuna appetizer were my favorites and stood out to me. I was just in the mood for a lighter fare. Their duck was very lean and not fatty. I can't wait to go back when their garden is ready. They have a really cozy back patio that will be filled with various plants in the summer. By then they will have a summer menu and I will back to try. Great date night spot or just treating yourself and catching up with friends. BYOB

Visited for our anniversary and had a wonderful time. Just an amazing experience every time we come. Food is delicious, service is impeccable, the garden is beautiful. We particularly enjoyed the meatball and tuna and crab cake, but everything was good. Oh and the key lime dessert was incredible. Shout out to our host Adrian who made sure we had a memorable evening.

Had an amazing experience at Matisse last week. I honestly enjoyed it better than the last time under the previous owner. Everything was exceptional and the 1st course Burrata and Artichoke was one the best dishes I've had in a very long time. The service was excellent and the timing of the courses was perfect. I've read people concerned about the change of ownership. Don't be. It may be better.

I recently dined at Matisse 167 and was blown away by the amazing food and excellent service. Adrian provided top-notch customer service, making sure our dining experience was smooth and enjoyable. Chef Greg's culinary skills truly shined through in every dish we tried - each bite was bursting with flavor and expertly prepared. I highly recommend Matisse 167 for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience with exceptional food and service.

A dazzling, extraordinary meal. This is not a normal restaurant - and it’s obvious after eating there why it was awarded a Michelin star. Service was great, atmosphere amazing (definitely recommend the patio seating) and the food an explosion of unique tastes.

My experience at Matisse was amazing Adrian our host was amazing !!!! He was so funny and polite … then before the night was out we got to meet the chef !!! He was so nice and overall my experience was A1

Upon entering we were so nicely greeted by the waiter, who we learned later by name of Adrian. He was so informative and knew everything he was talking about. The menu is seasonal and it is just beyond amazing! Great, great, great food. The pairings are just exceptional. I was so sad when it was over! We also got to meet the chef. I’m unable to state my favorite as everything I ate was just unbelievably made to perfection.

Matisse is such a wonderful restaurant! I was greeted by Adrian our server and he was so polite and professional. He explained in detail what was on the menu and made my experience here so inviting. The food was delicious and the ambiance was amazing. Adrian made me definitely want to come back here and tell all my family and friends

This is a great spot for a date or special occasion. Dinner is Pre-Fix and the menu changes seasonally. The dining areas are very inviting. The staff was very detail oriented and just enough but not on top of you. Basically the service is impeccable. As for the food everything is timed great and everything we ate was awesome. I thought I might leave hungry initially but that was not the case. Must go to spot for a romantic dinner

Go here for NYC quality dining in a gem in NJ!!! Byob Chef Peter is an artist! This place takes me back to a NYC Michelin star dining experience. Everything is so delicious and cooked perfectly and the portions are decent. This a high quality food that is seasonal and the menu is updated often! The ambiance offers two options Morocco or the Italian renaissance vibes...the service is always on point. I never had three different servers ask me for my drink upon seating! The water glass is never empty. It took me about 20 years to get a ressy here and now I know why. I do hope that some amazing chef studies under Peter and takes this place over for him one day...he's been here for a longgggg time and I do not want to be missing Matisse!

Excellent fixe price 4 course menu with many options in a relaxed setting with perfect service (Adrian). Duck was outstanding as was the steak. Gave four of us time to chat before and after dinner, too. We will be going back soon!

Matisse is a must and I'll happily come back to try another seasonal menu. I made a reservation for my husband's birthday and we were so giddy sitting outside in the deliciously shaded garden. The weather was perfect and a delightful gust of wind would blow by every once in a while passing through the plants all around us. With our sparkling wine in ice we were ready to try all the yummy courses. Our server made recommendations and noted we should get different things to share and try as much of the menu as we can so of course, we did! Every few bites we'd switch plates and it was so much fun trying the different flavor profiles. For dessert they put a candle in my husband's cheesecake and asked if he wanted a birthday song, haha! My husband politely said no thank you and shook the server's hand in gratitude and we munched on our desserts making sure to take nibbles of the powdered sugar dusted mint leaves. I'm confident everything we didn't try is just as delicious so I would recommend trying something that looks/sounds unfamiliar. Also, the hazelnut latte was incredible, it had white chocolate shavings and whipped cream without being overwhelmingly sweet and heavy--such a treat and great way to end the meal. DEFINITELY try it. This was a magical evening, thank you so much Matisse! We'll be seeing you again soon!

Another phenomenonal evening. Prix fix menu if $125 for four courses. Pick one of three choices per course. Best to share with someone . BYZoB. Intimate atmosphere. Attentive service. Enjoyed my choices of food. Chef is top notch. String recommendation for one of the best French restaurants in New Jersey.

This is my second time in this place. The first time I went was for an anniversary dinner during the winter pre-pandemic (sometime in 2019) and it was a lovely time! This time my husband and I went back for our 5th anniversary and again, we had a lovely & amazing time; we also noticed a few changes. Food: As usual, the food was amazing. However, they really changed the menu and I felt like most of the courses were similar to each other- delicious! Nonetheless unvarying. Service: Really 5 stars! Our waitress was really great. Knowledgeable of the menu, likable personality, offered to take pictures, and even helped me find some mosquito repellent right away because sitting outside in a sunny afternoon had its perks like quietness and cute views, but also downfalls like giant mosquitos :( Ambiance: Quiet and nice for couples having a date. The garden is beautiful- really cozy vibes. The restaurant added these new outdoor umbrellas that keep the sun away and I believe more variety of plants/trees. Def recommend this place for a special occasion or date night.

My good friend took me for my birthday, my 2nd visit here. Olives are one of the few foods I gave up trying because I really am put off by any kind available pretty much anywhere HOWEVER, the tapenade on the artichoke app (which I asked them to leave off) worked incredibly well enough to convince me to eat it! My 2nd course, Smoked Deck Carpaccio was unreal My 3rd course, Sea bass with shrimp was another homerun Dessert was the Pineapple Vanilla cheesecake and it was the perfect ending to a phenomenal meal.

came here for my birthday and by far this place food is a 10 outta 10. Adrian amazing and I would definitely recommend anyone and everyone to come enjoy his food.

For many people it might be expensive and portions are normally small (French). Food and service is very good.

Came to Matisse for the first time and what an incredible experience, chef Graig is incredible and Adrian is so fun, made our evening remarkable, will definitely return for the new menu.

Price per person $125 plus tax and tip. So it comes to well over $300 for a couple. So this review is based what is norm for this price range. Good: You should not go home hungry. BYOB OK: Plating Service attentive but like rough around the edges for this price range. Not so good: There is a lot of over powering flavors all packed in a single bite. This would be acceptable for a medium end Mexican restaurant. The food is basically a nice restaurant from the 80s and the chef never bothered to learn anything new. We sat in the front portion of the restaurant. Again, the decor probably has not changed since the 80s. In summary: fancy restaurant from the 80s that has not changed anything except keeping up with inflation. I would not ever go back.

Another not very close to us establishment we keep returning to because it's been just that good. It's a place to consider for a celebratory occasion, as the dishes are concoctions unlike anything you'll ever come across. As the name implies, it's a French influenced cuisine, but not otherwise very French. It's the elaborate and unusual pairings of tasty elements that draws from the French culinarily arts. Book in advance for your preferred date and time, as it is not a spur of the moment, just drop-in establishment. It is low-key, but upscale dining. It is also BYOB. Be sure to bring top of the line wines though, because the food warrants it. The dining areas offer 3 varied settings. The main room has a chic elegance with faux paintings influenced by the namesake. The front room is newer (it seems to suggest a Moroccan theme) and our least favorite, though that may be only because we enjoy the others just that much. Our preferred dining setting is the garden, but that's only available, of course, seasonally. The menu may seem limited and structured. Don't be fooled though, there's plenty to offer. It used to be one could order anywhere from 3 to 5 courses, where one must be the "sweet" desert course, while the others all came from the "savory" side of the menu. Post-pandemic the options are more limited, where you must partake in 3 savory courses and one sweet course. This is prix fixe at over $100 per person, with occasional additions for certain options, when offered. The menu changes often, though the best of the best are usually kept on as staples. One example of this is this one; be sure to select the Crispy Panko Crusted Crabcake & Chipotle Honey Glazed Shrimp, if seafood is on your list. We never miss it, as there are no words adequate to describe it, but it's a can't miss.

I came here with some friends who had wanted to go here for a long time. They are well known and have been around for about 30 years. The chef Peter Loria who is one of the owners attended the French Culinary Institute and has worked in Le Bernadin which is a great restaurant in Manhattan. He changes things up on the menu and works with seasonal ingredients. When I originally called to make a reservation I spoke with Celeste who is one of the owners who was very accommodating. I gave them 4 stars and will explain why it was not as high as I wanted to give. Park Ave in Rutherford is not the most appealing area although the restaurant does stand out in the town and has a beautiful entrance. The restaurant has a charm in a rustic French farmhouse way. They have beautiful chandeliers of different types throughout the restaurant and the outside seating in the garden is beautiful. They have a few waterfalls and all the tables are covered with a large patio umbrella. This s a BYOB restaurant so we brought 2 bottles of wine so there was a savings to some degree with that. They have a few seating times and appear to only take reservations. I read some of the other surveys and some of the complaints about someone walking in at 8:30 pm and the staff appeared tired and not want to seat them explaining they have certain seating times. I could understand this is the restaurants policy and plan for a certain number of customers. If that is the way they want to run the restaurant and let customers know, I think it is fair and customers should not hold it against them. You can immediately see there is a good number of staff to customers. Everyone was polite, welcoming and made sure the lane was clear for customers to walk through. During the first course we had the honey roasted beet salad and 3 of us ordered the ahi tuna crostini. For the second course we had the crab cake and shrimp, and the Chilean Sea Bass Tacos, you get 2 of them and they were a good size. For the thirds course we had the Chicken Cordon Bleu, the Ahi Tuna loin with ribs and the Cod and Scallops which came with tofu and Ramen Noodles. All the dishes had great flavor. For desert we had the Chocolate Brownie, Key Lime Tart and the Fresh Strawberries with Carmelized Bananas. Overall it was a very nice experience although I believe it is important for every business to be made aware of little things that initially are considered a small issue before they turn into something major. What I was not happy with was the following. Our waiter Keith was very friendly and did an amazing job explaining the pre-fix menu which is a 4 course meal including the desert. Unfortunately he did not ask us how everything was going after the second course. This is something small and means a lot to most customers. We had a 7:30 pm reservation and were not rushed spending almost 2 1/2 hours. After desert someone else just dropped off the check on the table without asking if we would like more tea, coffee, etc. Keith did thank us in the end although I felt just dropping a check and not even saying "when your ready" is a little rude. The other negatives I would address would be that I have no problem in paying $115 for a pre-fix 4 course meal although most of portions were super small. The most notable was the desert which most people could finish in 2 or 3 bites. I am not a big eater although I did leave feeling a little hungry. I understand all the ingredients and flavors are great although even Daniel in Manhattan serves assorted breads throughout the meal. Daniel's experience takes customer service to a whole other level and it is worth paying their new higher price of $181 per person which can be attributed to COVID. Cafe Matisse did offer any breads at all. The other things that I think the restaurant should address is that they can seat 45 people inside and 25 outside, have a large staff an only have 1 pint size bathroom for all genders. There is a charm to the rustic look of the restaurant although I think inside they should make an investment and update the carpeting. Overall it was a nice experience and I would recommend them for a more informal pre-fix dining experience. Just know what to expect ahead of time. I hope the owners read my review and will consider and address some of the things I brought up.

Matisse 167 was a great culinary experience. Each course was unique and the ambiance of the outside garden made it a romantic evening. Adrian provided us wonderful service from helping us choose which dish we should get when we got stuck between two to bringing an upbeat energy between each course. We look forward to trying the other seasonal menus in the future.

The room was ver small and too loud. My appetizer (tuna sushi) had a little bug in it. When I brought it to the waiter's attention he seemed upset and asked me if I wanted another one (I was expecting him to take it back and bring another one). The portions were super small and they took over 25 minutes in between courses. A waitress finally brought my food and when I was about to take a bite (yes, I had already dug my fork in the plate) a waitress came to our table and told me that that plate was not actually for me so she took it. Finally, I got my Chilean sea bass which was bland and watery and the rice was cold. The dessert was ok (strawberry shortcake). Definitely not worthy for the price we paid (over 300$ including the tip)

I have been trying to get to Cafe Matisse for years, and it exceeded my expectations. The food is outstanding! Dishes are so creative, and flavor combinations are . Adrian and the staff are unusually attentive and kind. I felt like a VIP. I arrived early for the first seating and was able to peak in to the Moroccan room and main dining room before settling in on the patio. Can't wait to return.

This is a great experience, not just a great restaurant. The food is exciting and Adrien was stellar at talking us through the menu and recommendations. There was an eggplant tepanade in the shrimp dish that I loved, I had no idea I liked foie gras that much and the vanilla cheesecake will live in my heart forever. Can't wait to try more menus here next season!

The food was amazing. You can genuinely have just the crab cake and nothing else on the planet matters. The brownies was simple and to die for. The burger was dripping with sauce and understood immediately why it was award winning. Then let's talk about the service. Adrian and the boys made it a night to remember. He gave phenomenal recommendations and made us feel welcome and at home. A billion/10 will be back

3 years later and Cafe Matisse is still one of my absolute favorite spots in Bergen County. The menu that Chef has created is insightful and so well balanced. Each component of the dish is meant to compliment each other and it surely does. If you're a foodie, get over here & do Chef's tasting menu! Adrian was our server and he was absolutely wonderful! His insight on the dishes and warm personality simply complete the charming atmosphere of the room. We tried all different items on the winter menu and each one brought something special. The White Sesame Tuna was amazing, it was so fresh and light, yet very flavorful along with the fresh guacamole. The Pan Seared Coconut Popcorn Shrimp was a wonderful balance between sweet and savory, and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. The Pan Seared Scallop with the Foie Gras Croquette & white chocolate sauce was balanced in a way that you can only understand when you take a bite yourself. The Crab Cake & Chipotle Cheddar Shrimp is an absolute staple & that's why it stays on the menu; it's a must have. The Venison Special with Foie Gras Medallion left me with no words. My god, it was amazing!! Dessert was a Strawberry Parfait & Praline Cheesecake. They were perfect in portion and so delivious. We cannot wait for our next meal here!

This is THE restaurant you need to experience!! The food and service was amazing! Adrian, our waiter, was extremely knowledgeable with the menu and helpful in explaining entree choices; we really enjoyed chatting with him

Just a phenomenal meal. 4 courses, so between the two of us we tried 8 dishes and not a single once was even "just okay", they were all 7-10/10's Literally everything there is delicious. I really don't think you can go wrong, just order your hearts content and you'll be happy On top of that the ambiance is on point cozy cute Paris cafe vibes that just feels pleasant instead of pretentious, and the service was 100% on top of it. This is definitely one of our new favorite special event date spots and we're excited to go back!

New name but same excellent food and service. Chef Loria's imagination has only gotten better. Another night of fabulous and unique courses. Looking forward to our next visit. Nothing better in Jersey.

Amazing service, food, ambiance. Came here for my birthday and it did not disappoint. Plates were delicious!

Cafe Matisse has a tiny entrance but it is huge and has outdoor seating in the back. We had to make reservations & it is pricey but WOW so worth it!!! You get various small plates that are full of flavor and will leave you wanting more! Pictured is the Matisse burger. I believe they change their menu and add new things every season. Highly highly recommend going for a date night or special occasion

A cherished gem of a restaurant that I value so much in our local neighborhood. The menu is crafted with attention to seasonal ingredients, the service is attentive and warm, always willing to give a gentle guiding hand on the best items to order on the menu. This is a place you go for the experience, time spent savoring a meal well made. I have been many times and will always be willing to go back to celebrate an occasion or to have a romantic night with my spouse.

Just ok. Way too much food and not tht interesting. Will say it is beautiful space. Staff were engaging

The food, the service and the ambience were so amazing! This was our first time at this restaurant and definitely out of the norm! All the food was so delicious and the dessert omg. The staff were so fun and kind! I can't wait to come back and will recommend to all!

Quaint BYO. Food, ambiance and service are excellent. Great for date night or double date.

Took me two months to review since we ate here but i still remember the experience! From outside, the restaurant may appear mediocre but their garden seating was beautiful when we dined for our anniversary on July 2020. Seating was limited then and we had a good amount of distance from other customers so the whole dining experience was even more intimate. We had a 3 course meal which started off with their fried artichoke and crab cake. They were delicious and beautifully prepared. We cleaned that plate off quick! Next we had tuna and an order of tacos. Tuna had a good amount of pepper and wasabi sauce drizzled on the sides gave it an extra kick. For the tacos, the meat was so tender and mixture of cheese gave it so much flavor. A little tricky to eat as it sometimes fall off but we managed lol. Lastly we had the seafood and filet mignon sandwich. Scallop was nicely cooked and remained tender and juicy however for the filet mignon i may have just preferred it without the bread. Regardless the meat was nicely done. But i guess the first two courses overshadowed the filet mignon and I enjoyed my first two eats better. For desserts, I loved the cheesecake! The crust was delicious and overall was not too sweet. The brownie was fudgie filling and the hazelnut latte was decadent. Way to end a sumptuous and elegant meal! Oh and I almost forgot, Chef Peter even stopped by our table to ask us how the meal was which was very much appreciated. We had a lovely anniversary dinner indeed.

Came here for a birthday celebration and was my first time. Was quite disappointed. The food definitely did not reflect the price. The smallest portions and we sadly left hungry after paying a few dollars short of $350. We dined indoors and the ambiance was not that great. They're outside patio was nicely decorated so I'm guessing that's where you go for ambiance. Overall I would not dine here again or recommend it. It wasn't an unforgettable experience for me and nothing stood out. Other than pricing it felt like any other restaurant in BC.

Pardon some of the descriptions. The menu here changes quite often and they are doing a special menu due to Covid. I personally partook in some of the specials and they aren't always listed online. This was from around a month ago. I went here with three others (including one vegetarian) as a late birthday as I had heard great things and virtually everything was excellent though I would say they lack some vegetarian options outside of removing parts of certain dishes (though this could partially be due to Covid also.) They are currently doing a four course prix fixe menu in their nice garden in the back though some tables currently lack umbrellas as the company they ordered them from are not here yet. On another note, the severs and owner/chef here are also very nice. First: I had: Shellfish Salad (Crab, Shrimp, Lobster) in Croissant, Heirloom Tomato, Avocado Puree (approximated name) This was listed as one of the specials and as it's not on the menu, I am giving an approximation as to what it was. This reminded me of an almost French version of a lobster roll. The mini croissant was very buttery with a great seafood filling and the tomato was good as well. This was good though a bit small compared to some of the other appetizers. Others: Special: Smoked Swordfish Carpaccio Green Olives, Hummus, Pimento, Capers, Drizzle of Virgin Olive Oil, Toasted Flatbread Chips, Baby Greens This was easily one of the best dishes of the night and I hope it gets removed from the specials and added as part of the regular menu. The contrast of flavors and textures was excellent from the lightly smoky swordfish to the sourness of the capers and the rest. I'd highly recommend this. Spicy Panko Crusted Crab Cake & Cheddar Glazed Shrimp Cheddar Toasted Corn Bread, Spicy Crab Relish, Fried Jalapeno Cheddar Popper, Corn Jam, Ancho Sour Creme, Grilled Corn, Spicy Corn Jus This dish is almost an elevated form of Southwestern cuisine. A lot of people in this restaurant were ordering this and I can see why though I personally don't like food much from this region. Fried Artichoke wrapped in Speck Ham Whipped Creamy Sage Feta, Eggplant Tapenade, Dollop of Hummus, Spicy Tomato Vinaigrette, Balsamic Glace & Baby Greens As the person who ordered this was vegetarian, they got it without ham. This dish was fine though it's hard for me to comment as I didn't try it outside of a small piece of the artichoke. 2nd I had: Peppered Tuna Loin, Sesame Jalapeno Tuna Tartare Cucumber Sour Creme Green Onion Salad, Wasabi Jus, Julienne Fried Tortilla Chips The tuna was of high quality as expected and the salad/chips added some good contrast. My only complaint would be that the wasabi jus was perhaps a little overwhelming for the dish. Maybe something with citrus would work better? Other dishes: Gnocchi with Broccoli Rabe Pesto Creme Broccoli Rabe, Grilled Artichoke Hearts, Burrata Cheese, Oven Roasted Herbal Red Tomato This was probably the best of the 2nd courses. Excellent gnocci with a fantastic sauce. Good artichoke as per the prior dish. I was surprised how big the portion was. Burrata was good as well. Toasted Flatbread with Taleggio Cheese (x2) Grilled Duck Sausage, Thinly Sliced Smoked Duck Breast, Black Cherry Onion Jam, Herbal Marcona Almonds, Sun Dried Cherries, Arugula Pesto, Baby Greens, Cherry Balsamic Jus This was good. Taleggio is a strong cheese and it paired well with the duck/jam/remaining pieces. Almost a bit rich but it's expected with this pairing. Main: I had: Muscovy Duck with, Pan Roasted Foie Gras ($10 Supplement) Sour Cherries, Jus, mushroom risotto (approximated name) This was delicious and well worth the supplement. It was quite rich and risotto and jus added some extra flavor. The foie was perfectly cooked as well and risotto was well cooked and good as well. Others had: Pan Seared Scallops with Macadamia Nut Crusted Foie Gras Truffle Harvest Blend Wild Rice, Pea Mint Jam, Basil Vinaigrette, Lemon Butter Jus The person in question enjoyed this. I didn't try outside of a piece of scallop which was quite tasty. Herbal Roasted Sliced Filet Mignon Loin with Onion Rings On Toasted Roll with Olive Oil, Sliced Heirloom Tomato, Grilled Onion Jam, Burrata Cheese, Cilantro Mayo, Baby Arugula This was essentially a mini sandwich which was similarly playful as my appetizer. I tried a bit and it was tasty (even without the burrata as requested.) Mushroom Risotto: If you recognize a bit of dejavu, the dish in question was essentially a larger portion of what was on the bottom of my main dish. It was slightly disappointing but the flavor as per mine was good. I'd prefer there be some vegetables or something in there. Out of room for dessert descriptions. 4.6 Desserts: Strawberry Cheesecake Marmalade, Dollop of White Chocolate Creme, Malt Anglaise, Strawberry Vanilla Jus -or- Chocolate Brownie Orange Mascarpone Creme, Espresso Chocolate Creme, Orange Honey Vanilla Jus, Caramelized Banana, Caramel Pearls

Let me begin with apologies for no pics of all of the perfectly executed meals we had last night. We where a party of 8 and each and every dish was delicious, beautiful and they all where served together. The service here is always exceptional, from the time you enter and through the entire visit they are there for your every need. Many thanks to chef Peter for his perfect execution of each and every dish. Also the ambiance in this place is romantic hopefully our next visit we can enjoy the beautiful garden

The good the bad and the ugly. The good - delicious fresh food. The chef is a dedicated professional with a variety of options. His dishes are always changing and the quality of food is top notch. Also, the way that your food is presented is pleasing to the eyes. The bad - it is an overpriced fee per person for the whole experience. It is understandable that we are in COVID times and sometimes the establishment needs to charge extra in order to cover their business. The ugly - the main waiter was an asshole (he had a ponytail and a beard). Since we arrived at the establishment, his behavior did not match the environment. We went to this location to celebrate the 90-year birthday of our grandmother and I was baffled at the treatment that we received. Below are some of the topics brought to our table by the main waiter: (i) badmouthing the restaurant owner to the table; (ii) playing with our plates when we was delivering the dishes; (iii) and forcing an English accent and making offensive jokes about a French accent. For a restaurant business that charged above 4 digits for a family experience, this one was very bitter.

I would love to start with the food which was stellar but the service was exceptional! Our Server, Adrian gave us an experience. His charisma and attention to detail made us feel like so special. His enthusiasm is infectious. Although we were seated in the dining room, he suggested we have dessert in the patio to get the full experience. The patio is whimsical and carried an air of romance. Cafe Matisse has a seasonal, pre-fixed menu. There are a variety of delectable options in each course. Each dish is a work of art! We made an agreement with Adrian that we have to go back next season to experience the new menu. I look forward to going back.

This restaurant never disappoints! The consistency of this place is like no other! From the food to the atmosphere and the folks who run this precious gem (Adrian is an incredible waiter! So personable, on point and professional!). I had another exceptional dining experience this wknd (to add to the many I've had). Thank you so much for making this establishment such an awesome experience!

Always a great dining experience! Food is amazing and service is always top notch. My husband and I have been there several times and have never been disappointed

Impeccable service by Melinda and advice on multiple choices of our 4 course gourmet feast to our party of 3 women and 2 men. Beets in orange preparation, (tuna over guacamole also fab bt companions), scallops with foie grad, suceent version roasted slices potatoes, and a berry parfait, all for $125 is a bargian. The has paintings and frames fitted to Matisse style, outside too col tonight looked inviting for warm weather

I'm caught between 2 and 1 stars for this place. Took the wife for our anniversary dinner as we moved closeby to the area recently and it sounded promising. The food was in quite small proportions although, i suppose that when you go to a place like this place tries to be, that's to be expected. The food itself wasn't bad but really my two main issues with this place are: 1. I had called before reserving and then asked my waiter upfront about removing dairy from my meal. Both the phone call and the waiter said no problem. I assumed this meant that if say, the course had cheese or mayo or something, they would just not add the dairy. This was not the case. They just completely removed entire portions from my plate. Literally, my plates were less than half of my wife's plates. 2. The waiter??? Not sure if its the same guy that previous comments complained about. Our waiter did not talk sh*t about the chef but was just not really what'd you expect from what this restaurant tries to be, which is some kind of fancy experience. The waiter belonged in a fast-food restaurant and not in-n-out or chik-fil-a. His attitude, demeanor, everything was just so unpleasant. He spilled our wine when pouring and laughed it off. And the worst part was when we finished our one bottle of wine, he said something like "No second bottle?" and my wife tried to joke and said she needed me to drive her home after and the waiter offered to drive her home???

For $125 you can get a 2 star Michelin experience with amazing food from a chef/owner that has been cooking in that spot for over 40 years! The service was fantastic and the dining room is gorgeous!

Went here with a group of girlfriends for dinner. Food was superb. Service was impeccable. 4 course dinner with options to chose from. Adrian our server was great! Started off with Pan Seared Shrimp Wrapped with Sage Leaves & Speck Ham. Second course I had the Spicy Panko Crusted Crab Cake & Cheddar Glazed Shrimp. Third course I had short rib, and for dessert I had Cherry Vanilla Cheesecake. All our courses were explained to us in detail as well as the flavor combos. And each course was better than the next. Definitely will be coming back!

4 star average as I wanted so much to love this place. Maybe my expectations were set too high. I am no stranger to tasting menus as I've dined at many in NYC. But the flavors of each dish were a bit too many. Let's start with the good. 5 stars for romantic ambiance and decor. I sat outside on the back patio during September and it was very lovely with the fountains and different plants. They were also very compliant with Covid regulations. The place overall is very small and you walk past a window where you can see the chef cooking in the kitchen on your way to your seat. As for the food, 3 stars, and the main reason is that each dish felt like it was trying too hard. Too many ingredients, too many flavors. Presentation was beautiful, but I cannot say that one dish stood out as a favorite. Just by reading the menu, you can see all of the many ingredients listed for each dish. I felt like all the extras took away from the flavor of the main element of the dish. Other than the flavors being a bit blurry, it is a very romantic spot.

Really great spot for date night. Highly recommend and the fact that's it's byob makes it even better

Recently are here and I'll CONFLICTED.. LOL PROS: Very cute decor Intimate/romantic vibes Great wait staff. Everyone that worked on Saturday was very outgoing and engaging. Food: The presentation & size are great.. As a foodie, i just didn't understand the flavors. Nothing was bad or poorly cooked. It's a matter of personal taste for me. All the dishes had corn? The sea bass was accompanied with a BBQ pulled pork and corn?? Again, I couldn't love this combination. The scallops were perfectly cooked and served with butternut squash and cranberries.. Again... My palette couldn't understand this combo.. I don't discourage anyone from trying it out. Great service, romantic, but it wasn't for me .

A total experience, different, and the atmosphere is intimate. The courses and enjoyable and artfully presented.

I came to Cafe Matisse with some friends for my birthday, and it was a unique experience! This tasting menu is $105 for 4 courses, one of them being dessert. The atmosphere of the restaurant was homey and inviting, and the garden is beautifully decorated for the winter. I went with 3 other people, so we got to share and try all the dishes! The restaurant is socially distanced for COVID, and it's reservation only. Now let's get into the important stuff- the food! 1st course: Spicy Panko Crab Cake with Shrimp- I loved this appetizer! Lots of flavor and crispy on the outside. The corn components are delicious with the crab cake, and the shrimp on top is huge! Fried Artichoke wrapped in Speck Ham: The artichoke is very juicy and the ham is great with the sauces. Burrata with Ginger Butternut Squash (Seasonal Appetizer)- Delicious and refreshing! This appetizer is a little on the sweeter side, a great end to the first course. I love burrata, and theirs was great! We got this extra to share with the table and did not regret it. 2nd course: Chilean Sea Bass- The fish was nice and juicy with a nice macadamia nut crust. I liked the coconut vanilla hints to it as well! Pan Seared Sirloin- The sirloin was cooked perfectly medium rare! The blue cheese was a little strong, but the caramelized onions go well with the dish. The potatoes and brussels sprouts are good as well. 3rd course (I was getting full at this point): Shrimp and Scallops with Gingered Butternut Squash- The shrimp and scallop were huge and so juicy. I loved the scallop, but I wish there were more than one. The soba noodles were a little on the sweet side, and I would've preferred it to be saltier. Matisse Burger- The burger was not my favorite as the cheese was very strong, and the burger was a bit tough. The wings were crispy, but not meaty enough. Good flavor on the wings though. Dessert course (I was stuffed): Strawberry Vanilla Cheesecake- Great strawberry jam! Cheesecake was a little heavy, but that's expected of a cheesecake. Chocolate Brownie- The banana with the brownie was so good! The little malt balls are also very good. Overall, this is a nice and intimate experience! The servers are attentive and entertaining. I was extremely full at the end of this, which I was not expecting. I love how the menu changes with the seasons! I would definitely want to sit in the beautiful garden and eat when it gets warmer.

Truly a gem in the culinary world!! Service very Professional and courteous. Classic interior from the floor to the ceiling!!

Terrific yet pricey experience. First, I've got to voice my preference and love for tasting menus. I'm tired of huge portions of blah food. I was looking forward to a pretty esthetic and strong meal here and largely liked it. Service was the best ever in NJ. First course got me rolling with goat cheese basil dish. Great combo and left me hankering for more. Second dish was everyone's favorite and mine as well: spicy panko crab cake with shrimp. Personally this was my favorite taste of the day and maybe my best crab ever. There was a chocolate glazed shrimp on top which was fine but not my ideal shrimp choice. Venison medallion was off point. I'd asked for medium well and it was largely rare which I found disappointing. I rarely send food back but probably should have to achieve my desired state. The key lime tart dessert was rich and mind boggling savory. I let small bites linger in my mouth to let the flavors relax and overwhelm. Absolutely great key line. We were with great friends and everyone truly liked their meals. Bit expensive overall but it's BYOB which helps. For special occasions and if you don't mind hitting the credit card, this is a highly enjoyable meal.

The most beautiful place to dine! This is a cute and intimate place to dine for any special occasion. I came here for my brother's wedding and the waiter was so kind and attentive. The food here is also delicious and SOO filling. Despite it being several courses, each course comes with a decent amount of food (in a good way). My favorite of the night were the crab cakes with cheddar glazed shrimp. It comes with the mostttt delicious corn bread and such a great amount of spice from the jalapeño popper and corn salsa. This was also a favorite for many of the other people that dined with me. (Give me 4 courses of that and I'm good).

Went here for wife's birthday. Service was excellent, food was mediocre for price. It's Michelin star insane price. Food was microwaved, not kidding and also prepped in advance. Could tell by the cold plates and freezing cold salad and then the lukewarm food and mildly warm plate. Clear sign of microwave. The chef should be ashamed of himself for this price. $300 for 2 ppl 2 stars, only because the service was excellent.