Stage Left Steak

Stage Left & Catherine Lombardi are both top notch. The food is amazing and the service is outstanding. They go above and beyond. From the owners visiting every table to the attention to detail by every one of their staff members. They will always be our “go to” for special occasions and any time our budget allows.

So good that we had our wedding here!! The service, food and ambiance has always been top notch, so instead of planning a complicated wedding with lots of moving parts including food vendors coming to us, we decided to cut out all the extra steps and have it at a restaurant. They were so wonderful and accommodating, especially Julie (their event person). Their wonderful help and kindness took so much stress out of my big day and everything went off without a hitch. So incredibly thankful for everything they did for us!

Dined at Stage Left last night for the 1st time, although have dined at Catherine Lombardi's numerous times (special occasions, mostly) Went specifically for the Miracle Bar (1st time) AND to have dinner with friends to kick-off the Christmas season. The Christmas-themed drinks were great. The soup of the day was Butternut Squash and was OUTSTANDING. Marc and Francis were present and actively ensuring our Miracle Bar and Dinner experience was the level of service and quality that we anticipated. Their personal involvement in us was greatly appreciated.

I live roughly a seven and a half hour one way drive from the restaurant. So I only visit three times a year. The experence is always one that brings me joy. The staff, menu, cocktails and wine list reflect the love of food and hospitality that the owners have brought to New Brunswick for over 30 years. Real passion and joy for serving others can not be faked. Check out the pod cast "the restaurant guys" to experence this passion, while you plan your next visit. Ok. On to the food. This a a specific focus on a specialty appetizer that is not always on the menu. The caviar. Over the past few years, I have had three different opportunities to enjoy this delightful pop of flavor. Stage Left sources the caviar, serving Imperia Osetra Caviar. The presentation is classical in its simplicity, chopped egg, and red onion highlighted by handmade fresh waffle crisps. Honestly, the crisps alone are worth the drive. Together as a single bite the richness of the hard-boiled egg, the sharpness of the red onion with the snap of the crisp provides such a contrast to the salty sweet pop of the caviar that it is a unimaginable to enjoy it any other way. Rarely, will all of the components of a dish work so perfectly together to stand so far above their base flavors. This is what I have come to expect from the team at Stage Left, the aroma, flavor and texture come together to be so remarkable, I will have conversations and dreams of the dish for months to come. With joy, #willtravelforfood

I ate so much food that I haven't felt this way since being 9 months pregnant from carrying my last child. Everything was amazing, even the simple baked potato. Favorites included the goat cheese tea sandwiches, the summer salad burrata, the Australian wagyu and the giant salt blocks were sooo much fun. Also loved the genuine optimism of the staff, what a fantastic way to celebrate an anniversary dinner!

We had a wonderful experience! Everything we tried was delicious. I had the Stuffed mushrooms and a perfectly cooked steak with three incredible sauces, paired with truffle fries and wine—an amazing combination. I always judge a restaurant by the quality of their bread, and theirs was excellent

For me, the only thing that kept me from giving this restaurant five stars was that my food was served lukewarm and a lot less flavorable than I thought it would be. However, the dessert was amazing. Lastly, those that dine here should know that it is a la carte.

We made a reservation many weeks in advance, arrived on time and were told our table was getting ready. The space is small, nowhere to stand, we had to wait for over 15 minutes in the way of guests and staff trying to get through, super uncomfortable. I had to ask for status updates was told 3 minutes this was not true. We went to Esquina Latina down the street, had a great meal! Definite sour taste and would not consider coming back to Stage Left after the treatment we received tonight.

Was traveling from NYC back to Cleveland Ohio Made a specific detour to enjoy dinner at one of America's great restaurants. Stage Left shares a kitchen with sister restaurants Catherine Lombardi. We enjoyed an exceptional meal paced over several hours. One of the many things that makes this place shine is the pacing of the meal. I never fell rushed, I can enjoy a well made cocktial while reviewing the menu and an appetizer and switch to a full bodied red wine with dinner. The servers are attentive with out hovering, suggestions are done with out feeling pressure. Reagan and Josh took very good care of the table. With check ins by Christian and Alex all of the questions and notes where quickly answered and the evening was truly lovely. It is nice to note that the owners Francis and Mark, make the rounds to say hello and chat at each table, clearly they take joy in welcoming guests into their restaurant. If you find your self any where near southern New Jersey I highly recommend a visit Clark

One of the worst experiences of my life! Items on the menu are way overpriced for the area (a college town). All items are ala carte and the Filet Mignon said 8 oz on the menu however it was no where near that when served. All food was extremely well prepared and very tasty. The appetizer of olives, roasted peppers, and 5 pieces of sweet sausage along with some chunky parmigiana cheese was way over priced at $30.00. Sides of asparagus and mashed potatoes were $17.00 each. Combine this with $55.00 for a very small piece of filet mignon and one side dish of potatoes- you're looking at $72.00 minimum without drinks. Add $30.00 for the least expensive appetizer you are looking at $102.00. Dessert is another story. We wound up waiting more than 20 minute for bread pudding. We decided the wait was too long so we sent it back when it finally came. The check arrived with the bread pudding and I kindly asked the water (who by the way, more than hovered over us during our entire meal). While scanning the new check without the bread pudding, they adding an extra glass of house wine for another $20.00. I asked for the check to be redone a second time and another 20 mins went by. In addition the establishment already charged my Credit card. They promised me a refund of $30 but I have yet to see it appear on my card as a refund. All in all I would not recommend this restaurant unless you want to be ripped off. Especially if you're going to a show at the New Brunswick theater and have limited time before. I will give the food preparation, and taste a 4 out of 5. Service a 2 out of 5 (very slow service and constantly asking if everything is ok is just not necessary ). Price is definitely a 1 ! Overall not a very nice experience! I will never visit the restaurant again and I don't think you should either. But ... go and Judge for yourself. Good Luck !

Great food, atmosphere and attentive and friendly staff. We have been here numerous times especially when they have one of the special events. This weekend was a lobster event. We started with a shrimp and lobster tempura. There was also a special of stuffed zucchini flowers. We could not resist ordering it since now many restaurants make it well. For main fishes, I had a 1 1/2 lb lobster and my wife had a cold lobster roll. It had a lot of lobster meat and not much mayo to bind it. We could not resist ordering the steak fries but we were too filled to finish it order desert. There used to be a great wine list also!

We came here to celebrate a birthday and it didn't disappoint. I chose a rare flat iron steak. It was juicy and tender and delicious. The fried calamari appetizer was crispy and tender and the sauce was delicious. Nice touch was they gave us a bit of hot and bit of sweet. The chocolate hazelnut bread pudding was delicious. It wasn't overly sweet but was custardy had a nice toasted edge. The cream on the bottom with berries was a nice addition. The crème brûlée was also delicious. It was a nice touch that they added happy birthday to the plate because we were celebrating. Nice place for a special dinner.

Tonight, my husband and I went to try the world-famous Stage Left Cheeseburger. My husband is a very picky eater, and they made adjustments to his meal without any hassle. We are both in agreement that the food quality, taste, and service provided by the staff is 10 out of 10. Each of us had a dessert that was made on-site as well. The Cheeze Cake with berry sauce was my choice, while he had the Apple Fritter. Wow, once again, a 10 out of 10. The entire experience was enjoyable for us. The management and staff were extremely friendly and attentive, and I want to emphasize that. We will most definitely be going back to this restaurant to enjoy future meals together.

Way overpriced I kinda feel I was mugged lol! Not fine dining in my opinion! All the food came out lukewarm and the stone that was supposed to be 500 degrees was warm to the touch at best! Smh

We had a wonderful business dinner at Stage Left last night. Everything from the appetizers to desserts were so beautifully and deliciously arranged. The staff was so attentive and the owner even came and spent a few minutes with us making sure we had a pleasant experience. The lamb osso bucco was probably the best lamb dish I have ever had. The meat fell right off the bone. Would highly recommend.

I went here for a friend's birthday and they were super accommodating. I ordered their wagyu ribeye and that was served on a salt block. Let me just say this ribeye was SO good, I really wish they gave more than 7oz for the $80 price tag. I also got the eggplant parm and it was good. For dessert, my friend brought an ice cream cake and they were awesome to cut it and serve it for us. Also, they share the space with their sister restaurant, Catherine Lombardi (Italian restaurant) so even if you are vegetarian or not feeling steak, there's other options for you!

This is a wonderful steakhouse. The atmosphere is great. Very pretty and intimate. Service was first class. The tastiest cuts at a steak house are the butcher's cuts and the flat iron here was no exception. It was cooked perfectly rare was tender and tasted like butter. And if you're a burger fan like I am, best thing to get at a steakhouse is a burger. A steakhouse knows how to make an awesome burger. The burger here was amazing. It was a delicious blend and it was cooked perfectly rare. The Amish bacon was thick cut and cooked perfectly. The cheddar was sharp and generous. Dessert too was a delight. The chocolate hazelnut bread pudding had a delicious but not overpowering blend of flavor. It was served with a zabaglione on the bottom that was so eggy and delicious and fresh berries. The crème brûlée was perfect. I am a huge fan of crème brûlée and this one was a winner. Highly recommend this restaurant.

I like boring restaurants as the lack of unplanned "excitement" simply means that they executed really well, served exceptional flesh and left nothing to chance. Stage Left Steak is exceptionally boring. The service is stellar, the porterhouse was magnificent, the sides were central casting steakhouse and the bill will leave you bleeding from your eyes. In other words, everything was as it should be. Five carnivorous stars.

Boy, this place was tough to find! It took me three tries before I found the correct place - our menus still said Catherine Lombardi at the top which is their sister restaurant so perhaps there is some crossover in terms of the menu? The food was decent. I liked the flavor of the orecchiette though it could have been a bit more chewy instead of hard. The chocolate cake with ice cream was delicious though! We had a big group and reserved a private room to dine in.

Great food, drinks and service! The steaks were amazing, but so were the appetizers and sides. More creative than your typical steakhouse. The desserts were amazing. We can't wait to come back.

Requires credit card informtion to make a reservatioin. No steak house if that good:(

The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because I honestly do feel it is way too expensive for what you receive. The food is good, but I've had better in much more affordable venues. With that being said. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at SLS. We recently went to celebrate my father's birthday and we were beyond the last ones there. I cannot begin to say how accommodating the staff was in every way. We are a finicky bunch (well my family is) and they were great with some of our party being late, moving our reservation from inside to outside, turning the heat lamps up and down lol... Service was always attentive. Upon entrance into the venue, you just feel warm and cozy with the dim lighting.. old school bar.. this time of year, you get to try their seasonal cocktails. Autumn Leaves was perfect! The bartender was super friendly... sorry his name slips my mind. We ordered a sweet and spicy calamari which was tasty enough... my truffle pasta with proscuitto and asparagus was a bit too salty, but still good. I think everyone else enjoyed their meals, but we were just a bit underwhelmed. Christian was hilarious... I guess he does a bit of everything there. Very gracious part of the team. A class act spot that deserves to be checked out.

Went for Valentines day dinner late last night. It was our first night out alone in a year. We ordered a bottle of Malbec, waygu steak with salt brick, lamb chops and truffle fries. There menu is limited since the last time I went a few years ago, most likely due to COVID. The waygu steak was delicious. It arrived on a hot Himalayan salt brick where you cook it to your desire. Truffle fries were delectable and came with a yummy mayo flavor sauce.

Boy this is hard to do but i must say this steak house just didn't meet my expectations. I travel all over the US and i have some favorite steak houses in NY, Chicago and California. I love a great sizzling piece of meat :-). Sorry a small Wagu stake already sliced and then i am expecting to cook it on a salt block doesn't appeal to me. Now I understand they have been in business a long time...so they have customers that like this type of steak house. I am just saying if you like Smith and Wollinskis, Mortons, Uncle Henry's Ruth Chris the steak joint in Chicago ...you might not like this restaurant Owner came up and offered another steak...very thoughtful and the bartender was fabulous...just not my type of steakhouse

Second trip to Stage Left. Very much worth the drive from OH. The food was excellent. The gnocchi were silky soft and wonderful. The filet mignon was cooked to perfection, and the house made sauces were amazing. The service was beyond compare. Our server Joel was awesome, he took great care of everyone in our party (there were 4 of us). Max helped keep our table cleared and ready for the next course. Joel and Christian helped us plan out our meal and provided the best selection of wine to go with the meal. All the courses were excellent - cheeses, salad, pasta, steak, and dessert. The house made gelato is to die for. We are already planning our next visit for the summer when we can sit out on the patio.

We went here before a concert at the state theatre. We didn't have reservations but they were able to fit 2 of us on the patio which was fine because it was a beautiful evening. We both got the burger, my girlfriend got it without a bun and I got it with cheese and bacon. It was fantastic, delicious and cooked exactly to temperature (medium and medium rare). We got the steak fries to share and it came out with 5 huge fries on the plate that was more like a French fried potato stick - also cooked to perfection. This is not a cheap place by any means. They had steaks on the menu that were over $100. Service was outstanding with all the waiters and manager taking care of every table if they saw our drinks low, they refilled them without hesitation. We were able to get done in an hour to go enjoy the concert. Highly recommend!!!

Food was just ok. The service was awful and we were eating there before a show at the State Theatre. Very unattentive. Gum stuck under the table and the owner was very matter of fact about it. Said it must have been the younger crowd there for Valentine's Day but the table tops are clean. Very disappointed and would not go back.

As I've gotten older, I've become a notoriously nitpicky about little things at restaurants so I don't say this often: My dinner at Stage Left Steak was one of the BEST restaurant experiences I have had to date. Let's start off with the food, it's excellent, well done, and you can really sense that there is a sense of respect for the ingredients. The menu is seasonal and there is a lot of care into all the menu items. We tried the tuna tare tare, to start off which is wonderful. For our main meal, I opted for the the burger while my husband opted for the flat iron salt block. If you haven't experienced the salt block, you should give it a try at least once in your life. The meat is beautifully cooked and you have total control over how you want it. My burger was really good and the fries that came with it were massive and beautifully crispy. The sides at Stage Left are nothing to balk at. The asparagus was beautifully roasted and I will now be spending the year trying to recreate their cauliflower creamed spinach at home. For dessert, we opted for the creme brulee and it was wonderful (we were informed they use actual vanilla bean). What really set Stage Left Steak apart from most restaurants I've been to is how well it's run. I've actually never seen a restaurant be so organized, so on time, so attentive to service. The owners, Frances and Mark, were both on the floor. They were making sure the guests were paid attention to and well taken care of. They were directing the staff, they were serving guests, and it was actually really wonderful to see people put so much care into their business. It's not something you see often. I will be returning whenever I have a very special occasion, as it is a more high end restaurant. But it's a place worth splurging for!

So delicious ! Probably the best and most tender steak I've ever eaten. It was cool to cook it on the salt block. Can't wait to go back.

They aren't lying when they said one of the BEST burgers in New Jersey! - I eat my burgers medium rare but more on the rare side, and they cooked it to perfection. They do not any special sauce or extra herbs because The quality of the meat is just that good that it does not need anything extra. - The steak fries and truffle fries were amazing but the star was the onion rings, they were so light and airy and bursted with flavor . Cocktails were Delicious and most importantly the service was a 5 star! - I highly recommend Stage Left Steak, especially for burger lovers like myself! I'll be back SLS! Thank you for a wonderful experience.

This was an exquisite place and was bigger than originally thought. There were multiple rooms available to dine and a bar area as well. The menu had lots of appealing options while the service was well appreciated. I went with the Stage Left Burger ($17). I also added Applewood smoked bacon ($3). It was an 11 oz. patty with the bacon, aged Vermont cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. It was very good. The meat to bread ratio was one of the best I have ever seen. The meat was cooked to a perfect medium like I requested. The bread soaked up all the juices and made it that much better. Will I go back? Easily.

Great restaurant with amazing steaks. The appetizers and desserts are awesome too. Really liked the porterhouse.

My wife and I and two friends met up at Stage Left for dinner. We've not been there before so we were looking forward to it. We had the strip steak sliced with a salt brick, my wife had the Wagyu tasting and our friend had a petite filet. We also shared a burger as an appetizer along with a charcuterie board, the cured ham and some fresh mozzerlla (yes we went hungry !). The house bread was good. The garlic break was FANTASTIC ! It was one of the very best meals and experiences I've ever had. The food was so perfect. I like that you could further heat your sliced. steak a little more on the hot brick if you like too. The staff was so friendly and service was excellent. We recently ate at two different Michelin star restaurants in NYC and we enjoyed this just as much. The double barrel bourbon Manhattan drink was REALLY good too. Also, the strawberry shortcake dessert was excellent. Even the music playing in the background was fantastic- we found ourselves enjoying the familiar tunes. GREAT PLACE, GREAT FOOD, GREAT SERVICE, we can't wait to go back and try the Italian menu next !

Great portions and cuts of meat. We tried the porterhouse and cowboy steak and enjoyed both. The salt blocks were exactly what we needed to bring the steak to the perfect temperature - a real game changer! The steaks came with steak sauce and salt to flavor. Desserts were also excellent. Staff was attentive and service on point. Thanks for a great dinner !

I needed a place to forget about my failed relationship. As I was crying down George street, I stumbled upon Stage left. There was an angry patron throwing glasses at the bartender, but that didn't sway me. I had an amazing autumn leaves cocktail that reminded me of the fall...when my relationship was solid. The wagyu steak was also phenomenal. Highly recommend.

Three stars On special: apple cider salad Arugula was scanty, nothing special Bone in filet mignon. - i ordered medium but it was more of medium well. Im not sure if it's a filet M. It was charred , hard to eat an tasteless. I ordered a side of veg. And I ate most of it.

This is by far the best dining experience I have ever had. The leadership is amazing, service out of this world and you are simply not going to get a better quality steak... anywhere. Oh and the wine list is... pretty good. Meaning it is phenomenal. Francis and Mark have a hidden gem only a short drive or train ride from the city.

One of my favorite Wagyu steak places in NJ because they sear it rare and give you a hot salt stone to prep it however you like. Come here on Wednesdays for their Wagyu Wednesday special where you get to have it three ways for 40 dollars a person - I promise you won't be disappointed.

I was pleased to find out that this place was participating in New Brunswick restaurant week! We chose this gem because it was where my husband and I had our first date 5 years ago! The restaurant has a nice outside dining area (but it was too hot for us to do so). The inside is partly what I remember ... cozy and dim depending your table it was intimate. At the time of our reservation, I think they may have had a party on the one side of the restaurant because it was blocked off. I knocked off one star because that party was extremely loud and unpleasant. At one point it sounded like they broke glass and went about it sounding like a college party. It was distracting and made it hard for me to hear my husband across our little table. As for the food... - We both had the calamari appetizer and the Caesar salad. - I had the salmon. - My husband has the famous Stage Left cheese burger with a side of the steak fries. - I had the coconut sabyon for dessert. - My husband has the banana bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and torched bananas with brown sugar. EVERYTHING was super yummy and portions were reasonable. We were especially fans of the calamari which was crunchy with a sour vinegar-taste. The Caesar salad was so good with the anchovies and tasted super authentic. My husband raved about his cheeseburger (claiming the cheese alone it was amazing). My dessert was good but my husband's dessert was more memorable and really indulgent. I wish I had ordered what he had. More than anything service was on point and very professional. I had initially ordered the burger but when I saw the Salmon go out for another table, I asked the server if they would be able to accommodate changing my mind. They were more than happy to do so. Our drinks were never empty. Our tables were cleaned throughout our dining experience. Overall, we had a really successful (overdue) date night and certainly had a food coma. This is definitely a pricey restaurant and probably wouldn't have been able to afford to go here if it wasn't for the restaurant week specials. Our food was worth the $$$. Thank you Stage Left! We will be back again.

I am not a person that often leaves reviews, but I also feel people are more likely to leave reviews when upset than after having a great experience. After my experience last night, I think Stage Left Steak should have more 5 star reviews than I see so here is mine! We made a reservation after purchasing tickets for a show at the theatre and deciding to stay the night at the Heldrich. This was a birthday gift evening so I wanted it to be top notch! My husband loves steak, so Stage Left Steak seemed like a no-brainer, especially because of the proximity to the venue and hotel. I did look online at the menu and location prior to arriving, so I was aware you could order from both of their restaurant menus and that there would be a charge for using a credit card. I thought the two menus was an awesome idea and something I'd never seen before. And bringing cash was an easy solution to the service charge (which really would not have been that big of a deal anyway). Arriving at the restaurant, we were quickly greeted by a host, confirmed our reservation and were brought to our table by the "host". Turns out the "host" was actually one of the owners! He asked if we'd dined with them before and when we said it was our first time, he gave us a little history of the two restaurants, which was really interesting. He explained the menu and got us started with drinks (which he helped me select and it was a perfect choice for me). He then returned to tell us about the specials, with detail, and asked if we had questions. My husband was already prepared to try the wagyu tasting, but I was torn between two dishes. He helped me decide and made some suggestions for appetizers and sides. He was spot on with his suggestions. The food was incredible. I'm honestly not sure my words could really do it justice, so I'm not even going to try. From arriving to leaving, the meal felt more like an experience than just dinner. Is it expensive? Yes. But I knew that before arriving. Was it worth the cost? 110%! I'm a believer in you usually get what you pay for. Not only did we get a top quality meal but also service. I haven't been to many places where an owner is also your host and person discussing the menu, as well as taking your order. That's a different level of service. This may not be a place my husband and I can budget for a weekly or monthly dinner, but it is going to be our first choice for a special occasion. We have already decided that this will become a place for us annually, whether it is coordinated with a show at the theatre or our anniversary dinner. Thank you Stage Left Steak for an unforgettable evening!

As always, date night at our favorite spot did not disappoint. Spectacular service, yummy new appetizers, mouth watering main courses and of course decadent desserts paired with a lovely South African handmade and bottled dessert wine.

I have been going to stage left since I was about 14 years old for all of my families special occasions. The owner Marc is almost always there and always makes a table Visit and the Maître d' Christian is always a pleasure. I have down Christian for probably 10 years or so and watched him grow from server to bartender to manager of the restaurant and he provides excellent service and always makes sure everything is just right. My waiters all have always been very accommodating and attentive I apologize to the man who was my server tonight as his name slips my mind but i have had him before and he is excellent along with all of the staff I have encountered It was time I wrote a glowing review for this restaurant as it has always been a favorite and special place of mine with excellent food atmosphere but above all excellent service.

So disappointed!!!! These two stars are for the great services. Very good services and very friendly staffs. Foods were very disappointed. I felt so bad that I chose this restaurant to celebrate my daughter's and my husband's birthday there. Our first choice was Ruth's Steak but since we went there every yr so I was thinking of something new and closer to home. Bad choice!!! Too overly priced BUT foods were not good not comparable to Ruth's Steak at all. They are trying to be fancy and higher class but they are trying too hard. We were seated near by the bar. So loud. I requested another table before we were seated but they said they are fully booked. The rolls were VERY hard. The lobster tempura is not worth at all. Only a handful and very salty. The Not Your Mom's Grilled Cheese was a the big rip off for $17.95. The "fried chicken " is not fried and very dried like baked not fried for $29.95. Will not go back !

This restaurant still offers an amazing dining experience in the "new normal". The husband and I usually come here for special occasions and/or the night out where we have babysitters and Valentine's Day weekend did not disappoint. We had the honor of the sommelier serving us on the night we went and he made an awesome bottle recommendation that fit our tastes perfectly. The service was top notch and the food delicious, as usual. I hope they can open up to more capacity soon. It's always appreciated when the owners come around to check in on you. This time around I got the lobster tail, rib eye, antipasti, and chocolate lava cake. I hope we get to visit to celebrate soon.

We are from Washington DC, a town overflowing with steak houses. We have never experienced a steak house as spectacular as Stage Left. We had the Waygu beef sampler that we seared over their heated salt mineral block. The taste is superior to any steaks we've ever had. The service is so friendly, helpful, and personable. The owner Mark visits every table and his personal touch shows through in the food and staff. The side dishes and desserts were nothing short of spectacular. We now consider Stage Left a dining destination for future trips to New York. No wonder they've had a successful run for over 30 years. Stage Left is a "must go" for anyone who loves fine cuisine .

Great meal and service! I read a bunch of the reviews, and although their overall rating was good, it seemed like they were up and Damien. However, I found Stage Left Steak to be a memorable dining experience. I had the bone in filet which had a nice char and was cooked to order. My son had a strip steak which looked great and tasted just as good. My wife had the special, manicotti stuffed with crab and lobster, which was amazing! We ordered a bottle of a Sonoma cab (can't remember the name) but this too was very good. We also had Caesar salads, thick cut bacon, thick cut fries, and asparagus; all made the grade. All were very tasty. Finally, dessert was on point. Creme brûlée's and cappuccinos. I would definitely recommend this steak house!

If you are going to a show at the Stage theatre, it's a perfect location to grab a bite. Nice atmosphere, good service too. All menu items are a la cart. The steaks melt in your mouth, tender and tasty, however, don't come with any sides like house salad or potato, etc. and the prices are $$$. The parking is lousy in this area, we had to use a parking garage.

The first time I visited this Resturant was two years ago and it was a pleasant experience. The food and atmosphere was great! They even had live music that night which we didn't expect prior to our reservation. However, last night after 2 years we decided to return for my wife's birthday. I called ahead to let them know that it was my wife's birthday. The lady on the phone said, after dinner they will bring out a dessert with a candle to wish her happy birthday. I asked "is there anything that I need to do", they said "no, we've got it from here". Once we arrived at the Resturant I passed the winery and headed up the elevator to the Resturant. To my surprise, the lights were off and the Resturant was completely empty. I headed back downstairs and asked the winery, what happened to stage left. She said they're next door. Confused, I went next door and asked the hostess "wasn't you guys located upstairs the last time I was here?" She said yes but they change the location from time to time. I thought that to be very strange. Your Resturant's food and atmosphere is the footprint of your brand. One Resturant was spacious and elegant and the one downstairs was intimate and artsy. Which is fine but that's not what I was expecting for my wife's birthday celebration. Her and my teen daughter took extra time to pick out formal attire for the evening. Fast forward, I notice the menu changed, there were no steaks under $100 and the steak I wanted was a whopping $160. I requested my steak be cooked medium rare, closer to medium. When the food arrived the waiter placed a ladle of flaky salt next to my steak and instructed me to put it on the steak. I thought "seasoning my own steak? This is different" but I'll go with it. Then I cut into the steak and it's blue!! The waiter said the cook preferred to cook it this way and allow you to finish cooking it to your own specifications. So he places this huge hot block on my table. So, I'm thinking this is a top tier Resturant, Perhaps they are just trying to be unique. So I slice and start cooking my steak. However, once I bit into the steak it was extremely salty!!!! Unbeknownst to me, the hot block was a hot block of salt!! The salt block was not only cooking my steak but it was seasoning the steak as well. This would have been fine, if the waiter didn't already instruct me to add the flaky salt on my steak!! Time for dessert. However, My family was full and didn't really want dessert but I knew the Resturant and I had birthday plans for my wife. Without prompting Staff, they immediately placed dessert spoons and forks in front of us. My wife gave me a suspicious smile and went with it. We waited and waited and waited some more....I forgot to add that it was a school night for my kids so we really needed to get home. Just as my wife suggested we should cancel dessert, I saw staff members approaching us with plates of desserts until they past us only to deliver it to another table. I turned to see candles lit on their dessert while their table sang happy birthday. Another 5 minutes past when 3 desserts were placed in front of us...no announcement, no happy birthday wishes and no candles! The waiter did however give us an extra slice of cheesecake for our wait. The bill arrives and it was almost $500!!! Now, I must say This is the biggest bill I've ever received for my family of 4 to date. Now, I have no problem spending money at a quality restaurant but if I'm going to pay almost $500 for food then I d**** we'll better love my food and the service. I spoke to the manager and all she offered was an apology. She mentioned the complimentary cheesecake as if it was a consolation to my wife's birthday flop. Terrible experience! I will never return.

We began enjoying Stage Left Restaurant recently after attending a fantastic contribution between the establishment and Yelp on location and have been hooked ever since! See my review of this special occasion here: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elite-event-stage-left-steak-new-brunswick Soon after, my husband and I Iearned about their Spirits Project held on Thursdays at Catherine Lombardi, (the next door and sister restaurant) and have appreciated it more than once. It has been through this experience that I have gained insight on fine spirits, whiskeys, bourbons, cognacs, etc.; with this project there is a chance to try expensive and rare spirit before you buy since you can purchase 1oz portion of one of these special bottles which is opened specifically on that day and poured until the bottle is gone! You can see my review of my first time at Catherine Lombardi here: https://www.yelp.com/biz/catherine-lombardi-new-brunswick One of the last tasting I enjoyed during Spirits Project was a 21-year aged, Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, and when I found out that Stage Left had arranged to for a special day which included Balvenie tasting paired with Alec Bradley cigars and music provided by Los Cintron Brothers- one of my favorite flamenco groups, I knew we were attending! What a winning combination! The spectacular sound of the Cintron Brothers could be heard from the distance as we approached the restaurant, we had just finished an early dinner obligation at home base and rushed to New Brunswick, so we could enjoy this special evening! And what a memorable night it was! We sat at the bar which had an unobstructed view of the performers; here sipping on one of the special cocktails, Blood and Sand made with the feature Balvenie's spirit, we listened to the captivating music for a while. During a brief break we met the newest member of the Cintron Brothers, Felix? Who played a mean guitar and whose father performed the vocals to the last song of the night! We moved to a table at the sidewalk café to enjoy appetizers and continue the lovely evening! Soon after we approached the tasting table where "Whiskey Jim" had 3 bottles of Balvenie spirits to taste and an assortment of Alec Bradley's cigars to try. Among the Balvenie's choices were 12 years DoubleWood single malt whiskey, 14 years Caribbean Cask, and 17 years DoubleWood single malt whiskey; all great choices but my favorite was the Caribbean Cask, can't help that island background! We retired to the couches, so my husband could enjoy his cigar away from the crowds, soon after we were joined by Cristobal, one of the Cintron's brothers, who entertained us with his stories and jokes; his older brother Rafael joined in the conversation later and exchanged more stories and anecdotes. This amazing night continued with Frances, (one of the Stage Left propitiator's) joining the group gathered at the sidewalk café; he had a special guest with him, Mr. Dale DeGroff, the Master of Cocktails; besides enjoying Dale's incredible conversation he delighted us by making us special cocktails... What an experience! I have always been astonished by the generosity and hospitality of Frances! In all our times at Stage Left, we have always experience that extra touch, the dedication to his business is manifested by Frances' presence and acts. As one of the Cintron's brothers commented; "the man knows and lives quality and warmth!" Thank you

The best food in NJ! Top notch service and food!! Beautiful atmosphere, amazing steaks, great wine list... must try!!

Amazing burgers and filet mignon was the best! The thick slice of cheddar was perfectly melted.

This was our first time at Stage Left and I had rather high expectations. As mentioned, some things were good, but others not so much. Maybe it was the choice of meal we made, so I wouldn't discard it altogether. But for the price you pay, You can and should expect more. It was a perfect evening, so we had the chance to sit outside, which was lovely. Let's start with the good things. Their grilled asparagus is out of this world. The best asparagus I have ever had. Seasoned perfectly and the fact that it is cooked on the wood grill gave it a taste unlike what I've had before with asparagus. The duck I ordered was perfect. It is served with arugula and some confit on the salad. The salad was well seasoned but hidden in there were apples and either cranberries or some other dried fruit, which I wasn't a fan of. Were it spelled out in the menu, I would have asked to hold those rather than waste them. The salad had just enough dressing to bring out the flavor of the duck, but not so much that it overshadowed everything. The duck was cooked medium rare (the only way tog o as far as I'm concerned). Great texture, perfect crispiness on the outside, with just enough fat to enhance the flavor without making it greasy and unappealing. As our waiter John put it, they can make any drink we want in addition to whatever is on the special drinks menu. I asked for a Pineapple Jalapeño martini and it was pretty good. I was missing some heat but otherwise, I enjoyed it. Their old-fashioned is really good. So don't hesitate if you're a fan. My BF had the one from the special drinks menu, not the regular one. Not sure what the difference is, but there are two. He also had the Roasted Pepper soup with goat cheese, which he enjoyed. From a presentation standpoint, I would have liked there to be a plate under the bowl. The double-thick bacon was also quite good. The reason for the 3 star rating? My BF ordered the Bone-In Filet Mignon. His recommendation.. Don't do it. It was dry and a little gamey in his view. He's had dry aged steak before and this one did not compare. With the bone, you're getting about 2/3 bone and 1/3 filet, so the price:meat ratio isn't great. As he put it, he was supremely disappointed. And it comes with no garnish at all. Just a slab of meat on a plate. Not particularly appetizing. My green salad appetizer was a little too simple, though the dressing married very well with the micro greens. Service was very good. John was attentive, checked on things when we asked him questions and took great care of us. One surprising thing. You would expect that an establishment that wants to portray and high end image would make sure their bus boys/girls and their bartender's outfits are free of stains and smudges, especially when they are wearing all black outfits.

Amazing food. Flavor, presentation, and ambiance, this place has it dialed. The service was impeccable and couldn't have had a better bartender than Joel.

I came here for Thanksgiving and I was very disappointed to have a bad experience on a holiday. Pros: The dining service although busy was very good, the kind you don't need to ask for a refill of water Cons: The food wasn't good at all for what the price: dry aged bone in steak- $70 Thanksgiving meal- $60 The steak was interesting because I never had dry aged, the taste was fine, but I ordered a medium rare and it came out cold, might have been sitting in the window too long. The Thanksgiving turkey was dry and the turkey leg was so hard I couldn't cut into it and just had to bite off what I could chew. I was really mad because the next day when I reached to have "thanksgiving leftovers" I asked for my $70 steak leftovers to be packed with the bone in a box as well as everything else. To my surprise the next day my steak was no where to be found. The only items they boxed was my sweet potato side(no entree) and the dry turkey meat(no leftover side dishes of the Brussel sprouts, sweet potato mash, and regular mashed) basically half our meal wasn't packed to go. The only thing worth the money in my opinion was the chocolate dessert For spending around $200 and not having a good experience is fine, you live and you learn, but to not even have my leftovers was really frustrating.

One of the co-owners, Francis, told us the origin story of the restaurant and how it's morphed and changed over the years since he and his friend owned it since they were 26 years old (graduates from Rutgers!). The upstairs bar area (Catherine Lombardi's) serves cocktails that include a pisco sour drink and a frozen version of a bees knees. The bee's knees was my favorite!!! Goat cheese crostini, mozarella crostini, and mushroom puffs were flavorful and well prepared. The restaurant has beautiful decor by local students in the Rutgers Masters in Fine Arts program; a really nice touch. Their menu includes a variety of items such as a charcuterie board, crab cakes, ribs and corn bread, bone marrow (my favorite!), selection of cheese, grilled cheese, and more. The steaks are served along with a highly heated salt block that infused flavor along with heat to further cook your meat if you so chose. A variety of sides can be chosen to accompany the meats. Crazy amounts of flavor with these sides! Ham fat cooked carrots, truffle corn was a super star, cauliflower creamed spinach, and baked then fried potatoes, and the BEST seasoned onion rings I've ever had. Definitely a wonderful dining experience. The staff are friendly and attentive from beginning until end!

I took my wife to Stage Left Steak last night before a show next door. Walking into the restaurant it looks and smells like a steak restaurant. From the time we we're greeted and checked our coats, through the meal, the service was great. For an appetizer we shared the tartare. The meat was tender, and it was seasoned perfectly. For the entree we shared the Wagyu tasting. It was our first time having Wagyu. Wow.... I guess messaging a cow and playing classical music does make a difference. The meat was so tender. For not being a fatty cut of beef it was flavorful. We also shared the Amish bacon cut. When isn't bacon delicious. Grilled asparagus and whipped mashed potatoes. They were all good as well. We paired our dinner with a nice bottle of red. For dessert we had cappuccinos, toffee bread pudding, and the chocolate peanut butter pie. I liked the bread pudding more. While waiting for the dessert the owner stopped by the table and thanked us for dining with them. He was very nice and gave us a card toward our parking. Not sure why Stage Left Steak is only 3 1/2 stars on Yelp. I really don't think the rating reflects the restaurant. Can't wait to go back.

I had a big work dinner there and just had a horrible experience. Terrible food, terrible service, terrible management, and just overall crappy. To start with our waiter didn't even know the soup of the day but instead of making an announcement decided not to tell anyone he didn't know so he had to repeat the fact to every single person at our table that I'm sorry I don't know the soup of the day it might be potato bacon but the chef changes it daily. Really buddy, that's why they call it the soup of the day. Then he proceeded to dump a salad with ranch salad dressing all over me onto my shirt and my jacket. Barely got an apology from that. Not even a comped diet Coke. Next our steaks came and they were a joke. The file was rough and stringy and of six people that got it all six of them were various different sizes and none of them were cooked properly. Additionally the cream spinach was horrible and the potatoes were just mush. I would give it next to zero stars but you can't. Definitely don't go here.