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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value

Details

Special Diets
Kosher, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service
Reviews (33)
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33 results
Traveller rating
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10
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4
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Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
16
10
2
1
4
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Reviewed 17 March 2023

Dreadful in almost all respects! I should have left after hearing the modern elevator music and being given a torn and soiled menu. The restaurant is dilapidated and the service quite poor. I'd ordered sparkling water but got tap, had to ask for bread and...more utensils. The pasta, presumably homemade, was also very disappointing as it was overcooked and the sauces bland and almost unpalatable. To add insult to injury, the price is exorbitant for what you get. I will not return and I cannot recommend it to others.More

Date of visit: March 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 10 September 2019

every time i visit i love it. the food is delicious and consistently good. i always recommend this place if you want a better lunch

Date of visit: August 2019
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 26 December 2018 via mobile

Not my first time to this Kosher dairy restaurant. But it was a disaster. Albeit, it was Xmas day so the place was packed. The first thing wrong was the menu labeled “holiday.” Very inappropriate for a kosher restaurant since today was not a Jewish...holiday. Now for the food service- my wife’s salmon dish came promptly but mine is lost in the kitchen. She was halfway done when I was able to reach a server so I could cancel my dish. The excuse is “ it’s a holiday “ at which point my wife hit the ceiling. Rightfully so. Anyway, one of the manager is falling over is right now. But I don’t care. Won’t be back for a while.More

Date of visit: December 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 9 August 2018

this is a go to place for lunch or dinner freshly made fish dishes as well as dairy mid -to upper pricing, waiter service they do offer lunch specials for 2 people they are opening another branch on the otherside of lakewood

Date of visit: May 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 11 April 2018 via mobile

Some food we ordered never arrived and those that did only after reminding them many time. Very bad experience

Date of visit: April 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 9 March 2018

I have written about this establishment before and still recognize that its kitchen is top rate. We visited this week and found some new menu items which we tried all of which were top notch. (Word to the chef: the quinoa in the quinoa sushi...roll is a bit dry) The usual manager was not present and we felt that the waitstaff, although prompt, were not as polished or attentive as had been the case previously.. We had reserved the table. When we arrived, I asked for a table for 4 against the wall where formerly, such tables had been available. However, on this visit, we were told that changing deuces (tables for 2) into tables for 4 made it hazardous for the waitstaff to pass between tables. Let's not be mistaken: this is a pricey place and as such, waiters should not reach across another diner sideways to pass cutlery especially when they have the ability to walk around the table to each diner. Curious that we couldn't be seated as requested out of concern for the safety of the waitstaff but the waitstaff couldn't walk the extra 5 feet to properly serve the diner. When 2 of the party ordered a salad and explained that they would share that salad as an appetizer, the salad was delivered in one large plate. When reminded of the share request, the salad came back in 4 portions, one for each guest, when the request had been for 2 to share. This type of less than professional service often is the result of automatic tipping. No longer is there any need to impress. Again, food was great. And they will open and serve (kosher) wines brought by the guest. Front of house has to measure up to the back of house. Last point: this place is noisy. Why not move the coffee grinder to the back of house rather than add to the noise?More

Date of visit: March 2018
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 16 January 2018 via mobile

Grilled teriyaki salmon was excellent, so we're the marinated mushrooms in the edible basket (basket not that tasty), latte was great. The lunch menu is reasonable with a 3 course meal priced per couple.

Date of visit: January 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 29 December 2017 via mobile

In NJ over the past weekend and my cousins found this gem. Luckily for us, we were one of the first guests when they opened after the Sabbath ended, because had we come 30 minutes later, getting a table would have been near impossible. Impeccable...service, great tasting food, what more can a Kosher food lover want. The server did not miss a beat, and all the other diners in the restaurant seemed equally happy. Can’t wait to go back on my next trip to NJ.More

Date of visit: December 2017
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Reviewed 27 October 2017

My wife and I met friends here for lunch and the food was wonderful. The restaurant is clean and modern and the food was delicious. This place belongs at the top of your list for a dairy restaurant.

Date of visit: October 2017
Helpful?
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Reviewed 20 August 2017 via mobile

Ottimo has delicious food with a large selection of healthy choices including veggie burgers and whole wheat wraps. Service is excellent. Prices are ok, this is a definite must if you are in or around Lakewood

Date of visit: July 2017
Helpful?
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Reviewed 22 July 2017

Even if you are a meat lover you will appreciate this dish! Very satisfying and just plain delicious. It can get busy so pays to make reservations...

Date of visit: February 2017
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 18 May 2017 via mobile

Delicious food, nice place, nice people, fast & good service, clean place, not so expensive tho, very nice for a quiet lunch or what

Date of visit: May 2017
Helpful?
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Reviewed 27 December 2016

We were a party of 7 today. One member of our party didn't get their meal unitl everyone had finished. Terrible, Terrible, Terrible Service. Food was ok. Last meal to come out was partially hot and warm.

Date of visit: December 2016
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Reviewed 23 December 2016

This dairy restaurant is perfect for every occasion, be it a Birthday Party, friends shower or just because. The food is delicious and the service is quick and friendly. My husband and I had a very nice dinner.

Date of visit: December 2016
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 18 December 2016

What a find in Lakewood! We were treated to a lovely dinner here- we are all foodies and very hard to please- everyone loved the food! Service is excellent, decor is like a fine Manhattan restaurant. It is busy which cuts down on the ambience,...but this is Lakewood- everything is busy! Wish they would open up a branch in Boca Raton! I love fetticine Alfredo and theirs was the best I have had ever. Fish dishes were flavorful and beautifully presented.More

Date of visit: December 2016
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
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Louis T
13 May 2017|
Answer
Response from TravelMaven613 | Reviewed this property |
There is a lovely separate party room but you would need to call the restaurant for details as to price, etc.
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OTTIMO CAFE, Howell - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions about Ottimo Cafe

Yes, Ottimo Cafe offers takeaway services.

Ottimo Cafe is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4