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Buona Sera Italian Ristorante isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an extraordinary dining experience located at the heart of Red Bank NJ. With over 40 years of culinary expertise and a deep passion for Italian cuisine, we are your destination for authentic Italian dishes, from delectable pasta to pizza, all crafted with the finest ingredients.
Formal restaurant with ornate decor dishes classic Italian favorites & a long list of wines.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 50 Maple Ave, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: (732) 530-5858
Website: http://www.buona-sera.com/
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Buona Sera is a full service bar and restaurant, and our menu is quite extensive, giving you a lot of lunch and dinner options to choose from.
Reviews
NJ 4 Fun
I was in town on a Friday night and decided to have dinner here. I got seats at the bar and the bartender was super friendly.
Ordered Aperol Spritz and the Sardinian pizza, which was delicious. For dinner I ordered the Pork Paillard which was. Avery unique dish served with pancetta over gnocchi and the Fresh Clam Sauce over linguine, delicious flavors. These are generous portion dishes and it can be shared. They offer half or full size dishes and even the half doesn’t look half at all.
The restaurant is beautifully decorated so take a tour when you visit.
Overall a great experience and I’d definitely go back here.
… moreOrdered Aperol Spritz and the Sardinian pizza, which was delicious. For dinner I ordered the Pork Paillard which was. Avery unique dish served with pancetta over gnocchi and the Fresh Clam Sauce over linguine, delicious flavors. These are generous portion dishes and it can be shared. They offer half or full size dishes and even the half doesn’t look half at all.
The restaurant is beautifully decorated so take a tour when you visit.
Overall a great experience and I’d definitely go back here.
B C
We have not been here for quite some time, and when friends decided collectively to have a get-together, we were so glad we came here.
The food was impeccable, and I must say, they truly do their meats extremely well. Here are some of the things we ordered. Please bear in mind that we had it family style, and the portions are humongous.
– Antipasto – They truly had a sublime selection of Italian-style cured meats, which included Prosciutto di Parma, Soppressata, Mortadella, fresh Mozzarella Pearls, Red Onions, salad underneath, and balsamic glaze drizzled over the top, providing a sweet-tart contrast. It was a very nice high-end charcuterie platter. 5/5 Stars.
– Fried Calamari – They lightly floured and fried it. Personally, I preferred it to be fried a bit more. 4/5 Stars.
– Eggplant Rollatini – stuffed with ricotta, topped with marinara, and melted mozzarella. The eggplant was sliced thinly and was generously stuffed. 4/5 Stars.
– Penne Vodka – They were in a light tomato pancetta cream sauce. I personally preferred a little spicier. 4/5 Stars.
– Orrechiette pasta served with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and sausage, broccoli rabe, and basil in garlic & oil. They overcooked the sausage, but regardless, it truly was exceptional. 5/5 Stars
– Shrimp scampi – It was overcooked. 3.5/5 Stars.
– Boneless Roasted Chicken Cacciatore – the chicken was so tender and juicy. 5/5 Stars.
– Pork Loin Giambotta – They grilled it to perfection, and it was still juicy. This dish was accompanied by mushrooms, onions, and peppers. 5/5 Stars.
– Mashed red potatoes – Creamy and smooth. 5/5 Stars.
The service was impeccable. They constantly came over to see if there was anything we needed. Plenty of wine and beer flowing, exchanging of dirty dishes for clean dishes, and ensuring we have everything we need.
… moreThe food was impeccable, and I must say, they truly do their meats extremely well. Here are some of the things we ordered. Please bear in mind that we had it family style, and the portions are humongous.
– Antipasto – They truly had a sublime selection of Italian-style cured meats, which included Prosciutto di Parma, Soppressata, Mortadella, fresh Mozzarella Pearls, Red Onions, salad underneath, and balsamic glaze drizzled over the top, providing a sweet-tart contrast. It was a very nice high-end charcuterie platter. 5/5 Stars.
– Fried Calamari – They lightly floured and fried it. Personally, I preferred it to be fried a bit more. 4/5 Stars.
– Eggplant Rollatini – stuffed with ricotta, topped with marinara, and melted mozzarella. The eggplant was sliced thinly and was generously stuffed. 4/5 Stars.
– Penne Vodka – They were in a light tomato pancetta cream sauce. I personally preferred a little spicier. 4/5 Stars.
– Orrechiette pasta served with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and sausage, broccoli rabe, and basil in garlic & oil. They overcooked the sausage, but regardless, it truly was exceptional. 5/5 Stars
– Shrimp scampi – It was overcooked. 3.5/5 Stars.
– Boneless Roasted Chicken Cacciatore – the chicken was so tender and juicy. 5/5 Stars.
– Pork Loin Giambotta – They grilled it to perfection, and it was still juicy. This dish was accompanied by mushrooms, onions, and peppers. 5/5 Stars.
– Mashed red potatoes – Creamy and smooth. 5/5 Stars.
The service was impeccable. They constantly came over to see if there was anything we needed. Plenty of wine and beer flowing, exchanging of dirty dishes for clean dishes, and ensuring we have everything we need.
Nom Nom Kemp
I went to Buona Sera for dinner with a small group last weekend after hearing a lot of hype and seeing many strong reviews online. Unfortunately, I left feeling a bit underwhelmed. Maybe my expectations were too high, given how often it’s described as one of the best dinner spots in Red Bank.
Right off the bat, the layout and seating process were confusing. We walked in past the bar and never saw a clear host stand. After some waiting, I asked a waiter in the dining room who told me to look for “a bald guy” near the bar—presumably the host, but that wasn’t obvious at all. I had a reservation for three, yet the table was set for four. The extra plating was awkwardly removed by our waiter, reaching over one of us in an already cramped and loud dining room. Minor issues overall, but worth noting.
Now to the food, which carries the most weight for me. We started with a tomato basil pizza as an appetizer. It was very crunchy and had an okay flavor profile, but nothing memorable (4.8/10). We also tried the crab mac and cheese—very cheesy and enjoyable yet somehow lighter than expected. The only downside was less crab than anticipated (7.7/10).
For entrées, one of us ordered the fresh clam pasta in white sauce. It was good, and the fresh pasta stood out, but otherwise it didn’t distinguish itself from similar dishes elsewhere. The Bolognese had solid flavor and a nice mix of sautéed vegetables, though it was a bit watery. The pork osso busso was extremely tender and fell right off the bone, while the risotto was the highlight of the dish—again flavorful, but also quite watery. Overall, the entrées were good but not great (around a 7.3/10).
We finished with dessert: the death by chocolate cake, which was overly rich due to an overpowering buttercream (5.5/10), and a classic cheesecake that was light, airy, and very good 8.0/10. To be fair, desserts aren’t made in-house and are sourced from Nasto’s, so I won’t judge the restaurant too harshly on that front.
All in all, Buona Sera delivered a decent dining experience, but it didn’t live up to the hype. In a town like Red Bank, I think there are better options, and I wouldn’t go out of my way to return.
… moreRight off the bat, the layout and seating process were confusing. We walked in past the bar and never saw a clear host stand. After some waiting, I asked a waiter in the dining room who told me to look for “a bald guy” near the bar—presumably the host, but that wasn’t obvious at all. I had a reservation for three, yet the table was set for four. The extra plating was awkwardly removed by our waiter, reaching over one of us in an already cramped and loud dining room. Minor issues overall, but worth noting.
Now to the food, which carries the most weight for me. We started with a tomato basil pizza as an appetizer. It was very crunchy and had an okay flavor profile, but nothing memorable (4.8/10). We also tried the crab mac and cheese—very cheesy and enjoyable yet somehow lighter than expected. The only downside was less crab than anticipated (7.7/10).
For entrées, one of us ordered the fresh clam pasta in white sauce. It was good, and the fresh pasta stood out, but otherwise it didn’t distinguish itself from similar dishes elsewhere. The Bolognese had solid flavor and a nice mix of sautéed vegetables, though it was a bit watery. The pork osso busso was extremely tender and fell right off the bone, while the risotto was the highlight of the dish—again flavorful, but also quite watery. Overall, the entrées were good but not great (around a 7.3/10).
We finished with dessert: the death by chocolate cake, which was overly rich due to an overpowering buttercream (5.5/10), and a classic cheesecake that was light, airy, and very good 8.0/10. To be fair, desserts aren’t made in-house and are sourced from Nasto’s, so I won’t judge the restaurant too harshly on that front.
All in all, Buona Sera delivered a decent dining experience, but it didn’t live up to the hype. In a town like Red Bank, I think there are better options, and I wouldn’t go out of my way to return.
Richard Holst
Italian food that makes old world proud!
Everything we have ever had is perfect. Parings and flavor combinations are done with precision. Every dish seems to be made to exacting standards. All of the meals are delicious and cooked the way you want it. I’m the staff is charming and helpful, and the food comes out in the timeframe expected for a high end restaurant. Their bartenders need a special shout out as their beverages are made with the same exacting standards. Marvelous!
The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable for parties of all sizes. It can get a little confusing, like the back allies of Italy.
… moreEverything we have ever had is perfect. Parings and flavor combinations are done with precision. Every dish seems to be made to exacting standards. All of the meals are delicious and cooked the way you want it. I’m the staff is charming and helpful, and the food comes out in the timeframe expected for a high end restaurant. Their bartenders need a special shout out as their beverages are made with the same exacting standards. Marvelous!
The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable for parties of all sizes. It can get a little confusing, like the back allies of Italy.
Ray Hernandez
I received a surprise personal greeting by Mike, greeted me with my name? When I made the reservation, I mentioned that I was handicapped & would be arriving in a motorized scooter, he won me over immediately. This restaurant has been around, this was my first visit. Food is magnificent, the restaurant is gorgeous and the drinks are great. We were attending a concert at Count Basie theater, and Buona Sera is right next door. Anthony our waiter was very attentive and very friendly, a plus to our dining experience. I ordered Sea Bass special my wife the Veal Parmesan, outstanding. Finished with a wonderful Key Lime pie and coffee. We would certainly return, Italian cuisine at its best!
… moreJenn Valek
We came for dinner before a show at Basie and it was fantastic!! Everything was delicious, service was great as well. The Kansa City steak we ordered was so thick, exceeded expectations and was perfectly cooked. Would recommend to anyone and we hope to come back again in the future.
… moreRobert Burk
Good food and good service. The place can be a bit loud and it’s hard to have a normal conversation, but the food makes it a must visit for Italian food, seafood, steak, and chops in Red Bank. They do have their own parking lot diagonally across the intersection from the restaurant. It’s a good idea to make reservations.
… moreAnalia Gerard
Great restaurant reviews drew us here, and it was next door to our theater venue, the Count Basie. Restaurant parking lot provided across the street, making it easy for leftovers to be dropped off as the portions are gigantic. Everything was delicious. Managers and owners came to every table. Cocktails made to the letter. Expensive and worth every dime spent. Fantastic.
… moreTom Calandra
Was great Chris our waiter was the best food was great very busy and crowded we had a table for 4 by the bar was ok till it got really crowed over all great will be back
… moreFARAH _ESTATE_SALES24
Impeccable fine dining experience from the moment we stepped into this beautiful place to the moment we left. Excellent attentive service and very delicious food. Generous portions. We couldn’t eat it all. My favorite restaurant.
… more