Brando's Citi Cucina

Last Saturday night we attempted to get into Brando’s without a reservation. The young lady at the desk nicely told us that she could not seat us because they were totally committed. We made reservations for last night. We now understand why they could not accommodate us. The restaurant was just spectacular. I am not one to write reviews because I am very particular and tend to be a bit brutally honest. I can only say good things about Brando’s. I had a cold seafood salad that was out of this world. I have eaten this type of salad in many places but nothing holds a candle to the one they made me. The best part about it is, that is not on the menu but I asked my server if they can make it for me. She had the chef come out and I explained how much I enjoy that type of salad. I honestly do not know who enjoyed it more, me eating or the chef making it for us. He was such a gentleman. They veal was as soft as butter and the seafood stew was like being in France. Everything was spectacular and the restaurant is meticulously run. BRAVO…

Five star all the way. Never have I experienced food like this. Veal chop was so thick and so flavorful. Jumbo shrimp that was dancing in my mouth. On my list of the top restaurants in the tristate area.

With out a doubt the best meal I ever ate. I live in short hills nj. My wife is so in love with Brandos and the chef I have to drive an hour an a half to go there. We have been there five times in the last month an never have been disappointed. Everytime we go I try something new and it was always good.

have been there four times! the fish salad and,the steaks are the best around.one can taste fresh clams and shrimp along with aged steaks. truly a fine dining experience.

We stopped by Brandos for a drink and stayed for dinner. Wednesday night and the restaurant was filled. The hostess was nice enough to get us a table within a half hour while we enjoyed our selves at the bar. While having some cocktails the chef stopped by to say hello with some goodies. St Louis ribs that fell of the bone and the sauce was so good we could not wait to sit for dinner. Once we sat down I asked the server if they can make a seafood salad. The chef came out and said no problem. Not only was I so impressed that he took the time to come during such a busy night but when it came out it was amazing. The balance of the food was just as good. The prices are very reasonable and the service is wonderful. We made a reservation and are going back Saturday night.

Brando’s is absolutely scrumptious… The care that goes into the preparation and the presentation of the dishes is only surpassed by the taste… I can not say enough about it… From the greeting you get when you walk in to the time that the chef comes out and asks you if you would like something that is not on the menu. The chef made us a Seafood salad that had to be the best I ever had. The server was pleasant and cheerful… Prices are in line with the food. From a scale of 1 to 10, Brando’s scores a 12...

Went for new years eve and everything was perfect. What a good time. The food was perfect and a great place to ring in the new year and an even better place to retern for good food.

We have patronized this restaurant many times over the last several years as Carmines. We much preferred the ambiance, food and wait staff as the former Carmines over Brando's. This place drew us out on Wednesday nights because of the discounts and we really enjoyed the fellow patrons gathered at the bar. Today we find Brando's laughable. Considering that we used to have to wait up to an hour to get a seat at the bar we now walk in and sit with no more than 4 people on Wednesday, considering that the food is 50% off, that is a clear indication of a problem. The food we used to count on (chicken francais)was so salty it was inedible! We wondered how much salt would need to be added to ruin that dish to that degree? My beef dish was very good but if not discounted, I would have been very disappointed by the portion and the first time I ordered it, it was presented cold. I get a kick out of how cool the host was upon our return to this restaurant that we had patronized every week for a year. We used to find how obtuse and unconcerned about food, the bartenders were, amusing, the present bartender is obnoxious. We were almost accosted when it was brought to their attention that we were given the wrong varietal of white wine, we were stunned. We then got to spend the rest of the meal hearing them tell the other patrons next to us how fabulous their life was. How I wish Brando had chosen another venue to take over and not one of our favorite restaurants in our back yard. :(

The food is good, yet for the price you are paying it isn't worth it. I guess they think they are in Manhattan, reality check you are on Main St in Asbury Park! The Owner offers recommendations, he probably should keep them to himself..

The total experience at Brandos is well worth the trip to Asbury Park. The food is right on point. The waiter we had was very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials; he was very helpful and charming. The restaurant is clean and crisp. Good price point. A perfect ten…

If you are looking for a restaurant that has top notch food, good service and comfortable surroundings Brando’s in Asbury Park is the place. I had the stuffed veal chops. My wife had the shrimp dish with wide homemade pasta. Both were out of this world… the beet salad looks like a flower when it comes out and the taste when it hits your tongue was just great. Although this was our first visit we made reservations for the next few weekends.

Brando’s is exactly what New Jersey needs. A restaurant that has a nice atmosphere, great service and absolutely scrumptious food. From the time you walk in, until you leave, the staff from the chef to the busboy make you feel like you have been there as a steady customer for years. The chef will make you anything you want. My brother wanted traditional scunigli salad, so the chef came out to ask some very curious and pointed questions to make him what he wanted, but the best one was “where have you had the best scungili salad before. He told him Il Mulino in NYC. The chef’s response was no problem and he left. About a half hour later he came back with a salad along with all our appetizers’, that looks like it was a picture. It looked just perfect. But the true test was my brother telling the entire restaurant and anyone that would listen that this salad just blew him away. The entrees were just as good I had the tile fish that was absolutely perfect and my brother of course had to play with his new best friend and asked the chef to make him something special and surprise him. Well needless to say he came out with white truffle pasta dish with oyster mushrooms, that we all lost our minds over. By the end of the night my entire family and the chef just hung out and we talked about our favorite spots and our new favorite restaurant BRANDO’S…
They know how to do it right….

My family and I went to Brando’s last night for Sunday dinner. We heard good thing about the restaurant and finally made it there. We attempted to get in the night before on a Saturday but we did not have reservations and the place was jam packed. After eating there on Sunday I now know why. The Sunday sauce was better than my mothers and my wife actually said it was better then hers. I had the pork chop Brando and it was tender and very tasty. My son had the Sunday sauce and the meatballs and pasta was exceptional. The service was good and it was nice to see other people enjoying themselves. The wine selection was vast and had everything I could ever want from inexpensive to the best super Tuscan. I do not want o sound like an advertisement but I can’t say enough good things because the restaurant is a home run. Btw we made reservations for next Saturday night so we have no problem getting in I looked like a lot of fun.

Friday night the place was busy and the food was good an the service was wonderfull. I did not think that Asbury had such a good place I felt like i was in new york

We have been to brando's a number of times. Every time we have great food and lots of fun. Last night was no exeption. I had the stuffed veal chop and my wife had the seared scallops. Brandos Is the real thing. Very very good.

Eight of us went to Brandos last night because my sister heard good things... M spicy seafood dish was scrumtious. I also tried other dishes from around the table and they all were wonderful. But best of all was that my husband asked for some special dietary needs and the chef came out and not only lisened but created idea and made the most outragious dish for him he made us feel so welcome and not a problem for him at all.

last night i returned to brandos for the third time and i have to say that the experience just keeps getting better. I never had bad meal there and the fun just gets better and better. Last night we sampled all the new tequilla they are selling and just had a blast after the best meal of my life. Brandos is the best restaurant i have ever gone to.

i have eaten at carmines before and found it o/k, i tried brandos because i heard some good feedback from friends.we were three couples and ordered a variety of items, im glad because we shared and got to tatse several dishes. the place was clean the food was great and the deserts finished off a great night. overall brandos was agreat expiernece. we all will be back.

The best thing I can say the food was off the hook. I never expected a place like that is asbury park nj. Fun and clean and the managment knows how to treat people. I have been there five times this month and i will continue to go everytime I am looking for good food and fun.

the overall experience was great. the food was the best we have ever had.

I have eaten at carmines for years, when I recently returned i saw a new name and some new people.the place was also modernized very nicely and clean the food was excellent, lobster sliders are a must,new items were a nice change the place was full of people and the staff was polite and accomodating. i will be returning for sure. eaxactly what we need in asbury

This restaurant was terrible! My husband and I went there for our 5 year anniversary, and were treated horribly by the hostess and waitress. The hostess was an obnoxious snob, who does not know how to treat paying customers with respect and courtesy. The food was not even close to being worth the price. To have a side salad with a $32.00 meal you had to pay an extra $8.00. The salad tasted horrible, and the greens were not fresh. We sat at the oyster bar, and had a lovely view of tons of bugs crawling all over the oysters. All in all sadly Carmines ruined the evening of our 5 year anniversary, and I would not reccomend going there.