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Brando's Citi Cucina
Review
About
Brando's was founded on the premise of great food made from quality ingredients, excellent service, and a warm atmosphere which we believe are the three elements of any enjoyable dining experience.The chef/owner, Steven Botta, grew up in Brooklyn and learned many of recipes used at Brando's from his mother. Raised in this welcoming tradition, he believes when you enter Brando's, whether its your first time or your one hundredth time, you should always feel like they are dining with family.Soulful Italian is the best way to describe our menu. Our culinary team has been trained at the finest culinary schools, and has over fifty years of combined experience. From our fresh pasta, to our line-caught fish, to our thirty-five day dry-aged steaks, the difference is discernible
Features
CUISINES
Italian, Steakhouse
Meal types
Dinner, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Television
Valet Parking
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Valet Parking
Is this an Italian restaurant?
Reserve a table
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 4:00 PM
Sunday
3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monday
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tuesday
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wednesday
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Thursday
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Friday
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Contribute
4.5
563 reviews
Excellent
405
Very good
81
Average
31
Poor
20
Terrible
26
Michael H
Ocean Grove17 contributions
Apr 2024 • family
My wife and I went for dinner recently and were not disappointed. The food is good and portions are very large. We had a hot antipasto plate and two pasta dishes, and ended up taking half of the pasta dishes home. The pasta was good, but in our experience it's better to stick with the meat or chicken dishes here. It's very expensive, but okay for a special occasion splurge.
Written 25 April 2024
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.
Travel21336766725
3 contributions
May 2023 • family
Best restaurant in Asbury!
The staple maintains quality, service and fine dining.
We enjoyed delicious pre-dinner cocktails. We shared the calamari and then had amazing entrees. My husband had the bone in chop.
Our waiter was a true professional while being very accommodating to our 8 year old to make sure she enjoy dinner as well. This is our top place to go for a nice dinner.
Written 26 July 2023
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.
Karen J
59 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
My husband and I went to Brando's on a Tuesday night while on vacation in Asbury Park. We were lucky enough to get Guiseppe as our server. What a lovely, funny man who made our dining experience that much more pleasant. My husband and I both had salads as an appetizer, he got the linguini Sinatra, I got chicken francaise and we split the zeppoles for dessert. The meal was exceptional, all of the staff were incredibly courteous and friendly and even the music that night was spot on. This place was a real "find." We will definitely be returning when we visit Asbury Park next summer. Be warned - the portions are NOT small.
Written 10 June 2024
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.
Alyssa Singer M
Manalapan24 contributions
Aug 2022 • couples
Made a reservation on open table same day at 4:30. All they had was outdoors but I took it. When my husband and I arrived the place was empty and there was plenty of room at the bar. I asked (since it was empty ) if we could sit inside. The very nasty host said we could only sit outside. I inquired about the bar and she informed me that she would have to cancel our reservation and we would be charged by open table for the cancellation. Rules are rules and I can accept that but her attitude was unacceptable. My husband wanted to leave but I didn’t want that rude person to ruin my night. BTW it was only 4:30pm on a Friday night. We sat outside (the only ones) in the sun even though there were umbrellas they just didn’t block the sun. Along came Theresa our waitress with a friendly hello and we were in a much better mood. We ordered the pizza as an app, the one with arugula and prosciutto and it was horrible. Mostly bread, cheese burnt it was inedible to us. We also got the pasta with the filet mignon inside and that was fabulous. We were still hungry so we shared bone in filet mignon ($100.00). The filet came with home made french fries and the entree was expensive but excellent. Would I go back? Maybe but I would sit at the bar. Food was excellent but to be greeted by that woman almost ruined the whole experience. FYI there’s a way to say the same thing nicely without being a b****
Written 26 August 2022
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.
Kevin B
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • family
My $175 Tomahawk steak ordered medium rare came out medium well. Sent it back and waited for 45 minutes for it to come back which never happened while the rest of the table ate their over cooked entress.
Corrine the nasty hostess knows nothing about customer service.
Horrible experience.
Written 26 August 2023
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.
DorCaf
Whitehouse Station5 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
I give Brando’s 4 stars for food and our waiter, Vladimir. But I give it 1 star for the hostess who greeted us with a rude attitude. If we hadn’t made a reservation that required a $25 per person guarantee, our party of 4 would have walked out of the restaurant. I know everyone can have a bad day but when you’re in the service business at a pricey restaurant you have to check your attitude at the door. Our party was respectful and didn’t respond to the hostess’s rudeness—it really is easier to be nice to people then mean and nasty. Fortunately our waiter was a joy and went out of his way to make sure we had a great meal. The food was very good. Fresh pasta and seafood prepared just right.
Written 29 July 2021
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.
Robert C
Toms River141 contributions
Oct 2023 • friends
This was a great restaurant experience with very delicious food. We have eaten here in the past, but brought two friends who are moving away to Florida to dinner. They could not stop raving about the appetizers and the main course. We’ve had everything from seafood to delicious steaks. The drinks were awesome as well. Service is how you would expect from a higher end restaurant. Prices are higher than average, but well worth it with the experience in flavorful food.
Written 18 January 2024
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.
MikeofAmerica
Syracuse127 contributions
Aug 2022 • couples
Our dinner at Brando’s was one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had.
Professional bar tenders for pregame drinks with generous pours. Maitre De was pleasant and guided us to our seats on time, and the server was passionate about the dishes being offered.
The atmosphere is perfect for couples or business.
The food presentation was excellent, and the flavor was rich. Had a veal chop with perfect amount of char to it.
I don’t have the words to describe how good the experience was from start to finish, you’ll just have to try it yourself.
Written 27 August 2022
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.
Amber
Asbury Park2 contributions
Mar 2021 • family
Ignore Samantha below. If you are so ridiculous to think germs know to stop at 6 feet you should turn off you tv and gain common sense. Stay home if you are afraid. Period. Florida is completely open and has better numbers than NJ.
Now for the food...
We dined here and 3 out of 4 dishes were lousy. The Bronzino was absolutely tasteless and bland. A $35 fish dish shoukd be outstanding. It wasn't. I had Chicken Franchaise and sent it back. It was bitter and inedible. The lamb special was enjoyed by the person who got it. The other dish was cannellini beans, pasta and broccoli rabe in garlic and oil. Also tasteless.
This restaurant is expensive. We had a gift card so no money other than the tip cane out if our pocket. If we had paid for this I would have demanded 3 dishes come off the bill they were that bad.
They did remove my chicken dish and the waiter agreed with me that the sauce was awful. They need a new chef when 3 out of 4 are terrible. I gave 2 stars for the waiter neing honest and my father enjoying the lamb dish.
Written 18 March 2021
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.
Tinamarie V
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
What an awful experience. Staff is nasty and refused to accommodate us. My husband has a handicap and we could not fit to sit at the table and the hostess says “ there is nothing I can do for you, you still have to sit there .” The female manager was no help and snippy. The staff made my husband feel really uncomfortable as we could see staff was happy that we just left. I don’t care how good the food may or may not be, very unprofessional. To treat people the way they did was ridiculous. With everything that is going on in our society, I cannot believe the owners allow such staff and
Written 1 July 2023
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.
JustBe007
Brielle12 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
The food at Brando’s is fantastic! It’s perfectly located on charming Main Street in Asbury Park, where you can have a great meal after shopping and walking downtown. Service at the bar was exceptional, Al, one of the bartenders makes a perfect Margarita. He also gave us wonderful recommendations for apps and dinner. The steak was phenomenal! Desserts are homemade as well. We will definitely be returning again real soon!
Written 1 August 2023
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.
Micheletee
Wayne21 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
It has taken over 2 years to try this much talked about restaurant - and it was worth the wait. The atmosphere is welcoming, the staff professional and attentive and the food was incredibly delicious.
My husband and I shared an appetizer of prosciutto wrapped stuffed figs on a round of watermelon. This warm appetizer was simple yet creative and delicious. My husband had the Veal ala Casa and I had the pork chop special. It was pounded thin and cooked to perfection with a Bolognese sauce. So many wonderful sounding desserts, hubby wanted the double chocolate brownie. We well be going going back.
Written 30 August 2021
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.
Tom W
Point Pleasant Beach40 contributions
May 2022 • couples
We have been to this place many times, missed it during covid, went back recently, the food and wait staff are still very good, but so sad that prices are up with no happy hour, in fact the happy hour was how we were introduced to the great food available there in the first place. I don’t understand how it doesn’t make sense to bring it back and pack the bar area during the early hours? They are adding 3.5 % CC fee for charging your bill. That’s not a big deal but will only be back for special occasions, maybe. Miss the super bartenders too. Place was empty on a Tuesday afternoon that was never the case with their old happy hour… but food still great anyway!!!
Written 1 June 2022
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.
David-Vickie
506 contributions
Jul 2021 • family
This place was reccomended by a friend and he was spot on. Six of us had dinner here early in the week and enjoyed it so much we decided to book again for Friday night to be sure we ended the week with an excellent meal. Great atmosphere, food and service. We shared everything since none of us could decide on one thing. Appetizers like the Spedini, Crab and Avocado, outstanding Polenta & Mushrooms and Beggars Purses were all amazing. Entrees Riggatoni Bolognese, Stuffed Porkchop and Pappardelle Tuscana are delicious. We typically do not make it to desert but we shared Pistachio Ice-cream cake and Stuffed Zeppoli were the perfect end with Expresso. Our waiter Michael was exceptional. Friday was another perfect meal served by Michael.
Written 10 July 2021
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.
Diane M
Hackensack13 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
I have been to this restaurant many, many, many times and get the chicken savoy every single time. I always say I am going to try something new but I can’t bear to not taste that amazing sauce. I wish I knew how they made it because I think I would drink it. Live in Texas during the winter months and New Jersey in the summer and every time I get to the Jersey shore that is a mandatory spot to stop for dinner. However, this time I finally did it and ordered something different! I was so proud of myself and ordered the Bolognese. I love it with pappardelle pasta and they substituted it with no problem, it was yummy. Thank goodness my friend ordered the chicken savoy otherwise I could have gone into withdrawals. Jose’ the waiter is just an absolute delight as are all the others I have had over the years. I love sitting in the bar area but this time was placed in the main dining room which is equally as lovely. I can’t wait to go back again!
Written 26 July 2022
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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