Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant, Long Branch, NJ:
A Dining Review
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant: Highlights
Fare: Seafood with a cajun influence
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: Creative, well prepared dishes using fresh local seafood sources supplemented by fresh flown in specialties.
Service: professional, knowledgeable. friendly and attentive
Ambiance/ Decor: Attractive, contemporary with awesome ocean front views from almost every table
Overall Rating: 3 Stars, one of the top seafood restaurants on the northern Jersey Shore
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy great ocean front ambiance, a lively bar scene, and fresh seafood
Not Recommended For: Diners on a limited budget who prefer a more casual, simple menu.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Pistachio Encrusted Salmon; "Ocean Jack's" Florida Grouper; and Rooney's Crab cakes.
Liquor: Two Full Service Bars. One indoors overlooking the ocean and the other outdoors open in the warmer months.
Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant is a well-regarded seafood destination known for its stunning oceanfront location and inviting ambiance.
The restaurant offers picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean, with a large bi-level outdoor deck that provides a close-to-the-sea dining experience, complemented by an elegant and relaxed interior atmosphere suitable for various occasions, from romantic dinners to family outings.
Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant also offers an exciting "Market Menu" of fresh seafood dishes under the direction of Executive Chef Thomas Schoborg, Chef Schoberg received his formal culinary training at the French Culinary Institute in New York City.
He later honed his culinary skills at the Soho landmark The Cub Room, before he took a job as banquet chef at Tribeca's City Hall Restaurant, owned and operated by famous New York City Chef Henry Meer. Moving on to serving as executive Chef at Rosa Mexicano in Atlanta. Prior to joining Ronney's, Chef Schoberg opened a small Cajun Restaurant in Washington DC where lived out his love affair with Cajun food.
Considering the very good quality of the food and the generous portions of the dishes, the food is reasonably priced, although this comes with a caveat. The menu selections range from moderately priced dishes to a huge jump in price with some dishes. The menu features fresh, seasonal ingredients with highlights including char-grilled oysters, lamb shank, and a signature Fish Board that allows guests to customize their entrée. Desserts like the homemade Key Lime Pie receive high praise.
Service at Rooney's is noted as exceptional, with attentive staff contributing to a memorable dining experience.
Overall, Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant combines quality seafood, creative culinary execution, a beautiful oceanfront setting, and attentive service, making it a standout choice for dining at the Jersey Shore.
They are open seven days/week for lunch and dinner. On Sundays they offer a Buffet Brunch from 10:30 to 2pm with a raw bar, omelet station, carving station, seafood dishes, breakfast items, fresh fruit and breads, desserts and more.
Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant is Kid friendly offering a child's menu.
(updated: May 2025)
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