The Edge Restaurant, Jackson, NJ: A Dining Review
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
The Edge Restaurant: A captivating hidden gem
Edge Restaurant: Highlights
Fare: New American
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: The menu is well executed. Features globally inspired dishes that spotlight premium ingredients sourced from top New Jersey purveyors,
Service: Mixed. Though most of the wait staff are friendly, professional, and knowledgeable.
Decor/Ambiance: Industrial-chic design with warm, rustic touches and an air of romance - not found in neighboring communities.
Noise Level: Moderate - High (On Saturday Nights with live music)
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy upscale dining in an attractive, chic setting with an extensive bar menu.
Not Recommended For: Cost conscious diners who enjoy a casual family style, low key setting, with a traditional menu served in huge quantities.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Angry Lobster with sautéed lobster meat, spinach, bucatini pasta, and spicy marinara; The Big EDGE Burger made with certified angus beef, and The Edge Pasta with linguine, jumbo shrimp, chicken, chorizo, scallions, peppers & coconut chili sauce.
Liquor: Vibrant, full-service bar. Features handcrafted cocktails, an extensive wine list, and single-malt whiskies alongside well-priced beers on tap.
Nestled in northwestern Ocean County, The Edge Restaurant emerges as a captivating hidden gem, offering an upscale yet inviting escape for those seeking a blend of sophisticated ambiance, inventive cuisine, and vibrant energy.
A stark contrast to the area’s understated dining scene, this standout venue marries industrial-chic design with warm, rustic touches, creating an atmosphere so enchanting that patrons often joke they’d rave about it even if the food fell short—which it decidedly does not.
Housed in a striking standalone structure, The Edge greets guests with soaring exposed ceilings and a multi-level layout showcasing reclaimed pre-1930s timber, weathered brick walls, and sleek steel accents. Plush leather seating and light hardwood floors add warmth, while the showstopping rectangular bar—crafted from polished Latin American hardwood—anchors the space. Elevated on a platform beneath suspended TVs, it offers 16 bar seats alongside cozy lounge chairs and high-top tables. The 125-seat dining room envelops the bar area, featuring cascading water features, a crackling fireplace, and a striking stone communal table, where wooden tables dressed in minimalist style invite convivial gatherings.
The restaurant thrives under owners Phil and Louise Cornick and GM Jose Acosta-Leon, whose collective vision continues to elevate this culinary hotspot.
Helmed by new Executive Chef Estuardo Mancilla, a veteran of Hilton, Marriott, and Kitchen 35 in Manasquan, The Edge’s menu is gaining fresh momentum. Mancilla’s globally inspired dishes spotlight premium ingredients sourced from top New Jersey purveyors, including Pat LaFrieda’s dry-aged Angus cuts and Atlantic Fishery’s dayboat seafood.
The rotating selection balances à la carte options with prix fixe menus, while weekly specials—think Wednesday burgers, Thursday lobster feasts, and Sunday pasta nights—keep regulars intrigued.
The bar shines as a destination in its own right, boasting handcrafted cocktails, an extensive wine list, and single-malt whiskies alongside well-priced beers on tap. As night falls, the space transforms: live music on Saturdays draws crowds to the dance floor, while Friday’s “Ladies Night” and Sunday pasta specials cater to varied tastes. Notably, the vibe skews adult, with management politely suggesting the experience is best suited for grown-ups.
Beyond its social buzz, The Edge offers a semi-private dining area for up to 50 guests, ideal for intimate weddings or corporate events.
Open Wednesday through Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
Whether for a romantic date, cocktails with friends, or a taste of Chef Mancilla’s evolving menu, The Edge delivers an experience where every detail—from the curated soundtrack to the locally sourced ingredients—crafts a memory as polished as its legendary bar.
Updated February 2025
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