New Jersey Leisure Guide Restaurant Rating Criteria 

Discover how New Jersey Leisure Guide restaurant rating criteria for exceptional dining are created.  Avoid the costly pitfalls of trusting to hearsay with subjective comments.

Restaurant Ratings are Based on a 4 Star System

1/2 Star - Poor. Not recommended This is considered to be unsatisfactory and should be avoided.

One Star - Below average. Has not achieved a level above other similar restaurants in its class.

Two Stars - Average. A good restaurant, comparable to other restaurants in its class.

Three Stars - An excellent restaurant, usually a destination worth the extra distance to travel to.

Four Stars - Best in Class. An exceptional rating given to the top restaurant in its class and geographic area.

The Criteria Used to Evaluate a  New Jersey Restaurant

Our  criteria for evaluating a restaurant to determine whether an establishment stands out in the culinary world include;

  • Food Quality:  
    • Quality of Ingredients. Committed to high quality food ingredients such as imported items not available in the supermarket, with emphasis on local seasonal farm-to-table produce, wild caught seafood, & meats without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones.
    • The Chef’s culinary techniques and mastery.
    • Flavor Harmony, ensures that flavors harmonize seamlessly.
    • Chef’s creativity.
    • Consistency. Diners should experience the same level of quality every time they return.

  • Ambiance/Décor:
    • Color Scheme. Different colors evoke specific emotions.
    • Furniture and Layout: The arrangement of tables, chairs, and booths affects comfort and flow.
    • Lighting: Proper lighting enhances the dining experience.
    • Decor Elements: Artwork, wall hangings, plants, and decorative items contribute to the overall feel.
    • Background music
    • Noise level
    • Comfort and seating:
    • Space between tables
  • Service
    • Staff Interaction, friendliness, and welcoming Attitude
    • Knowledge and professionalism
    • Pace, efficiency, and consistency of Service
    • Attention to details
    • Table maintenance
    • Menu knowledge
    • Knowledge of wine and beverage pairings adds value.
    • Problem resolution
    • Empathy
    • Efficient Billing

Having said all of that, if you are looking for that exceptional dining experience, be prepared to pay more for a top restaurant. The best restaurants incur higher costs to achieve this distinction and need to pass them on in the form of higher prices.

Our reviews are aimed at upscale New Jersey restaurants

Restaurant consumer posting platforms, such as Yelp, etc., do a decent job with one & two star restaurants, where consumers tend to post short, cursory, anecdotal comments about a one nights experience. The downside is that these reviews are posted by people who aren't culinary experts. High volume chain restaurants, and lower tiered restaurants tend to dominate the reviews.

With over 20,000 restaurants in New Jersey, it would be an impossible task to stay abreast, and create an informative, in-depth analysis of a large number of restaurants.

Accordingly, we no longer publish reviews on lower tier (lower than 2-stars) restaurants.
Instead, our focus is to focus on New Jersey's high end, destnation restaurants. These are restaurants that diners are willing to travel outside their neighborhood for a full evenings dining experience.

The categories of these restaurants include:

Chef-Inspired Fine Dining:

  • "Old World" with sophisticated and romantic dأecor.
  • Most expensive. Priced higher than other upscale restaurants to cover the cost of the added amenities.
  • They are chef driven by chefs with impressive credentials including formal culinary education and skills honed at award winning restaurants.
  • Committed to high quality food ingredients such as imported items not available in the supermarket, with emphasis on local seasonal farm-to-table produce, wild caught seafood, & meats without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones.
  • The wait staff is rigorously trained --- professional, knowledgeable, and attentive.
  • Has an alcohol menu with high end wines and specialty cocktails and with a staff knowledgeable in wine pairings.
  • Additional amenities include linen and fine China table settings, carpeted flooring, chandeliers, and complimentary amuse-bouche, dessert chocolates, etc.
  • Patrons tend to be older, more formally dressed, with high incomes.

Chef-Inspired Casual Dining:

  • The current trend of upscale, high quality food focused restaurants.
  • They are chef driven by chefs with impressive credentials including formal culinary education and skills honed at award winning restaurants.
  • Serves an approachable, more casual menu with creative food preparation.
  • Uses high quality food ingredients such as imported items not available in the supermarket, with emphasis on local seasonal farm-to-table produce, wild caught seafood, & meats without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones.
  • Chic, trendy ambiance with a casual atmosphere and a casual dress code.
  • The wait staff is professional, knowledgeable, and attentive.
  • Can be BYOB or have an alcohol menu with a variety of wines, specialty cocktails, and beers.
  • Patrons are of all generations with medium to high incomes.

    Upscale Contemporary Casual:
  • Ambiance is trendy, chic with Instagram-worthy decor.
  • Upscale, yet with a casual atmosphere and a casual dress code.
  • Has an approachable, more casual menu.
  • Not regarded as chef driven. Chefs credentials, though competent, tend not to be highly acclaimed or trend setters.
  • Has a large alcohol menu with a large variety of lower – medium priced specialty cocktails, imported and craft beers, and wines. Centerpiece is often an attractive bar and lounge setting with a vibrant crowd.
  • Table service tends to be less professional than other upscale restaurants with staff having a limited knowledge of menu items, though friendly and attentive.
  • Patrons tend to be Millennials and post-Millennial Gen Z.