Scarborough Fair Restaurant, Sea Girt, NJ:
A Dining Review
Scarborough Fair is a charming, romantic restaurant
set in a restored farmhouse, serving dishes
prepared with healthy, locally sourced ingredients.
Scarborough Fair
1414 Meetinghouse Road
Sea Girt, NJ
732-223-6658
Website
Scarborough Fair: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: New American - Eclectic
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: Well executed menu using locally sourced ingredients from sustainable and organic purveyors, and include humanely raised organic meats and poultry, wild fish, and shellfish.
Service: Friendly, attentive, not intrusive
Ambiance/Decor: Beautiful --The interior is cozy, romantic, dimly lit, with a series of private dining alcoves that have the feel of eating in a rustic, country ski lodge.
Overall Rating: 3 Stars, an upscale, destination restaurant
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = poor to 4 stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Low in private alcoves, moderate-high in 2nd floor addition.
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy eclectic American food in an upscale romantic setting.
Not Recommended For: Diners who prefer basic food in a lower priced, modern, trendy, high energy setting.
Recommended dishes: When available; The Black Trumpet Mushroom Crusted Rack of Lamb with Wild rice fusion, asparagus, roasted garlic and infused demi-glaze; The Wild Caught Salmon, Pistachio Crusted with Forest Mushroom Risotto, Lavender infused White Wine - Butter Sauce, and chive oil; and The Duck Breast a La Cerices with Maple Leaf Duck Breast cooked medium rare, Sour Cherrie Sauce, sauteed spinach, and Mashed Potato
Liquor: Full bar service. Offers a modest wine list of California and international wines.
Restaurant Review
Scarborough Fair is a charming, rustic, romantic restaurant, serving dishes prepared with healthy locally sourced ingredients.
The exterior of the 1800's restored building is attractively decorated with twinkling lights and a terraced brick sidewalk leading up to the entrance.
The restaurant underwent a renovation and expansion and reopened in February 2020 with an additional dining room and an expanded bar on the higher level.
However, the new dining room is a departure from the cozy, rustic, romantic ambiance of the original and lower-level alcoves. With slate flooring and brick exposed walls, the poor acoustics, especially when seated near the bar, contribute to a much higher noise level.
The exceptional romantic ambiance can be found on the lower levels with private. dimly lit, dining alcoves that have the feel of eating in a rustic, country ski lodge. The romantic, rustic vibe has been created with the use of natural elements of brick, wood, glass, a high ceiling, and brick steps lead you to the private alcoves, and the upper-level main dining room
During holiday season the restaurant is attractively decorated, complete with soft string lighting. The decorations are especially attractive during Valentine's Day and Christmas.
For a cozy, romantic dining experience, make a reservation for one of the quiet, lower-level private, dining alcoves. The upstairs Bar area tends to get very loud
The restaurant is owned and managed by Eva & Michael Fotinos who have teamed up with Executive Chef Juan Carlos Hernandez to create, an upscale, destination dining experience.
Chef Hernandez is a native of Costa Rica, and presides over an eclectic new American menu that is well prepared and offers additional selections of international Mediterranean dishes. The ingredients are sourced locally from sustainable and organic purveors, and include humanely raised organic meats and poultry, wild f,ish and shellfish.
Vegetarian options are available.
Scarborough Fair is open six days/week:
Tuesday - Friday 11:30 am - 9:30 pm, Saturday 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm, & Sunday 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and Valentine's Day
Reservations are recommended.
On-site parking is available, however on holidays and weekend nights, the lot can fill up, and be prepared to circle around the lot several times for an open spot.
(updated: December 2023)
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