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All 49 New Brunswick Restaurants »

Stage Left

5 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1903
(732) 828-4444
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4.0 of 5 stars 51 Reviews
Price range: 42 AUD - 82 AUD
Cuisines: American, French, Eclectic
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Restaurant details
Good for: Romantic, Outdoor seating
Dining options: Dinner, Reservations
Dining style: Fine Dining
Cross street: George Street
Transit: The restaurant is located a few minute walk from the New Brunswick train station, on the New Jersey Transit - Northeast Corridor line.
Description: Stage Left has been ranked among the best restaurants in NJ since it’s opening in 1992. The focus is on the best local ingredients in the kitchen and an award-winning wine cellar stocked with wonderful gems from $30-$3000. Service is friendly and knowledgeable. Our elegant private dining rooms and rustic wine cellar are perfect for business or romance. NJ Monthly – Best American Restaurant / NY Times – Excellent / Star Ledger – 4 Stars / Wine Spectator – Best of Award of Excellence For reservations in the bar area of Stage Left, please note this in your reservation notes. There is limited seating in that area so we may reach out to you if we do not have availability.
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51 reviews from our community

70% Recommend
    29
    7
    2
    4
    9
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2012

Wonderfully creative, outstanding dishes, item by item. Their Market Salad is the best salad I ever had. More

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Central New Jersey
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2012

Went there with my wife for the first time, we had good expectations given this restaurant's reputation. The experience was a huge disappointment. The service was immediately uncomfortable and snooty. We felt immediately that we were not welcome there. The food was mediocre at best, but the price was sky high. We understand paying high prices for high quality food,... More

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Timbuktu, Mali
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
59 helpful votes 59 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 April 2012

i finally made it to stage left - had been wanting to go for some time but just never made it. food was pricey but good, presentation was nice. ambience is good except that seating can be awkward. it's really convenient to theaters. wait staff is not always good, some display too much attitude. i will return because the food... More

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Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Senior Contributor
33 reviews 33 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 March 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Great food, they even customize the menu on your birthday. Very pricey though. More

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East Windsor, New Jersey
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 March 2012

Stage Left, and it's sister upstairs, Catharine Lombardi, are the standard by which other fine dining locations should be judged. Food is always superb, even if some of the approaches may be quirky. If that happens for you, and you would prefer an ingredient removed or a different approach, they will oblige. Professional service, fantastic food, and by far the... More

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See 2 more reviews by E. A. A for New Brunswick
New Jersey
Top Contributor
59 reviews 59 reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 March 2012

Service is a bit slow but then I guess it's about the experience. Wonderful wine list, one of the best I've seen lately. Top quality food although a bit pricey. We went there before a show and since it's so close it worked out very well. We'll probably go again one day soon just for dinner since it was most... More

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See 12 more reviews by GarryONewJersey for New Brunswick
Morristown, New Jersey
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 February 2012

This is a 5-star restaurant; chef brings in fresh food every day. Small portions unless you order the porterhouse steak (3 lbs!) Delicious, fresh, interesting dinner choices- very classy restaurant, fireplace, change the linens for each new table, quiet, warm, comfortable. More

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Princeton, NJ
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 February 2012

I thoroughly enjoyed the food, it was served with style. The wait staff was very attentive. We had a short time frame to eat before the theater and it all happened on time and was delicious More

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East Brunswick, New Jersey
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 February 2012

I have been to stage left countless times throughout the years and judging from my experiences I can honestly say that the service has gone DOWNHILL. Whenever I showed up with friends/clients (without my family) it's a complete different experience. The waitstaff are extremely snooty, classless, and socially moronic (Especially the young asian female). Their inflated ego doesn't make sense... More

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See 11 more reviews by sailaway22 for New Brunswick
Readington, New Jersey
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 February 2012

We savored every delicious bite of dinner last night! My husband had foie gras, then surf and turf, then creme brule. I had a nice mesclun salad with pear, and then organic chicken. The chicken came with pumpkinseed and goat cheese bread pudding, which I dipped in the carrot puree and chicken jus. Gawd, that was delicious! With the perfect... More

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