Serenity Cafe, Toms River, NJ: A Restaurant Review

Serenity Cafe, Toms River, NJ
Serenity Cafe
2008 Route 37 E
Toms River, NJ
(732) 270-2088
Website

Serenity Cafe: Restaurant Summary

Fare: American

Price: Expensive

Food Quality: Well executed menu, artfully created using quality seasonal ingredients

Service: Friendly, and attentive without being intrusive

Ambiance: Old world ambiance with white linen tables.

Overall Rating: 3.0 stars, one of the best restaurants in the Toms River area.

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 an upscale, well executed menu using fresh seasonal ingredients.

Not Recommended For: Cost conscious diners who prefer a casual, traditional menu with bar service.

Recommended dishes: When available, The Braised Boneless Short Ribs served with veal stock and red wine and roasted garlic bread pudding; The Slowly Braised Pork Shanks served with Rosemary and Cranberry, English Cheddar, Bacon Bread Pudding and sauteed Spinach] and The Roasted Pork Loin with spaghetti squash risotto.

Liquor: BYOB

Restaurant Review

Serenity Cafe, with an acclaimed chef, is one of the best BYOB restaurants in the Toms River area.

Located in a modest strip mall, the restaurants exterior offers little or no clue as to the high-end dining experience you are about to embark on.

Owned and operated by Chef Gregory Manning and his wife Jeanette, they have successfully created a spot for local diners who come to enjoy a well-executed menu of creatively prepared, new American dishes using quality ingredients.

Chef Manning received his formal culinary education at the French Culinary Institute. After graduating in 1989, he honed his culinary skills by working his way up through the kitchen ranks in good restaurants. In 1998, he was hired as chef d ‘cuisine at Jeffrey's in Toms River. Prior to opening Serenity Cafe, Chef Manning owned and operated Old Corner Deli in Island Heights.

In 2012, Greg Manning was the recipient of Cooking Light magazine's national Trailblazing Chef Award for The Best Neighborhood Chef.

The limited menu at Serenity Cafe is fresh and vibrant, changing every 3-4 weeks, depending on the availability of seasonal produce, seafood, and meats. Chef Manning often mixes in his signature braising dishes into the menu.

The dining area ambiance is a bit dated with walls done up in earth tones and adorned with lots of pictures, and wall lighting. Tables comfortable spaced apart and set with white linen.

Serenity Cafe is open 5 days/week:
For Lunch Tuesday thru Friday 11:30 to 3:00pm; For Dinner Tuesday thru Saturday, beginning at 5:30 pm

(updated; April 2021)

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