- Attraction: Nicholas Barrel & Roost
- Location: 160 NJ-35, Red Bank, NJ 07701
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://www.barrelandroost.com/
A legendary chef decided to ditch the tuxedos and serve up comfort food instead.
What you get is something extraordinary: twenty years of culinary mastery poured into burgers, pizza, and brunch dishes that make your taste buds sing.
Chef Nicholas Harary and his wife Melissa spent two decades running Restaurant Nicholas, racking up an impressive fifteen consecutive years as Zagat’s highest-rated restaurant in New Jersey, plus a coveted four-star review from The New York Times.
In 2020, they transformed their fine dining establishment into Nicholas Barrel & Roost, stripping away the white tablecloths and creating a modern farmhouse space where elevated comfort food takes center stage.
The transition brings fine dining expertise to everyday favorites. You’re getting chef-driven dishes made from scratch with impeccable attention to detail, but without the stuffiness. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between upscale and approachable, making it equally suitable for date night cocktails at the bar or a casual family dinner.
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Keep Exploring →Menu Standouts
The Nicholas Burger: This isn’t your average burger. Made with a sirloin short rib blend that’s wood-grilled to perfection, it features English cheddar on a butter-toasted sesame bun with Roost sauce, onions, and house-made pickles.
The patty itself is incredibly succulent, with that ideal char from the grill. Many consider it one of the best burgers they’ve had in years, and it comes with perfectly seasoned chips on the side.
French Onion Soup: Prepare yourself for something spectacular. The soup features extraordinary cheeses melted over the top with a subtle touch of sweetness that might come from a splash of sherry. The broth is rich and deeply flavorful, hitting all the right notes between savory and sweet. This is the kind of dish that keeps people coming back.
Lobster Roll: Generosity defines this dish. Two brioche rolls arrive loaded with mayo-based lobster salad that’s fresh and perfectly seasoned. The accompanying creamy lobster bisque on the same plate adds an extra layer of indulgence. The combination of buttery roll, fresh lobster, and rich bisque creates something truly memorable.
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich: The buttermilk-marinated fried chicken thigh gets nestled in a butter-toasted sesame bun with blue cheese and traditional buffalo sauce. The chicken stays juicy while maintaining that crispy exterior, and the blue cheese provides cooling contrast to the spicy sauce.
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Discover MoreSalmon and Halibut: The seafood preparations showcase the kitchen’s fine dining roots. Both fish arrive cooked beautifully, maintaining moisture and flavor. The halibut gets a panko crust with bok choy and smoked shallot veloute, while the salmon demonstrates the chef’s ability to nail that perfect doneness.
Pizzas: The brick-oven pizzas bring Italian flair to the menu. From classic Margherita with house-made mozzarella to more creative combinations, the crusts achieve that ideal balance between crispy and chewy. The Braised Beef Short Rib pizza features house-made mozzarella, roasted red peppers, pickled red onion, and short rib jus.
Mac and Cheese: Kids and adults alike rave about this dish. The creamy, cheesy goodness hits all the comfort food notes, with some young diners happily eating multiple servings. No bread crumbs or green things getting in the way of pure, indulgent mac and cheese bliss.
Cheese Curds: These elevated mozzarella sticks arrive hot and gooey, with a satisfying stretch when you pull them apart. They make for an excellent starter to share while you peruse the menu.
Brunch Experience
Bloody Mary: The restaurant bills it as potentially the best you’ll ever have, and weekend brunch visitors seem to agree. Made with care and packed with flavor, it’s become a signature drink that pairs perfectly with the morning menu.
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Keep Exploring →Cajun Eggs Benedict: Chef Nicholas takes brunch classics and adds his own creative spin. The eggs benedict gets a Cajun twist that brings welcome heat and complexity to the traditional dish.
Brioche French Toast: This isn’t your standard French toast. The colossal brioche slices come topped with caramelized banana and bourbon maple syrup, creating a decadent sweet breakfast that feels like dessert. The combination of rich brioche, caramelized fruit, and boozy syrup makes it genuinely special.
Toast Appetizer: An elegant selection of four squares featuring salmon, fig, crab, and avocado on toast. Each bite offers different flavors and textures, making it substantial enough to share as a light meal or perfect as an appetizer.
Drinks & Bar
Craft Cocktails: The bar program goes well beyond standard spirit-and-mixer combinations. Bartenders craft drinks using seasonal fresh ingredients and liquors from Nicholas’s private-barrel stash, made exclusively for the restaurant under his direct guidance. The old fashioneds earn particular praise from regulars.
Wine Selection: An expertly curated wine collection features options around twenty dollars per glass, though bottles span various price points. The wine list reflects the sommelier background of Chef Nicholas, who contributes weekly articles to the Asbury Park Press.
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Discover MoreBourbon Collection: The bar showcases aged bourbons available by the bottle, catering to bourbon enthusiasts looking for something special. The private-barrel program means you’ll find unique options not available elsewhere.
Craft Beer: The tap selection rotates through quality craft beers that complement the comfort food menu nicely. Whether you’re grabbing a pint during happy hour or pairing beer with your burger, the selection delivers.
Atmosphere & Setting
Modern Farmhouse Interior: The dining room radiates warmth through beamed ceilings, rustic candle-style chandeliers, comfortable banquettes, and dark wood flooring.
The space manages to feel both soothing and cheerful, striking that balance between rustic and refined. Warm lighting schemes combine with wood elements throughout to create an inviting environment.
Bar Area: The prominently placed square-shaped bar features an eye-catching overhead fixture made of bulbs inside green-tinted gallon jugs. Three large screen TVs provide entertainment, while high-top tables surrounding the bar create a casual, first-come-first-served seating area perfect for dropping in without reservations.
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Keep Exploring →Outdoor Patio: During warmer months, the stone patio offers cozy outdoor dining with tables spaced comfortably apart. Large folding doors connect the patio to the bar area, and the setup helps block road noise from the nearby highway. The outdoor space sets a mood of pure ease and camaraderie.
Sound Level: The atmosphere leans lively rather than quiet. Expect an upbeat, vibrant energy, especially during peak hours when the restaurant fills with conversation and activity. It’s the kind of buzzy environment that adds to the experience rather than detracts from it.
Practical Details
Pricing: Wine runs around twenty dollars per glass. Sides like fries cost eight dollars. Overall, expect mid-to-upper tier pricing that reflects the quality ingredients and chef-driven preparations. The prices match what you’d expect for the Red Bank area, and most feel the quality justifies the cost.
Parking: Two adjacent parking lots surround the restaurant, providing ample space. The restaurant asks that you use these lots rather than parking on neighboring side streets to remain courteous to residents. Parking tends to fill up during peak times, arriving to a packed lot often signals a busy night ahead.
Reservations: You can book through OpenTable or call directly at 732-345-9977. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dinners, though walk-ins are welcome. The bar operates on a first-come, first-served basis if you don’t mind waiting for a table or prefer the bar atmosphere.
Dress Code: The vibe is casual but elevated. The bar area has a very relaxed feel where you’ll see people ranging from dressed-down casual to almost formal attire. No shorts or jeans at the bar is suggested, but the overall atmosphere leans more toward smart casual than strictly formal.
Family-Friendly: The space works well for families, with kids enjoying dishes like the mac and cheese. The atmosphere balances sophistication with approachability, making it suitable for various occasions from family gatherings to romantic dinners.
Best Times: Weekend brunch draws crowds eager for those Bloody Marys and brioche French toast. Midweek lunch provides a calmer experience if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Making reservations for Wednesday nights or other weekday evenings often means shorter waits.
Nicholas Barrel & Roost
📍 160 NJ-35, Red Bank, NJ 07701
