Char Steakhouse

We just finished our family dinner at Char. I think someone forgot to tell these folks they are in Raritan, NJ and not NYC. We walk in and there are a bunch of young and trashy dressed girls standing there looking bored. We asked for table outside. Sorry, there are tons of open tables outside but we don’t have room for your family. But we will give you a seat by the window, that should make up for it. Ok, I’m mildly irritated but what can I do. We sit. Waiter comes over and barely says boo to us. He leaves for a long period of time. Then he hears my kids complaining for bread so he comes over to take our order. I ask for a glass of wine. Well the wine never shows up. He barely comes back to check on us. You can guess how rest of dinner went. Overall terrible experience. The two men dressed in suits, I presume the managers, look equally as bored as their staff and clearly don’t care if anyone in restaurant is enjoying the dining experience. Again this is Raritan NJ. Food was good but not that good. As such we will not go back and give feedback to my company who has many work events there. Very disappointing. Save yourself the money and aggravation by avoiding Char.

Perfect dining experience! Mashed potatoes with cheese and truffles are to die for, so are the crab cakes. My friends had steak and rated it 10 out of 10. Outside sitting area makes you feel like you are somewhere far away, on vacation. Impeccable service. Modern dance music in the background. I’m definitely coming back. Thank you guys

I came here on a recommendation. I was pleasantly surprised to find a really good steakhouse out in Branchburg, New Jersey …
Char Steakhouse is just that place.
From the minute I entered I knew this was no ordinary restaurant. In the main lobby is a curved wall of water coming down onto beads. There is a nice size bar right off of the hostess area with premium liquor displayed…
I was greeted by a very friendly hostess who seated us inside.
When you look through the glass you can see a lovely outdoor patio where you can sit and have drinks before or after dinner. There is a fire wall on one side and tables and couches all around.
You can order food while your sitting outside…
I started off with a dozen East and West Coast raw oysters that came with a Mignonette Sauce (a sauce made with minced shallots, a clear vinegar, salt, and peppercorns.) and Cocktail Sauce. They were so fresh and delicious I could’ve kept ordering them.
The West coast oysters were my favorite.
My friend ordered the Tuna Tartare it came in a sterling silver oval box with toast points. The Tuna was definitely sushi grade and also very delicious .
For my main course we shared this huge Porterhouse for two. My waiter Troy asked how I liked it cooked and I ordered it medium– rare. For a side dish I ordered grilled asparagus. It was cooked perfectly along with my porterhouse steak. My steak came sliced, on one half was the filet mignon and the other side was the tenderloin. two heads of roasted garlic and a bone marrow were on the platter. My porterhouse was seasoned perfectly and charred and seared on the outside which gave a great flavor. My steak was tender and juicy on the inside. Each bite taste better then the next.
A waiter came around with fresh hot baguettes, focaccia bread, and rolls.
I was really full after my dinner but we decided to share a dessert. I ordered crème brûlée and cappuccino. The crème brûlée was so custardy and delicious. My Cappuccino came in a huge mug and was warm and comforting…
This place is definitely great for a date, just make sure you bring lots of money because it’s not cheap. My waiter Troy was very attentive and very thorough in explaining the menu… I saw how managers would walk around and doublecheck to make sure everyone was happy and that the tables were set perfectly. I highly recommend making a reservation because this place gets very very busy especially on weekends. Char does have a parking lot but because this restaurant is so busy you might have to park across the street or on the street. I would definitely like to come back here and try some of the cuts of steak or chops.

I had a business dinner with a party of 5. In short, all of our appetizers and entrees were delicious! Adding to this was two bottles of superb wine and dessert. Perhaps the service was a bit slow, and the noise level was a bit loud, but I would dine there again in an instant.

Our first time, party of 6. Staff was friendly and accommodating. The food and baked goods were excellent. Our waitress Danielle made spot on suggestions and was very attentive, but not intrusive.
We sat on the patio. They have an excellent setup with tables, cabanas, umbrella and fans. So even as the afternoon heated up we were comfortable. Certainly a great spot for cocktail or dinner.
We really appreciate the staff, some of our party use wheelchair and everyone from the vallet to the servers were helpful.

Steaks are always done perfect, starters and sides are the best around. Service is always very good. It’s been a long time special dinner spot for us and will continue to be for many years.

I have been wanting to try this place for years and finally got to celebrate my lil sisters bday. Though we just did a few appetizers and drinks we enjoyed it very much. Our server Troy was very nice and attentive. We had Cesar salad and French onion to start along with the Kobe meatball which was amazing. Then for our main meal we had the seafood tower which was amazing. Lobster, crab meat, oysters, clams, and shrimp. Along with some Mojitos. for dessert we had the chocolate moose cake which was delicious. The place has a nice modern feel with a good amount of outdoor and indoor seating. I will definitely come back to try the steak next time.

It was my first time visiting Char, and I do have to say, I was quite impressed by the ambiance and hostess. The wait staff was fabulous and extremely attentive. I was with a large party, and that did not diminish the quality of service.
I started with the French onion soup, it was delicious! My husband had the Caesar salad, which was very fresh and crisp with just the right amount of dressing and garnished with lots of fresh Parmesan!
We both ordered the surf n turf. Beautiful presentation and both steaks were cooked perfectly!
For dessert, we had the chocolate mousse cake… OMG… it couldn’t be anymore heavenly!!!
Next time I am in Jersey, I will certainly visit this place again!!!

Excellent Porterhouse for two, ambiance was excellent, server (Troy) excellent couldn’t ask for more I enjoyed throughly, prices very reasonable for a meal of this caliber

Great food service and atmosphere. Food took a little long and the step going inside needs a warning. Prices are high but expected to be overall worth the money

Had dinner here with my family and it was good but not great especially when you take into account that these are Manhattan prices. Everyone had steaks, again good but not blow you away. Service was nice! Not sure I would be back. Would rather spend the same amount at a top nyc steakhouse

Pretty damn good. Pretty damn expensive. But I think you get what you pay for. The outside area is especially nice in the evening when they light the firs pits and fire around the water fountains they have. The steaks are solid, good quality cuts but they actually have a few good items under $ 20 that are really a steal at a place like this e.g. pulled pork slides

Good food, a bit pricey for the area, the staff is just a-​ok. The atmosphere felt a bit stuck up (staff were good to us though). We tried the crab cakes and fried calamari, both yummy. I tried the roasted chicken and 40z Tomahawk Ribeye — both pretty yummy. The lobster mac and cheese, and garlic mashed potatoes were ok. The warm bourbon and pecan bread pudding — so freaking delicious. I’d come back just for that. Also, when it’s nicer out, they have outdoor seating with the huge fire pits roaring. It’s rather lovely at nighttime.

Just Okay…
Our service was very S L O W on Easter Sunday and when our food finally came out it was only lukewarm. My bone-​in filet was extremely fatty and my guest’s $ 70 «tomahawk» steak was 75% grizzle and was very, very tough. In hindsight, we should have complained and sent everything back. When I received the $ 300 check for 3 people I was so mad at myself for accepting an inferior experience. At these prices everything needs to be perfect. We’ve been here many times before, but this time was definitely «off». Way «off». Not sure if we recover and come back. I hate getting ripped off like this…

We have been eating at Char for years (and Acqua, the Italian restaurant in the same location prior). We’ve never had a bad meal there, but the experiences are getting less and less worth the high price tag.
First, the food: The menu is a cookie-​cutter steakhouse offering (dry-​aged steaks; side sauces; large, shareable sides of starches and sauced veggies; the dry-​ice-​garnished seafood tower). The steaks are always properly prepared and the seafood tower is fresh, high quality shellfish and tuna. Salads are interesting, but the soups are quite salty.
But then, service: Char has always had former Miss Teen New Jersey contestants at the front desk. They must have read reviews, because they used to be stone-​faced and cold, but now they make a point of smiling and greeting you properly (so, kudos for taking the feedback to the troops). The bar and table staff are all well trained and professional, but they have begun to take their empire too seriously.
Examples:
1) They have a nice outdoor seating area, complete with propane heat lamps for cool evenings. We enjoy having coffee and desert (or, if I’m with a group of friends, a cigar) out there. I carried my own wine outside (despite telling our server we wanted to change locations, he never offered to assist). When I realized I had left my phone on the table, I went back inside and a waitress scolded me for «opening the door too many times», threatening to lock it!
2) I enjoy my steak pan blackened (or «cajun style») and have often gotten a rib eye or cowboy steak this way at Char. This past visit, I asked for it again, but was told by Eihab, our server, that «he won’t do it… not with a dry aged steak». But this was my request. I wasn’t asking to pay a lower price for the dry aged steak. If this is a food abomination I am committing, do I need to be chastised for it? What would happen if I wanted to drink white wine with meat? Flogging?!?
Call this place the Death Char (queue Vader’s Theme).

Went here for drinks and they apparently don’t open until 4 pm and its 3:30 so I’m taking my business elsewhere

Ate here today and ordered the Tomahawk steak ($ 70.00) for two, and it was at least 50% gristle. We brought it to management’s attention and they were nice about it, and we elected to just eat the half that was edible and agreed to have them pro-​rate the check.
We expected them to take at least 50% off the steak, but all they did was give us our apps for free, about a $ 20 value. It was better than nothing obviously, but we think they should have done a lot better. So this was our last meal there.

Thought about going to this place for a long time and finally made it here for a Monday night dinner. The first thing I like about Char is the menu is pretty extensive. Meaning from hardcore steak to other items that will keep the rest of your table happy everyone should be able to find something good here. Prices are high — this is true. Yet, for something comparable in this area I have yet to find. The online, and printed menu for that matter, could be a little more detailed. To start the caesar salad was really quite awesome and getting the Short Rib for the main course and the Thick Cut Bacon as a side made for a pretty perfect meal. The finishing touch was having a craft brew on the special menu which is something I would like to see more of at other establishments. In summary, overall great experience with a lot more flexibility on the menu than your typical steakhouse.

I enjoy it here everyone I come. I usually try to hit the off hours… better service… and more attention… not that I’m lacking attention. Always seems to see someone I know… cocktails always made perfectly… steak is nice… but their oysters and seafood will surprise you… perfect place… especially when it warms up and you can move outside and enjoy the fires…

The staff was very friendly. The appetizers took a little time to come out, but the main courses came out in a timely matter.
For appetizers, the escargot and grilled octopus with Swiss chard and chorizo were ordered. I do not know what the prices were. The grilled octopus was a special. The escargot was great. It was not fishy at all. The grilled octopus was not good. It was cooked far too long. There was also little chorizo if any at all. The Swiss chard was alright at best.
I ordered the filet (8 oz.). It was amazing. It was cooked to perfection like how I wanted the filet cooked (medium rare). The seasoning was solid and nothing too overpowering. It was one of the better filets I have tasted.
The potato side special and sautéed spinach were ordered as sides. The potato special was potato gratin with truffles and truffle oil. It was average at best. I thought it was a little bland. The spinach was just not cooked enough. I like spinach cooked all the way through and this side dish was not.
Will I go back? No doubt.