Lamppost Bistro Bar & Lounge

Lamppost Bistro Bar & Lounge is mamash one of those places you go when you want a real upscale night out — the kind of meal that feels like an experience, not just “we grabbed dinner.”

From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is on point: warm, classy, and cozy with a very put-together vibe. It feels chashuv without being stiff, and it’s the type of place that works for a date night, a special occasion, or even just when you want to treat yourself and feel like a mentch for the evening.

Now the food — wow. Everything is plated beautifully and tastes even better. You can tell they’re using quality ingredients and the kitchen is serious. The menu has that gourmet feel, with creative dishes, strong flavors, and everything done with care. It’s the kind of place where you take a bite and you’re like, “Nu… okay, this is why people come here.” Whether you’re going for steak, lamb, or something more unique, they deliver.

Service is also excellent — attentive, respectful, and they know how to take care of you without hovering. They’re patient with questions, they pace the meal nicely, and they make you feel comfortable. That alone is worth a lot, because by upscale places, sometimes you get “attitude”… here it’s just normal, professional, and pleasant.

Yes, it’s definitely on the higher end price-wise, but you’re paying for the quality, the ambiance, and the whole experience — and it’s worth it when you want something special.

Bottom line: Lamppost is a top-tier kosher dining spot — delicious food, great vibe, and strong service. Highly recommended… just don’t come saying “we’re only ordering something small,” because the menu will look at you and laugh. 😄

Delicious food and awesome vibe! Waiter was extremely nice and helpful! Really recommend!!

The food was absolutely incredible! Every dish was packed with flavor — especially the crispy beef appetizer and the corn ribs, which were out of this world. Our waitress, Sara, was truly one of a kind — so warm, attentive, and helped us choose the perfect dishes based on exactly what we liked. She made the whole experience that much better. Highly recommend this place!

A pleasant surprise and discovery. Fine dining in Tom's River that was unexpected. The food rivals some of the best I've had in NYC and around the world. Imagine tasting succulent sweetbreads cooked to perfection. Crispy outside, creamy inside. Bone marrow grilled and seasoned to spread on toast that melts in your mouth. Everyone who is a foodie must try this place.

An unexpected change in family plans left this traveling husband and wife duo, on their last night in town, with growling stomachs and curiosity tucked into a hotel room. A bit of local research, a few instinctive clicks, and we found ourselves drawn to a place that felt promising in the way only the best surprises do.

This restaurant revealed itself gently: unassuming from the outside, but within—an inviting hush, low golden light, and the kind of atmosphere that lets conversation breathe. We were welcomed immediately by a few lovely ladies- the kind of greeting that feels personal rather than rehearsed. With early reservations, we had the rare luxury of near solitude, a dining room mostly to ourselves—like being let in on a secret before the rest of the world arrives.

Our server—whose name sadly escapes us (let’s call him tall, handsome and charming)—was nothing short of professional. Knowledgeable, attentive, and clearly passionate about the menu and its Kosher offerings, he guided us seamlessly through the experience. Like the rest of the staff, he brought warmth and grace to our evening.

The first to arrive: a basket of warm bread—humble, golden, and everything you want it to be. Alongside it, a small dish of olive tapenade (or something convincingly close), briny and rich enough to make us pause.
Next up: Korean chicken and corn ribs. Lightly crisp, full of flavor, and just the right amount of unexpected. Simple, smart, and gone far too quickly.
For our mains, we split the difference—filet mignon for her, duck breast for him. The duck arrived lacquered and blushing, giving way to richness underneath. It was gone in what felt like moments, the kind of dish that silences conversation briefly, not out of politeness but reverence. The plate, it must be said, was very nearly (and quite respectfully) licked clean.
The filet was tender and thoughtfully seasoned, cooked to recommendation—just to the point where it could still be called indulgent. Alongside it, a deep, glossy berry sauce that deserves its own round of applause—bright, slightly tart, and the perfect contrast to the richness of the meat. The sides held their own—unfussy, well-composed, and exactly what the mains needed beside them.
The only challenge here was volume, not taste—a dilemma of appetite, not execution. Every bite was worth the internal negotiation: room must be made for dessert!

Our pivotal moment finally arrived —a joint deliberation over the dessert menu. It was long enough to suggest ambition, intriguing enough to justify discussion. We considered it like a board of directors: analyzing, ranking, second-guessing. In the end, names of desserts we cannot recall (the mark of good dessert is how little talking happens while eating it), but what arrived was polished, precise, and wholly satisfying.

The progression and timing of the meal felt choreographed not by routine, but by instinct—as if the kitchen responded to appetites it could sense, rather than see.

The mocktail and cocktail offerings were elegant but unpretentious, satisfying to sip — stylish, balanced, and seriously good. (Also, somehow, our water glasses stayed full throughout the meal-an effortless touch that spoke volumes about the care behind the service!)

When it was all over, we weren’t just full—we were content in the rare, complete sense. The food had depth, but never tried too hard. The space felt curated but not curated at you. And the whole experience carried that particular kind of intimacy that happens when a night unfolds exactly as it should—unexpected, unhurried, and quietly special.

To Chef Yudi and the entire team: thank you—truly—for wrapping up our trip in the kind of hospitality that lingers long after the last bite. Every detail felt personal, every dish made with care. We came in as hungry strangers and left feeling deeply looked after—nourished in all the ways that matter. Your warmth and thoughtfulness turned our dinner out together into something we’ll remember.

-With love from Charlotte, NC.