Very quaint place next to the Avenel Performing Arts Center. Server was excellent, food was great, and the live music was just the right volume.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melody Kendall
I don’t recommend this restaurant at all!
Michelle Ovadia
Very nice place first time I'm ever here would like it if it was a better crowd for karaoke night but definitely will go
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Rudy Palma
Three of us went to Curtains tonight after seeing Beth Nielsen Chapman perform at the Arts Center.We dined here back in February and loved it. We even considered it a peak experience and were looking forward to a second time!Tonight was dismaying.I got to the table with my mom and my friend there a few minutes ahead of me. The waitress came a noticeably long time later - she managed to take long gaps between coming to the table and also be intrusive sometimes, even when just a handful of tables were occupied - and took our dinner order without asking me what I wanted to drink.I had to make sure to ask for a drink before she dashed away.When we asked about bread for the table, the waitress smiled, winced and cheerily told us we could order “a side of bread.” I immediately checked the menu and saw there was no such thing. When she chirped about how she could get us “toast, like for breakfast” we said no thanks. So no bread.It took a while for my drink and soup to appear. The three of us all ordered the same dish.When my friend requested a soda refill the waitress asked if he didn’t mind the refill being put in the same glass. (?!)My soup appeared - piping hot - just two minutes before entrees came. I was only halfway through it - they shouldn’t have even brought the dishes out until I was finished. These are people who clearly reactive, not proactive.What’s more? The waitress, a different one, asked to take my soup away while pushing my dinner plate next to me. I replied that I was still eating it. It was good soup (butternut squash) but too salty. That was a disappointment.Our dishes (chicken, pasta and artichokes in a cream sauce) were delicious - but it dawned on us while we were eating that there was essentially two bites - two mouthfuls - of grilled chicken in each dish!We felt cheated. And by the time we realized the lack of chicken, it was too late to send the dishes back.My martini tasted a little funny, too. Not amazing. But not bad enough to send back. It took a very long time to come from a bar that was not busy or bustling.We ordered dessert after having to really get out waitress’ attention - she was more interested in giving us the check, and it was 7 p.m. She happily put our dessert in for us, then returned a few minutes later to inform us they were out of it. We just took the check. She informed us she would be “sure to take that dessert off your bill.” We didn’t have it, so, yeah…The thing to do would have been to offer us another complimentary dessert.Again, reactive, not proactive.A 100 dollar check before tip for one cocktail, two Pepsis, one soup, and three pasta dishes very much lacking in chicken.We were like detectives, pushing around noodles and artichokes looking for chicken. If only we’d had a magnifying glass…Not one bite size piece of chicken. Just tiny shreds.If the dish were alive, one could say it was thinking about having chicken in it…there was serious contemplation about the idea…but no commitment.This didn’t even feel like the same restaurant we dined at in February.Beth Nielsen Chapman ensured the evening was memorable and one to be cherished, but the meal to follow was a disappointment.It’s curtains for Curtains.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Rudy P.
Three of us went tonight to see Beth Nielsen Chapman perform at the Arts Center.We dined here back in February and loved it. Tonight was a different story. I got to the table with my mom and my friend there a few minutes ahead of me. The waitress came a noticeably long time later - she managed to take long gaps between coming to the table and also be intrusive sometimes, even when just a handful of tables were occupied - and took our dinner order without asking me what I wanted to drink. I had to make sure to ask for a drink before she dashed away.When we asked about bread for the table, the waitress smiled, winced and cheerily told us we could order "a side of bread." I immediately checked the menu and saw there was no such thing. When she chirped about how she could get us "toast, like for breakfast" we said no thanks. So no bread.It took a while for my drink and soup to appear. The three of us all ordered the same dish.When my friend requested a soda refill the waitress asked if he didn't mind the refill being put in the same glass. (?!)My soup appeared - piping hot - just two minutes before entrees came. I was only halfway through it - they shouldn't have even brought the dishes out until I was finished. These are people who are clearly reactive, not proactive. What's more? The waitress, a different one, asked to take my soup away while pushing my dinner plate next to me. I replied that I was still eating it. It was good soup, but too salty. That was a disappointment.Our dishes (chicken, pasta and artichokes in a cream sauce) were delicious - but it dawned on us while we were eating that there was essentially two bites - two mouthfuls - of grilled chicken in each dish.It was disappointing. We felt cheated. And by the time you realize it, it's too late to send the dish back.My martini tasted a little funny, too. Not amazing. But not bad enough to send back.We ordered dessert after having to really get out waitress' attention - she was more interested in giving us the check, and it was 7 p.m. She happily put our dessert in for us, then returned a few minutes later to inform us they were out of it. We just took the check. She informed us she would be "sure to take that dessert off our bill." We didn't have it, so, yeah... The thing to do would have been to offer us another complimentary dessert. Again, reactive, not proactive. A 100 dollar check before tip for one cocktail, two Pepsis, one soup, and three pasta dishes very much lacking in chicken. We were like detectives, pushing around noodles and artichokes looking for chicken. If only we'd had a magnifying glass...Not one bite size piece of chicken. Just tiny shreds. If the dish were alive, one could say it was thinking about having chicken in it...there was serious contemplation about the idea...but no commitment. This didn't even feel like the same restaurant we dined at in February.Beth Nielsen Chapman ensured the evening was memorable and one to be cherished, but the meal to follow was a disappointment.It's curtains for Curtains.
Karen P.
1 star because it's impossible to give zero.FOOD: incredible rip off-no bread-ridiculous 4 very TINY bites of chicken+ 1 cup of rigatoni + 1 cup garlic cream sauce + 1/2 cup of parsley = 22$ are they joking? More like a dollar and change-outrageous, would NEVER recommend this place. They are shameless. SERVICE: astonishing poor-laughably so overly polite does not cover horrible service-that's a rip off too abysmal-intrusive when she was very obviously not needed rushing us when SHE was slow-just awful service though you can't call it that - disservice maybe, service-no she apologized profusely that the dessert we wanted was not available-we said "ok, just the check" she responded "ok, I'll take the dessert off the bill" ??? ya THINK ??? WOW -oh no, leave it on and call it a total rip-off! Curtains is the overpriced restaurant other overpriced restaurant would slap each other around laughing about. At least THEY'RE enjoying themselves.And ps-the restaurant is part of the Avenel Performing Arts Center.It attracts (in this case repels) people to the venue. Sad that in February we loved it and were recommending the restaurant even if people were just there for that alone.
Jay Brekls
Went for a drag brunch. The drag queens were awesome. Very fun and entertaining. The food was very good. The service was not great and the bartenders were extremely unfriendly. None of them seemed to like their jobs. Unfortunately even though the show was great I won’t be going back solely due to staff
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Alivia D.
Curtains is a one and done place for me. Service was friendly but our 2 servers seemed like a new waitress training an even newer waitress. I found it odd that they asked how I wanted my cheesesteak cooked? Regardless of how I answered, it was the most dry cheesesteak I've ever had. We waited way too long for food and drinks in a near empty restaurant. We had to ask twice for a Bud Light bottle and got a "it's coming" after about 15 minutes. We were told we can order drinks at the bar to bring into our show at the arts center (the reason we chose Curtains for dinner) and my friend's vodka cranberry was not only strong.. it was literally a cup of vodka with a splash of cranberry. I have never complained about a drink being too strong but it was truly embarrassing on their part. Glad I tried Curtains just to be sure to avoid it again in the future.
Shea Merritt
Was a good overall experience. Lots of people were there.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Leo W
I have gone to Curtains for brunch and dinner several times, and the food is always very good. But they recently changed the brunch and regular menu. Mostly, everything on the brunch menu now is eggs with something. There's like two items to choose from that are actually lunch. They took off biscuits and gravy, which was one of my family's favorite, and it was very good. I will still go there for dinner, but unfortunately, not for brunch anymore. I think they should add a few more lunch choices back for brunch.
Use to love coming here! Not everyone loves Italian Food! New menu AWFUL! No pretzel sticks, no teriyaki salmon, no rib eye steak with salad. Entertainment isn't the same either! Enjoyed the Rolling Torahs. Bring back old menu! Bartender doesn't even know how to make a whiskey sour or their signature drink avenel sour!!!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Roseann T.
I use to go all the time, they changed their menu and did away with happy hour.Was disappointed the last time we went.Ordered wings cost $15 and only got 6 wings.I will give brunch a try. You
S. Y.
I have been going to Curtains for a few years. Sunday was the first time we went for brunch. We ordered chocolate chip pancakes, omelette with a side of bacon, and two eggs with bacon and a side of sausage. The huge pancakes were delicious as well as the omelette! The bacon was well cooked, however we only received 2 pieces for $4 which I thought was a bit overpriced, but they were tasty! My friend said the eggs and sausage were "good." I will definitely go again! Also, recently, a bunch of my girlfriends went to the drag brunch which was Awesome! I would recommend making a reservation as soon as possible.
Laurie Smith
This place has gone downhill. Was there to see a band outside had one server for the entire outside, no bus person. The girls worked so hard. I actually felt bad for them. They did a great job. The bartender in the bar was just bad , you waited over 20 minutes for a drink ,you were totally ignored and the area was disgusting. No manager on site!! It was a joke to try to get a drink. And knowing we were there for the evening, my friends were drinking bottled beer @ 5.00 each when we heard from another patron, you could get a bucket of five beers for $15. Why wouldn't she offer the specials?? It was the most mismanaged confusing, horribly run bar I've ever been into ..Food is good again just totally overworked the entire staff and no management at all. Nobody there to oversee anything.. I would not go there for dinner or be returning to pay outrageous prices for a drink and NO service!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Bonni Clark
We went on Trivia Night which was a lot of fun. The atmosphere was lively and fun.The food was delicious. We had a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts.I would recommend this restaurant for a night out with friends.
Very quaint place next to the Avenel Performing Arts Center. Server was excellent, food was great, and the live music was just the right volume.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don’t recommend this restaurant at all!
Very nice place first time I'm ever here would like it if it was a better crowd for karaoke night but definitely will go
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Three of us went to Curtains tonight after seeing Beth Nielsen Chapman perform at the Arts Center.We dined here back in February and loved it. We even considered it a peak experience and were looking forward to a second time!Tonight was dismaying.I got to the table with my mom and my friend there a few minutes ahead of me. The waitress came a noticeably long time later - she managed to take long gaps between coming to the table and also be intrusive sometimes, even when just a handful of tables were occupied - and took our dinner order without asking me what I wanted to drink.I had to make sure to ask for a drink before she dashed away.When we asked about bread for the table, the waitress smiled, winced and cheerily told us we could order “a side of bread.” I immediately checked the menu and saw there was no such thing. When she chirped about how she could get us “toast, like for breakfast” we said no thanks. So no bread.It took a while for my drink and soup to appear. The three of us all ordered the same dish.When my friend requested a soda refill the waitress asked if he didn’t mind the refill being put in the same glass. (?!)My soup appeared - piping hot - just two minutes before entrees came. I was only halfway through it - they shouldn’t have even brought the dishes out until I was finished. These are people who clearly reactive, not proactive.What’s more? The waitress, a different one, asked to take my soup away while pushing my dinner plate next to me. I replied that I was still eating it. It was good soup (butternut squash) but too salty. That was a disappointment.Our dishes (chicken, pasta and artichokes in a cream sauce) were delicious - but it dawned on us while we were eating that there was essentially two bites - two mouthfuls - of grilled chicken in each dish!We felt cheated. And by the time we realized the lack of chicken, it was too late to send the dishes back.My martini tasted a little funny, too. Not amazing. But not bad enough to send back. It took a very long time to come from a bar that was not busy or bustling.We ordered dessert after having to really get out waitress’ attention - she was more interested in giving us the check, and it was 7 p.m. She happily put our dessert in for us, then returned a few minutes later to inform us they were out of it. We just took the check. She informed us she would be “sure to take that dessert off your bill.” We didn’t have it, so, yeah…The thing to do would have been to offer us another complimentary dessert.Again, reactive, not proactive.A 100 dollar check before tip for one cocktail, two Pepsis, one soup, and three pasta dishes very much lacking in chicken.We were like detectives, pushing around noodles and artichokes looking for chicken. If only we’d had a magnifying glass…Not one bite size piece of chicken. Just tiny shreds.If the dish were alive, one could say it was thinking about having chicken in it…there was serious contemplation about the idea…but no commitment.This didn’t even feel like the same restaurant we dined at in February.Beth Nielsen Chapman ensured the evening was memorable and one to be cherished, but the meal to follow was a disappointment.It’s curtains for Curtains.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Three of us went tonight to see Beth Nielsen Chapman perform at the Arts Center.We dined here back in February and loved it. Tonight was a different story. I got to the table with my mom and my friend there a few minutes ahead of me. The waitress came a noticeably long time later - she managed to take long gaps between coming to the table and also be intrusive sometimes, even when just a handful of tables were occupied - and took our dinner order without asking me what I wanted to drink. I had to make sure to ask for a drink before she dashed away.When we asked about bread for the table, the waitress smiled, winced and cheerily told us we could order "a side of bread." I immediately checked the menu and saw there was no such thing. When she chirped about how she could get us "toast, like for breakfast" we said no thanks. So no bread.It took a while for my drink and soup to appear. The three of us all ordered the same dish.When my friend requested a soda refill the waitress asked if he didn't mind the refill being put in the same glass. (?!)My soup appeared - piping hot - just two minutes before entrees came. I was only halfway through it - they shouldn't have even brought the dishes out until I was finished. These are people who are clearly reactive, not proactive. What's more? The waitress, a different one, asked to take my soup away while pushing my dinner plate next to me. I replied that I was still eating it. It was good soup, but too salty. That was a disappointment.Our dishes (chicken, pasta and artichokes in a cream sauce) were delicious - but it dawned on us while we were eating that there was essentially two bites - two mouthfuls - of grilled chicken in each dish.It was disappointing. We felt cheated. And by the time you realize it, it's too late to send the dish back.My martini tasted a little funny, too. Not amazing. But not bad enough to send back.We ordered dessert after having to really get out waitress' attention - she was more interested in giving us the check, and it was 7 p.m. She happily put our dessert in for us, then returned a few minutes later to inform us they were out of it. We just took the check. She informed us she would be "sure to take that dessert off our bill." We didn't have it, so, yeah... The thing to do would have been to offer us another complimentary dessert. Again, reactive, not proactive. A 100 dollar check before tip for one cocktail, two Pepsis, one soup, and three pasta dishes very much lacking in chicken. We were like detectives, pushing around noodles and artichokes looking for chicken. If only we'd had a magnifying glass...Not one bite size piece of chicken. Just tiny shreds. If the dish were alive, one could say it was thinking about having chicken in it...there was serious contemplation about the idea...but no commitment. This didn't even feel like the same restaurant we dined at in February.Beth Nielsen Chapman ensured the evening was memorable and one to be cherished, but the meal to follow was a disappointment.It's curtains for Curtains.
1 star because it's impossible to give zero.FOOD: incredible rip off-no bread-ridiculous 4 very TINY bites of chicken+ 1 cup of rigatoni + 1 cup garlic cream sauce + 1/2 cup of parsley = 22$ are they joking? More like a dollar and change-outrageous, would NEVER recommend this place. They are shameless. SERVICE: astonishing poor-laughably so overly polite does not cover horrible service-that's a rip off too abysmal-intrusive when she was very obviously not needed rushing us when SHE was slow-just awful service though you can't call it that - disservice maybe, service-no she apologized profusely that the dessert we wanted was not available-we said "ok, just the check" she responded "ok, I'll take the dessert off the bill" ??? ya THINK ??? WOW -oh no, leave it on and call it a total rip-off! Curtains is the overpriced restaurant other overpriced restaurant would slap each other around laughing about. At least THEY'RE enjoying themselves.And ps-the restaurant is part of the Avenel Performing Arts Center.It attracts (in this case repels) people to the venue. Sad that in February we loved it and were recommending the restaurant even if people were just there for that alone.
Went for a drag brunch. The drag queens were awesome. Very fun and entertaining. The food was very good. The service was not great and the bartenders were extremely unfriendly. None of them seemed to like their jobs. Unfortunately even though the show was great I won’t be going back solely due to staff
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Curtains is a one and done place for me. Service was friendly but our 2 servers seemed like a new waitress training an even newer waitress. I found it odd that they asked how I wanted my cheesesteak cooked? Regardless of how I answered, it was the most dry cheesesteak I've ever had. We waited way too long for food and drinks in a near empty restaurant. We had to ask twice for a Bud Light bottle and got a "it's coming" after about 15 minutes. We were told we can order drinks at the bar to bring into our show at the arts center (the reason we chose Curtains for dinner) and my friend's vodka cranberry was not only strong.. it was literally a cup of vodka with a splash of cranberry. I have never complained about a drink being too strong but it was truly embarrassing on their part. Glad I tried Curtains just to be sure to avoid it again in the future.
Was a good overall experience. Lots of people were there.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
I have gone to Curtains for brunch and dinner several times, and the food is always very good. But they recently changed the brunch and regular menu. Mostly, everything on the brunch menu now is eggs with something. There's like two items to choose from that are actually lunch. They took off biscuits and gravy, which was one of my family's favorite, and it was very good. I will still go there for dinner, but unfortunately, not for brunch anymore. I think they should add a few more lunch choices back for brunch.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Use to love coming here! Not everyone loves Italian Food! New menu AWFUL! No pretzel sticks, no teriyaki salmon, no rib eye steak with salad. Entertainment isn't the same either! Enjoyed the Rolling Torahs. Bring back old menu! Bartender doesn't even know how to make a whiskey sour or their signature drink avenel sour!!!!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I use to go all the time, they changed their menu and did away with happy hour.Was disappointed the last time we went.Ordered wings cost $15 and only got 6 wings.I will give brunch a try. You
I have been going to Curtains for a few years. Sunday was the first time we went for brunch. We ordered chocolate chip pancakes, omelette with a side of bacon, and two eggs with bacon and a side of sausage. The huge pancakes were delicious as well as the omelette! The bacon was well cooked, however we only received 2 pieces for $4 which I thought was a bit overpriced, but they were tasty! My friend said the eggs and sausage were "good." I will definitely go again! Also, recently, a bunch of my girlfriends went to the drag brunch which was Awesome! I would recommend making a reservation as soon as possible.
This place has gone downhill. Was there to see a band outside had one server for the entire outside, no bus person. The girls worked so hard. I actually felt bad for them. They did a great job. The bartender in the bar was just bad , you waited over 20 minutes for a drink ,you were totally ignored and the area was disgusting. No manager on site!! It was a joke to try to get a drink. And knowing we were there for the evening, my friends were drinking bottled beer @ 5.00 each when we heard from another patron, you could get a bucket of five beers for $15. Why wouldn't she offer the specials?? It was the most mismanaged confusing, horribly run bar I've ever been into ..Food is good again just totally overworked the entire staff and no management at all. Nobody there to oversee anything.. I would not go there for dinner or be returning to pay outrageous prices for a drink and NO service!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
We went on Trivia Night which was a lot of fun. The atmosphere was lively and fun.The food was delicious. We had a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts.I would recommend this restaurant for a night out with friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Sandwich and Fries