I’ve been there a couple of times, it’s like Olive Garden made a baby with Applebees but with no schticks like unlimted soup/salad/breadsticks. Or should I say… breadschticks?
Funny I passed the old Carrabba’s over the weekend and was thinking the same thing, that location has been empty a couple of years now. Basile’s from Freehold was the last restaurant that had a successful run there. I liked the concept Spaghetti Western that was short lived after Basile’s, steak and Italian combination. I’ve only stepped foot in Bertucci’s one time and that was to kill time at the bar while my kid was at the movies. (don’t judge me)
I’m partly surprised, partly not. They usually have a decent crowd, but as someone stated earlier, there are too many pizza/Italian places around, both chain and otherwise. I have never found their food to be outstanding, and it is certainly overpriced. Add a couple drinks to the mix, and you are paying out the wazoo for passable Italian food.
I went a couple of times with groups from work (20 years ago!). It was really loud, because the interior has no sound-soak or anything, and that is probably still true.
Really, restaurants seem to ignore things like vestibules to keep the cold out, or something to absorb the sound, or chairs that don’t make horrible screeching sounds when dragged (yes, I mean you, Comfi).
Been meaning to try them. They seem to have good reviews online, and pictures I saw them posting to their Facebook a while ago looked beautiful, like edible works of art. Alas, there is never anyone in the parking lot. I don’t know how they stay in business.
That location seems to be death for any and all. I have lived in this area since 1994, and places have come and gone. It was Gregory’s Seafood Restaurant for a while, then a slew of others including the Mad Greek, Gardenia Grill, Pizza Lulu, and now Fuku, all within the last 5 or 6 years. There’s probably a couple more I’ve forgotten. Kind of profound when you think about it.
Just be careful how you pronounce the name of the place. Fuku too!
We’ve eaten at Fuku several times. Stumbled upon it one day, and liked it well enough to go back twice more in a two week period. The food is quite good. And fresh. We probably will try having omakase there, but we’ve decided to bite the bullet and give the sushi chef at Yumi a chance. We were there with friends and asked about it, and the waitress (who was very informative) said to count on at least $100 a person. Probably can’t happen for a few weeks, but stay tuned.
I think you know this, but white tuna is albacore. Esoclar is actually a mackerel but places do call it white tuna. I don’t see much Escolar around here. I’ve only seen it in one place. It tastes better than albacore to me. You can serve anyone around here a white fish and call it tuna. They will have no clue. Half the fish in restaurants is not what they say…well maybe not half but I’d say 30%.