Basil T’s Restaurant and Brew Pub

October 9, 2007
A great building that looks like nothing from the outside, but displays charm and confidence once inside. Lots of fresh products, vegetables and fancy Europeans meats decorate the multi-roomed establishment with a disctinct character depending on where you sit. Excellent service, highly friendly and professional. Fine food of high quality, but on the expensive side, expect to pay at least 20$ for a complete meal, but while it was at lunch time, I have not eaten until 1am afterwards. The beer selection is nothing really out of the ordinary and entirely depends on whether you go there when interesting seasonals are on, but the regulars are of above average quality. I would come to eat from time to time if I lived close, but I would not necessarily come as a regular drinker unless they bring out some appealing seasonals. Still a very satisfying and worthy stop if you’re in the area.

August 14, 2007
Nice place. Beer and food are both good. Service is bad. But this place is outragiously overprice. Cheapest thing is on the menu is the pizza. $18 for a bar pie??!! Com’on. I’d stay away unless you are really curious about the beer.

June 15, 2006 [ Updated June 16, 2006 ]
I stopped in on a Thursday night at 9:30 and it was jam packed. This is obviously a popular place in Red Bank. Very mixed crowd. The cozy 4 sided wood bar is dimly lit, with plasma tvs. Very loud when it’s crowded. The menu is a little pricey, but the food is outstanding if you love gourmet Italian. The beers were ok, but the Maxwell’s dry stout was excellent. I think the focus of this place is the food and dining experience, not the beer. If you want a great dinner and want to sample some local brew, this is worth a stop. If you just want beer, I would not go out of your way unless you are in the area.

August 7, 2005
Nothing that thrilling on tap except for the Maxwell’s Dry Stout which was quite good. Food was very good, but also very expensive. Wasn’t in the mood for a big Italian meal, just some good pub food which they really didn’t have. Settled on a panini chicken sandwich which was good, tried my wife’s burger(also paninized) and was good too. One at our table got a real Italian dinner and it was excellent, but again pricy. If the beers were better I would probably try it again, buy not in the near future.

July 4, 2005
Decent regular lineup of beers, but nothing spectacular although the Maxwell’s Dry Stout is quite highly regarded. Food is excellent, but expensive. There were four bartenders working when I was there, and only maybe 15 people at the bar. But service was still slow, tenative, as if they didn’t want to step on each other’s toes or bother me too much. Still, they were pleasant and able to answer my few questions. Gretchen’s seasonals are usually very good. It can be quite loud from the patrons and the open kitchen, plus there is often cigar smoke.

May 1, 2005
Stopped by to try their sampler at the bar. Only ordered appetizers. Nice looking inside. Below average beers with one excellant stand out (Dry Stout).

November 8, 2004
This place has an Italian type dining atmosphere. A little dark, with a large square bar one side separate from the dining area. Plenty of TV’s as well. Beer is well made, but don’t expect anything assertive, or very interesting. Good food. Neat wine "cellar" over to the side of the bar as well.

August 15, 2004
Excellent Beer. Excellent Food. Nice atmosphere. Friendly environment. Always busy. The food is pricey though. The calamari is the best.

April 11, 2004
Only house brews are available, which is a good thing since they are all excellent. The stout is a must have. Their wheat beer is a filtered American ale version and is very refreshing on a hot day. Rather crowded and usually noisy. Mixed crowd, mostly 30-40 with yuppie types at the bar. Italian restaurant with antipasto bar. Very good food, but overpriced. Median dinner plate is $19. Specials are more. Get there early, sit at the bar and try a beer sampler with their pea soup.