Best Open Kitchen Restaurants in Nutley

Ali, our server, was fantastic! Food was very tasty and their bread is spectacular. Highly recommend

So delicious and so carefully and thoughtfully prepared. Beautiful food, fantastic cocktails

Amazing food and good service , took a while in the beginning but then it was fine

We recently dined at Yingtao and had an overall enjoyable experience. The food was thoughtfully prepared, with well-balanced flavors and elegant presentation. While it may not have been the most memorable meal we’ve ever had, there were certainly standout moments—particularly the lamb main course, which was absolutely exceptional. However, a few aspects of the evening left room for improvement. The service, although courteous, was notably slow. Our dinner stretched to nearly three hours, which felt a bit excessive, especially considering the restaurant wasn’t particularly busy. By the time we finished our first bottle of wine, only three starters had been served. The pace could definitely benefit from more attention—it would’ve been ideal to finish within two hours. We also encountered some issues with the wine list. The first two bottles we tried to order were unavailable, and only our third choice was in stock. While most dishes were well executed, the lobster arrived lukewarm and lacked the impact we were hoping for. In contrast, the lamb was a true highlight—beautifully cooked and full of flavor. One observation that stood out was the demeanor of some staff members. While the restaurant has a casual and contemporary feel, a few team members didn’t quite reflect the standards typically associated with Michelin recognition. For instance, basic courtesies like making way for guests navigating the dining room were overlooked, which slightly detracted from the experience. Lastly, while the meal was refined, the portions leaned on the lighter side. In fact, we found ourselves grabbing a burger and fries afterward just to feel fully satisfied. Yingtao offers a modern dining experience that feels more like contemporary fusion than a true East-meets-West concept. With some refinement in service, pacing, and attention to detail, it has the potential to be something truly special.

My entree was extremely salty and had to be returned.