We ate here last night to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. Â Sparse tables and chairs. Â The food was way above average. Â The waitstaff were friendly and efficient. Â BYOB and cash only. Â Decent bread/olive oil served with meal. Â The fresh figs in the arugula salad were the sweetest, moistest most delicious. Â Everything that should have been served hot, was served hot. Â Scallops and crab cake entrees. Â The chocolate pot de la creme dessert was wonderful. Â Pricey, but worth it.
Review Source:Had the most amazing meal at Black Eyed Susan's tonight. We enjoyed appetizers of their signature crab cakes and heirloom tomatoes with Burrata cheese and entrees of scallops and chicken.  Everything tasted  light, fresh and was perfectly cooked (and that's saying a lot as my other half is very particular about his scallops!). The brioche bread pudding and chocolate pot de creme were a perfect way to end an excellent meal.
We found the staff to be very friendly and knowledgeable. The owner stopped by our table to see how everything was. She was very polite and sincerely cared whether we were enjoying our experience. We will definitely be back. Anyone looking for a great meal made with fresh local ingredients should check this place out!
Excellent meal from start to finish. Â We arrived on time for our reservation and waited a very short time. Â The hostess took our wine bottle, opened and chilled it and brought us glasses of it oustide while we waited. Every singl thing we ordered was delicious, from Ceviche and cold shellfish app to my husband's tuna and my friend's Gnocci w/ lobster. Â They both had a 1/2 lobster ad on which was perfectly steamed. Â My crab cakes were possibly the best I've had on an island FULL of good crab cakes. Â Beet salad was lovely. Â All food was well prepared and good portions. It is nice that everything is locally sourced.
Dessert was bread pudding and two other things I dont really remember- all good!
The restaurant is small and I can see where accomodating large table is a struggle- there are a lot of large families here, so this seems to cause some problems. Â This might be a better spot for a date or small family with older kids- not everything is designed for large family outings. Â The owner (I think she was anyway) Â seemed nice enough to me, despite several comments about her to the contrary. Â She was polite, Â I didn't expect for her to fall all over me because I was eating in her restaurant.
If you appreciate creative food and want a break from the seafood platter restaurants that are all over the island, this is a nice alternative.
What an amazing experience we had at Black Eyed Susan's! Â As we waited for our table the hostess brought us warm olives and opened our wine. Â A few minutes later our table was ready. Â We were greeted by very friendly and professional staff. Â We ordered a variety of appetizers and each ordered a meal. Â The owner came by our table and talked with us and helped us decide on entree's. Â What great advice, because everything was delicious. Â Although we were full, we couldn't resist and had to order a variety of desserts. Â My favorite items were the warm artichoke salad appetizer, the crab cakes were an absolute must order, and the pavlova for dessert!! The owners, Chris and Ashley, husband and wife, run an amazing restaurant, if you are on LBI you must experience Black Eyed Susan's!!
Review Source:Only one word can describe my dining experience here -- sublime.  The food  is spectacular and the service outstanding.  Upon arrival, the owner greeted us with warmth and the utmost hospitality.  For appetizers, we had fresh oysters, a perfectly prepared foie gras, and pillows of decadent lobster gnocchi in a savory broth -- light, airy, and so delicious.  The entrees were even more outstanding.  The flank steak was a beautiful cut of meat that was prepared so well that it melted in our mouth.  The lamb's flavorful aroma was mouth watering and tasted even better than its fragrance.  Decadent and luscious desserts included chocolate pavlova (melt in your mouth) and almond cake (like a perfect pignoli cookie).
The owners were gracious and attentive, each visiting our table to check on our experience throughout the meal. Â
Hands down, Black Eyed Susan's is the best restaurant on the island. Â Thank you so much -- fine dining has finally arrived on LBI.
I figured if I rated this a score at the top
You'd read on, so please don't stop
My previous entry was honest and true
Then flagged and hidden from everyone's view
There are plenty of eateries along the shore
And this owner manifested a near zero score
Twas the Judge's birthday, Hooray he turns 84!
Was told to expect there to be so much to adore
We called to make reservations two weeks in advance
Can the group sit near each other by any chance?
Normally eateries try to meet the client's desire
But our request was met with heat and fire
We decided to to stay out of respect for our Dad
To be scattered inside and out and not near him was really quite sad.
The staff was wonderful, extremely pleasant
While the owner treats a new face as if a peasant
If I were to guess this place is the owner's dream
Why is she running around like she's ready to scream?
The food was good, although some portions spare
Hard to enjoy with the owner's negative shares
From table to table, she stopped and talked about
Our request of sitting together, is that so far out?
Upsetting other tables with her tales of woe
Involving them in something they had no reason to know
My entire life I've spent at this shore
Relaxation, enjoyment deep at its core
So to return to a place when I want to eat
This is definitely not one I will ever repeat.
Shame we couldn't sit and be near to each other
Had to sing Happy Birthday from across the room to my father
My wife and I enjoyed two delicious meals at Black Eyed Susan's in the past two weeks.
It was a culinary delight! The warm artichoke salad was scrumptious. The crab cakes were just about the best we ever ate. The lamb chops were cooked to perfection.
We topped off the meal with homemade peach cobbler a la mode. It was super!
Service was excellent! Christine was our server on both visits. We were very well taken care of and never felt rushed.
Harvey Cedars is one of our favorite vacation spots. We intend to return to Black Eyed Susan's the next time we're in town. We highly recommend this restaurant. It's a winner in every way!
Food: Excellent
Staff: Excellent
However, I too had a very bad experience with the owner/hostess. Extremely rude, extremely unprofessional and frankly bizarre behavior almost ruined what should have been an all-around superb experience. Not everyone is cut out to run the front of the house unfortunately.
Edited to add that I have noticed that reviews referring to the owner's behavior seem to eventually be flagged and filtered. Some advice...it's better to fix the problem than to attempt to hide the symptom.
Excellent place... Chef made one mistake, we ordered 2 lobster/gnocchi and came without the lobster!!! Â The waitress adjusted the bill but still a major mistake.
I had the PEI oystrers and there were perfect. Â I also had the arugula salad and it was fantastic. Â The monk fish special was very good. Â I had the tile fish and it was delicious.
Our waitress was Sharron was very nice and patient and explained the specials with excellent detail.
If your on LBI, this is a must place to eat.
4.5 stars! Delicious food in LBI. Ate at Black Eyed Susans last night and we had a wonderful meal. BYOB so bring a bottle or two (or more). The oysters from PEI and BC were plump and oh so tasty. The grilled octopus appetizer was fresh and flavorful. I had the scallops which were divine and my friends had the crab cakes which they raved about! The dining area is candle-lit with a beachy feel. Eat outside if the weather is right. Service was very good. Â I will be back soon!!!
Review Source:Best meal I've had on LBI in a long time. Happy I finally was able to get a chance to try it. Our table of 4 had two apps off the specials menu and I had the scallop entree. Excellent all around. Decor was nice and not as crammed as they could have made it to fit extra tables. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. If I have repeat experiences, I will raise my vote to 5 stars.
Review Source:they didn't have their crab cakes due to the hurricane so we settled on the tile fish and the scallops. literally left hungry, I had four scallops in my entree. And it was okay, don't get what the hype is about. Tile fish was decent but again nothing to rave about. Big bummer for a big $75 check.
Review Source:Wow, wow and wow. Â What a find on LBI. Â Every bite was completely delicious and outstanding. Â And, healthy, too, because they know how to cook without adding unnecessary fattening sauces, etc. Â We had the beef tartare (organic, local and grass-fed), the tuna tartare, the poke with tuna, the heirloom tomato salad and the lobster. Â The flavors, the quality, the service, the atmosphere. Â I cannot say enough about how terrific this restaurant is. Â We are finishing up our 2-week stay on LBI. Â I wish we could go back before next summer. Â This is by far the best restaurant I have ever been to on LBI. Â And, the prices were not bad either, especially for this level of cuisine. Â Oh, and the entire menu was appealing. Â We heard other people at other tables raving about their dishes as well. Â Woohoo! Â As good as it gets!
Review Source:Hands down the best meal we've eaten while on LBI. Friendly and knowledgeable wait staff, great ambiance and some of the best food we've eaten. I ordered the tuna sashimi app and was left wanting for more. Yum and clean and fresh. Came with a group of 8 and 9 year old boys. They had steak (sauce on the side as smartly recommended by the waitress) and were thrilled to have a change from chicken fingers and fries. Probably would have been a nicer meal without the kiddies but restaurant was super accommodating and with an early res, we weren't too horrified by their loudness! Enjoy. It's a treat worth the advanced reservation
Review Source:Awesome ambiance....super attentive staff. Â But why are the owners/hosts on LBI so high strung? Is it really that stressful? Â Food was incredible. Â I went early (6pm) so it was half empty but staff was scrambling as if they were above capacity. Â I had the lobster, and it and the potatoes and corn were delicious. Â Will go again, hopefully when hostess is out having the stick removed from her butt so staff will be calmer and happier.
Review Source:My family and I had dinner here last night and it was absolutely amazing. Definitely one of the best meals we've had, not just in LBI, but overall.
I wouldn't say the prices are too steep either as other reviewers did, it is more expensive than a Harvey Cedars Shellfish or something of that sort, but you certainly get what you pay for. It is better priced than Yellowfin or Plantation and the chefs here are far more talented.
3 of us at the table had the roasted beet salad which was delicious - even if you are not typically a fan of beets, I recommend trying! We also had the tuna sashimi, which was an amazing mix of flavors and excellent quality.
For our entrees two at the table ordered the pan seared fluke. I normally do not like fluke all that much - I find it to be a flavorless fish, but it was great!! Perfectly cooked with a crisp texture on the ends and the vegetables and corn broth it was served over added exquisite flavor to the dish. I had the scallops, which I also never order out, amazing! They were served with a zucchini puree and assortment of fresh vegetables, so so good. Lastly, I'd say the best dish at our table were the crab cakes, to die for. You MUST order them, we have had our fair share of crab cakes and all agreed they were the best we had ever tried.
We didn't have room for dessert unfortunately, because I'm sure it would've been unreal. However, this was a fantastic meal, and not ridiculously expensive, especially because it is BYOB, so we had our own wine.
The service is wonderfully attentive and pleasant, we loved our waitress as well. The presentation is amazing, such beautiful dishes, exactly mirroring how the tastes are going to be.
Overall, if you are looking for a great meal on your vacation down LBI - go here!! You will NOT be disappointed!
In a word- AMAZING!  The folks who run this place are passionate about their patrons and their plates.  The menu is very well rounded with selections to delight the most savvy of diners. Everything from the raw bar comes complete with a narration. The presentation is sophisticated without intimidation. And the taste?????? Superb!  Locally sourced ingredients help this chef pull off  a great show of flavors and textures. I recommend the Chilled plate app, Gazpacho and the stuffed chicken breast. Whatever you have you're sure to be pleased. The Wait staff and environment are warm and inviting. It runs seamlessly. I say grab a couple bottles of wine and some friends and prepare to feast!!
Review Source:LBI is hungry for new dining choices so this place can survive. Take it off the island and it wouldn't cut it. I know it's the beach but if I pay $35 for an entree I'd like more than 5 bites of food and to be sitting at an iKEA pine table.
Everything was good tasting but just that, a tasting portion.
Walk across the street and hit Harvey Cedars Shellfish. It's picnic table dining but excellent seafood.
We have had the pleasure of dining here twice this summer -on a Sat night as a party of 4 and on a Friday night as a party of 7. Reservations are almost invariably required unless dining very late and even then are still recommended.
The ambiance is casually elegant and the service has consistently been very good. The staff of this place seem to function as a well-oiled machine. They work together seemlessly to make your dining experience a memorable one.
The food is awesome! My favorite dish so far was a special seafood salad appetizer with a very light yet exquisite citrus viniagrette - so delicate yet tasty (and healthy too!). I still think about it. Will keep going back for sure.
Organic, locally-sourced & high quality ingredients?
Yes, please.
Menu is eclectic, unique and well, all-around BALLER. They've got a fairly extensive raw bar, a variety of daily specials + meat, veggie and seafood options to satisfy any diner.
I had the chilled cucumber melon soup followed by the grilled seasonal veggie entrée over savory brown quinoa. The dish was beautifully presented and the flavors did not disappoint.  I regret not trying one of the desserts, though - they sounded (and looked) sensational - but hey, something to look forward for next time, right?
Service was friendly and accommodating - multiple servers took care of us throughout the evening (one greeted us, one took our order, another served us our food, another filled our waters and even the guy at the raw bar inquired about our dining satisfaction).
Prices are a bit steep yet comparable to most competitors (remember you're in the middle of summertime tourist heaven, folks). Also, if you are a last-minute person like me (aka no reservation), they have first-come-first-serve counter seating that's generally open before 7PM. WIN.
BYO. Cash only. Yellow & blue plaid server uniforms. Obviously, I'm in.
We recently spent the week in Loveladies. After two tries we were able to get a reservation. The staff was pleasant, but the hostess was a slightly arrogant. The first bread they brought us was not fresh or good.I asked for some other kind.They had no whole wheat bread but brought  ciabatta bread that was much better. The three of us ordered the lobster special. It was amazing. Highlights of the meal included fresh herbs and 2 unique dipping <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsauces.it&s=37493e2b3c0d2e54f71646cdcad288f6a413325e214f479916b9d52dc0b6eb94" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://sauces.it</a> was fun to work at the very favorful  lobsters!
The cappuccinos  could  have been warmer. We  agreed hat we would go back again!!
I had been to this place last year and could not wait to go back this year and it did NOT disappoint.
I had the "Ensemble of picked greens, vegetables and grains from our farmers and garden" plate which was seasonal veggies wrapped in Swiss Chard (in the style of stuffed grape leaves) on a bed of Quinoa. Â It was one of the most delicious meals I have ever eaten. Â It made me realize I could go vegetarian and still have amazing meals.
All their options are made with fresh, healthy and delicious ingredients. The produce and meats are organic from New Jersey and Pennsylvania farms.
The seafood is local. Â
The meal just kept getting better with the desserts! The Brioche bread pudding coated with drizzled chocolate, caramel sauce was amazing!
Love that the outdoor garden is full of... Black Eyed Susans and the the Art inside is all local artists.
It can be a little loud and you will need to bring a sweater because it is very cool (which of course is great in the summer) Â It is cash only which can be annoying but it is so worth it.
The prices may be a little high for some but it's BYO.
Our waitress was very attentive but not intrusive.
Anyone who comes to LBI needs to try this place out, this truly is a hidden Gem!
The third summer and this place gets better and better. Some new interior finishes and nicer layout, and a bar  (BYOB) to have dinner if you just want to show up are all positive additions.
And the food has never been better. Â Save room for dessert.
Bring your wallet and cash (no credit) and your best wine to have with the most upscale delicious food on Long Beach Island.
Food: 4****
Nectar: BYO
Ambiance: 4****
Black Eyed Susan's is on the northern end of LBI. Â A little out of the way, but pleasantly far from the bustle and frat noise south of the causeway. Â It's a BYO establishment, but that poses little problem with Neptune Liquors a quick walk down the street.
This is a newer restaurant, and with a multitude of eateries that open and close on the island, it's a welcome addition. Â The owners are ballers: CIA trained chefs who boldly stepped on the stage to execute with panache and precision. Â To be fair, finding top-quality dining on the island is difficult. Â You are often better off heading to the fish market on the docks and grilling something fresh. Â So although rating 4 stars, when compared to any restaurant on the island it deserves a 5-star rating. Â It is tough to run a place for 4 months and make a living. Â
I had the pleasure of dining here on a 'shoulder' week in June, before the summer rush. Â If you plan on visiting, make reservations well in advance during July and August. Â My dining companions insisted on cracking the wine before it was properly chilled (I assume delirium tremens was minutes away!), but the waitress was accommodating and agreed to small pours until the ice bucket did its work. Â A lovely Sancerre and two Marlborough Sav Blancs were perfect for the fish.
We split a nigiri tuna sushi roll with a light ginger and soy decorative sauce. Â Freshly ground dried wasabi made the dish and we all agreed that a handful of this magic dust in a panko crust would make any fish bounce off of the plate with taste. Â Diner #2 went with the sure-thing Barnegat Bay sea scallops. Â Scallops on LBI are always amazing and even the most basic eatery can pan-sear them with a bit of maple syrup and they will always be good. Â Not an adventurous order.
Diner #3 took a chance with the tilefish. Â A local delicacy that came into favor after other species became rarer and harder to catch, tilefish has become just as uncommon. Â It's often unavailable at the fish markets, so it was a must-try. Â I went with the monkfish simply for the accompaniments of lima beans and pork. Â Black Eyed Susan's sources all of their food from local fisheries and farms: the taste comes through. Â We raved at the table, sharing pieces of fish back and forth like children exchanging their favorite baseball cards.
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Somewhere into the 3rd bottle of wine, I knocked over my water glass as I animatedly described a funny story. Â The owner was gracious in my idiocy and offered a fresh table cloth and used the opportunity to ask where we were from and so forth. Â Skillfully done and our meal did not miss a beat as we marched on to dessert.
I'm not sure if they have a pastry chef on premises. Â It doesn't matter. Â Any bread pudding I've had in the past has always been a glorped mass in a monkey dish from a diner. Â This was a different animal entirely. Â Almost cake-like, this bread pudding had discreetly risen cobblestone masses of fluffy goodness, as happy as Fred Flintstone's bedrock sidewalk. Â After dipping it in the homemade whipped cream, you'll wish you had ordered two (even though you KNOW you are going to get ice cream at Poppy's later anyway!).
After eating here, you feel energized and ready to go out. Â The portions are reasonable and the cooking is fresh and light. Â Don't expect heavily sauced veal chops or beer-battered fish drowning in butter. Â The chefs have the skill to recognize and emphasize their strongest points: some of the freshest fish and vegetables around. Â They have the talent to bring out the flavors within the food rather than masking them or trying to make them fit into a standard recipe.
This is serious dining that feels like you have stepped into someone's tastefully appointed beach house. Â If the weather is holding, shoot for a table outside, bring the right wine and enjoy.
Great local LBI restaurant. Â In the center of little Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island NJ we found a NYC style bistro. Â Excellent fish and fantastic oyster bar. Â Service is very professional with young local staffing. Â Owners are always there and very attentive to their frequent clientele. Â Make sure to have a reservation on weekends, Â This has become the hot spot on the Island.
Review Source:Delicious and beautifully presented. The beet appetizer consisted of several varieties served with a homemade ricotta. I had grouper as an entree with barley, mussels and English peas. The combination sounded odd, but worked.
Dessert was a yummy blueberry-strawberry crisp and the cappuccino was satisfying. It's BYOB as so many local restaurants are. Our server was lovely and a Barnegat Light local.
We really enjoyed Black Eyed Susans. Â We have been coming to Harvey Cedars for 15 years and it is SO nice to have a new GOOD restaurant to choose from. Â Black Eyed Susans is located in the former Fat Cats space and not much has changed in the decor...it is basically Fat Cats with dressed up tableclothes. Â We sat in the porch area, which we were told was quieter than the main room, but the ceiling is vaulted and when a table of 8 came in, the noise was so loud that we had to ask the waitress to quiet the table down. Â Luckily the 8 top did their best to accommodate the request. Â This was really the ONLY negative about our experience. Â We were seated on time, our waitress was very knowledgeable and personable and made some great recommendations. Â The bus girl was a little slow in clearing our table, but I must admit I really like my table cleared quickly, so not the biggest deal but I did notice it and had to stack the plates so they would be removed. Not the biggest deal but trying to be thorough. Now lets discuss the food...not one bad dish and we ordered a lot! Â We had the Crabmeat Gazpacho which was delicious, the beet salad with ricotta on toasted bread was delicious but we believe we were eating goat cheese and not ricotta. The grilled calamari with pesto was also really great and cooked perfectly. Â My husband had the Shrimp Creole which wasn't really my thing but it was good and all of us agreed it was tasty. Â The portions were just right, not to chintzy but not to large where you were to full for dinner. Â For dinner, I had the salmon which was cooked to perfection along with the potatoes, artichokes and asparagus. Â I wanted to swap one vegetable for the cauliflower cashew puree, but the waitress suggested we get a side of it instead and it was a good idea because it was DELICIOUS and we all sampled it. Â My husband had the Grouper special and it was excellent. Â Our friends had the crabcakes which were fresh and flavorful. Â Last was the mussels in garlic and wine. Â I personally didn't taste them because I just don't like mussels but the sauce was amazing and excellent for a shared dipping experience! Â For dessert, the only thing on the menu that interested me was the chocolate but they were out of it, so I didn't have anything. Â My husband and our friend shared the bread pudding and they both agreed it was great.
I found the prices to be fair. Â You do save a lot of money at a BYOB, which this restaurant is, so no complaints there. Â We all agree we can't wait to go back.
We decided to try this restaurant while in Long Beach Island. Â Since my wife does not like seafood and was not in the mood for a steak, we decide to share a few appetizers for dinner. Â The food was very good and the service was good as well. Â However, what gave this meal a real "black eye" is the owner/manager personally checked on each of the three tables around us while completely ignoring our table. Â She might have been upset that we did not order one of the $30+ entrees. Â However, it should not matter if the customer had only frequented the restaurant for a dessert. Â Her conduct was extremely rude and offensive. Â Also, the restaurant is "cash only" and way overpriced as another reviewer had mentioned. Â We will stick with the Yellowfin next time we are in town. Â TD
Review Source:My parents have been raving about Black Eyed Susans so this trip down to LBI I made sure it was on the edible itinerary. Â
In a rare occurrence that made me, briefly, an only child, the three of us - Mom, Dad and me - arrived for our 8pm reservations on a Saturday night.  We had a bottle of red and one white in tow and were promptly seated at a roomy table.  Our server had a bit of trouble with the red's cork, but handled it very professionally and even poured the initial ounces out before serving it to us.  I am very impressed with the level of service, being  that 1) we're down the shore and 2) it's a byob.  The menu also impressed.
I couldn't resist ordering four courses - gazpacho with crab, shrimp with grits, seared scallops and brioche bread pudding. Â It was all delicious, and made its way to our table faster than I had expected, but I handled it like a pro. Â
I hear the menu doesn't change all that often, but I'm glad to have another reliable spot for dinner out on the island.
O.k here are my thoughts on this place.
1) The food is really good.
2) It is nice to have a place that has vegetarian options since the island is mainly seafood
3) WAY WAY WAY OVERPRICED. Â The meal I got was good but I could easily get it somewhere else for 1/3 of the price.
Most people just chalk it up to it being on the island, but I dunno...I mean there is no reason I plate full of vegetables should cost that much. Â I would probably go back when in LBI because being a vegetarian my options are limited, but I would not make a special trip for this place.
Great little restaurant. Thoroughly enjoyed the scallops I had. Great bread and olive oil to start. Wonderful ambiance and great as a BYOB. The waitress was sweet but rarely checked in for such a small place. Only thing that was hard to swallow was the bill. The meals were rather delicious but at $28 or more a pop, there was not a whole lot there. But other than that, I would highly recommend this little place and return myself.
Review Source:labor day looms but a week away - the summer season unofficially coming to an end - and i first made it out to this lovely LBI BYO just yesterday. i've been wanting to go for months as the owner is an old family friend (full disclosure), but you know how summers go - busybusybusy, then suddenly it's fall. sigh.
after a leisurely day spent basking in the sun, my parents opted to be seated in the air-conditioned indoor patio (the regular dining room was full), tho some may prefer a table outside, surrounded by the restaurant's namesake flower. our friendly server handed us menus - explaining that there were no specials as the menu changes on a *daily* basis - then promptly filled our water glasses and delivered a basket of bread along with some oil for dipping.
to start, i had the gazpacho - cool, crisp & creamy (not chunky) - while mom & dad shared the tuna niçoise salad. the apps were deliciously light, whetting our appetites for more to come. my entree featured local, summer veggies and brown rice in a thai green curry sauce to rival those of any ethnic eatery i've been to (and i've been to many!) mom exclaimed "organic really does make a difference!" while eating her sauteed chicken, and dad's jumbo lump crab cakes were literally all crab, no filler.
we were all pleasantly full...but...when dining with my parents, dessert is essentially mandatory, and i wasn't exactly complaining about that, especially as all are housemade. the three of us shared the peach & blueberry cobbler as well as the blood orange sorbet & tahitian vanilla gelato which came served with an oatmeal choco chip cookie. everything was excellent, with the standout being the sorbet - a perfect blend of sweet & tangy, nicely complemented by the gelato.
tho summer is almost over, and jersey shore tourists will be exiting the island soon, BES isn't closing shop just yet! so make a reservation while you still can...and thank me later.