I'm reviewing Nina long after my visit in December of 2012. We had a table of 4 and all four of went for 3 courses. We had quite the sampling of items and I was sure to dig my fork into everyone's plate. The clams in white wine sauce was tasty the filet was delicious and the desserts were all amazing. We had some excellent wine, the service was great, the ambiance is just wonderful and I love what they did with the old downtown building. Reviews after me seem to be negative so I'm not sure if this restaurant is on the decline, I will give it another try when I'm up in the area.
Review Source:Just plain terrible. Typical case of a crappy restaurant with absolutely no culinary expertise "getting away with it" because either there are no better options around, or they think their clientele is stupid enough to fall for this. Don't let them insult you- just avoid.
Ingredients all taste processed and Pre-made, and I swear that the menu has not changed once since this place opened over a decade ago.
wary to return
NINA'S seems to have run its course and yet seems to be very satisfied with its profile. Â We would suggest a reality check regarding cleanliness, attitude, and YES a restaurant is all about the service and a caring management. Last two aspects are missing at this bistro.
This is the first review I have written, but I use the site all the time and feel my fellow diners should be aware that this restaurant just isn't what it used to be!
  I have been to Nina's four times in the past two years. It used to be a "special occasion" place and I have to say the first two times were very nice and the food was great.
Then the third visit was with three friends for a girls night out. We were seated at the large table right as you walk into the second room. If you have been there you know exactly where I am speaking of. We were having fun talking and catching up so we didn't notice at first how long this meal was taking but after an hour we inquired why it was taking so long. We were given every excuse but the correct one which was they lost the ticket, so we gave them a chance to straighten things out and it was a Saturday night so it was a little busy but not crazy, but after another half an hour we decided to call it a night and head to McDonalds because we were starving and still no food. Now don't you know they actually gave us the check for the salad and colas that we had while waiting for our lost food! We said we weren't going to pay , that was just nuts and we left.
Can you believe I went back again? My husband was not with me that night and he wanted to give them another chance because he enjoyed his food last time he was there.
So, he happened to be home from work the day before Valentines Day and we thought that it would be perfect, we can celebrate V Day without the crowds! So in we went, along with maybe 6 or 7 other couples and it was a big mistake! The service was awful, it took us about 2 1/2 hours to have dinner. We didn't have anything crazy, and it wasn't crowded, but it just took forever. Not only did it take forever, but the waiter never came by our table after our food finally arrived to make sure all was ok, we never got a refill on our drinks, and we finally had to ask another waitress for our check!
Awful, just awful. I will never eat here again. I truly don't know when the owners stopped caring but I think it was about a year ago or so. They won a few awards and that was it.
Don't waste you're time, and actually go right next door to the Olde Erie, they have a friendly staff and great food!
I have tried to simply like, and enjoy, Nina's for quite a while now -- since it took over from the better Bistro that was there before it. Â And while the brunches were initially the attraction -- they were just GOOD, the pace of the place during brunch relaxed, and the physical structure quaint and just-clean-enough -- I believed that checking out dinners was the way to go. Â If brunch was enjoyable, why not dinner? Â Well...We tried. Â Almost every time my wife and I ate there either a major entree or beer that sounded great was not available (but still on the menu). Â The ultimate bad experience was on Valentine's night -- not what you would want to have happen for a romantic price-fixed $69.00 dinner. Â They were accomodating in moving our Open Table reservation, which I initially cancelled at 6:15, to 8:15 p.m. Â They were friendly enough when we arrived. Â And that was it for customer service. Â We ordered a half-bottle of wine (all bottles were overpriced considerably and dinner was already going to cost us over $150) and then waited...a long time after giving our order. Â Eventually the appetizers came. Â They were o.k.. Â Mine was a mushroom/truffle creation and was fairly good, but served in a VERY small portion. Â Then we waited a very long time for our salads to arrive. Â At some point in here our servers switched. Â After waiting an unbearable amount of time I got up from the table and spoke to the hostess, who scrunched up her nose and made a smiley face and said, "Yeah, I know, the kitchen is really backed up tonight." Â (As if they didn't know people would be there for their special Valentine's night four-course dinner? Â I'm sorry -- were we interrupting them?)
I then pointed out that it had been nearly an hour and a half and that we'd only had an appetizer and salad and that we were likely to not get home before 11 p.m. now. Â She looked a little shocked and said she'd go check on the order. Â She did, and we waited some more. Â It finally came...mine was "o.k." (a pasta/vegetarian dish) and my wife's (the surf-and-turf) was very mediocre, with undercooked lobster tail slathered in an orange sauce that "was just not good," and fairly disgusting looking. Â Fortunately, we were, and are, in love with each other so we still enjoyed the evening, but the food and service were beyond belief JUST NOT GOOD. Â We ordered dessert (another mistake) and waited a really long time. Â Another table next to us "turned over" twice with patrons while we were there from 8:15 p.m. to 10:35 p.m. Â When the waitress finally brought the bill, they had "comped" us the half-bottle of wine in recognition of the kitchen being awful that night. Â Obviously, we couldn't leave a very good tip, and we didn't. Â We were both in kind of shock. Â I do believe -- after enough tries -- that Nina's believes it has a built-in clientele whom they don't have to do much to continue to attract. Â But they lost us. Â I would recommend Viviano's in Warwick, or The Landmark Inn in Warwick at this point as vastly superior choices. Â Your dollar will go much further, you will be served by genuinely caring people and the food is good at both places. Â This is sad for Middletown.
I have always loved Nina's, but the past 3 times I've been there, I have been severely disappointed.
I came for Valentine's day dinner. Â They had they're prix-fixe menu, $70 p/p...seems a bit high for no entertainment or roses...no perks. I expected the food quality to be extraordinary to compensate. Â I shouldn't have had high hopes!
Maitre'd  should have been dressed up more.  A button down shirt with your top buttons open does not go hand in hand with $70p/p
The servers should learn to use their "inside" voices. Â It's supposed to be a romantic setting, I do not need to hear what the person 5 tables away from me is ordering or vice versa.
We were sat next to a table that was empty, but the servers kept putting people discarded dishes on the table instead of bussing it to the back. Â It was rather gross looking at it. Â
The water glass on our table was dirty...with someone else's remnant of a drink still in it. Â
The bottle of beer that was ordered came out warm - informed waitress and she suggested putting over ice (?!)
Appetizers were small....4 pieces of gnocci...in a mushroom ragout. Â As I found out later, same ragout used for the pork I ordered.
Oysters were good, shucked well.
Entree's came out luke warm. Steak was too tough to eat, it was ordered as a medium, but charred too much out the outside that it became impossible to chew. Lobster tail, albeit petite, was good.
We notified our waitress of the not so hot food, and she apologized, saying it was a busy night and she could have everything reheated. Â I don't want my food RE heated, it should have been hot to begin with.
Dessert choices were average some sorbet, gelato, creme brûlée.
They also ran out of take out bags....poor planning.
We left quite unsatisfied and annoyed, with a $225 bill for two with 4 drinks (before tip). The restaurant should re-evaluate their staff and prices for the product they are putting out.
AVOID.
This place thinks it's a 5 star Manhattan restaurant and treats it's patrons as if they have no where else to go for fine food in Middletown. Well news flash: GOOD SERVICE MATTERS. Went there 4 few months ago.
CONS:
-- owner just doesn't care. Very lethargic in responding to email inquiries regarding private events. Doesn't give full answers. Totally uninterested in customer service.
-- Staff somewhat inept or they have chimed in with owner's poor attitude. They forgot to give us coffee/tea at our private event even though it was mentioned to them several times.
-- Menu is fairly unimaginative.
-- Our pasta was served cold which was very poor service.
-- Portions for appetizers way too small, even though I inquired in advance to make sure portions would be adequate for our party size. Some knucklehead on the phone screwed it up--- owner was not interested in handling our inquiries of course.
-- Prices way too high for a restaurant in Middletown, especially one that fails to live up to its 'upscale' ambitions.
-- Good food and upscale places with good service are worth paying for. This place is a complete disaster. People are starting to figure that out.
PROS:
-- can't think of any.
Places like this deserve to be out of business.
THEY HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE SERVICE!
I've been here many times. Â The consistent problem with the last three visits is the service, or lack thereof. Â You can have a great kitchen, but if the front of the house doesn't have the "stuff" together, what's the point? Â Especially if you've just raised your prices. Â
Their current price structure does not support the dining experience you receive here anymore. Â I have held my tongue for the last three visits and after tonight, I'm done holding it.
The devil is in the details and they just don't have it. Â The waiter was in the middle of reading the specials (of which he mispronounced several words - i.e. demi glace) and the water guy interrupted him to announce that he was giving us water. Â Not asking if we wanted bottled or tap, just announcing that he was pouring it. Â He did the same thing to another table so I know it was not just us.
Then someone else brought us bread. Â Instead of moving the menus for wine and drinks over slightly, she just slammed it on the table right in front of me, like it was an entree for me. Â TACKY!
The food was okay. Â My husband and I both ordered the halibut. It was just slightly overcooked, but tasty. Â Due to the pre-dining experience we didn't order appetizers or dessert this time, we just wanted to get out of there. Â Thirty dollars for our entrees. Â
Just sayin.
There are too many fine dining restaurants in the area now. Â Nina's needs to step it up.
I've never been impressed with this place. I spent many years eating pizza that came from Nina's at my high school because the restaurant is owned by a family whose kids attended the same school and they gave the school a deal. It's okay. When I finally walked in, the place looked run down and shabby. I sat outside, having some sweet potato fries (which were pretty good) with a few friends who were drinking, but I wasn't really interested in eating inside. Maybe I'll have a second look, but I honestly don't know.
Review Source:We went twice for brunch:
- The 1st time, we were very impressed by the food and could not wait to come back.
- The 2nd time, the service was nonexistent, the food was below average [they actually served a moldy strawberry on our son's ice cream...]. That was a year ago, we have not returned, just no desire.
Heard some good things about Ninas. Was some what surprised and yet disappointed. The food was above average, service needs alot of help. No follow up from the waiter to the hostess
Would give 4 star rating if service was there. It would be great if restaurants could have good food along with good service
Went for brunch a couple weekends ago and was extremely impressed with Nina. Â Definitely something one wouldn't expect to be in Middletown. Â The brunch menu had a good variety to choose from, and the bloody mary is great for those who like them spicy.
I feel like the coffee was a bit overpriced though, maybe if they delivered it in a press pot instead of a caraffe it would seem worth the money (to some people, if I go again I'm definitely drinking my own coffee on the way and then it's strictly bloodies).
Anyway. Friendly service, quality food, good cocktails...wasn't busy at all so it was quiet. Â Almost too quiet, they could really use small jazz combo or something maybe. Â That would definitely get them five stars.
My wife and I had dinner here for the first time. It was a Saturday evening.
Pros
- Staff were professional, pleasant and helpful
- Decor was simple and warm
- Music was soft and appropriate, with a nice variety
- Food tasted very good and the portions were just right
- The list of wines, beers and mixed drinks were more than ample.
- Bathrooms were clean.
Cons
- Pricey (IMO worth every penny)
We will be back!
Elegant dining in downtown Middletown, Nina almost seems out of place. Â We were on a dining tour of Orange County the past couple of weeks, and Nina came highly recommended by many friends family. Â
We stopped in for dinner during the middle of the week and there were only a few other couples in the restaurant. Â We were seated right away and we put in our order for apps. Â DW had the seafood crepe and I went with the calamari. Â The seafood crepe was a little fishier than DW would have like so I finished it up for her. Â Calamari was pretty good. Â Moving onto our meals, DD had the chicken fingers, DW and I both went with the Cajun Chicken Pasta. Â The portion sizes were more than either of us could handle. Â It tasted really good, but didn't jump out at me. Â It basically tasted like chicken alfredo with Franks Red Hot added to it for some "kick". Â It was really enjoyable just not something that I'd pay premium prices for since I could probably make something like this myself at the crib.
The drink beer menu is well thought out. Â They have some really nice upscale brews. Â I had a Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale with my App and a Chimay with dinner. Â The latter was a little pricey, $10 for a glass. Â They did a nice job pouring the beer into the appropriate glassware.
That said, we'll probably go back when we're looking for some upscale dining. Â A really pleasant surprise that is close to home.
Menu creativity & choices deserve- 5 stars, ambience- 4 stars, service- 5 stars, some food executions deserve only  3 stars, ice cream as part of my dessert was too "icy" and not worthy of this 4 star restaurant which should understand that ice cream should  emphasize the cream and not the ice. My wife thought the duck was just okay. My seafood pasta dish with scallops  & shrimp was a 4 star winner . Their salad with figs  and goat cheese was a hair better than just okay...needed less" green stuff"  and a better dressing....I believe this restaurant is  a work in progress...will need more visits before I make up my mind, because their creations are such a mixed bag....I gave this restaurant  4 stars , but barely...Nina's is still one of the best restaurants in town.
Review Source:I took two clients to Nina for lunch and was very impressed to find a restaurant of this caliber in Middletown, which seems to have a lack of good restaurant options. Â The building has been renovated beautifully and I loved the high ceilings, exposed brick, and rich colors on the walls. Â The food was delicious and well-priced for the quality. Â I find that what makes a good dining experience is when all the little details are handled well. Â Our server was attentive and efficient. Â I had the red, white and blue salad and substituted grilled salmon for the chicken that normally comes with it. Â The roasted beets were presented as thin, tender slices on top of mixed greens, gorgonzola and was dressed with a delicious yet simple vinaigrette. Â The salmon was grilled perfectly. Â My companions had french onion soup which was generous in portion size and flavorful. Â The chicken crepes were light and satisfying and my other guest had the San Remo salad, which was beautifully presented as a composed salad with an artichoke flower, slices of grilled chicken, roasted peppers, fresh mozzerella, etc. Â I would definitely come back. Â It is a bright spot in an otherwise barren food landscape.
Review Source:I've been here twice for lunch. The food is good, not fantastic, though dessert was excellent. The first time we shared the panko-parm scallops. Picture $10 appetizer of three scallops. It was well prepared and tasty, but I would have appreciated a more generous portion. I had the turkey sandwich, which was good. The turkey was a little dry and not enough cranberry sauce, but the roll was tasty and overall it was filling. The second time I went I had the pork and pear sandwich. The combination didn't really work for me because the pear wasn't tart, if it was it would have worked better. The dessert I had the first time was the flourless chocolate cake. Delicious. But it was supposed to be served with coconut sorbet and they were out. I expect for the prices they charge for them to keep their produce stocked. Overall it was a good meal, but I gave it three stars because the portions were measly and and the service non-existent. When she was around she was friendly but she was hardly around. And the place was practically deserted, so it's not like she was overworked. I would like to try dinner sometime though, so I had a good enough of a meal both times to go back.
Review Source:Who new that in the middle of down town Middletown there would be this amazing restaurant!?!? My boyfriend and I first heard about Nina from another couple that stumbled upon it. They kept on raving about the food, so we thought we would try it out for brunch the follow day (especially since the only place for breakfast in our area is a diner or IHOP). The food was fantastic and not that pricey. I had the bananas fosters French toast - 4 thick pieces of holla bread with sliced bananas, candied walnuts and fudge drizzled on top. Since then we have been hooked (we try to eat there every Sunday if we can).
Dinner there is also amazing. We went there a couple of times, but favorite was when we had my friend's going away party. Let me tell you the apple martinis are HUGE and STRONG. Fondue was just like homemade. The lobster raviolis were out of this world and the crème brulee was the icing on the cake. Dinner was a little pricier than breakfast, but it was well worth the money.
Just as a warning, if you do want to try the place out, you might want to make reservations. Although the place is very cute/homey inside, they only have a handful of tables. They book up quickly; especially when it comes to Sunday brunch.
One of the best dining experiences I've had in the tri-state area. Â Came for dinner on the 4th of July with my future in-laws - it was quiet but definitely due to the fact that it was 9pm and 4th of July. Â FI and I shared the risotto appetizer which was delicious, then we both had the fillet modena which was cooked to perfection and came with scalloped potatoes and asparagus - there definitely is enough to take home for the next day's lunch. Â Fi's mom had a few apps as her entree and gobbled them up as did FI's dad who had the penne primavera which he devoured. Â We didn't have desert but heard the table behind raving about whatever they have, we did have some good cappuccinos. Â
Our waiter was overly-exuberant and provided great service. Â They have also recently just expanded into the place next door with some cute lounge seating as well. Â In the back was cute outside seating and don't be skeerd the police station is right across the street.
Best fine dining restaurant in Middletown. Â The outside dining area is gorgeous. Â Brunch is my favorite meal here. Â I recommend the Tuscan Summer Chicken Sandwich as my favorite, but I have only had excellent meals and service here. Â Due to it's size it can be a tight squeeze, but definitely worth the discomfort. Â This may change due to them recently expanding into location next door.
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