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Bar Cara Reviews List
Bar Cara
Bar Cara is the newest addition to the Bloomfield dining scene. The DePersio Family that opened Fascino in 2003 is back with their second restaurant. Acclaimed chef, Ryan DePersio, is at the helm of this more traditional restaurant with a modern feel. The bar and restaurant was designed by Cahill Studio and has a very trendy yet comfortable feel. Homemade pastas and pizzas along with Veal Parmigiano and Bronzini Livornese round out a list of amazing dishes that are sure to please the palate and tantalize the soul!
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52 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 52 reviews
5 stars
(14)
4 stars
(30)
3 stars
(5)
2 stars
(3)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(34)
- fit for foodies(26)
- good for groups(23)
- vibrant bar scene(20)
- hot spot(15)
- special occasion(10)
Bar Cara Reviews List
Review 1 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Underwhelmed
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food had some high points (octopus appetizer) but we expected more from the owner/chef of Fascino in nearby Montclair. Yes, this place has a bar which is coveted given that many places in the area (eg its fabulous sibling) are byo. Still, for the same price and better atmosphere, bring your own and hop one town over for a better dining experience."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
worth while
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good was good but entire meal too expensive for regular visits"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 3 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"location was convenient and parking was free and easy. 'ambience was unremarkable and a little too loud but this is a restaurant that will appeal to everyone we especially loved the mussels in red sauce. Also very imaginative deserts loved the strawberry banana parfait"
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, kid-friendly
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Review 4 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food was fabulous
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We got there early and sat at the bar for about an hour. We were well served at the bar and felt very comfortable. We were promptly seated at the time of our reservation. The service was excellent and the food was EXCELLENT!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Bloomfield's best
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Finally, a truly upscale restaurant located in neighborhood Bloomfield, N.J. There is both indoor and outdoor dining and very convenient accessibility for wheelchairs in the back entrance. The food was good as was the drinks menu and service. I do think it could be a bit cozier and warmer in the winter. It is owned by Fascino Montclair and does offer a special mussle night which might be more appealing if it were interchanged with another special for those of us that don't eat seafood. At any rate it is a good find and not overcrowded as a rule. Worth a try."
Dined on 12/24/2012
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Unexpected Find in Bloomfield
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Really enjoyed the Mussles in Red Sauce and the Beef Carpaccio w/ baby arugula sald dressed in a lemon and EVO. My wife enjoyed baby lamb chops w/ broccoli rabe while I enjoyed the roasted pork chop topped w/ sauted opinions and a long hot. I am a closet chef and enjoy cooking gourmet meals and this place was a great find! Great atmosphere, friendly service and really good food! Will definitely venture back their. Only down side is wine by bottle selection... Way too pricey and very limited. We decided to do wine by the glass and a pint of Stella."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 7 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice casual place. Very good
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice casual place. Very good food."
Dined on 04/23/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 8 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A PERENNIAL FAVORITE!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Consistently fantastic food at extremely fair prices. If you've never gone here before, GO. If you HAVE gone here before, GO BACK! They are constantly updating their menu!"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2003
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 9 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Last minute on a holiday...
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"It was a last minute decision on our part to eat out on Easter. I made an online reservation, using Open Table, and we walked into the lovely restaurant at 6PM and were seated immediately. I had even requested a special table in the restaurant, and they were able to honor that request! The food was, as always, so delicious and beautifully presented. The staff was more than attentive and very pleasant. It was an excellent experience and we will be back...again and again. Highly recommend Bar Cara."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 10 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
NO NEED TO TRAVEL BRAVO BAR CARA!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A true Gem...the Polenta even better than Scarpetto in NYC..The Chef is a genius! Loved! Some dishes better than a fine restaurant I at ate in Rome."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 11 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Our favorite go-to spot for
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our favorite go-to spot for a good cocktail and casual American Cuisine. We love the energetic buzz and the great service."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 12 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
excellent neighborhood restaurant.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"excellent neighborhood restaurant. Energetic atmosphere
Food has really hit its stride:
Well-executed, really delicious. Went with two other people. We all loved our dishes. Friendly caring service
Nice to see the restaurant has matured into a smooth flowing success"
Food has really hit its stride:
Well-executed, really delicious. Went with two other people. We all loved our dishes. Friendly caring service
Nice to see the restaurant has matured into a smooth flowing success"
Dined on 03/14/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 13 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
When I went it was not crowded.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"When I went it was not crowded. If crowded I think it would be noisy. Ambience needs improvement.Polenta fries and Beef carpaccio were good as was the Crab Burger.
I enjoyed the more sophisticated bar menu."
I enjoyed the more sophisticated bar menu."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2013
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 14 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food was good but a limited
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was good but a limited menu (on-line menu needs to be updated). Service was slow."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
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Review 15 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent with good variety,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent with good variety, mostly Italian; highly recommend"
Dined on 02/13/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 16 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Consistently great food and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Consistently great food and a great value."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2003
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 17 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was outstanding.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"The food was outstanding. It was a 3 course pre-fix meal for Valentine's day but it was well prepared and very nice portions. I highly recommed this restaurant."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 18 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Good restaurant. We will definitely
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good restaurant. We will definitely go back."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2010
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Review 19 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Had a great time - food was
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had a great time - food was delicious and would definitely return"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 20 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great neighborhood gem and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great neighborhood gem and should go there more often. Would be nice if they would eliminate corkage fee on all week nights, not just Tuesday."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2006
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Review 21 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great dining experience!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Really enjoyed our experience at Bar Cara... great service, food and atmosphere... would definitely recommend to others, and will be back again!"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 22 for Bar Cara
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
friendly, competent service
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"friendly, competent service with good, well spiced food
The menu has a number of under $10 lunch items, with a range of wines by the glass and beer from the tap, etc. Extremely reasonable for this quality of food.
The restaurant is very accommodating for people with celiac, nuts, etc concerns."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2000
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Bar Cara
Based on the average of (30) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
3 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic