Good but not great Central European Fare
DESCRIPTION: The Blue Danube is an outgrowth of the traditionally central European South Trenton neighborhood. The Italian neighborhood, Chambersburg,is north of S. Broad St. while Hungarians and Poles settled south of Broad. Blue Danube is a quaint little restaurant that has hung on to serve an aging ethnic clientele. As a result it has some of the only authentic fare in the area. The restaurant is neat and decorated with attractive touches. The wait staff was a bit casual though considering the relatively upscale surroundings. The bar is very small but comfortably holds 8 or so for after dinner drinks. Two things stood out from our dinner. 1) Everybody had to get a left-over tray. This is great marketing as it makes sure you remember the restaurant on the day after. The overfeeding technique seems to be a Trenton tradition as most of the old line restaurants provide healthy portions. 2) The food wasn't especially spicey. I chalk this up to the older customer base Blue Danube serves. Michelle and I ate at Blue Danube on our first night in Trenton over 1 1/2 years ago. Though it's only one block away, we've not been back. It's not so much that Blue Danube drove us away but that other places have drawn us. It doesn't have the menu and service of Utopia, the coolness or Urban Word or the casual feel of Centre House Pub. Blue Danube shares a feeling of being stuck in the '70s with most of the Chambersburg eateries. Some updated decor, a snappier menu and top service would help draw the younger crowd the restaurant needs to keep going. That said, if you've got a hankering for goulash or schnitzel I can't think or a better spot in Central NJ
DATE: 2002-08-16
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 4
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Schnitzel, Goulash

Great Central European Dishes In Cozy Surroundings
DESCRIPTION: Well prepared ethnic and American food in huge servings. All in a house converted to restaurant decorated with european nic-nacs. You feel like you are dining at your grandmother's house. Service can sometimes be slow, but I think that is due to each dish being made from scratch. The wait is well worth it. All traditional dishes are homey in presentation. My only quibble with the Polish platter is that the kielbasa is obviously Hillshire Farms instead of an authentic restaurant made one. I wish they had sauerkraut pierogies, but the potato ones are fine. The goulash and sauerbraten are fall apart tender. Although the goulash could use some vegetables. The potato dill soup is comfort food at it's best. My favorite dish is the best version of Veal Oscar I have ever eaten. Served as a casserole with sliced veal. The side dishes aren't an afterthought here. Among the best are spatzle with bacon & onions & roasted potatos. Apple strudel is a huge fresh serving. The jam filled crepes are a light ending to a feast. For satisfying food in welcoming atmosphere this is the plac
DATE: 2002-10-19
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Veal Oscar, Sauerbraten, Potato Dill Soup, Polish Plater

Ethnic Comfort Food at Bargain Prices
DESCRIPTION: We have been to the Blue Danube on a number of occasions--the specials nights are true bargains. Stuffed cabbage is among the best we've had--having been brought up with the dish, we know what it should be like. Goulash also top-drawer, as is the spaetzle and the vegetables--and the potato-tomato soup is to die for. Very quaint place with good service. I don't know if the two reviewers above hit it on off nights, or they're just hard to please. You will be satisfied and will return.
DATE: 2002-11-28
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

Blue Danube does get a younger crowd
DESCRIPTION: Among the few true ethnic spots left in Trenton, young people longing for their great grandmothers cooking will find it. Fresh chicken paprikas, pierogies and potato pancakes are truly wonderful and feel like the old world. My friends are 20 somethings and as we dine, we see others our age!
DATE: 2003-01-07
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicken Mehenditi, potato pancakes, salad with dill dressing

Favorite place to dine!
DESCRIPTION: The Blue Danube is Trenton's best kept secret. The restaurant is small in a cozy way, so reservations are suggested. The menu is extensive in itself, but then add on the specials, the choices of side dishes, soups and desserts and no one can leave unsatisfied! The portions are huge and the prices are low! The service is awesome. The girls that work there know their menu and their customers. I noticed that a lot of the guests are greeted like old friends. Can't wait to go back for some jaegershnitzel!
DATE: 2003-03-05
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Jaegerschnitzel , Taste of Europe

Number 1 place to dine in my book
DESCRIPTION: I have been going to the Blue Danube for over 7 years, and have had everything on the menu, and all I can say is WUNDBAR! Food like my grandmother made.
DATE: 2004-02-13
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : everything

Outstanding!
DESCRIPTION: Hard to get in on weekend nights but well worth it. The best tasting food I've ever eaten in a restaurant. Highly recommended!
DATE: 2004-05-13
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicken Kiev, Napoleon Cake

Very Very Good
DESCRIPTION: The menu is great and very differant than what you'll find at other Red Bank restaurants. If you are health conscious, like your food fresh, are sick of eating the same thing all the time, you will love Cafe Everest.
DATE: 2004-10-03
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Vegetarian Plate - Stuffed Cabbage

Mushroom pierogis to dream about
DESCRIPTION: I think the headline says it all. The Cornish hen was also superb. I especially like the service, which is courteous without being cold. Red Bank is full of hipster servers who make it seem like they're doing you a favor by filling your water glass. Cafe Everest puts up with none of that pretense. It's like being in an elegant, yet comfortable home or restaurant in Europe.
DATE: 2004-10-08
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Mushroom pierogi, cornish hen, eggplant/walnut starter

Outstanding
DESCRIPTION: Understated luxury. Food never disappoints, and they have the best desserts in NJ hands down.
DATE: 2004-10-19
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Tzhr Salad, Chicken Kebob, Salmon

Russian & Georgian menu
DESCRIPTION: Ok, I'm not quite sure who wrote some of these reviews, but I don't think they were in the same restaurant that I visited back in December. Let me address some of those previous comments before getting to the good things! 1. Tough to get a seat? We were there on a Friday night and there were plenty of seats available between 7:30 and 9:30 pm. The place was never more than half full during our stay. I hope that is not typical, because the food is good. 2. Understated luxury? Again, what restaurant did you go to? Standard open floor plan with tables and metal chairs. The decor can certainly use some updating as the menus are worn and could use replacing. The walls are smattered with framed photographs of Russian/Georgian/Armenian? scenes and a few posters of the same countries, I assume. It reminded me of when you go to a Greek diner with all things Greek on the walls, but this restaurant was done with more style The reason to go to this restaurant are several. The food is fresh and very tasty, the kind that warms you up on a cold night. I have traveled to those countries before and the two menu items I always loved when eating there were soups and desserts and I feel the same about this restaurant. They have a nice borscht (they spell it borsh?) and their desserts were very nice and light. The main courses are good-sized portions -- not too little like French cuisine, nor too much like America's super-size mentality, but "just right" as our Goldilocks would say. The presentation is simple but the servers are attentive and friendly and there when you need them. I agree that there is no attitude and the fact that the servers, cooks and other staff are from all parts of Russia, Georgia and other countries makes for an interesting dynamic for those interested in an "international" restaurant in Red Bank. The atmosphere in the restaurant is relaxed and the piano player was good (classically trained) and unobtrusive and ran the gamut of tunes including standards from classical, Broadway and popular movie theme songs. Overall, I would recommend the restaurant for the good, home-style Russian/Georgian food, friendly and attentive service and the nice casual atmosphere (with piano). It is a good place to have a nice relaxing dinner, explore some new dishes done in original style (I think the chefs are native-born) and have a chat (it is just the rigth noise level for good conversation). When you tire of the Italian/European/Chinese/Mexican/American cuisine that seems to be the standard restaurant fare in Red Bank, try some Russian/Georgian cuisine.
DATE: 2006-01-07
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Borscht, Chicken Kebob, Stuffed Cabbage