The Proving Ground Review

Food ok, bad experience with valet, stole from us, then no follow up from mgmt

Great ambiance and food. No brunch on Saturday, but it s worth it!

The food, the ambience and the service, everything was amazing! Had a great time

Nice decor, pretty water views. But, service is awful, really awful. Management callous b/c in summer plenty of 'half price' burgers and beers. Only valet parking. Very noisy. Go if you're a kid who doesn't mind slow service, no coordination between kitchen and wait staff, and on weekends waiting 15 minutes for your first drink.

Very good unpretentious food! Solid meal, at solid prices with an awesome view and cool breeze on the water... Enjoy!!!

Taylorray was top notch hospitality spirit!!! And our server a gentleman I forget his name was super friendly and funny. Everything we ate was amazing, the view to watch the sunset was so pretty. Will be back often.

Crab dip is just absolutely - fuego!

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Atmosphere galore. Bartenders took 10 minutes to notice me with a small crowd on a Wednesday...

What their for a bridal shower They were very willing to please we had great food and it was very clean indeed

Not sure who gave this place 5 stars, they all must be family and friends of people that work there..this is not your old wind and sea, this is horrible! Service, drinks, timing

Went to the Tiki Bar and the bartender was amazing great service prompt drinks good conversation I recommend this

I love this place!!! My husband took me here for a surprise birthday dinner. The waterfront view, fireplace, music, food and employees were all amazing. Can't wait to visit again.

No glass allowed if sitting outside. Instead was served beer in little plastic cup. Asked waitress for glass for beer and she said "No glasses outside". Then proceeds to bring glasses to 2 tables around us who ordered wine and margaritas. The food was good but the plasticy beer (and the plastic cups were not a full pint which we expected) ruined the meal.

Great atmosphere, good food.
Good service.

Place is nice looking and live music was terrific... unfortunately, the food and service were mediocre. Went for a birthday lunch. Two of us ordered linguine and clam sauce and my husband had the dynamite wrap. The pasta dishes had alot with dried red oepper flakes and two of my clams had sand in them, which you never see, but certainly you know when you eat them....ugh. my husband enjoyed his wrap. If we go back, will try a burger or other finger foods...but will go next door for entrees for sure!

Great location. Drinks and service are very good. Food is better than average. Buffalo cauliflower is a hit!! Wish they took reservations.

On a Monday night, arrived at 7:30 PM asking for a table for 4. There was 3 of us there and our 4th wasn t going to arrive for about 20 min or so. Were told we had to wait to be seated even though half the tables were available. Went across the road and we were seated right away. A shame.......thought it was supposed to be if 90% of your party was present, you could be seated.

All I can say is WOW!! The craftsmanship that went into these renovations and the extraordinary enhancements to the menu are amazing. We enjoyed going to Windansea before but it was obvious that management was letting it slip. I feel like they finally found their stride here. We will be back in the coming weeks for dinner and drinks. You literally can t get this oceanside experience any place else. I m so glad this place reopened.

Would be 5 but no starter sauce otherwise great service best server kasey

Loved it .Grand view of the Shrewsbury river .food was great excellent service

Very good food, great service, great views, nice place...

The downstairs of the PG is absolutely gorgeous!! I was very pleasantly surprised to see how beautiful the outside deck was too!! I am very lucky to live so close to this beautiful (and tasty) restaurant! Entertainment was great too!!

Always a great meal with a great view. Especially fun when they have a band. Reservations are needed during covid because of limited seating.

Nice atmosphere.. outdoor bar on the navasink river looking across to sandy hook national park

View was awesome. food not as much. Was looking for larger menu. Your on the Jersey shore.no shrimp no clams no softies. Very dissatisfied with the menu. We've eaten at a lot of seafood restaurants in nj. Suggestion get a raw bar. Go to mobys right up the street?

Not a fan at all. I overheard some staff members politically profiling someone and kicking them out!!!! Holy cow!. This place is supposed to be positive and fun.. my family and I are done with this place!

We went there for the soft opening. The renovations that they did are beyond anything that you could imagine. It is stunning. Not only is the place beautiful but the food was awesome (try the buffalo cauliflower!) the service was great and atmosphere was awesome! I know that they aren t open 100% but if our experience was any indication - this place will be the place to be!

We really wanted to love this place. From a vibe and location perspective, it's super relaxing and a great atmosphere right on the water. Service was lackluster. The place was not packed and yet, they forgot to give us small plates for appetizers and utensils. We asked for utensils twice until finally had to get up and go toward the kitchen to get some. Out of the appetizers, the lobster bisque came out on the colder side but the bacon wrapped scallops stole the show. The crab dip was not good at all and they didn't even provide us with the noted pretzel bread. As entrees we got the Stuffed Flounder and the Lobster Rolls. Thankfully those were decent as we were pretty hungry. For dessert we got the brownie and the blondie type dessert. Both came out cold, however, the blondie was described to us as having candied bacon. There was no bacon to be found. At this point we just wanted to pay the bill and leave. The waitress noticed there was no bacon, so she went to the kitchen and brought us bacon bits (they were not candied). May return but the next time maybe just for drinks. We were disappointed we couldn't love this place more. Maybe we just got unlucky.

Loved this place. I have been to the highlands a bunch but this is always a good time. Seems to be getting more popular lately so be mindful if peak time and parking

Great time! Food is good! Got drunk there tonight! Would go again 10/10

Unfortunately extremely disappointing. We were there for the soft opening today. We were talking up WINDANDSEA to our family after a long hot day on the beach. We were looking forward to raw oysters but found out there was a limited menu for soft opening of the newly named and renovated location. Several upsetting and insulting events:
1. We waited over an hour for our table after being told it would be a 30 minute wait.
2. We felt obligated to pay the $10 cover because we d be waiting by the bar and there was a band playing.

4. We finally get a table after my brother and husband express their upset to the hostess and a lady who we think was the manager. She was basically patronizing and dismissed our feedback.
5. After my husband gave the waitress his credit card early, she disappeared and we had to ask the bus-girl to find her so we could get our check.
PROS:
Food was good. We got the oyster app, buffalo cauliflower, and wings. We all had burgers and chicken sandwiches. My husband got the scallops. Everything was good but not worth coming back.
We ll be looking for another post-beach spot.

Great food and they kept everyone as comfortable as possible with outdoor dining this Fall.

Love what they did with this bar great for watching football and hanging out with friends

Delightful. I hope this place does really well. Sat at the bar. The bar tenders were lovely and the food exceeded expectations. The facility itself is great. Awesome for sports fans.

Nice view of the river while dining outside or inside. Cosmo coolatta was delicious.

Great spot , good food, good drinks, nice outdoor area!

Outside eating by the water can't get any better and on top food was delicious

Great food! Great music! And great employees that see to your enjoyment.

Gorgeous location/view, relaxed vibe (@least @lunch), great food, and reasonable prices! We ll be back!!!

Food was great, service great, decor great location priceless!

Great views. Place is large inside. Excellent bar area outside as well as lower area.

Great looking restaurant and good food options. Wine list is short BUT has most types of wine available.

Great place to eat. Nice, comfortable atmosphere and good food. Service is fantastic and the outdoor patio is a lot of fun on summer nights. Highly recommend! One of the areas best!

Very comforting atmosphere and scenic views of the bay. LOVED THE FOOD AND the SERVICE WAS wonderful. Loved the music also gave it a bahamian vibe. Very enjoyable.

The food was amazing, the service even better. Went for lunch and our waitress was fun, had a great attitude and made our experience above and beyond. I can t wait to visit again

Food was delicious, their Dynamite wrap will not disappoint and their fries are pretty good. Drinks are reasonable in price and so is the food. Server was very nice and attentive, though the noise in the restaurant was extremely loud and the room fairly cold which made a very good meal a bit uncomfortable.

Bad Food! Not only did the Brisket sandwich taste lousy, but it made me sick. I started to get an upset stomach by the time I was heading for my car in the parking lot. When a arrive home I called the restaurant to give them a head up and let them know it would be a good idea not to serve that sandwich to anyone else tonight. The Manger was rude and very confrontational. This was the first and last time I will eat at this restaurant.

Great food in a beautiful location! Best in highlands!!

1.5 stars. Redeeming quality is the interior design - very nice atmosphere and great remodel. All three of our meals were well below average; if we weren't all very hungry, we would have sent them back. The bartenders and waiters could not speak about the drink selection when asked, and the bartenders were not able to find the correct beers on tap. The service was dismal at best at the outdoor bar, partially indoor bar, AND at the table, which leads me to believe this is part of a culture and not individuals. Would not recommend and would not return.

On 8/19, my boyfriend proposed to me here. It was such a good location and the food was perfect. Our waitress Cara helped me decide on what to eat and she chose the right options. She was very personable. She took our pictures and was so pleasant. She didn't rush us out. When my boyfriend took me to the dock to take our own photos, I was distracted by the water. When I turned around he asked me. It was crazy because two swans appeared behind him and I've never seen swans in the shore like that before. The food was delicious. The waitress was nice. The night was perfect... Wish the band played a little longer, but it was so welcoming. I would definitely come back .

terrible service
more security than servers

Love that place. Excellent food and service. Try the steam clams..

Great spot with a gorgeous view and interior design to match!

Visited this new place during the soft open and I cant wait to go back. Cocktails were excellent, with a little something for everybody and a very friendly staff.

The inside is very modern and compliments the view and atmosphere.

Great patio/stage area, and the band playing was excellent.

Went to the soft opening of the new Proving Ground and the food (limited menu right now) was great. The service and wait staff was great and very friendly. We took a walk upstairs just to see what the new renovation looked like and the owner, Jack, was there working away. When he saw us he immediately introduced himself and proceeded to spend a good half hour with us showing us the various SO COOL aspects of the decor and explaining the various pieces. He couldn t have been friendlier. The place looks amazzzzzing and now everyone in the dining room will have a full view of the water. I didnt have it (but I def will next time) the buffalo cauliflower appetizer. Jack described it and it sounds fantastic. I had crab cakes and they were great! Definitely going to my our new go to place!!

Social distancing done well, delicious food, a perfect birthday pina colada

The burger was delicious the mahi was not at all it was dark watery and rubbery
Service was good drinks a little strong friendly atmosphere friendly wait staff

I want to love this place. It s a beautiful location on waters edge. What can be better. Service is mediocre at best. We have sat at the bar and waited for 30 minutes for service while one bartender dances around and the other is oblivious. When I was served my club soda it came in a smaller glass every time I was given one. I m sure the alcohol is too and charge the same price. The bartenders aren t friendly for the most part. We have met two that were great. It seems that the workers are all related so nobody works that hard. Now we understand why the crowds have subsided and no one goes there.

Only had a over priced drink But Brianna and the band were Awesome

Nice atmosphere. Great outdoor setting. Food was delicious.

Had an amazing lunch here last week! The service was great and all employees were courteous. Very clean with all Covid protection measures. I had the kale salad topped with shrimp, huge but so good I ate it all. I was envious of my friends lobster roll, two sandwiches with ultra crispy French fries. Go there!

Food was delicious and the outdoor space is gorgeous!

Great atmosphere but the food was sub-par. I can't speak about actual entrees but the happy hour apps were mediocre which will probably keep me from trying the more expensive dishes. Service was very good.

Food was excellent the cover bad had the place rockin and the beers were cold and affordable.

Always have a great time there we have good bands in the summer

Spent my birthday here this year and was enchanted by the dazzling view of the water!
I felt well taken care of by the staff and all the food was incredible. Everything we ate was delicious, the beet and strawberry salad was a hit and the grits were comforting and cheesy Would love to visit again!