Andrei Fernandez | On 19, Mar 2025

NOTE: This is the first food review ever written for The Commentator! (To my knowledge)

Sitting on a pier just two minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken, Chart House is the type of place to celebrate a special occasion. The Chart House chain is known for their picturesque views with a seafood-focused menu and a classy style. Don’t worry, everyone’s allowed here. You just need clothes that count under “Business Casual.” No sweats, no hats, no bandanas, no sleeveless shirts, gym wear, baggy clothing, and other clothes I have forgotten. 

Fog and rain conditions, combined with the February cold, destroyed whatever picturesque view for sun lovers. Instead the view catered to the mystery lovers and the Blade Runner fans, fog and rain dominating the Hudson River and the skyscrapers across. 

Chart House itself, a two story white-painted building with a lighthouse, wasn’t immune from the gloom outside, as the lighting inside was low. Not completely dark, but quite dimmed down in the dining area. While we could still see, the lack of bright lights made it for me a rather sad-ish experience, especially considering the use of black and other dark colors in the dining room.

We weren’t the only family celebrating a birthday. Two other parties around us were celebrating birthdays, and I’m sure many others were celebrating though preferred to lay low. To accommodate the large size of our party (three moms, three dads, and eight “children” (four children, including the birthday celebrant, were over 18)), we were placed just at the foot of the lobby, with the lauded outside view of Manhattan just behind us. 

Kim Chee Calamari

Fried squid pieces, served with sliced assorted vegetables. 

Light crunch, a hint of pepper, vegetables failed to add anything other than daily national value to a fried dish. But other than that, perfectly fine for an appetizer. 

Shrimp, Avocado + Mango Stack

Dip of shrimp, avocado, and mango, served with taro chips.

Why did the dip look like a 1950s food fad? It’s in the same vein as Jell-O salads.

That aside, the mixture of tropical fruit and crawfish made for a mixed taste. It would’ve been better if the dips were served separately. While it was possible to separate the dips, eventually cross-contamination would’ve been necessary to get a hefty dip. 

Mediterranean Hummus Tasting

Dips of avocado, hummus, and Kalamata (Greek olive dip), served with grilled pita triangles and taro chips.

Surprisingly great! Especially with the grilled pita with its soft and chewiness. The avocado was rich, the hummus as well. I don’t even like hummus! While I did dip into the Kalamata, it ultimately tasted like beans more than olives with an overly off putting taste. Don’t overload on the pita. 

Herb Crusted + Slow Roasted Prime Rib:

“Captain”- sized piece of prime rib, served with garlic mashed potatoes with some sort of veggie chips on top, “steak” sauce, and horseradish sauce.

I was afraid this would be the worst dish I would have, considering some of the reviews mention the prime rib as a shadow of its former self. It wasn’t thankfully. Tender, soft, a bit chewy, medium well, it’s satisfying. The mashed potatoes need less garlic but are still delectable. 

Service:

With the gloom outside, the waitstaff at Chart House provided for an excellent counterbalance. To my memory, appetizers were brought only about 15 minutes after ordering. With the plentiful appetizers, we didn’t have a significant waiting period between courses. The staff was perfectly attentive, watching our waters and Cokes. 

Conclusion:

Is it the most fancy and delicious place to eat out in New Jersey? Absolutely not. Are the views, primarily decent cuisine, and friendly service enough for me to come back? Yes. But add more lights on rainy days, please!