“ This place never seizes to amaze me by how they come up with any little thing to celebrate and bring in a huge crowd to come, while having long wait times and all. The food is great though, and the staff are great, so I can see why they are always a hit. This time it was for a Flannels and Firepits night, and I had the soup of the day which was potatoes, veggies, and sausage, kind of like their rendition of a baked potato soup, but not as creamy or thick; it was a little watery, but still good flavor. I also had the pear harvest salad which was a great serving and the roasted pears were delicious. The best tip I can give is do make a reservation, because this place gets packed on any given day, very quickly. And the deduction of a star is because of the fact that they still charged us for a drink we spilled within minutes of getting. It just seemed like an honest mistake, we come here a lot, and we ordered a lot of food and drinks (not just this time, but everytime). Best thing off the menu is the dynamite shrimp wrap and oysters when they have them. Drinks are ok, but can be a bit pricey. However, they do have an outside deck over looking the water, equipped with mini firepits, outside heaters, live music and best part yet it's dog friendly! ”

“ I really enjoyed the atmosphere here. It's right on the water and has really nice views. The restaurant is spacious and has an outdoor bar. I've been here for lunch and for drinks at night, both experiences were good. The bartenders are attentive and make good drinks. ”

“ Proving Ground Waterfront Dining is an amazing spot in Highlands, New Jersey that just oozes ambiance and vibe. The service is amazing and the food and drinks are very good. Places like Proving Ground Waterfront Dining are what make the Jeesey Shore such an amazing place. I would definitely recommend Proving Ground Waterfront Dining. ”

“ A late lunch at Proving Ground was a collective success! I went with my friends after the beach and found it by a simple google search around the area. My sister really wanted lobster rolls so the fact that they had it won us over. Parking was pretty good. Street parking only. I was surprised by how big it was. Lots of seating and a nice view of the waterfront. We went around 5 and it wasn't so busy. They seated us quickly. Our waitress was super friendly and attentive. We just had sodas to drink. For our meals I had the salmon served with rice, string beans, carrots and broccoli. I will say I like the honey and gochujang glaze but you could tell the salmon itself lacked flavor. You needed the sauce. Rice and veggies were cooked well. The others loved their food and finished it all. My sister who wanted the lobster rolls was happy with the pick. The winner of all the dishes was the steak frites. DELICIOUS! I'd return! ”

“ Delightful evening with friends, sitting outside eating and listening to rock 'n' roll. Considering we were a party of 13, our was server was outstanding. The food pretty typical of the area in a good way. Highly recommended. ”

“ I've been to proving grounds for lunch and it is really good , so much so I did my baby sprinkle there . The menu food is not the same as the food for events so let's name my favorites from the regular menu , the grilled octopus , the spicy gnocchi.the bam bam burger- everything is delicious. The restaurant itself is huge and they have valet parking. My baby sprinkle was perfect. Ashley the events manager was wonderful in helping me every step of the way and the food was amazing- my guests loved it ! We had the following : PG SALAD:Garden Salad with Tomatoes, Dried Cranberries, Sweetened Walnuts, Blue Cheese Crumbles, & House Made Vinaigrette Caesar Salad: Parmesan cheese and croutons Chicken Breast Sautéed with Mushroom Spinach & Sun-dried Tomatoes in a Sherry Cream Sauce Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Shallots & Mushrooms in a Red Wine Demi Glaze Grilled Salmon with Tomatoes, Capers, & Lemon I booked the overlook suite which holds up to 40 people. I had 28 guests and the views are spectacular from there. The space was perfect for my guests , I had enough space for a balloon garland wall, dessert table, and the food. This space has its own bathroom and outside the room I had a table for gifts . Overall we all had a great time and I would recommend this place for both a day or night out and an event . ”

“ A phenomenal spot, located in Atlantic Highlands, with stellar views, live music daily and good casual American fare. We sat outside at a high top table right near the water. Our server was great! She was friendly and checked on us several times throughout the meal, including refiling our water. With the heat wave, the water replenishment was a gift. The food was your typical burgers and entrees. I ordered the Fish Sandwich and my husband went with the burger. Both entrees were accompanied by the fries. The food is nothing spectacular, but with views like these the food always tastes better than it is. I'll would definitely go back for the ambiance, views and music. ”

“ Nestled right on the water, this charming restaurant offers more than just a meal; it delivers an experience. The stunning view and live music create an ambiance that's both relaxing and vibrant. The service here is top-notch--attentive, friendly, and efficient. The food was good overall, though there were some standout dishes and a couple of misses. The red sauce for the mussels didn't quite hit the mark; I'll try the white wine sauce next time. On the brighter side, the Buffalo cauliflower was super yummy--perfectly spiced and crispy. My friends had a variety of dishes and were all satisfied. This restaurant, with its beautiful location, live music, and excellent service, is definitely worth revisiting to explore more of the menu ”

“ Amazing views right on the water. It's a very casual atmosphere. Good food and drinks, I enjoyed the lobster roll. They have live music on the weekends. Service was very friendly. I'll definitely be back. They have free valet parking. ”

“ Came here on a beautiful Tuesday night. I was feeling a little nauseous and dizzy and our server Des was super nice and brought me crackers and a sprite to help me. For appetizers we got calamari and bacon wrapped scallops which were very good. Definitely recommend those! And for my entree I had the mahi mahi entree. I love this and am so happy I got it. If you like mahi mahi you should definitely get this!! Always a great time at Proving Ground! ”