J. O’Neill’s Place, Sayreville, has opened a new bistro area. SAYREVILLE — After eight years of catering and running a bar, J. O’Neill’s Place of Sayreville has opened a dine-in experience in the same building, The Bistro at J. O’Neill’s.
Co-owners Jennifer O’Neill and Shannon Lalley opened The Bistro’s doors in April after years of mulling over the idea.
“We were planning on doing this for a very long time,” O’Neill said. “I wasn’t sure, and then I’d get nervous. But [I] knew we had to do it. It took just a few months once we finally decided to do it.”
The restaurant, located at the side entrance on Thomas Street, seats 60 and is open every day except Tuesdays.
“We originally weren’t open Mondays, but then decided to try opening then,” O’Neill said. “We did really well for Mondays, but Tuesdays are generally the slowest days.”
While planning the menu with chef Michael Carey, O’Neill wanted to ensure that there was a taste of home in everything that came out of the kitchen.
J. O’Neill’s is the same place, but with a new taste of food outside the usual bar menu and catering options.
“I wanted some different things on the menu,” O’Neill said. “We have homemade signature dishes as well as specials. I wanted to have a really nice steak on the menu, which is why we have a black angus steak. I really wanted to present something nice — but not too crazy — that would work well with customers.”
The menu offers a range of dishes of Irish and Italian influence, from shepherd’s pie to penne a la vodka, Carey said.
“Because J. O’Neill’s has an Irish connotation, there are Irish things on the menu,” Carey said. “The rest of the menu is southern Italian, which is very broad-based.
“It’s the most common and well-received cuisine.”
Both O’Neill and Carey recommend the pork medallions to any new customers.
“I just love to make people happy with my food,” O’Neill said.
For more information, visit joneillsplace.com.