our Story

The “Hidden Gem with a Sonoma Valley feel” 

 

Our restaurant, 618, would not be here today if I had not met award-winning Chef Christopher Dutka through mutual friends, John and Wendy Bruzzese, on a cold and blustery day in January 2016. On that day, Chris and I shared stories of our past experiences in the food industry and found that we both came from two very different worlds of food. With that in mind, we realized how valuable our varying experiences could one day be to us. With our combined interest in all things food and a lot of hard work, 618 emerged from our hopes and dreams to brick and mortar reality.

On November 1, 2023, we will joyously celebrate our seventh anniversary. We are delighted and humbled to reach such an important milestone in the restaurant business. We are happy to have successfully established that “something different” type of atmosphere at 618 - "an impeccable culinary experience in the heart of Monmouth County." We look forward to celebrating many, many more anniversaries!

As we look to the future, we hope to continue to provide our guests of new and old a place to enjoy an atmosphere with a modern rustic feel. Our guests will always be provided with our extraordinary service, our unique handcrafted cocktails, our meticulously prepared dishes, our signature Pat LaFrieda steaks, our fresh fish delivered daily, our farm-to-table produce, our impeccable homemade desserts, and a new exquisite bar that is sure to impress.

We are looking forward to opening our new restaurant with a fun and exciting concept in Old Bridge by 2024! We are thrilled to announce Mezcal, a modern Mexican steakhouse. Look for an invitation soon to join us at our grand opening events! Please Like and Follow Mezcal on Instagram and Facebook. Mezcal will follow in 618’s tradition offering you exceptional dining experiences surpassing your expectations each and every time you join us!

As we reflect on the past few years, it sure has been challenging! We are so appreciative of our cherished guests who supported us as we pivoted and transformed again and again during the pandemic. From initially closing our doors to dining out in our parking lot during 100 degree sweltering days under circus tents, to regularly ordering our entrees and drinks to-go, to dining socially distant in our gorgeous new All Seasons Room, to ordering extraordinary creative cocktails at our magnificent new bar, to opening our spectacular Oak Room, we are grateful and blessed. You have become our family and we welcome you to our family table. Thank you for believing in us. You are truly the reason we are here today serving you for any and all occasions whether it is an intimate dinner for two or an extravagant party for 175 guests! 

Thank you to our family and friends who have supported us during our 18 hour days and for understanding the countless events and milestones we missed in pursuit of our American Dream. We hope we have made you proud. 

Thank you to our dedicated and professional staff. Your commitment, loyalty and love made us #1 on TripAdvisor year after year and this year specifically - rated top 1% of restaurants worldwide. We are also blessed to be recognized for the second year in a row as one of the 100 most romantic restaurants in America! We are so grateful to you. 

We will continue to serve you, our valued guests, as our family in the very same exemplary manner you have come to expect at 618 and soon at our new restaurant Mezcal. 

Sincerely,

Matthew Borowski

 

Meet the Team

  • Matthew Borowski

    OWNER

  • ED EDWARDS

    GENERAL MANAGER

  • Chris Dutka

    EXECUTIVE CHEF

  • Charles Armstrong

    MANAGER

  • Corinne Miller

    MANAGER/HOSPITALITY

  • Ed Sunday

    MANAGER

  • Justine White

    SERVICE PROFESSIONAL

  • Matthew Guerrera

    Manager

  • Jessica Hoagland

    BANQUET SALES MANAGER

  • Jessica Vaccaro

    BANQUET MANAGER

  • Octavio Leon

    BANQUET CHEF

  • Louise San Nicola

    MARKETING MANAGER/PUBLIC RELATIONS