The Rotunda

I think this place is a solid 4 stars, I’m docking one star off mostly because the quality of the food is not QUITE up to par when compared with the price point.
My mom and I came here on a Saturday afternoon, and we found it pleasantly quiet and a lovely atmosphere in which to get away from the hustle and bustle of GSP – I live about 15 minutes away from the mall, and I’ve seen pretty much all of the highs and lows of it all. We were seated by the window, which gave us a nice view, and I finally realized that The Rotunda was the place that I’d seen when I was passing by in a car – not knowing that it was a restaurant!
The waitress was very friendly and attentive, and we opted to not order any drinks and just went with still water. We were delighted when we received a complimentary popover. I remember my mom making these for me when I was younger – and they’re just as buttery and lovely (and WARM!) as I remembered them – even if they aren’t homemade! It comes with a delicious butter that’s mixed with strawberry jam. When we asked for seconds later on, the popover-​passer-​outer did not hesitate to give us more.
We ordered a sandwich+soup deal of the day, the sandwich chosen was the Tuna Salad, and the soup was a cheese tortellini. It also came with a cute side cup of fruits, which were pretty fresh, though not really something I’d go for if it were on the menu – good thing they came with the meal. It was also super salty and I had to chug like two glasses of water to balance it out.
The Tuna Salad sandwich was delicious, the bread was very yummy – there were a lot of ingredients inside the salad, and not just plain ol’ tuna-​and-​mayo. I remember there was a bit of crunch – celery? It could’ve used a bit more lemon juice, but there was definitely already some lemon in it. I was impressed.
The cheese tortellini was not that overcooked, but the soup/​sauce part basically like a thick marinara sauce – where were my breadsticks to dip this in?
My mom got the turkey club sandwich, which she really enjoyed – it was on a hearty bread that held in the sandwich’s contents well.
We also received complimentary mint chocolate pieces at the end, yay!

I ordered the breaded chicken and my wife had the veggie salad. My chicken, in tomatoe sauce with mushrooms and carrots, was perfect. My wife finished the huge salad, so my take is that she also loved it.

Great hidden restaurant inside the Garden State Plaza. If you need some peace and quiet after a day of shopping — this is the go to place.
Overall I would give it a 3.5. Service is fairly good. Food was good but not amazing. It was also quite pricey for lunch. The ambience is really nice though and its a good escape from the busy mall. Is a nice place to sit and talk.
They serve you chicken broth in a little espresso cup at the beginning of the meal. I thought that was quite interesting. And the bread they served with the special fruit butter was amazing.
For the meal, I had the sautéed salmon with Farra, mushrooms which was pretty good. We also got the salad. That was good too but not so memorable.
Overall, good experience but don’t think I would be a regular here.

It was quiet surprise there is small place that I could have quiet lunch inside of the mall. I went there 12:30pm weekday, 8 – 10 tables were occupied. Right after I received menu, they served popover with strawberry butter. And also small cup of chicken soup. I got crab cake salad ($ 19), my friend got mushroom/​vegetable risotto with shrimp ($ 16+$ 2 shrimp). They were quiet good. Portion was just enough for lunch. Homemade pomegranate lemon aid was very tasty also. Restaurant has view towards to the outdoor parking lot. Even though I had to look at the parking lot, it was nice to spend some quiet relaxed meal inside of the mall while looking over outside.

I loved eating here, the service was awesome and so was the food!

There is no place like The Rotunda. Had a lovely, oh-​so-​civilized lunch here recently. My friend had the turkey/​mozzarella wrap special, and I had the roast lemon turkey salad. Both were quite good, but for me, the star of the show was the popover. Yes, the popover that starts every meal stole the show. And the strawberry butter. Ooooh, and the warm broth to piqué your palette…
Nothwithstanding the fly on the window, it is a memorable dining experience for the room alone. You don’t feel like you’re in a NJ mall. It is a very special space to have a relaxing lunch with a friend on a sunny afternoon– worth the trek down Route 17 even if your plans don’t involve mall shopping. If you’re not relaxed when you arrive, you will be by the time you leave because the service is leisurely, at best.
Prices are irrelevant, no? It’s Neiman Marcus.
Did I mention the popovers? And the strawberry butter?

There’s something different about having lunch in an upscale department store, something genteel, something special. Even with the addition of several new restaurants in the mall, the bright and airy Rotunda in Neiman Marcus remains one of the best places to have lunch in Garden State Plaza. Everyone is served a popover and small cup of broth for starters, and the menu has a good selection of wraps, sandwiches and salads. The Blackened Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Salad is a standout. There’s also a variety of flavored tea and lemonade, soft drinks and desserts. Located on the 3^rd floor; outdoor seating is available.

A hidden gem. The best place to eat in the mall by far. Located in Neiman Marcus. The popovers are fantastic. The burgers and other meals are terrific. So good it’s worth buying the Neiman Marcus cookbook!

a hidden gem inside the neiman marcus store in the mall.
great place to go with a date for a romantic brunch.
The complimentary hot bread and broth is a nice touch.
It is pricy, but I guess one pays for atmosphere