A Lady Walks into a Bar…the Mosa Social

Where I Was

The Mosa Social, Aberdeen, NJ

When, ExactlyThe Mosa Social, Piazza di Roma, Aberdeen, Monmouth County, Gabrielle Garofalo, A Lady Walks into a Bar, Jersey Bites

Sunday, May 19, 12:19 p.m.

Where I Sat

This week this lady decided to break format and walk into a “bottomless brunch,” to bring you something off the beaten path. I hope you enjoy it!

As I was researching new places to review, I stumbled across this fascinating concept at the Mosa Social at Piazza di Roma, which I’ve now come to realize is more “experience” than restaurant review. Bear with me as I dive in more deeply in the “Vibe and My Vantage Point” section below.

As I was escorted to my seat near the custom skillet station, near the breads and bagels, I was delighted to have a full view of the room. The space was well lit, throwing off the almost-immersive club feel. I couldn’t believe this was the second seating of the day—the place was packed! Only four minutes after the doors opened there was already a bit of a line.

Who Served Me

Kelsey. A lovely young woman clearly eager to please and part of the Mosa family for about three months. 

Server’s Favorite Bite

“The French toast is my favorite by far,” Kelsey gleefully told me. “It’s just so good, and I think it’s the vanilla that makes it just a little different than other French toast.”

The Vibe and My Vantage Point

The Mosa Social, Piazza di Roma, Aberdeen, Monmouth County, Gabrielle Garofalo, A Lady Walks into a Bar, Jersey BitesWhile I knew I wouldn’t be sitting at a bar proper, somehow I imagined more of a restaurant-style set up given the presentation of the menu online. And while “bottomless” certainly implies unlimited I wasn’t quite ready for the brunch-buffet-meets-night-club vibe that was ever present as soon as I stepped foot into the dining area. I was immediately transported to a place with a current-day prom feel yet the crowd was older and it was the middle of a Sunday?! Didn’t seem to bother any of the 100+ people in there gathered—all dressed up—women in full makeup and heels, guys well groomed in their Sunday “cool” attire.

The space was large, with ample room for the massive buffet, DJ booth, service bar, dance lighting, Mosa signage, and video screens. All the eye could see were large tables of 10 to 20+ people gathered, loud, smiling, and ready to party! I was definitely in the mood! I chatted up a group of women celebrating a milestone birthday, another large group of gals and their young male trainers from a local gym, a sweet couple enjoying a Sunday afternoon out, and coed groups of 30-somethings out for a day of fun.

What Quenched My Thirst

The Mosa Social, Piazza di Roma, Aberdeen, Monmouth County, Gabrielle Garofalo, A Lady Walks into a Bar, Jersey Bites
Bloody Mary

Frank’s RedHot Bloody Mary, +$8 (not included in “bottomless” price)
Bacon-infused vodka, Frank’s RedHot, and horseradish served in a mason jar with Applewood smoked bacon, celery, olives, lemon, lime, and mini-waffle garnish

I flipping love Bloody Marys. Never too interesting, never too spicy, never too anything for me. This Bloody was darn good. Spicy for sure, yet not overbearing in the least. The garnish delightfully met every fancy—tart, sweet, savory, or carb! I loved the waffle touch as well. And though it was tasty, I’m not a fan of a soggy waffle so after the first bite to verify its legitimacy, I cast it aside in favor of all three olives, the bacon, and celery! The glass was rimmed with something I’m slightly embarrassed to say I didn’t taste as I was happily slurping through the straw at a fairly rapid pace! (PSA: Let’s all do our part to save the planet and put an end to plastic straws!)

The Mosa Social, Piazza di Roma, Aberdeen, Monmouth County, Gabrielle Garofalo, A Lady Walks into a Bar, Jersey Bites
Manmosa

Manmosa, bottomless
Blue Moon and orange juice

What’s not to love? Blue Moon beer is described by the brand as a “wheat beer brewed with Valencia orange peel for a subtle sweetness and bright, citrus aroma.” And they add coriander for a twist in the flavor profile. Combined with OJ, it is just delightful.

What Fed My Soul

The bottomless brunch is $45/person plus any add-ons like my Bloody Mary, above. The price includes unlimited food, unlimited drinks (mimosa, manmosas, Bellinis, or Miller Lite) and endless coffee and tea. 

The Mosa Social, Piazza di Roma, Aberdeen, Monmouth County, Gabrielle Garofalo, A Lady Walks into a Bar, Jersey Bites
Skillet station omelette

Skillet Station
A whole egg omelette with black beans, tomatoes, ham with light sauteed onion, and cheddar

I felt completely at a loss when it was my turn to build my omelette. The entire experience put me into a sensory overload so I just started blurting out ingredients and ended up with this really delicious combination. The only things I wished I could have added to make the flavor-lust complete were fresh avocado, salsa, and sour cream, which I’m positive were an ask away, but I just never got to them!

French Toast with Applewood Smoked Bacon
Challah French toast with vanilla essence

I have to marvel at this quarter slice of French toast made with expertly sliced challah. I ruminate over the combo of dry and moist, at the evenness of the brownish finish on the bread itself, and the golden color of the egg batter so perfectly absorbed into the richness of the bread. It was a great texture, too, even with my added maple syrup, it was fluffy and soft and Kelsey was right, the vanilla did shine through. Scrumptious with the applewood smoked bacon, which I like to eat with my French toast due to that inimitable combo of sweet and savory.

Homestyle Potatoes
Cubed potatoes crisped with sautéed onion and green peppers

A solid breakfast potato. I arrived to them late and while served en masse, these little potato cubes were crispy outside and still soft and potatoe-y on the inside. Sometimes when cut this small they either become all crunch or mush. Another compliment to the chef who clearly takes great care when feeding large groups, the location’s bread and butter (pun fully intended).

Deconstructed Banana Cream Pie
Suffice to say I have NEVER seen a banana dessert I didn’t order or love beyond comprehension. I am easy when it comes to banana desserts and not really sure why. I really don’t eat a ton of bananas and while I do love Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl” (you know, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!), there is something about bananas in a dessert that makes me swoon. And this little ditty was no different.

Not sure if it was the endless stream of manmosas that followed my Bloody Mary or the actual divine nature of it, but this creamy, not-too-sweet banana cream-pudding blend with the slice of banana on top and crystalized sugar crunch could almost qualify as an out-of-body experience.

The Mosa Social, Piazza di Roma, Aberdeen, Monmouth County, Gabrielle Garofalo, A Lady Walks into a Bar, Jersey Bites

Cannoli Cream & Chips
I knew I was not going to be disappointed here. After all, the name of the place says it all, not to mention the Vespa on raffle! All jokes aside, the pastry chef did a fantastic job. The cream was divine and the hearty amount of dark chocolate bits were appropriately proportional to the rest. What I liked the most was that the chips were broken up inside the dessert, preventing me from overdosing on the deep-fried cannoli shell. Two bites and I was just about in need of wheelbarrow to get me outta there! This was definitely worth the last open spot available in my stomach! 

What’s on Tap

Miller Lite was included in the bottomless brunch price.

The Mosa Social, Piazza di Roma, Aberdeen, Monmouth County, Gabrielle Garofalo, A Lady Walks into a Bar, Jersey Bites

What Else to Know

Piazza di Roma is a wedding and banquet hall first and foremost. It’s run by the most lovely family, who so evidently cares deeply about their space and the people they serve. The Mosa Social was inspired by the all-day party that NYC brunches so enjoy and they’ve done a great job! The lively atmosphere, DJ playing great tunes, and even some fun trivia for a t-shirt giveaway amps up the atmosphere and fun factor. When the second seating of the Mosa Social wraps, guests are invited upstairs to the Loft, to continue drinking and dancing like it’s 10 p.m. on a Saturday night.

Visit The Mosa Social for more details.

When to Show

Sundays: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Know Before You Go!
Reservations are required! Hours, prices, and menus are subject to change. Please check the website for more information.

The Mosa Social
at Pizza di Roma
1178 NJ-34
Aberdeen, NJ 07747
732-583-3565

A Lady Walks into a Bar™ is owned and trademarked by Gabrielle Garofalo.