Best Italian food in the area, worth every penny. Appetizers and entrees were both excellent.read more

Absurdly good. This place has been a staple in the area for a long time, and they really make the…read moremost of their space. The strip mall itself isn't anything special, but the surrounding area is beautiful , and once you're inside, the restaurant feels warm and inviting. The food is fantastic, and the variety on the menu is impressive. The chef clearly knows what they're doing because every single dish we tried was genuinely delicious. It's the kind of spot where you can't go wrong: date night, dinner with friends, or anything in between. We brought our own bottle and had a great time. Our waiter was super knowledgeable, friendly, and patient. The staff even joked around with me when I forgot my to‑go bag, and yes, I absolutely took it home because the food is that good. I also appreciate that they don't act like offering takeout is beneath them; even the takeout bag was nice. I honestly wish my meals were this good every night. I hope everyone who works here is paid well and enjoys what they do, because they're running the place exactly how a restaurant should be run. It feels like a true community staple somewhere that transports you a bit and makes the whole experience feel special. Lovely all around.

Came here on a Saturday night with two friends on our way back from a brewery up north. The…read morerestaurant was decorated with such beautiful and fun interiors. There were flowers everywhere and the overall atmosphere gave off homey European restaurant vibes. The wait staff also dressed very nicely. We got a bruschetta to share and I got the Italian sausage pasta while my friends got the short rib ravioli special and the eggplant parm. The dishes are so filling and flavorful. What stood out was the nice and the flowery presentation. The service was very friendly and fast. It's such a gem and I'm very glad we discovered this place. Will definitely come back to try more dishes as well as the drinks and desserts!

Visited Mama Fanti for the first time and was really hoping it would be a hidden gem since it's so…read moreclose to home but unfortunately I was wrong. The locale itself is really cute and conveniently located. The ambiance was giving Little Italy pizza & pasta, not fancy by any means, very casual. The food was mediocre -- calamari was alright but the chicken dishes were not that great. The chicken had a bunch of tendon on it which was pretty gross, i've never ordered a chicken marsala and found tendon on the breast. My partner asked to sub pasta as their dishes come with mashed potatoes and vegetables but we were told it wasn't possible to sub pasta because the kitchen was too busy We'll probably just take the extra 10 minute drive into Somerville when craving Italian food.

This was a casual and small spot in a mini complex with unique Italian breakfast and lunch options…read more The service was nice and friendly while the food came out in a timely manner. I went with the croissant panino ($17). This also came with a side salad or fries. I went with the salad, and it was tasty and fresh. The croissant had mortadella, burrata cheese, arugula, crushed pistachio, and a balsamic glaze. It was well put together. The croissant itself was flaky and buttery. The layers of mortadella was appetizing while the pistachio provided a nice crunch factor to the sandwich. The glaze really brought everything together. I also tried the fig grilled cheese that had prosciutto, mozzarella, and provolone cheese with a fig jam. This was good. There was a nice char on the Italian bread while the fig jam was a unique compliment to the cheeses. Will I go back? Definitely.

Traveled out of our way to try Cafe Basilico and it did not disappoint. Visited on a weekday and…read moregot seated immediately. The small quaint environment was welcoming and service was punctual. We started with a warm pistachio latte, which was one of the best we've had. The Fig Grilled Cheese was good, but the fig jam could've been better; however, the fries that accompanied the sandwich hit.the.spot... just perfect. The cannoli French toast was equally as delicious - the portion size was generous and they did NOT skimp on the cannoli bites... absolutely scrumptious. Hope to make a trip back soon and try more off their menu!

I've always come to this strip mall to dine at Nomad. However, due to recommendations from my…read morefriends, we decided to give Pastiamo a shot. Normally we stay away from pasta restaurants unless there's something unique to it. However, Pastiamo hit a home run immediately. From Chef Francesca being ever present in the restaurant - from serving to seating - to the homemade focaccia you receive as a starter, it was an impeccable dining experience. Then you add the nice plates and simple, yet warm decor. You just can't go wrong. We split the forza Italia as an appetizer to get more of a focaccia kick. We loved the homemade bread. The three cheeses were a nice and complimentary touch. Also, dousing this with some freshly squeezed orange juice didn't hurt. For the main course, we split a pesto gnocchi and a tagliatelle alla Norma. The pasta was truly homemade. Felt super fresh. The sauces were great and not too oily or salty. It was so good that we decided to bring some home to my parents. We will be back again!

The meatballs are not that great. The pasta is cook to…read moreperfection local pasta place where u can eat after you're done with shopping since the restaurant is located at a mall plaza. Very laid back ambiance. The service is friendly but they don't allow you to do substitutions on the dishes. They also have a good variety of desserts

We're from Florida but we were in Jersey to see friends. Went to Espo's for dinner last night. I…read morewas a little disappointed that they were out of the pappardelle bolognese, but opted for the special Sunday Gravy after seeing it at someone else's table. I upgraded to the cavatelli pasta. It was amazing! Be sure to go on a Sunday because I understand they have the Sunday Gravy there every Sunday.

We are occasional visitors to Espo's. We always looked forward to the chicken and veal parm. Last…read morenight it was only OK. Veal a bit tough and dry. Sauce not up to the normal standard. A special note to be aware of is the mark up on bottles of wine. In general it is 100% markup. A bit much for the Raritan neighborhood. Not a big deal but the bread they serve is less than high quality and mostly stale. Overall the Espo's experience seems to be headed towards an overpriced dining experience for the Raritan neighborhood.

The Russo family did a phenomenal job hosting my Mom's 70th birthday party. They were so courteous…read moreand friendly on the phone with planning and answering any questions my family or me had. The food (drinks, appetizers, salad, main courses and desserts) were all so delicious! The staff was super friendly and efficient in delivering food and clearing out finished dishes. My mom and all her friends and family had a spectacular time. Highly recommend this place for a family dinner or your next event!

Excellent food, with excellent service in a smaller cozy environment, who could want anything more?…read more This place is romantic, elegant, and delicious all wrapped up in one . Specials change frequently and all are worth trying . We love all the soups as they are rich and layered with flavor. The onion soup is warm and flavorful. Salad accompanies your meal with fresh greens. The veal is pounded thin and tender. Save room for dessert, the chocolate mousse cake is light and rich. You will definitely be back

Exceptional dinner. I had the dinner special which was a pork rolled roast. Meat was very tender…read moreand juicy. Get exta bread rolls to soak up all the sauce. Service is always exceptional. Staff is very friendly.

We finally made it to Da Filippo Autentica Cucina Italiana on a cold December night, and it…read morecompletely lived up to the hype. The restaurant is small, quaint, and cozy, run by a husband-and-wife team who split their time between Italy and Somerville. The authenticity and care really come through in both the food and the experience. We started with the bruschetta, and it was hands down the best bruschetta we've ever had - we still think about it. I ordered the Paccheri alla Norma, a fried eggplant pasta in a rich tomato sauce, and Matt had the rigatoni al ragù. Both were easily some of the best pasta dishes we've ever had. The service was wonderful, the decor was adorable, and we're honestly still dreaming about that meal. Perfect for couples or small family dinners. The best Italian restaurant in Somerville, hands down.

I was looking for a well rated Italian restaurant in Union County and Lupa Ristorante came up on…read moremany lists so I decided to check it out with friends. Lupa is located in a section of Berkely Heights that has seen a lot of recent construction, so it is very pretty and clean. You couldn't be blamed if you bypassed the restaurant. It is not very flashy looking and that is part of its charm. Be warned, there are not a lot of parking spaces behind the restaurant so you may wind up parking in the bank parking lot next to it (when the bank is closed of course). The staff at Lupa is super friendly and treats you like a regular even if this is your first time. The host was super nice, the waitress fantastic and the chef even came to our table to talk to us when we were done eating! The interior is very clean and modern looking. It's elegant and perfect for virtually any event including dates, anniversaries and family get togethers. We wound up sitting in the same area as the bar, which mostly has 2-4 seater tables and of course you can sit at the bar as well. The other side of the restaurant is where the larger tables are located. Here's a rundown of what we had: CLAMS ON TOAST Baby clams. crispy ham. thyme When I ordered this, I expected to see slices of toast with crispy ham and baby clams on top. Instead, it is two large pieces of wonderfully toasted bread with crispy ham on top. The actual clams sit in a *delicious* broth. Taken altogether these various components form a delicious bite. Be sure to dip that bread into the broth! SQUID INK SPAGHETTI lobster knuckles and claws. broccoli florets. grape tomatoes. Sherry Cream Sauce This dish has a wonderfully deep and earthy flavor. I've had squid ink pasta before and this was a wonderful example of it. The sauce was perfect and it was cooked beautifully. HANGER STEAK Truffled pomme frites. Chimichurri The steak was beautifully cooked (we had it medium rare) and the chimichurri sauce was great. However, the steak needed a bit more salt (and I'm not usually one to add salt to food). The pomme frites were wonderfully crispy and tasty. BROCCOLI RABE lemon. Kilos Broccoli rabe is a simple side dish but it is one of my favorites. It is also one that can easily be overcooked. These folks cooked it perfectly and it made for a fantastic side dish. My party and I loved our experience at Lupa and we all agreed we would happily return any time!

The best Italian restaurant in Union County. Why did I wait so long to try this place? We tried a…read morelot of food and everything was fresh, well seasoned, and presented very well. I had the Dover sole and it was one of the best Dover soles I've had. Also extra credit for providing a proper fish knife and fork. Octopus had a spicy sauce that was excellent. I appreciated the fact that they don't over season their food like many restaurants do. Inside was modern and nice. I liked the rose on every table. Service was so very friendly without it being overbearing. The chef came out twice to say hello and check on us which I really appreciated. I highly recommend Lupa.

The food was amazing, will come back again with family and friends…read more The difference opinion of seafood and meat were great. The meat platter was amazing and very good.

I finally made it to Giovanni's. Let me tell you, it was truly worth the drive from Staten Island…read more You know you're in for treat because the valet was packed and people leaving looked so happy and pleased. It was me, my hubby, son, and daughter. Let me be clear, I came for one thing only. The seafood and steak board. The waitress seated us right away. Guys the room was packed. There are also two other rooms. Our waiter's name was Giovanni. I thought he was kidding, but no that's his name. I missed the memo about BYOB. No worries there's a liquor store very close by. Hubby went and got us wine. Now the food. I told my hubby he didn't need to order off the menu, the board was going to be enough. He didn't listen. We ordered the wedge salad and calamari for appetizers. My 10yr old got the lobster ravioli and hubby got the Cacio E Pepe. I did the board for two with my son. OMG OMFreakingG! Let me tell you, if you go and don't get this, you will never forgive yourself. Wives are always right and my husband said, I quote,"babe you were right this is great!" You get two lobster tails, shrimp, octopus, scallops, lobster Mac, spinach, lamb chops, a Ribeye, and mash potatoes. We all ate it and I still got left overs for dinner. I also need to share the vibe is like a big family dinner. I shared my scallops with the table next to me, to convince them they had to order the board. You see tables sharing alcohol and just vibing. So cool! Please add this to your list. Service 100, Food 100, Ambiance 100, Vibe 100, and it will not break the bank at all. Can't wait to go back and yes I will be seated in Giovanni's section.