Had a reservation for Catherine Lombardi and 10/10 experience from the moment we walked in. Everything was delicious, clean, perfect portions, perfect service, attention and detail. We were a large party of different palettes and so happy that we were able to order from the Italian Catherine Lombardi side and the steakhouse side. Definitely recommend for a nice family dinner or romantic date night! We will definitely be back for more! read more

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As a former fine dining server, I can count the number of times I've left less than a 20% tip on one hand. My standard tip is 25%. I left this server 10%. From sitting down to the end of the meal the service was just beyond poor. Extensive amount of time to greet us, extended wait to have drinks arrive, not refilling waters or asking if we needed new drinks, improper silverware (no steak knives when food was delivered), attempting to sell special that they ran out of, it goes on. I can certainly sympathize, but, in total, the entire restaurant had 8 tables sat. It was not busy at all. My dinner (chicken) was average at best in taste and way over priced. Some of my guests said their food was excellent, though. I would not recommend nor shall I return. read more

Lovely anniversary dinner at Catherine Lombardi. Excellent location, 2 minute walk to the state theater. Service is very good. The location is beautiful, large tables and booths. Menu is a mix of Italian dishes with Catherine Lombardi and Stage left steak. The deconstructed eggplant rollatini was outstanding. The fusilli with creamy pesto and peppers was very good. I ordered the Carbonara special and it was very good although I feel the $42 price tag was slightly out of line for the portion I received. The chocolate molten cake was excellent, the accompanying vanilla was top tier. We were surprised with a complimentary slice of cheesecake as a celebration of our anniversary. The espresso martini was the best my wife has ever had. The spirits list is impressive, top tier selections that include heavy price tags, well worth it for a celebration. I will visit again. read more

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I went twice in recent weeks during the Miracle PopUp Bar festivities. The restaurant is beautifully decorated for the holidays. From the minute you take the stairs up to the restaurant you are immersed in beautiful holiday decor. I've always enjoyed coming here, even when it's not holiday season - their dishes are fantastic. We love their eggplant parm, ricotta gnocchi and long fusilli. Their very garlicky garlic bread is top tier! I could eat that all day long. For dessert I've tried their chocolate lava cake, tiramisu (which they serve in an old school sundae float glass), cheesecake and cookies (served warm). They're all amazing, but their cookies are just so nostalgic. For drinks, I love the Koala La La from their pop up menu. I haven't tried much from the regular menu but their bartenders are super friendly and know what they're doing. The waitstaff is so nice and really make you feel like you're eating at a family members home. During both recent visits the owner was walking around greeting guests. He didn't talk to us much other than saying a brief hello but with others he spent some more time. For those who prefer steakhouses, they have a sister restaurant (stage left steakhouse) downstairs, and you can order off either menu at both restaurants. read more

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Very cute spot! It's right near the theater so it's easy to find. They have two restaurants and it's nice that you can order from any menu regardless of where you're eating. I got the boar ravioli which was good but not amazing. The burrata was good! read more

We went prior to a show at the Palace Theater. The restaurant accommodated our request to move our reservation to an earlier time as we got backstage passes. They seated a partial party and took our orders and held them until our entire party arrived. We tried the eggplant rollatini a steak served with a hot salt stone the a gratin potatoes and shared some great desserts. The service was on top of it and very tasty food. The pasta dishes could have used more garlic but that was based on one guests preference. Would recommend. read more

Located on 2nd floor in the heart of downtown N Brunswick few doors down State Theatre - must-visit if you love amazing food, friendly service, and a fine dining experience. Gorgeous room; warm & cozy with fireplace, carpeting, leather & cloth chairs, upscale restaurant feel. Street parking can be difficult when there is a show but there are lots & garages available. We made a reservation for 10 fr dinner same day and got seated as soon as we reached. It has a large menu (Italian claasics, wines, cocktails). there is a "sister" restaurant attached called the Stage Left Steakhouse and You can order off either restaurant's menus. We had Charcuterie board, garlic bread, stuffed mushrooms for apps along with drinks. For entrees, we ordered eggplant parmigiana, ricotta mushroom gnocchi, manicotti (red sauce), fusilli in Pesto cream sauce. Everything was great especially garlic bread and eggplant parmigiana. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a special occasion and date nights , given the overall quality of the food and price point. read more

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Food was good but service was dreadful. Our waitress took our order and never came back to see how the food was or to ask if we needed something. Could not get anyone to take our coffee and dessert order. Manager was incredulous that we were upset. What world of dining does he live in? read more

Super expensive for it to be full of no flavor. Portion size was also very small in comparison to what you pay, but I guess that's how they get you. read more

My daughter and I enjoyed an amazing dinner here last night. Every staff member from hostess, busboys and our waitress, Jane and your sommelier were so welcoming and consummate professionals. Our cocktails, Cosmopolitan Delight, were outstanding...so fresh and delicious! We loved the variety offered to make our own antipasto which was amazing and the eggplant parm with a side of sautéed spinach was perfection. Chef's kiss! Thank you Mark, Francis and your team for an incredible experience. We can't wait to come back. Cheers! read more

Dined here this weekend for the Miracle pop up and it was so cute! The decorations and vibes were screaming holiday and I am completely here for it. Of course we had to get the fun holiday cocktails in the adorable cups (that you can purchase if you'd like). You can't not get those. Plus, the cocktails were delicious - sometimes these things can just be gimmicky but not this time! I got the Rudolph's Replacement (I think it was called) and it was so good! It tasted like a spiked coffee. For food, we got the ravioli and squid ink pasta. The two pastas were good, nothing spectacular. We also got the tiramisu and it was also just good. However the service was really great, everyone working there seemed happy to be there and very friendly. Our waitress was extremely informative and made our experience great! All in all, it's definitely a must-go spot to get into the holiday spirit! read more

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(I would have given it 3.5 Stars, but rounded up since it can easily become a 4) I chose this restaurant for an early supper before a show at the State Theater a few doors down. Located in the heart of downtown N Brunswick where there is plenty of street and public parking ( lots & garages) available. CL is located on the 2nd floor but there is an elevator available by the entrance of the Stage Left Wine Shop. Gorgeous room; warm & cozy with fireplace, carpeting, leather & cloth chairs; Italian \ Country Club-ish. Picked not only for location but it has a large menu ( food, wines, cocktails). As a huge bonus, there is a "sister" restaurant attached called the Stage Left Steakhouse. You can order off either restaurant's menus which is awesome. Service was "ok". Seems a lot of places these days are struggling to hire decent help. Its tough on the owners and management (and the customer). Here 3 managers or (possibly) ownership stopped by to see how things were. You rarely see that these days. But back to the often missing waiter(s) and the 2 people behind the bar( I won't call them bartenders) who looked like they were clueless and lost. Two of our cocktails were outright undrinkable. THE FOOD ( cause in the end, that's what it's all about) Apps-- -Shrimp scampi was very good; nicely cooked, good sized shrimp. It was more of a broth than an oily scampi sauce. -Home made mozzarella with pesto & red peppers was good, but at $18, not a valued portion. Entrees-- -Garganelli ( pasta) in truffle cream with Prosciutto & Asparagus was ok; sounded better. (Anything advertised anywhere with truffle has to be scrutinized as there are many ways to apply it to a dish ( some rich & expensive\ some more of a shortcut) -Pappardelle (pasta) with bolognese sauce was another mediocre dish per one of my fellow diners. --Orecchiette (pasta) with sausage (hot or sweet), broccoli rabe & garlic is one of our favs. Here, although a nice sized portion, It was a little flat and definitely a little too al dente ( undercooked) ---HOWEVER, the standout was the Bone In Pork Chop with sausage stuffing, creamy polenta & sauteed spinach off the Stage Left Steakhouse menu. This had to be one of the best pork chops I've had in years. A nice ( thick) cut that was cooked so perfectly I cut it with my fork. The stuffing and sauce was AMAZING, and the polenta & spinach just tied it all together. Everyone who tried a piece was like, WOW. Just a perfectly made dish. In a few words, gnice decor & location, many options on all menus, but needs tweaking on it's staff's training and bartenders. As for food, it's "good" as long as your OK with that averaged in. read more

Catherine Lombardi - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

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I'm a bit perplexed by some of the reviews because I had a great experience, which took place during Christmastime and was enhanced by the extensive but tasteful decorations. The service was excellent from start to finish, and the food was very good. Plus, major credit for not rushing us even though the restaurant was busy. If I had one small critique, it would be that the prices felt a bit on the high side, but overall, it was well worth it for the experience. read more

Came here for a business meeting dinner. I ordered the filet mignon trio and it was tender and prepared to my liking. We had the calamari for the table which was pretty solid. Service was great and the ambience was also nice. read more

Catherine Lombardi - Filet Mignon Trio - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

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The food is great, the service impeccable, and the the ambiance is amazing. I highly recommend the restaurant. read more

Catherine Lombardi - Bar - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

I visited yesterday with some friends for dinner. The Christmas decorations were so cute and festive! We ordered an assortment of entrees and a few drinks. The house bread was good. My friend loved her salmon dish, she thought it was a 10/10. The truffle gnocchi was also a hit. We also got the Christmas cricket drink and a glass of wine. I think the consensus was that the food was better than the drinks. Service was excellent. We were well taken care of throughout our meal. I had recently had wisdom tooth surgery so I could only enjoy the gelato but I thought it was delicious! I would recommend coming by. The Christmas decor is really worth the visit! read more

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Catherine Lombardi never disappoints--but this recent dinner with a small group was truly exceptional! From the warm, attentive staff to the cozy ambiance by the fireplace, everything was just right. I had the Garganelli with truffle cream--rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked--while my husband went with his favorite, the Lasagna, which was as delicious as ever. We also indulged in the Wagyu beef cooked on a salt brick, and it was absolutely out of this world--tender, savory, and unforgettable. Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, a complimentary platter of chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies arrived at our table, adding the sweetest finishing touch. Catherine Lombardi and its sister restaurant, Stage Left, continue to set the standard in New Brunswick. Thank you for a great evening! read more

Fantastic food Superb Service and lovely ambiance A perfect date spot! Business lunch or get together Highly recommend!! read more

There's something about this place that makes me want to break out some gold chains, take a sponge bath in Aramis and glue on some chest hair. This is throwback Italian, Goodfellas style. Every dish spills off the plate and does the backstroke in red sauce. I have to admit the eggplant parm was beyond nice and the antipasto was terrific. Hey Jimmy, be careful with my 1974 Coupe DeVille, I only have six more payments. Four gold chains. read more

I had dinner here with my boyfriend during the holiday pop up. The restaurant was really nicely decorated for Christmas. We tried the specialty holiday drinks. They came in the cutest glassware! I had the SantaRex. My drink was okay, I switched to wine afterwards. My boyfriend had the Yippie Ki Yay Mother Effer. He liked his drink. I tried it as well and liked it better than mine We shared the shrimp scampi and garlic bread. The garlic bread was so good! Shrimp scampi was great too. I had the wild boar bolognese and really enjoyed it. It was a lot of food so I had leftovers. My boyfriend had the lasagna and he liked his meal. Our server was friendly and attentive. Overall, we had a great experience and would return. read more

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Came here for a large group dinner and am at first thrown off a bit that it's a combined restaurant (kind of like those dual fast food restaurants where you can get tacos with your fried chicken) with Italian food and steakhouse sharing the same space such that you could order from either restaurant's menu. Does feel weird though given that both places have different seating areas and totally different atmospheres. Great service throughout as we we had a very attentive and kind server with Jane. The food was good but nothing crazy to rave about just thought that it felt fairly overpriced for the area which is unfortunate. I got the Duck entrée which was delicious and would recommend as it was cooked to perfection. read more

Catherine Lombardi - Duck specialty entree - not always on the daily menu - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Drove from Cleveland to a meeting in NYC, specifically had a layover in New Brunswick, just to have dinner. This was my second trip for dinner in two months and it exceeded all expecations, the hoilday decor transformed the second floor. The service (Regan) was on point, pleasant and efficient with out being over bearing. The meal was the single greatest pasta dish I have had in the U.S. (wild boar ravioli) Already making plans to return, if you are with in a days drive, you really have no excuse not to enjoy a meal with them. First visit was to their sister restaurant on the first floor Stage Left strak house, which was also a meal to rivel all others read more

Catherine Lombardi - Wild boar ravioli - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

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Came here for an anniversary dinner at the beginning of the month and everything was perfect. We were sat in the steakhouse and the ambiance was fantastic. Greeted and welcomed by seemingly every staff member and the food was amazing. Really appreciated the comped dessert. Cannot wait to come back!! read more

Stumbled on this place waking around and glad we did. They were crowded and there was a 2 hour wait on a Thursday night so we are at the bar but they offered us the full menu so all was good. Definitely make reservations. We had the very garlic garlic bread and absolutely loved it. The wine list was extensive as well but our jobs did not afford us the opportunity to sample that. As for meals my wife had the Garganelli with truffle cream which had asparagus and prosciutto in it. Her description was the dish was decadent. I had a Duck special which was so choice. It was on the pricey side but that's food prices in general right. It was simply done amazing all the way around. Flavor was great, cooked perfect, and the zucchini, mushrooms, squash and sweet potato mash was equally as impressive. The final touch was a port sauce that paired perfectly. Amazing meal! read more

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First time Good attentive service Had great drinks Appetizers scampi- great Stuff mushrooms-fair Main menu Lasagna- great and a lot of it Petite filet-great- served with hot block Irish coffee- great Overall, I was very pleased recommend highly GB read more

Extravagantly decorated for the holidays. Always clean inside, relatively loud at the bar, which has few tables and limited seats at the bar. Only waited 10 mins for our seats in a busier night. Holiday menu, drinks, and place settings were a nice touch and definitely shows that this place cares about the quality of their image, despite being in New Brunswick. Didn't try the food this time, but have ordered off their menu while next door at stage left. Definitely recommend read more

Catherine Lombardi - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

I really enjoy coming to Catherine Lombardi's. I've come here only a handful of times and to be honest I don't know why I haven't come here more. First, I really enjoy their cocktails, I think they have a pretty good cocktail menu and I have not been disappointed by any cocktails I've gone here. My favorite by far is the parasol as I love aperol and I think it's a really good cocktail. It does have egg white in it and that does deter some people but be adventurous and try it. As for the food, I have enjoyed everything I've eaten. I feel like I've tried a fair number of dishes and have really enjoyed them. The one that sticks out the most of my mind was a squid ink linguine that I was super excited to try and did not disappoint. I remember having seafood in it and possibly even mint. To rounded out, they do have a good creme brule life for dessert which is a favorite of both my wife and myself. If you're looking for a nice dinner and having some good pasta, this is one of the first places I think of in New Brunswick. read more

Our experience at Catherine Lombardi was positive from the time we walked in (a little before opening hours) until we left. Michelle our waitress was super knowledgeable about EVERYTHING on their menu. The drinks were delicious & the food was fabulous! The Christmas decorations were fun & put us all in the holiday spirit . It was well worth our hour plus ride. We'll have to see a show & revisit w/a hotel stay right across the street! read more

Catherine Lombardi - Loved the tree on the ceiling - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Amazing food. Great ambiance. Everything we had was delish and the service was top notch. Will definitely be returning. read more

Catherine Lombardi - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Was in town for a convention. Walked across the street to retrieve my order. It was so good!!! ...and even better service!!! read more

Catherine Lombardi - Crab & Shrimp Fettucine - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Came here to celebrate valentines day and we were not disappointed. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was romantic. Highly recommend this place!!! read more

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I was in town for the weekend. Enjoyed a parasol cocktail. Special was a fettuccini carbonara, recommended by my waiter, which was outstanding. The wine list is great. The staff were attentive but did not interrupt my experience. read more

Probably best Jersey dining experience in years! Food, decor and service all top notch.

Recent visits have shown a decline in selections, service and food experience. Maybe because it seemed rushed before a show, we received our orders after a 45 minute wait and it included apps and meals. This was after we indicated we were going to the show. Our water wasn't refilled until I was signing the check, a 75 minute wait..... read more

We had an overall very good experience. This restaurant is situated downtown in New Brunswick and has outdoor and inside seating. There is a great selection of wine and cocktails. (Though the wine list could be a tad more diversified to appeal to the whole spectrum of budgets... it was difficult to find a bottle of wine under $100. The food selection was traditional Italian with some specials of the day. One unique feature was you can order from the sister restaurant menu as well, which was an upscale steakhouse. Our server was knowledgeable and provided great service, just needed to make sure he stopped by a bit more often. We told him we were sharing entrees family style among our party of four and had to remind him to bring clean plates after the appetizers. Not a big deal, just feedback. Overall great! read more

Catherine Lombardi - Our spread! The Bolognese and truffle pasta dishes were our favorites. - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Review for the Miracle Pop-Up Bar only. So cute!! Catherine Lombardi has temporarily transformed their second floor restaurant and bar area into an adorable holiday themed wonderland. The bar has a special Miracle Bar drink menu that includes festive cocktails that are served up in fun Christmas cups/mugs. Cocktails run from $12-$15 and mixed shots are $7. My friends and I loved the holiday decor and cheerful vibes, and we ended up staying here for nearly two hours just chatting and mingling. One thing to note though - I thought it was strange that the bar required wristbands for everyone who was under 30 years old. I get that we're in college town, but I didn't understand the need to tag people who are under 30 (including my group who was in our late 20s). Felt a little strange. Regardless, we still had a fun time here. The bartenders were fantastic and the staff was very friendly. read more

Catherine Lombardi - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

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This has been my favorite restaurant for over a decade. My wife and I try to make at least once a month. When we have a craving for the best Italian food we know of, we sometimes sit at the bar and enjoy the experienced bartenders making us some great cocktails. When we the bar we usually make a meal of some of the appetizers. Tonite we enjoyed Red Meatballs (the BEST), Mozzarella Encarozza (to die for), Prosciutto de Parma (melts in your mouth) and a 1/2 order of Very Garlic Bread. If you only do one you've got to enjoy the meatballs. They are superb! You can never go wrong at Catherine Lombardi's. The two owners, Mark and Francis, are always wandering around the dining room (and bar) making everyone feel welcome. A truly special place! read more

Catherine Lombardi - What's left of the meatballs!! You've got to have them. They have RED meatballs as well as BLACK meatballs. - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Great service for the host/server/kitchen,atmosphere and food were amazing. I recommend. Let me add the bus boy was amazing! read more

Catherine Lombardi - Amazing food, atmosphere and service! Thank you all for what you do - Italian Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

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Lived in NB for years and Lombardi's was always a got to Italian place. However 4 weeks ago at dinner we noticed that the portions had shrunk quite noticably. The dinner salads were not much bigger than a side salad size....the bartenders were measuring out the shots for the drinks...who does that?....needs improvement. latest 3 star overall ratings reflect the true situation there now. Will go back when the portion sizes go back to adult sizes. read more

Great selection for restaurant week! I had been a few times before and just love the bar/ ambience. We came back this week for their specials and it was totally worth it! All of the portions were generous and so delicious. Started with the calamari- cooked perfectly and served with both spicy and regular sauce. Next was the tomato and mozzarella salad. Tomatoes were fresh and so was the cheese. You could taste the quality. It was drenched in balsamic which is my fav. Next up I had the lasagna. Filled with several kinds of meat. The shredded meat on top was a nice touch. Everyone else at the table was also pleased with their meals. Dessert was the cheesecake- didn't try but heard it was tasty, and the cookie plate. Cookies all had the same base and were decent but not amazing. They have an expensive wine and cocktail list. Everyone who served us tonight was wonderful. Can't wait to come back for a cozy winter night. read more

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