The food is always delicious. We highly recommend the calamari!! But you can't go wrong with anything!!

My husband and i enjoyed dinner i had pasta vocka with a glass of wine.def.will be returning..

Cucina Calandras food is excellent and great experience with kids! Highly recommend a visit.

Love the chicken parm and margherita pizza! Also a big fan of the gnocchi that comes in a delish pink sauce.

First time here although passed it 100's of times. Main reason we ate here was all other outdoor dining locations were packed but it turned out to be a very interesting dinner. Tables under the very large tent were filled but they also had dinner tables under umbrellas. Just got our drinks and a thunderstorm was threatening and the Host asked if we would move to a table that opened up under the tent, good thing as the storm was intense with wind and rain coming sidewise causing a flood of water under the tent and owner and staff were pushing water away for 30 minutes. That said, service from the kitchen and staff was flawless, and the food was great. We shared a salad, I had a Grouper that was flakey, a little over cooked but still good, veggies and potatoes on the side. My date had Salmon which she felt was cooked perfectly. This place is upscale compared to the normal places we eat at 3 days a week as most restaurants of this type are not operating. I would go back. read more

Cucina Calandra - Italian Near Me - Fairfield, New Jersey

I'm not one to write reviews but the meal I had at Cucina Calandra last night was THAT GOOD !! The ravioli was cooked to perfected, the brown butter sauce was insanely tasty, the pine nuts ( my personal fav ) were like little nuggets of joy, and the lemon put it over the top. By far one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Next time you're going out to eat, look no further. Oh and they're desserts ?? Omg !! Went again and had the fried Italian long hot and sweet peppers with hand cut potatoes and Italian sausage. So amazing ! Tasted like something my grandmother used to make. Cucina Calandras has yet to disappoint. Appetizer special at Cucina Calandra . read more

Cucina Calandra - Spinach ravioli in a brown butter sauce with lemon and pine nuts . Omg to die for !!! - Italian Near Me - Fairfield, New Jersey

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I'm A Guest At The Best Western That This Fine Restaurant Is Attached To. I Have Been To This Premises Before For The Morning Breakfast, And It's Always Just Been The Regular Hotel Fare For Breakfast. Last Night Was The First Time I Have Been A Guest At The Hotel Where I Got A Chance To Sample The Goods. I Woke Up From A Short Nap And My Stomach Was Grumbling. I Called Down To The Restaurant Cause I Was Being Lazy And Not Wanting To Drive Up And Down R46 Looking For A Place To Eat. Make A Long Story Short...., This Food Was Good!!! Matter Of Fact It Was Beyond Good. I Was Really Surprised. They Have This Bread.., It's Like The Size Of A Ball. Smaller Then A Soccer Ball. It Has Cheese Embedded In It. It Is Soooooooooooo Good. I Had To Get Out And Walk The Parking Lot After I Ate. Def. Worth The Money. In The Words Of The Terminator:.., 'I'll Be Back' read more

We took a long overdue trip to try Calandra's for my best friends birthday. Seated outside in the heated tent for dinner, we had the best Italian food I've had since I visited Italy back in 2016. Every item ordered was delicious except the bread pudding which was super soggy and lacked that delicious typical bread pudding flavor. Service was unbelievably perfect (our server's name was Charles). Overall, it was a near perfect dinner and I can't wait to return! read more

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Ok. This is a super difficult period for restauranteurs. So we try to be low on expectations. Not necessary as Cucina Calandra has it under control. We went for our anniversary last eve and everything was as good as it could possibly be right now in the Covid age. Constantly and consistently saw staff including the head chef cleaning and keeping the distance rules in effect. A+ for effort and execution. The giant party tent was effective and the parking lot conversion looked like a nice patio complete with fans and the like. The food is consistently good here. Great portion and total accommodation for our finicky 12 year old. And that garlic cheese bread never disappoints. So major kudos to the owners cooks and staff for a great meal in this challenging time! Keep up the good work CC! read more

THE best spot in Fairfield, and in Essex county. In my opinion, you can't better food OR service anywhere else in the area. The vibe is immaculate. Delicate, nice and comfy, even on a busy Friday (at least it was for me). If you go for Italian food anywhere else, you're playing yourself. COME HERE. read more

Loved this place! However it was a little disorganized when it came to seating especially when you make reservations to sit inside. They need to do something about that because everyone was complaining, and there are no time limits when you are dining. But the food is amazing everything on the menu is to die for. read more

Cucina Calandra - Italian Near Me - Fairfield, New Jersey

Great food, they abide by the Covid rules too! We love the cheesy bread and bruschetta that is complimentary. There service is great, we always ask for Letizia who is Aldo's sister. Our dishes: Chicken Ala Aldos- Artichoke hearts, chicken breast, onions, mushrooms, delicious! Trophie Pasta - lovely! Just the right amount of sauce, prosciutto... Pork chops are real good. Pizza is coal oven. Drinks are good, wine is reasonable or you can bring your own. We love it there, it has been our go to because of the quality, authenticity,(Aldo is from Italy and always there) reasonable... Have fun, be safe! read more

Dined at Cucina last night and it was delicious! Started off with the burrata appetizer which was perfection. For my entree I had the Cavatelli with sausage and ricotta cheese...fantastic! Service was great can't wait to go back. read more

The Spiedino alla Romana is Delish! We love the Family friendly atmosphere at all the Calandra restaurants

When coming to the restaurant we always have to get our very appetizer that is anti pasta salad, I love getting the chicken parmigiana with the Angel hair pasta, the food is always fresh and always made with love and flavor, I can't leave without having my cappuccino and fudge brownie, would love to go see the band been waiting along time for them to come read more

Good service, awesome atmosphere with the Christmas tent. Food was okay; best part was the garlic bread. The entrees came out so fast, they didn't seem super fresh but we're still tasty. read more

I have never left a bad review in my life but the way I still feel till this day over the treatment I received from restaurant management can't be ignored. Cucina has changed for the worst after getting help by hotel receptionist I was made aware I could receive a discount for a dinner at any of their locations if we stayed with them. I wanted to look further and get information. That's when things turned for the worst my husband and I were not acknowledged by the hostess who was also the manager. We asked the receptionist for help again and she explained what we were there for. The manager with ginger hair was very rude to her and us. No professionalism at all!!! I asked for a business card she said the restaurant did not have any and to just call back in a less busy day. She had extremely aggressive behavior. I can't believe she's the manager and couldn't see myself bringing my family here for a Xmas dinner. You've lost a valuable customer treat your customers with respect and love. Let just say after such bad experience my family and friends will be having Xmas eve dinner elsewhere.Dear owner find someone who cares. read more

As an update... I was contacted by Calandra's and they handled the situation beautifully. I really appreciate that they acknowledged the situation and made up for it to me. I will still continue to go to Calandras Bakery and some of their other establishments. Thanks! read more

My family and I are huge fans and supporters of Calandra's restaurants. If you are looking for delicious food, a great atmosphere, and well mannered staff. This is your place! read more

Average Italian food and HORRIBLE service. It reminded me of Olive Garden which truly would've been a better option. I can't believe how mediocre this restaurant is. I saw this place all over instagram and decided to try it. Don't make the same mistake I did! Don't believe the hype. You're better off making pasta with Ragu pasta sauce at home read more

I have been to Cucina Calandra before but this was my first time eating outside under their gigantic tent. I was a bit hesitant eating outside (this was my first time), but I was at ease from the moment I approached the hostess. All employees wear masks and gloves. All courses are brought to you with a cover on it. Silverware is placed in plastic, sauces are served in plastic containers with a top. I always get a pasta dish when I go to Cucina Calandra but I decided to try the Mahi special with cauliflower rissoto and grilled artichoke hearts. As in usual Calandra fashion, it was delicious. We also had fried calamari which is always delicious there. Our waiter Eddie was wonderful and always visable. Great set up, staff and food. read more

Cucina Calandra - Italian Near Me - Fairfield, New Jersey

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We loving come here with the family we also get a pitcher of sangria some nice calamari cause it's always cooked perfect and not grease we love getting the chicken parmigiana meal and we also love getting the penna pasta meal and always need the fresh bread, we also have to save room for our cannolis and tea and cappuccino we can never go wrong and there service is amazing. We love it read more

Love the tomato mozzarella plate ! Highly recommended . Also try the pizza! Can't go wrong

Overpriced food. Food did not even taste good. Pizza was super soggy. Pasta was meh. Salad was ok. Nothing spectacular for the price. Service was ok. Definitely not returning again. read more

YUM, all around delicious food! Cute, quaint atmosphere for groups of all sizes, great for families too. The bread is unreal, it's the cherry on top of a delectable Italian sundae read more

Good food, awful service. This restaurant cannot handle large parties. Had a party of 25 and the kitchen could not keep up. They served half of our party their dinners while the other half was not servied untill long after the others were done with their meals. The waiters Are inexperienced and the woman who books the larger parties is unaccommodating and refuses to budge when it comes to setting up the seating a certain way. No apology or discount for this awful service was given and we weren't even thanked when we left. Would not recommend this place as we had the same poor service when we we're there with a party of 4. read more

First time and last time here. Sat inside. If you enjoy swatting flies while eating, the constant sound of a heavy door banging that leads to the outside area and warm white wine, THIS is the place for you. Waiter never came back after taking our order to check on us, except when we flagged him down to ask for our check. Food was mediocre at best. One and done. read more

This a good place. Food was fresh and good, i got a stuffed pepper and pasta and both had good flavor . Location is in a hotel lobby I would return Food - Good Service - Good Atmosphere- Good read more

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I love this place! The food is always amazing and the service is excellent. The atmosphere is also very nice. They have a great happy hour, pasta night and a beautiful patio as well. My favorite dish is the Rigatoni Bolognese, the best one I've ever had! They also have an excellent wine list. The perfect place for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends and family! read more

Calandra's is like family if you grew up in NJ. We all watched their business grow up from a fine bakery to a collection of bakeries, restaurants, cafes and bar/grills. This particular "Cucina" has charming decor, excellent service, and quality food. The food tends to bounce around a 3-4. Today's chicken parm at a recent lunch, for example, had perfect chicken yet the red sauce was too tart/acidic to appreciate. However, the salad with gorgonzola-stuffed figs (yes, you heard me right) was really super. The lunch menu varies from sandwiches/pizzas to full entrees. The dinner menu features a larger selection of appetizers, pastas, and entrees. Save a little room for dessert! Calandra's tends to be generous with coupons, so check local papers or internet for special offers. The Cucina serves wine and cocktails, incredible cheese-bread is brought to your table to start, and a complimentary loaf of Calandra's Italian bread is available on your way out. Don't let the 'in a hotel' location deter you, Calandra's is very good and has a dedicated crowd of regulars every day. read more

Ok I will start this off by saying the decor is beautiful! I was skeptical since it's in a tent , but I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived that it is so cute and festive. Now for the bad part. We made reservations for 7:30pm. We were told they were about 30-40 minutes behind and we could grab a drink at the bar. We ended up waiting 1.5 hours. Didn't eat until 2 hours after our reservation. After being seated they just dropped off bread and water and disappeared. ( granted the bread was incredible ). We waited maybe 10 minutes for a waiter to walk past and realize no one came over and after the fact it appeared he was reprimanded for even doing that. I've worked in the service industry. I completely understand that places are short staffed which makes service a little slower, but an hour and a half after the reservation to be seated ? Kind of unacceptable. I would have rather them have been honest and we decided if we wanted to stay and wait. Or not have taken reservations at all and seat on a first come first serve basis . The waiter ended up being apologetic towards the end and saying they just have too many tables to cover with the tent being there so I felt bad looking for a manager to speak with. All and all the Decor, the food and the drinks were great. But I would not recommend this place during the holidays unless you're prepared to wait 2 hours to eat ! read more

Cucina Calandra - The grinch , margarita and crème brûlée martini - Italian Near Me - Fairfield, New Jersey

My family and I had dinner there for Easter. The food was delicious but we were a little disappointed with the staff. Our poor waiter was working the inside tables as well as the outside tables. Because of this, our service was not the best. I know its not the waiters fault. I also work in the food industry and understand how hard it is to juggle tables, especially with everything going on right now with the pandemic. I just wish the restaurant would have planned out his sections a little better to make it easier on him and the customers. We weren't the only table with poor service because of this. read more

I'll preface this review by starting off with our visit here was on Easter Sunday and the place was packed. So I'll look past the fact that our dirty appetizer plates were still on the table when our entrees arrived. Same with plenty of empty glasses still on the table when the coffee and desserts arrived. On to the food. Zuppa di pesce could've easily fed 2 people. 22 oz Ribeye was cooked perfectly and served with impossibly garlicky mushrooms. The Osso Buco was so tender that they insult themselves by serving it accompanied by a knife. Everything was solid but not spectacular. It was definitely home style Italian cooking but I felt that all dishes were slightly underseasoned, but that's only an opinion. Our server, Sahara, was fantastic. She was accommodating, funny and very knowledgeable about the menu. She made for a great dining experience. Overall worth checking out, I'll be going back! read more

The food was very good, but I do not appreciate a 20% tip being added to the bill even for a party of 2. When a restaurant does this it allows the wait staff to take their services for granted which is exactly what happened to us. The acronym "TIP" means to insure prompt service, so when I cannot give leave that tip based on the service I get, it's no longer a tip but just an extra 20% added to the already high prices in this restaurant which should not be allowed. Maybe the restaurant should raise the salary of their waiters instead of charging the consumer unfairly or make sure that their staff lives up to the meaning of the word. read more

Love this place. The atmosphere is great and the drinks are amazing. The wait staff is great and attentive. My favorite meal there is the Fusilli con Burrata e Zucchini, because who doesn't love some burrata!!! Will keep coming back. read more

Wanted to take my parents out & this restaurant caught my eye- I'm glad it did! Making a reservation was easy, the staff was welcoming & the ambiance was great. They offered complimentary hot cider (so cute) and their outdoor tent was plenty warm with the heaters placed around. The service was very good- they were wearing masks, serving food in gloves with covers on them, and all utensils/ napkins were individually wrapped. It was clear that they have truly taken the time to make their guests comfortable, which was surely appreciated! Now for the food- The complimentary garlic bread was served warm & yummy. The Calamari was crispy, not too oily & the sauce was very good. The Pear Salad was delicious with the perfect balance of tang and sweetness. My mom doesn't love spicy & they were more than accommodating by making her Mussela in a simple, red sauce, which were so good (Tip: save some bread to dip!) For dinner, my dad got the Snapper Orregenata and really enjoyed it. My mom and I got the Salmon Special with Pumpkin Raviolis ... holy yum!! It was such a fall-tasting dish but still light and easy to devour. Dessert- Zeppole Special and Pistachio Gelato were a perfect night cap. I'm looking forward to going back!! read more

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Always such a great meal here and beautiful ambiance both inside and outside. The outdoor tent is so gorgeous and perfect for a date night or girls night out. The fig and prosciutto flatbread is by far my favorite and a must try. read more

Went there for a family birthday party and while they had a nice outdoor setup it did not seem organized and everything was extremely slow. There were also things like napkins and utensils missing that we had to ask for. Also seemed surprised when we asked for water, etc. Everything took a really long time. The dinner started at 6 and didn't finish until ten. I know we were a big party but it didn't seem related to that. We asked for a kids meal for our son early on and it didn't arrive for an hour because the waitress forgot. Our chicken parm came out lukewarm and wasn't very good. Maybe smaller groups would have a better experience but I'm not sure. read more

I have been to Cucina quite a few times in the past 12 months. The good and service are always top notch. I always get the beet salad to start. It's the perfect mix of greens and cheese. The risotto is to die for ! read more

Cheesy bread. CHEESY BREAD!!!! I love this place. They essentially give you a loaf of panella that they slice and add provolone and garlic to start. Usually I have one of those to myself other appetizers: rice balls, meatballs, flatbreads, or calamari. Tuesday nights are half price pasta night and you cannot go wrong with any pasta dish but I am definitely partial to the chicken milanese. You 100 million percent need to get dessert + a cappuccino because hello, they own a bakery next door. And then grab some MORE bread on the way out because they leave them out for their loyal customers to take home and enjoy. Happiness. read more

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