Hidden gem in Browns Mills, Food second to none, take it…read morefrom someone that grew up in a family where everyone cooked, atmosphere is like grandmas house. This is a long revive but please read it all. I think its important that people know something like this exists in a small town like Browns Mills when it could hold its own against any Italian restaurant in the New Jersey Philly area I recently had the opportunity to visit Riccardo's with my daughter and grandsons. when we planned to meet in town. I was familiar with this place back when the original owner Sal was running it and Vito was a little guy. It was primarily a pizza shop, in my opinion one of the best pizza shops around, with a sit down restaurant and always good authentic Italian food. Great surprise, Vito turned this place on it's head, to call it a pizza shop does not do it justice. It can unequivocally be called an Italian Restaurant that serves pizza. The entire place was revamped, the exterior looks immaculate and the interior is upscale. The second we walked in we were greeted by Vito and it felt like going to my grandparents for dinner. Everyone was all smiles and friendly with warm greetings. This to me is the hall mark of how the owner treats his staff and by extension his customers. Everything we ordered was exceptional from the gratis surprise Vito's special garlic bread to the imported Gelato and home made deserts. You will notice numerous awards on the walls and this place deserves every one of them. In my opinion Vito would be welcome as a chef in any 5 start restaurant. With all that being said the best part was the feeling Vito and his staff gives the place as a truly homy place with great Italian food. Browns Mills is beyond lucky to have this place and should appreciate it.

My sister and I stopped by for lunch today and we had such a wonderful experience. The server was…read moreso pleasant, the food was absolutely delicious and with generous portions, and the ambiance was so enjoyable. Everytime I have passed by, the palm trees and red/white umbrellas catch my attention. And now finally I was able to experience the deliciousness of this gem. Too many more successful years!

Molto Bene! Calamari is phenomenal along with the bread!…read moreFriendly staff and attentive on refilling drinks Great indoor and outdoor seating options. Pizza is def prepared fresh with fresh ingredients. Nice little feel of Italy in NJ

Wonderful, reliable and delicious restaurant. Hard not to order the pork chop as they do it so well…read moreand it is my favorite! But this time I changed it up and switched to the Merluzzo Oreganata (cod with crab meat in a creamy lemon sauce)...omg it was a great switch. I substituted brussels sprouts for the creamy spinach. It was all amazing. My Daughter picked the Christina's Pescatore which is seafood over linguini in the white wine sauce. It was a reliable choice and not spicy like the other choice of red sauce. I appreciate the dinner salad and basket of bread. So many places don't do this anymore. Monday night and almost every table full...impressive. Service is always right on, portions are generous, food is fresh and seasoned/prepared perfectly. It is a reliable and delicious everytime. My only complaint is it isn't in my neighborhood! Haha. I highly recomnend.

This is hands down the best pasta I've had outside of Italy. It's made fresh and al dente and they…read morealso sell it to go for home cooking. We visited for a late dinner on a Friday. The restaurant is BYOB so we took a short walk down to Boyd's pharmacy to get some wine and beer. Bordentown parking is challenging, so be prepared to leave extra time for finding a spot. Our meal started with fresh baked sesame semolina bread that melted in your mouth. I ordered the spaghetti carbonara and my wife ordered the pasta with crab. Both dishes were amazing and portions were large (we both took some home). The service is professional and the staff is knowledgeable about the menu. They did have a lot of specials in addition to the menu. The atmosphere is quaint and somewhat elegant. In the nice weather you can even sit outside.

Pros: I genuinely can't think of a single favorable aspect of our dining experience…read more Cons: Everything--from the service, to the table spacing, to the food quality--was an issue. The ambiance and layout were problematic throughout the meal. The table spacing was already uncomfortably tight from the start, and toward the end of our visit, a party of 10 was seated in a way that completely blocked off the front left side of the already small dining area. This left only a narrow path on the right side for entry and exit. Given how confined the space became, it raised legitimate concerns about safety and whether the layout could pose an issue in the event of an emergency. After waiting 40 minutes for the complimentary bread, I finally had to speak up and ask for it to be brought to our table. Given that there were several open tables both inside and outside, we couldn't understand why there was such a tremendous delay with such a simple task. For an additional "starter" my dining partner ordered the Caesar salad which was completely drenched in dressing. While we were initially excited about the homemade pasta entrees, we were extremely disappointed once out they arrived. I understand that homemade pasta is typically served al dente, but neither dish was cooked properly. I had to cut my pasta with a knife because a fork simply wasn't enough, and my dining partner couldn't cut several pieces of his pasta at all--some were still noticeably crunchy. I was especially surprised, as I've dined here before and don't recall these kinds of issues--perhaps there has been a change in the kitchen. Unfortunately, we weren't able to address any of this during the meal because our waitress, Marti, never checked on us from the time she delivered our entrees (about an hour after we were seated). Not once, not even upon delivering the check did she ask us how our meals were! Before leaving, I chose to address the server, Marti, directly and share our experience. I expressed my disappointment with both the service and the food, but her response made an already bad experience significantly worse. Every comment was met with a large, clearly insincere smile and a dismissive "I'm sorry to hear that," with no effort to actually resolve anything. A good server would show genuine remorse, offer to involve a manager, or at the very least attempt to make things right--whether by addressing the issue or offering to comp part of the meal. None of that happened. There was no accountability, no urgency, and no real acknowledgment of the situation--just a phony, rehearsed response that felt completely disrespectful. To make matters worse, shortly after we left, my dining partner became ill, experiencing both diarrhea and nausea, along with severe stomach pain that has now lasted over 14 hours and is still ongoing. If I could give this experience a 0 out of 5, I would.

On Sunday, August 9th, we hosted a 40 person party for a birthday party. The staff was attentive…read moreto everyone's needs. The food was delicious. We had a great time. Thank you for the exceptional service.

Food best ever-ALWAYS Service always warm welcoming and…read more attentive Ambiance. Comfortable Friendly no matter how long since our last visit it always feels like yesterday-

Serving food lovers since 2006, Toscano is a phenomenal steakhouse in Bordentown where the…read moreexecutive chef combines old-world cooking with new-world flair. A cozy bar area greets customers if you want to grab a drink while waiting to be seated. They also offer upstairs seating, rounding out a welcoming and highly professional atmosphere that has stood the test of time.   THE FOOD * Bread Service: The bread arrived with a tasty honey, chive, thyme, salt, and pepper butter, which was a nice touch. * Kumamoto Oysters: Ice cold and refreshing. They were complemented with cocktail sauce, watermelon mignonette, and fresh grated horseradish. * Crab Salad Special: Served in a martini glass. It featured cold, chilled crab marinated with tequila, triple sec, and lime, carefully laid on a bed of avocado mousse with an Old Bay-lined rim. Delicious and refreshing during a hot summer evening. * Tri-Color Beet Salad: A roasted beet and citrus salad with whipped ricotta and a pistachio honey vinaigrette that provided rich bites. * New York Strip: Sourced from Allen Brothers in Chicago. A showstopper with excellent crust and beef flavor. We ordered the Au Poivre sauce, which was tasty, but the steak was so good on its own that I ended up using the sauce for my sides! * 14 oz Center Cut Filet: Also sourced from Allen Brothers. Tender as expected with a wonderfully executed crust. * French Bordeaux Wines: We ordered the Chateau Loudenne Medoc and the Chateau De Sales Pomerol. Both were tasty, medium-to-full-bodied, and served as excellent accompaniments to the steaks. * Tuna Special: Nicely seared tuna served over vegetables and udon noodles. * Limoncello Pistachio Tiramisu: Very light and a nice end to the meal. * Kentucky Butter Cake: Served in a cast-iron pot with vanilla ice cream. Yummy and rich.   THE SERVICE Our server, Gene, has been with the restaurant for 8 years and provided exceptional service. He was knowledgeable about the menu and offered excellent recommendations, pointing out standout options like the pastrami-dusted bone-in filet and the 45-day aged tomahawk topped with a root beer bourbon bacon compound butter.   OVERALL A great steakhouse experience with a highly professional staff and a kitchen that flawlessly executes high-quality steaks. Excellent for special occasions or an upscale business dinner.

We enjoyed a bunch of appetizers to start! The beat salad is always my favorite refresh and…read moredelicious Our table also enjoyed the Giant or ravioli and the meatballs. Everything is magnificent here and cooked fresh. I also enjoyed my lobster. Ravioli was magnificent and plentiful and I actually had to bring some of it home with me because we had a lot of snacking going on. Very thankful to the hard-working staff to take care of us so well. Everything was delicious and hot and the staff is really magnificent.

I've driven past for years and never stopped by or knew anyone who tried it…read more They Sat our table of 4 immediately even though we didn't have reservations and they had a large private party in the back room. The entrance when you first walk in is a little uninviting. They had a partition screen blocking the view of supplies. It is where you wait when speaking to the hostess. The outside of the building does not do it justice. The restaurant was nicely decorated and clean. All of the servers and staff were friendly and professional. Service was quick. I had the eggplant parm. It came with spaghetti which was ok. I usually substitute veggies or another type of pasta. I just didn't ask for some reason so not sure if they offer that. I really liked the eggplant. It was breaded but still crispy with the cheese and sauce. Their sauce is chunky and a little sweet. It was a really nice portion and took 1/2 home. I tried some of the pasta Al forno with sausage, meatballs, penne, etc. Delicious! I definitely recommend that dish even after just a few bites. The entrees come with soup or salad. The salad veggies were fresh and it was a good size. I tried the pasta fagiole soup but wasn't a big fan. It was underwhelming - lack of seasonings and it could have been hotter in temperature. One thing I thought was odd was our server never asked us if we wanted to order anything to drink. Gave us a pitcher of water and that was it. I know we could've asked if we really wanted soda or tea but just thought it was odd to go right into the food order. Overall I would go back. I think a reservation is good suggestion for the weekend. And they have a gluten free menu if you need it!!!

I was recently at a soccer tournament in New Jersey and was looking for a local restaurant where I…read morecould take all of my coaches out for dinner. That's when I came across Fratelli's Restaurant, and it turned out to be one of the best dining decisions I've made in a long time. From the very first phone call to arrange a reservation for a large group, the staff was incredibly kind, friendly, and accommodating. Right away, I had a feeling I had made the right choice. When we arrived, we were immediately impressed by the level of service. The staff had prepared a beautiful table for our group, and from start to finish, the entire experience was exceptional. I'm disappointed that I can't remember all of the servers' names because they truly did an outstanding job. Every one of my guests commented on how delicious the food was. My chicken dish was outstanding--easily one of the best meals I've had in quite some time. The quality of the food, combined with the exceptional service, made for an unforgettable evening. I can't thank the staff enough for everything they did to make our experience so enjoyable. I hope this message reaches the chefs and everyone working behind the scenes because they are incredibly talented and should be proud of the work they do. I'm not sure when I'll be back in the area for another tournament, but one thing is certain: anytime I am nearby, I will absolutely be making a reservation at Fratelli's. A huge thank you to everyone for providing such an amazing dining experience. If you're looking for a great restaurant, Fratelli's is a must-visit. You will not be disappointed.

How much good can I say about this most excellent of restaurants. Its more like...going home again…read more The family the food the atmosphere. Never disappoints. We take everyone to Albertinos. Family from out of town, friends, business . We celebrate milestones there. Every time it never let's us down.

Best pasta dish!! I've had it table side and from the kitchen and there is a difference! Table…read moreside hands down is the way to go. Beautiful decorated for the holidays. The veal dish was okay but nothing I would order again. The only thing I didn't really like was they adding the tip for a party of two. Didn't feel that was necessary. Nor did the waiter explain to our table that there was a set menu option for a set price.

The food, service & staff are amazing…read more The food, service & staff are amazing The food, service & staff are amazing

Came here with a group of six a couple weeks ago. I love the ambience and overall feel of the…read moreplace, very casual, but classy - would be perfect for a date. The prices were mostly reasonable, though you should make sure to ask about the pricing on any of the specials. They advised us we had to have their fixed price menu, which meant they brought out a series of appetizers, and everyone chose an entrée, but as it turned out many of the entrées, including the specials, had significant surcharges which they did not mention. A couple of the items, like the grilled calamari and the smoked mozzarella, were standouts. A couple others, like the pork ossobuco special and the seafood pasta special were very good, but not great. A few too many of the items, however, were less good, like some flavorless baked mushrooms, and some overcooked mussels. Maybe a function of being presented with a wide array of items and thus receiving some of the weaker ones on the menu, but I expected a little more from the food given the ratings.

Our first visit to Dolce Fantasia, and it will not be the last. My wife and I attended the Beer,…read moreWine and Spirits event in Asbury earlier in the day and decided to stay in town for an early dinner. Even though they only opened at 5pm, there was already a lively crowd at 5:30. We started with Polpettine Di Pollo, organic chicken meatballs with bell pepper, garlic, spinach and pomodoro. The order was large and delicious! Piping hot as well. Carol chose the Pappardelle al Telephono Nostro, house made pasta, mozzarella, tomato-cream sauce and fresh basil. this was a large order and my wife loved it. I chose the Tortelloni alla Bergamasca, veal tortellini with black truffle and rosemary veal reduction. Excellent as well! Dessert consisted. of a shared Pistachio Creme Brulee that was perfect. The restaurant is BYOB and I recommend making a reservation. Our server, Khrystna, was superb

Asbury Park is one of my favorite food towns, and a huge reason is because it still has the ability…read moreto pleasantly surprise me. Case in point - this restaurant has apparently been in the downtown area for several years and I had no idea. I stopped by here for lunch on Memorial Day with the Millennial Chum, and in a totally risky move, didn't make a reservation anywhere and just decided to wing it. The Millennial Chum's only requirement was that it be a place neither one of us had been to before, so after a very quick search/walk, we noticed this place and also decided we had a hankering for Italian. Done. I don't know how to describe the interior, but "yellow" and "modern" comes to mind. This isn't a stodgy white tablecloth kind of place; it's vibrant and hip, I'm sure trying to capture that classic Asbury demo. Really unique. The weather was a little meh, which worked in our favor - although there was a decent amount of foot traffic in the downtown area 70% of which were pooches, only one other table was occupied in here. We were able to sit down and were served very promptly. We were both very intrigued by one of the apps on the verbal specials menu - mango burrata, which sounded like sort of a mess, but also worth a try. Definitely more of the latter. Never would have thought to combine these two ingredients together, but it was really excellent and an interesting palate pairing. The presentation was solid as well, and this...didn't last long, although given that we both ordered entrees perhaps we should have been more responsible in that regard. Something I'd recommend for the regular menu in the future for sure. A lot of the entrees looked interesting and pretty authentic; this isn't just spaghetti and chicken parm (I'm not actually sure either was even on the menu). The one that emotionally spoke to me the most was the Pappardelle (one of my fave pastas and always pleased to see it) Al Telefono Nostro. Really hit the spot, and as you can see a really hardcore portion. The tomato cream sauce was light and flavorful, and the only nitpick I had (just a personal palate preference) was the inclusion of the sliced tomatoes. I'm sure a ton of people love those, and it basically adds a level of authenticity to the dish that a barbarian like me just can't quite appreciate. I made sure the Millennial Chum had a few tomato pieces though. Really good dish and would order it again. Honestly not sure what possessed us to even look at the dessert menu much less actually order from it, but I thought Oreo Tiramisu sounded interesting, despite the Millennial Chum's yowling that she despised tiramisu. It turns out she doesn't, because once this dish arrived she happily helped herself and decided that her opinion on tiramisu was likely based on a traumatic/misleading childhood incident. Bare minimum, this place gets solid marks for rewriting history for her in the Italian dessert department. But it WAS delicious, which was a theme of our meal. The service was top-notch; our waitress was over regularly and had a strong command of the menu (which I think deserves bonus points, given that this was not Americanized and it helped to have a metaphorical lifeguard helping us navigate some of the trickier stuff; I studied abroad in Florence over 20 years ago, but you'd never know it). Very pleasant. BIg recommend; not a ton of establishments under the radar in Asbury, but this might be one of them.