Went to Clarizio's Italian Ristorante and I'm still thinking about this meal closing my eyes…read moretonight. I ordered the pork chop and I swear it melted in my mouth faster than my paycheck disappears on Amazon. Perfectly cooked, juicy, and seasoned so well I almost stood up and applauded in the middle of the restaurant. Then came dessert... the cannoli cake. Whoever invented that deserves their own national holiday. Out of this world doesn't even describe it. I took one bite and immediately started questioning every other dessert I've ever eaten in my life. The staff was awesome, the atmosphere was great, and honestly I'd probably fight a small bear for another slice of that cake.

This past Saturday night was my husband and my first time dining at this restaurant even though we…read moredo live locally. Many of our friends have recommended Clarizio's to us but every time we gave thought about coming it has been particularly difficult to get a reservation on a Saturday night. I was working late on Saturday, so I was unaware that my husband was able to make a reservation for 8:30PM. Reservations are not made through Open Table. Instead, Clarizio's website send you to another site called Resy to make a reservation. What was shocking and disappointing is that Clarizio's hold your credit card number to secure the reservation and if you don't show a $25 fee is charged. My husband was so worried that they were going to count us as a no show because we were running a little late. He even tried to call to inform them that we were running late, but no one answered the phone. Luckily, Clarizio's called us because we were about 10 min late to inquire our whereabouts and we had just turned into the restaurant parking lot. Upon arrival, the hostess took us to a table set for 2 in a crowded dining room with all other tables holding large parties. Although it was crowded it did not take away anything from our wonderful dining experience! Our waiter John P was extremely nice and helpful especially after he learned that it was our first time dining here. Unfortunately, I was unaware that it was BYOB because I was working and was unable to check the website. Our waiter John eased our minds by saying that it was okay and that we would have to rely on their food to make a good impression. That certainly was no disappointment! Our food was so terrific, that we cannot wait to return and taste so many other delicious sounding items on their menu. John also told us that unless we have huge appetites, their entree portions were large enough to share. We were glad to take John's suggestion and shared the Zuppa di Pesce which was plentiful of shellfish in a tomato broth over angel hair pasta. We have had this dish in many other Italian restaurants and this was one of the best! This entree also came with one salad and I asked for an extra salad for me since we were sharing the entree. Not to go unnoticed was the crunchy outside and soft inside delicious bread. For dessert, we shared the Tiramisu suggested by John as it was his personal favorite. It was so light and flavorful that we too could make it our personal favorite! All in all this was a fabulous dining experience and I highly recommend this restaurant! Next time though, I will remember to bring a bottle of wine.

I stopped in at this local pizzeria and got dinner. When I arrived I parked in the plaza lot. I…read morewalked in and was greeted! I sat in the dining area. I ordered: Mussels Marinara Thin Crust Pizza Olives Bolognese Penne Shrimp Scampi Linguini Detroit Style Cheesesteak Pizza The food was really tasty with the Detroit Style Pizza being my favorite! It was sooo tasty! All in all a great experience!

Absolutely the best bar pies!! Only downside is we had requested double cut and they said they…read moredon't do that. I'm not sure how difficult it is to do 4 more pass through of the pizza cutter. But pizza was delicious for sure!

My last review was 2017- but I've ate here here probably 40 times since then and every time the…read morefood has been fantastic. It's usually just my hubby and I. Dinner always 100% delicious. We started with the meatballs, hubby had the calzone, which to me is really a two meal dish and 1/2 half goes home... I'll get back to that. I like the white clam sauce with linguine it's delicious, it's another large portion and 1/2 went home with us.... because they have zeppoles YES!!! Now they are light, airy and have tons of powdered sugar on them and I am ok with that- if you need a sauce they come with chocolate sauce on the side- my husband likes them this way--- but I prefer raspberry sauce myself, I'm not Italian and I have been told by my hubby's family and Italians it's powdered sugar only and if you need sauce, would chocolate or Nutella be allowed! ! end of discussion lol- .......but here I am sitting on my couch eating "our" zeppoles with powdered sugar and raspberry sauce, typing on my keyboard with powdered sugar fingers!! and he's legit cringing !! BAWAWAWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (EVIL REDHEAD LAUGH)

I pass by here so many times on my way home finially decided to stop in?…read more The staff was very friendly , and seated us right away! The server brought us bread . Bread was kinda dry so not my favorite and wasn't a fan of the oil that it came with , just felt blan , maybe an infused oil or butter would have been better ! We ordered from the happy hour menu , got crab poppers and boneless wings. The server was nice helping me choose a sauce that worked for me. The wings were very good but I wouldn't consider the prices happy hour prices at all! We also ordered Zuppa do pesce with garlic cream sauce instead of the plum and it was definitely very good! The interior was nice , more of a relaxing Italian vibe!

Here in Farmingdale, you will find an Italian ristorante that is unlike all the others…read more Brand: 4/5 While L'Olivia Pizzeria and Ristorante is not the only Italian restaurant around the block, it does differentiate itself with a more prestigious aesthetic, from the cursive font to the opaque interior and the paintings along the walls. I also do appreciate the flower that stands behind the name of the restaurant as the logo. However, I do think that the fancy aesthetics works too much for the restaurant to the point of exclusion. I confess that I have held reluctance in frequenting L'Olivia thinking that the prices would not be the only things that would exclude me. Website: 5/5 The subtle touches such as the faded images in the background and the entrance of the sections as you scroll down make L'Olivia's website easy and good enough to navigate. I especially like the B-Roll footage of the establishment during its busy hours. Most of the menu items do not have images, however the simple yet effective color scheme outweighs these minute issues. It offers catering and showcases the events taking place there. Ambiance: 5/5 From the opaque tiles and walls to the intricate light shades above, these parts of the establishment gave the experience a soothing vibe. Also, every booth and table had the right amount of space to separate them. I can imagine even in busy, hectic days the ambiance would suffice anyone. The mostly soft classic rock songs playing over the radio, ranging from U2 to Neil Young to the Eagles, made the experience satisfying at the right volume. Accompanied with the rest of the ambiance, the cushy seats and backs of the booths would have made me fall asleep. Service: 5/5 Even before entering the establishment, I felt accommodated. The staff made sure that I got my order specifically tailored. They also brought themselves up to technology with the Clover option of cash or credit, and receipt or no receipt. Wait Time: 5/5 I had no interruptions throughout the time I waited for my order. Food: 5/5 I ordered the eggplant parmigiano entree with beans and potatoes, while excluding the salad and pasta. The eggplant slices held their forms while maintaining a softness so succinct it made cut it with a soft knife easy to do. The well-cooked meal gave off a warm sensation, from the robustness of the eggplants to the filling sauce to the tangy cheese. The potatoes and the beans had a crisp taste. Worth The Money?: 5/5 The food represents L'Olivia well, with its prominent Italian influence making it worthwhile compared to any chain eatery like Olive Garden. Honestly, I cannot tell if the food or the ambiance had the best presentation. The time it took to take my order and prepare it felt appropriate, for I managed to write nearly half a page before it arrived, and nothing in the establishment felt intrusive. I will say that the eggplant parmigiano in a good mood throughout the day, while the ambiance suited me during my writing. So, I will say that the food outweighed every other aspect. As noted before, I thought I would feel unwelcome based on the prestigious aesthetics, but it turned out that my fears had no foundation, since I felt accommodated throughout the experience. The website can in a way satisfy you with its descriptions of Italian dishes in plain terms without coming across as condescending. I did think that the eggplant parmigiano entree had a high price. Would I say that the overall experience made the food worth it? I would absolutely say so. L'Olivia would definitely serve as my first choice if picking an Italian restaurant near me. I do not have any major suggestions to improve the experience. Rating: 5/5 Stars I feel hope for L'Olivia Pizzeria and Ristorante. It may not be the only ristorante in town, but it occupies its own niche with its uniquely soothing environment. Recommend To... Anyone preparing an event or a celebration, especially since the establishment is BYOB. I also recommend if you plan to go during its slower, quieter hours because the calm vibe can ensure that you have a good rest of the day.

A group of 45 went to L'Olivias after a movie. Never been to this restaurant. Everything was setup…read morefor us ahead of time and we had plenty of seating. We had 2 salads on the table: one Insalata Della Casa and one Caesar salad. Both were cold and very fresh. The Italian bread was served hot and the outside was very crisp. They served us Fried Zucchini Sticks, fried Calamari as appetizers. The fried zucchini was hot and delicious. The calamari was fine just right and nut chewy. For main dishes we had Olivia's Rigatoni Vodka, Eggplant Rollatini, Chicken Marsala and sautéed green beans with oven potatoes. Dessert was small cannoli's and biscotti's with hot, strong coffee. There was enough food for everyone and we even took food home. They've been in business for about a year and the owner John is delightful and very accommodating. John' staff did a wonderful job and made sure we had everything we needed and more. Had a wonderful experience at L'Olivias and would go back with my husband for dinner. Good job everyone!

This place is near Route 9 in Howell, NJ. I went there for a private dinner with about 20 people…read more Our dining area was neatly arranged and could accommodate around 20 more people. The service was excellent, with the staff repeating the day's specials multiple times until we made our choices. I tried the Grilled Atlantic Salmon, and it was tasty--you can never go wrong with salmon! The portion size was generous, and I was quite full just with the salmon. I would definitely recommend this place for private dinners and events.

5-Stars from beginning to end…read more I had to plan my MIL Repast- yes it all happens at some point in life- but she is the epitome of perfection when it comes to a MIL. So I made my appointment and met with Danielle & Jerry- the owner was away on vacation, so I did not get to meet him. Anyway we went over the menu and the expected # of guests and set the date and the estimated cost of the luncheon. Day of the luncheon came, tables were beautifully set in a very roomy side room. We BYOB'd it and they had ice waiting for us to chill the wine and bread & butter was on the table. We ordered the following: Appetizers- Calamari, Cold Antipasto and Sausage & Peppers Choice of salad, house or Caesar The Main entrees were choice of 6. Dessert was choice of Cannoli, cheesecake or tiramisu Beverage: Coffee, tea, water, soda Servers were exceptional, smiling, attentive, friendly and although they were very much present, they did not hover, shadow, very professional, considering the occasion- fantastic staff. Food was delicious- everyone commented on the dishes they chose and how much each portion was, huge compliments to the chef and staff. I ordered the shrimp oreganata and I absolutely loved it- I will without a doubt order it again. When it came time to leave, settling the bill was simple and easy, I paid cash for the tip put the rest on my CC . Now I see why so many of my Westlake Residents dine here!! My personal heartfelt thank you to the staff and owners of Christie's for helping my family celebrate the long and beautiful life of such an amazing woman.

My friend lives in the area and had been raving about La Mondina. Our friend group went to dinner…read morehere and had an amazing experience. The restaurant is gorgeous as you can see by the video of that fountain, you feel like you're transported to Italy. But the restaurant isn't just pretty, the food is absolute phenomenal too. Every dish I tried was excellent from the focaccia (one of the best breads I've ever had in my life, to the meatballs and right down got my entree everything was packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. The truffle gnocchi was one of the best Italian dishes I've ever had in my life and the chicken cutlet I ordered on top was also one of the best chicken cutlets I've ever had in my life (don't tell my mom or my wife). Our waitress was super attentive and kind as well so the service doesn't miss either. This might be my new favorite restaurant by the shore, definitely come check it out.

It's too dark - so much so I couldn't see my food. And the club music is obnoxious. For a "fine…read moredining" establishment that's difficult to get in to, I don't think Anyone paying over $200 a meal for 2 Wants to listen to loud club style music Also. The steak this time was charred on the bottom and the potatoes were underdone. Prob won't be going back any time soon unfortunately. The menu needs a revamp IMO.

Excellent place!!!! Great food....pizza and sandwiches; very nice owners who are experienced in the…read moreindustry!!!! Best pizza around! I had a chicken parmesan sandwich last time, which was DELICIOUS!!! Definitely try!!!

The pepperoni pizza was meh. And the the food gave me an upset stomach …read more Delivery took a long time. Plain pizza was ok.

Please stop with all the salt..was there today me my wife and took 3 guests.fried calamari was…read moreredictous salty as was the shrimp parmigiana. Wayyyy to much salt.and 2 guest had the chicken franchise. One on plate and the other on a hero.both said it was very tough chicken.and both guests only ate have there orders.i didn't want to be embarrassed and send anything back.but I been coming there for 4 years now and never had this problem. Please pay more attention to the whats being served...especially all the salt your cooks are implementing. Wayyyy to much.you have alot of elderly people eating there with high blood pressure. Salt can be put in..but it can't be put out.so easy on the salt.and maybe pound out the chicken cutlets so there not as tough. We will be back..Hopefully dont have the same experience. Thank you.

Definitely recommend this place for their food. As for their pizza, it's gotta be one of the worst…read morepizzas I ever tasted in my life. I got a small brick oven pie yesterday. It was so bad I had to throw it away. There was no sauce on it. It was saturated cheese and the crust was so hard. It was truly the worst pizza I ever had in my life. They should be ashamed of themselves serving pizza like that with no effort no care no nothing. It was gross ruined my dinner.

Is this the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to?…read more Actually, yes, it is. And I have been to a lot of Italian restaurants. The wait for a table was 45 minutes, but it was worth every minute. The food was delicious, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was wonderful. We ended up being seated in a back patio room and though it was very hot outside (one of those 100 degree days last summer), it was actually very nice in there. The show started with someone asking for our drink order, then coming back with said drinks. After that she brought out some starts on the house, courtesy of chef and owner Joe. We were off to a great start! Soon after she returned to get our dinner order. After that, Chef Joe himself showed up to our table to thank us for visiting his restaurant and ask how we liked things so far. We let him know those starters were perfect...eggplant balls and a corn/tomato salad. Eventually our dinner came. Both dishes were waaaaaaaay more food than either of us expected. I had ordered chicken with mozzarella squares on top and drizzled in balsamic, which was a special created by Chef Joe's wife, according to the menu. My partner got eggplant parm...and wow, what a pile of food it was. Two huge eggplant pieces piled high with delicious sauce and served with some delectable pasta. Chef Joe came back to the dining room awhile later to ask people how their entrees were, and we let him know this was a great experience. I want to go back to Point Pleasant just to get here again. This time I will make a reservation.

What an experience! Spano's is exactly what you'd want an Italian restaurant to be. The food is…read moreamazing. The customer service is exceptional. The ambiance is perfection. The night started with Joe Spano, the owner, stopping at our table to bring several little dishes before we even had a chance to look at the menu. The meatballs (made with actually no meat but rather eggplant) were pure sorcery...like so good there aren't words. He noticed our wine bottle (it's BYOB so come prepared!), and by pure coincidence, it was his favorite bottle. Joe asked to show another costumer because they had been discussing wines earlier, and he wanted to make sure they got to see the label. If that wasn't personal enough, the walls are adorned with black and white framed photographs of family from back in the day to the present. The environment is clean, well-maintained, and cozy. Every bite we had was exceptional and the portions were huge! We left contently full but with plenty of leftovers. I'm quite sure every meal will exceed the expectations of even the pickiest of eaters. Our server, Brian (or Bryan) was new but attentive and informative. He spent time talking with his tables and being personable while also making sure everyone was taking care of. Overall, I highly recommend experiencing a meal at Spano's at least once....but after your first bite, you'll likely be making your next reservation before you leave (like we saw many people do)!

Excellent food, great service and table was ready within a reasonable time versus reservation.read more

This Italian BYOB is an awesome time. All the food we got was wonderful (the seafood dishes were…read morespecifically fantastic!), the atmosphere is cozy and classic, and the service was phenomenal.