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    IL Monello

    4.3 (329 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order IL Monello Takeout or Delivery

    IL Monello Photos

    IL MONELLO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - IL Monello

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    Reviews With Photos

    Branzino
    Brad B.

    The outdoor area is beautiful. Indoor is a bit cramped so outdoor sitting is essential to get a great experience. We started with a pasta to split a Burrata ravioli and Bolognese sauce delicious. The tuna was great the veal and lemon caper sauce with artichokes was tender and delicious. Now the bad part the service was horrible. We were the only people in the restaurant and three waiters literally just stood there looking at us we had to ask the menu three times we had to ask for the check three times which took over 20 minutes, Martino the owner who is a character and a great guy felt so bad that he bought us a round of drinks. I know he will probably never do this, but if he modernize his ordering system, a lot of this chaos could be avoided.FYI they now have wines by the bottle and glass so you don't need to go to liquor store anymore.

    Turbot
    Zagat R.

    My fiance and I came here for a quick lunch and left feeling like we just had an authentic meal at our Italian godfather's house! The hospitality here is beyond! The owner Martino is attentive to every detail in the dining experience, he was even the one that served us the complimentary shaved Parmesan cheese (see video), which was probably the best parm I've ever tried literally melts in your mouth! We were pleasantly surprised to see turbot (the BEST white flaky fish) on the menu as you rarely see it offered at restaurants. We gave our compliments to the owner for having it on menu but didn't order it and he brought us a complimentary turbot (also pictured) to enjoy anyway! If you want an authentic, detail-oriented, and delicious Italian meal then you NEED to eat here! We will be returning with friends and family for sure.

    Owner is so friendly. staff is great. Food and service is so much better than cafe azzuro down the street

    Complimentary starters. Marinated Zucchini and salami. Comes with a slice of fresh Parmesan and toasted bread.
    Nancy S.

    Wonderful lunch experience!! This is the first time we've been to a restaurant in 2 years or since Covid started. We're still being careful despite being vaccinated. This restaurant has excellent, socially distanced patio seating! The patio is right on the street and nice for people-watching. We chose Il Monello because they are one of the few open on Mondays in this area and by the menu choices. My friend was visiting from Hawaii and said there are no good Italian restaurants and was craving some great Italian here in NJ. She was not disappointed!! The prices are spot on!! In all honesty, I read some reviews that said the service was rude, but I found the waiters to be very friendly!! They had a somewhat dry sense of humor that not everyone appreciates. I say lighten up and smile. Complimentary Starters: While browsing the menu, they brought over the 50lb Parmesan cheese wheel and sliced off a nice, long, thin piece for each of us, some salami, toasted Italian bread, and marinated zucchini. It was a delicious combination! Appetizers: We ordered the Spiedini Alla Romana. It's similar to Mozzarella en Carrozza but with anchovies and capers with a lemon wine sauce. If you're leery or say you don't like anchovies, don't worry. You don't see or taste them, but they enhance the saltiness. It was delicious! Main entrees: My daughter is a vegetarian, so there were limited options for her. The waiters weren't too sure about the soups having vegetarian broth, so she decided to get the Fettuccine Alfredo with sweet peas. She enjoyed it. I did taste it, and I thought it could have used a bit more salt, but I love salt. My friend had Linguine alle Vongole (linguine with clam sauce). There was a choice of red or white sauce, and she chose the white sauce. I've always wanted to try this dish but never had the courage to. Another delicious dish! My friend loved it, and it satisfied her Italian yearning! Finally, I had the Veal Parmigiana. OMG! It was the best and most tender veal I've ever had! I could have cut it with a fork, and I'm not kidding!!! The portion sizes were just right on all the entrees. The red sauce had nice chunks of garlic and was not too sweet. I brought my husband home the Rigatoni Bolognese with braised veal, lamb, and beef. He said the flavor was better than any he's had before, and the pasta was done perfectly. I also brought home the Short Rib Meatball appetizer, which was on the specials menu. I'll go back just for them alone!! I know I sound so excited with this review, but this restaurant was THAT good. Maybe not going to a restaurant in two years could have something to do with it, but the food is truly excellent as well as the service!

    Barb S.

    After writing a terrific review we made reservations a few weeks later. My apologies for not sharing this experience sooner. We arrived on time and were seated outside since the weather was still warm. Within no time people started arriving (apparently without reservations) and they started shifting tables to accommodate the newcomers. Our table was shifted so much we found ourselves in a corner. They put the complimentary appetizer on the table and then ignored us. The waiter finally came to take our order and asked if he could bring another helping so we agreed. We were so close to the other tables we could not help hearing everyone's conversations. The service was terrible and the waiter had an attitude. When we got our check they added a charge for the second complimentary appetizer and said the second one was at a price. Perhaps if service was attentive we would have had the appetizers we ordered in a timely manner. All in all shame on Martino as reservations are made for a reason. We were terribly disappointed.

    Creme Brûlée Cheesecake- outstanding!!
    Cat M.

    What a wonderful, romantic place to enjoy dinner! If you go in the winter, there is a cosy fireplace that is REAL - I never see a real fireplace anymore! If you go in the warm weather, the place has a lovely outdoor patio in the front. The service is amazing - immediately after you sit, they are there to open wine, get water, & put out the bread & the great apps they give you for free! You get salami, a spicy zucchini saute, & some large shaving of cheese from a cheese wheel that is rolled out on a cart! The food is always amazing - if you love bolognese - get it! There are lots of specials - I find it hard to remember - wish they were written down. The caesar salad split is quite large & the dressing is homemade. We enjoyed the escargot app & it was prepared differently than I've ever had it before but it was yummy - had mushrooms in some kind of a cream sauce. The pastas are always a great choice along with the seafood & meat. They have some homemade pasta - the crab/lobster ravioli is excellent as well as the burrata one that i enjoyed recently. For dessert, you must get the creme brûlée cheesecake - it is outrageous! And to top off dessert, they wheel a cart out with white Sambuca, homemade black Sambuca, homemade grappa, & limonchello. What a great place!

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Great food, atmosphere & service ! Loved the after dinner drinks and the big wheel of cheese was amazing. We'll be back !

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    4 years ago

    Had a fantastic dining experience. Food was delicious and service was great. I highly recommend joining them for dinner.

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    4 years ago

    Great food and service. One of our favorites places for Italian food. Nice atmosphere too!

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    3 years ago

    Good food and attentive staff. They suffer from small rooms but do have a nice outdoor dining area.

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    5 years ago

    Very cozy and romantic atmosphere. The Italian food and setting is very authentic. The meatballs are to die for!! We loved it!

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    Page 3 of 9

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    Ninety Acres - Dry aged strip loin

    Ninety Acres

    3.8(613 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$$

    Went in expecting an elevated farm-to-table experience for a special occasion and left underwhelmed…read morefor the price point. The vibe itself is confused. The restaurant seems to want to be upscale and elevated, but it's simultaneously overrun with strollers, small children, and even a dog roaming around. At a $340 meal, I don't expect a scene that feels more fast-casual than fine dining. Unfortunately the food didn't make up for it. Dishes felt one-note, leaning too hard on acid and heat without much depth. The peaches were underripe and flavorless despite it being peak season, and the endive was undercooked. For a restaurant built around a farm-to-table, seasonal promise, it felt strangely disconnected from the season. Small thing, but $10 valet at this price point should just be complimentary. If you're considering this spot for a celebration or special occasion, I'd look elsewhere. It's not bad, but it doesn't deliver on what it promises to be.

    Our first visit to this restaurant and have to say I had very mixed feelings! The place is gorgeous…read morebut why in the world do they need to charge $10.00 plus tip to valet park the car!! The food was delicious but overpriced!! The service at the bar was great but the air conditioning is not efficient in that area!! The service at our table for dinner was lacking!! Very nice server but it shouldn't take 25 minutes to get your drinks and have to finally ask another server to get them!!!

    Photos
    Ninety Acres
    Ninety Acres
    Ninety Acres

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    Osteria Morini - TORCIA NERA: squid ink pasta, seppia & shrimp ragù

    Osteria Morini

    3.9(211 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$$

    Daniel was our server . Eddie is the chef . This is a great place to try Cicchetti ( Venetian…read moresmall plates ) They've perfected the small plates with the variety of little bites making you crave more . Cozy dim lit date night kind of vibe . Cute bar set up and spacious dining area . We started with couple of drinks Pear pressure and Fiore spritz which got us going with a bang We ordered a few small plates and a pasta dish 1 .Rosemary sea salt Focaccia with their house olivada 2.Polipo - Charred Octopus with smoked potato celery and olives - 3.Melanzane -Smoked eggplant meatballs -so unique that you will not want the real deal meaty meatballs 4.Prawns in Calabrian chili butter and lemon 5.Gargenlelli with black truffle 6.Orange cake with a pistachio ganache- drool worthy This place is a perfect 10 across all aspects . Food is the highlight and their service top notch. They work wonders with the ingredients to create some delicious food .

    We attended a wedding rehearsal dinner at this location. The food was amazing which was a fest…read moregiven the large size of our party. Everything came out piping hot and tasting great. Favorites were the calamari, spicy and perfectly cooked, spicy campanelle with shrimp, and chicken cutlets (addictively tasty). We were in a side room and our server was hopping. Great service. Drinks were served in a timely manner and were well made. I had an old fashioned with Woodford bourbon (OK I had two) and they were properly made. When in the area the next time, I would not hesitate to visit again.

    Photos
    Osteria Morini - Interiors at Morini

    Interiors at Morini

    Osteria Morini - Happy Hour Tigelle Sandwiches
The Coppicolla:
shaved parmesan, dressed arugula

    Happy Hour Tigelle Sandwiches The Coppicolla: shaved parmesan, dressed arugula

    Osteria Morini - Interior dining room at Morini

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    Interior dining room at Morini

    Sette - Pennette alla Norma

    Sette

    4.4(148 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$$

    We were able to get to Sette as we were visiting in Morristown…read more As we searched found this highly ranked Yelp reviews. We set up a 9 pm reservation. We arrive and the place is tiny. Actually a 2 person show. Either MGR./owner greeted us and offered where to sit. The venue is small and quaint. It is BYOB and the waitress came back to open wine and offer sparkling or tap. We started off with the gentlemen recommendation of bruschetta. It arrived and it came out warm. My wife was ok with it. Me I liked it. Next up we split a bolongese tagliatelle pasta dish. A perfect mixture of Veal, beef pork was hands down one of the best bolognese pasta dishes I have ever had. I am first generation Italian and have been blessed in my home. Their bolognese was special. My wife had the chicken dish spinach and potatoes. She liked it thought it was a tad sweet but did like it. I had the pork medallions with potatoes and spinach. Both dishes were cooked perfectly. My pork was a tad sweet but mixed with the potatoes and spinach was terrific We ended up with a lemon dessert that came out warm and was delicious. In addition had another raspberry dessert from establishment and that was delicious. The place is small well lit pretty windows to view. The other patrons were all enjoying their time. No drama and couldn't ask for better patrons. The waitress was excellent and my wife and I truly loved this place. We will be back keep in mind reservations are needed. We were fortunate to score on a Friday. Their are nine tables why reservations are needed. They also offer a prix fix just in case and is reasonable. I will definitely be back and I'm doing that bolognese pasta not on a share but as a main. Terrific place Recommend

    My husband and I were invited to Sette by another couple who are big fans of the restaurant. We…read morewere very excited and thankful for the invite as a place like this can be a little out of our range. The food is pricey for sure, but the food and the experience is certainly worth it. We had reservations for 4 for an early Saturday dinner. We were greeted as we entered and seated right away. The dining area is small so obviously reservations are highly recommended. Our waiter was super lovely. He introduced himself to each of us at the table and asked us some questions. We brought wine and drinks with us and he was very helpful opening everything and keeping our glasses full. For an appetizer we ordered the Burrata and Bruschetta. Both were excellent and a great way to start our meal. Before we ordered our dinner, we were greeted by the manager (owner?) who introduced himself to each of us again and told us the specials. I decided to have the Tagliatelle al Ragu and my husband has the Cosciotto di Pollo. My Tagliatelle was amazing! I loved the pasta and the sauce was so delicious! It wasn't too much pasta where I felt disgustingly full afterwards. It was the perfect amount and the sauce was surprisingly light. My husband loved the chicken thighs he ordered and highly recommends it. Everything was so fresh! After our dinner we ordered a few cappuccinos and desserts. My husband and I shared the Creme Brulee and Panna Cotta. Both again, absolutely delicious. Make sure you save room for dessert when dining at Sette, you won't regret it! Thanks for a lovely couple's out evening. It was greatly appreciated by all of us!

    Photos
    Sette - Inside ambiance

    Inside ambiance

    Sette - Tagliatelle Al Ragù

    Tagliatelle Al Ragù

    Sette - Inside ambiance

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    Inside ambiance

    IL Monello - italian - Updated August 2026

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