Came here for lunch on a weekday. The restaurant was huge and only 3 other tables. Being that this was my first time I'm not sure if it's always like this, but the waiters were extremely attentive I didn't skip a beat. We were treated like royalty. We got a table for 5 and were immediately greeted by our server who preceded to take our beverage orders. Then we were served an anti-pasta plate consisting of olives, hard Italian salami and cheese along with warm bread and butter. This was delightful as I was starving. The specials were too many to remember but I ordered the Seabass over greens. The fish was extremely tender and the lemon garlic sauce complemented the greens and the fish perfectly. Others had the seafood risotto, lobster salad and sausage over broccoli rabe. Everything was delicious and our waiter was fantastic and attentive. This was honestly one of the best sea basses I've had in a while. The owner even popped over to say hello, which was very thoughtful. I was a little confused by the vibe of the inside, even though it was gorgeous. Super sky high ceilings, large windows, a large wraparound bar, and plush seating. I feel it lens itself more to friends or work event dinners versus a date night. read more

Il Villaggio - Risotto with shrimp and mussels. Delish - Italian Near Me - Carlstadt, New Jersey

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Our bank had an employee appreciation party here. The first hour or so we were in the lobby area by the bar as this is what they called the cocktail hour. Then they moved us into another room for the appetizers and drinks. Afterwards they moved us to another room, and I thought that they would serve us food but instead it was just for people to chat. After an hour or so, they let us go into a room to grab food from the buffet which they did not serve a lot of food. I think they could have had a little bit more food to serve to a company that has over 100 people attending. The entire event was all right, but it could have been better. The place was neat and clean with no garbage anywhere as they had staff members come and collect the silverware and garbage. The music was decent, but I think it could have been better. Overall: If this is paid by a company then it is ok to attend; but if you want to come here by yourself then it is not worth the 45-minute drive. read more

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Ralph the owner is great ! Food was excellent tonight. My sea bass was over the top! Service impecable ! Always enjoy the warm atmosphere. read more

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Incredible dinner! Make sure to make a reservation especially on a Saturday evening but it fills up. We ordered the clams oreganata, penne alla vodka, filet, Chilean sea bass, tiramisu and chocolate mouse cake. The Chilean sea bass was amazing. It fell apart and the outside was so crispy. The filet was cooked perfectly and seasoned really well. I didn't think I had room left but the tiramisu was so light, airy and delicious. You could tell it was definitely homemade. The service was outstanding as well! I'd 100% recommend this spot for a special occasion or date night! Can't wait to come back! read more

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Came here early on a Saturday night for dinner. My table ordered the clams oreganata, filet mignon, Chilean sea bass, and penna vodka. Every dish was seasoned well, nothing too salty or lacking seasoning. Our server was incredible, answered any questions we had and made sure that any requests we made when ordering was followed. Service was excellent. We finished with chocolate mousse cake for dessert. It was sweet but not overly rich, it was a perfect way to end the meal. The restaurant is definitely on the pricier side so more of a special occasion type of restaurant. The owner of the establishment was the hostess. He has been with the restaurant for over 40 years and very personable. read more

Il Villaggio - Italian Near Me - Carlstadt, New Jersey

One of the most sophisticated venues I've been to in New Jersey !!!! Service is simply unbelievable, staff is friendly and welcoming Food and food presentation is amazing , everything has so much detail The ambience is sophisticated and romantic too . Beautiful venue and very easy to get to . Recommend a thousand and one times !!! #Spectacular !! read more

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We booked our wedding to be in the catering & events side of the building but wanted to celebrate our 1 year countdown at the restaurant & boy was that the right decision. From the moment we came in the staff was friendly & attentive. A small antipasto was put out with some warm bread immediately after we were seated. The high ceilings and soft instrumental music really set a romantic mood. I got a baileys espresso martini and my fiancé got a whisky sour- excellent. We ordered the buffalo mozzarella special and fried calamari for appetizers. Both items were so fresh and made to perfection. For our entrees I got the short rib special with mushroom risotto and he got the serloin NY strip.. every other bite we were singing the chefs praises. We ended the night with decaf capacious, a creme brulee, & a slice of NY cheesecake. Phenomenal experience from start to finish & are assured we made the right choice for our big day next year. read more

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The food was amazing!! I had the veal chop with roaster peppers, mushrooms,and garlic I asked for medium rare and it was cooked perfectly! We also had the veal rack which was pounded and stuffed with prosciutto and cheese. My sister had the seafood with a side of troife pasta and s he e loved it! The waiter was very professional and alert to our needs. As far as the place it was amazing with high ceilings, large chandeliers, white linen table cloths. It is one that f the best Italian restaurants I have been to!! read more

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We had our wedding at Il Villaggio and it was absolutely amazing from start to finish. The ambiance was beautiful and elegant, setting the perfect tone for the entire night. The food was outstanding--our guests are still talking about it--and the staff was incredibly attentive, professional, and made everything feel seamless. The hospitality really stood out and made everything stress-free and enjoyable. We couldn't have asked for a better venue to celebrate such a special day. Highly recommend! read more

Came here to celebrate an early anniversary with my husband. The venue itself is beautiful and very close to where we live. We have driven past that many times and have wanted to try their restaurant. As soon as we got into the property, the landscaping is gorgeous. They have valet service and to get to the front of the venue you drive under what felt like a gorgeous canopy of greenery and flowers. When you enter, there are beautiful, large chandeliers and light fixtures with a gorgeous bar (picture) with the restaurant to the right. We were greeted warmly, and as we walked through a restaurant, all of the servers greeted us hello. They had a very professional staff and the food was top-notch. We ordered drinks that came out very quickly as well as the lump crab meat cocktail to start. It was delicious and flavorful and we were happy we didn't order more because we wound up getting very full from our entrées. Tonight my husband had the veal special that came with a veal chop stuffed with prosciutto with a mushroom sauce. I chose the Bronzino special that came on a bed of sautéed spinach. We also ordered the truffle mashed potatoes as a side, which perfectly complemented both of our meals. I had no room for dessert but opted for a espresso martini which I regretted ordering at the onset lol A beautiful dinner in a romantic setting. Definitely would recommend the establishment. Top-notch service, a gorgeous venue, and delicious food. Thank you, I'll Villaggio read more

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The food and service was amazing. Especially the lobster mango salad and the Bronzino. The lamb chops were so tender.

Came to IL Villaggio for a wedding and it was fabulous. I've passed this venue a million times and this is the first time attending an event. From the moment you are directed inside, by your Valet, you are treated like royalty. The decor is aesthetically pleasing, the food is delicious, the restrooms are immaculate, and the service is amazing. Throughout the entire celebration, the attention to detail was noticed, admired, and appreciated. Every single dish was cooked to perfection, well presented, and everyone enjoyed every bite. I am very glad that I got to experience how IL Villaggio handled every aspect of our gathering and I highly recommend it. read more

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Il Villaggio went above and beyond to make my daughter's 18th Birthday spectacular. Chris, Ralph, and the staff were so accommodating to our needs. The food was excellent and the presentation was top notch. We have gotten so many compliments on her party and it's all because of Chris and the guidance at Il Villaggio. If you planning on having a party in New Jersey don't hesitate to give Il Villaggio a call. They will treat you like family just like they did for me. read more

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Food was fair not for the price we've paid. The service was good. The ambience find it should've been more elaborate for the price we've paid for our food. The entrance foyer was nice. The room we were given was plain nothing special I will not go back there. read more

Amazing food, impeccable service and a beautiful restaurant ! Will be back when I'm in the area

Food is Fantastic, I don't give out many 5s but this place doesn't have a dish that you can order and that you wouldn't enjoy so take that for what it is, Penne Vodka, Chilean Seabass, chicken and veal parm, even there French fries are amazing, just be prepared to spend some money but it's amazing read more

We recently threw my daughter's Bridal Shower at the restaurant. Chris the banquet manager went beyond for us. His suggestions for our menu were perfect. All the guests raved about the food and the desserts. Sean was our bartender and he made the best Cosmos!! And last but not least there is Ralph the owner. He cannot be a better host!! For your next event, go check out Il Villagio. You will not be disappointed. Instead you will be amazed!! read more

Il Villaggio - Italian Near Me - Carlstadt, New Jersey

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Great soups! Nice pasta dishes! Fresh ingredients and healthy portions. Nice restaurant bar tender that makes a great chocolate martini cocktail! read more

I visited Il Villaggio earlier in the week and purchased a gift certificate as a Christmas gift only to be here on a Saturday evening with an old friend. Located on Route 17 in Carlstadt, the venue is impressive as it also host weddings and other events. The inside has a luxury appeal with a large lobby area and bar area as well as a spacious dining area and valet parking. All the waiters are smartly dressed in black tuxedos and the service is impeccable. They know the specials by heart and they do have a rather extensive menu and wine list. I opted for the specials which was an Avocado/Shrimp salad of sorts which was fantastic and the seafood Linguini special with shrimp in a wine sauce, again it was excellent. I also had an Iced Tea and a Cappuccino as well. This is a high-end restaurant and most patrons were in a tie & jacket or at least a sport coat. You can tell they have a regular Saturday crowd as the room was about 75% full. They have tables of 2, 4 and 6 and they also accommodate larger parties. There is great attention to detail and the volume of choices is impressive. Il Villaggio is expensive, but worth it. There is a sense of comfort and intimacy with high ceilings and smartly decorated for the holiday season. A great location, il Villaggio will impress any first time patron. There are many great choices and selections for Italian fine dining. Add Il Villaggio to your restaurant bucket list. STRONGLY RECOMMEND. read more

Very lovely restaurant with excellent selection food choices for everyone... just have to pay attention to the server listingthe numerous specials for the evening... it was so hard to decide as everything sounded so good! the steak choices did seem a little empty on the plate without any sides for the price but they were well done... had the seafood risotto special ab's it was divine! Have to come back to try something else read more

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Good morning Chris on this humid Tuesday. On behalf of my husband, we are grateful that we had a good partnership in planning our 40th anniversary. Our guests are first timers at Il Villaggio. They are highly praised for the food and the service. I thank you so much for your attention to every detail. I made the right choice to celebrate our milestone in Il Villaggio. I pray that you, your wife and your children will forever be favored by God. During the party, everyone tasted and saw the goodness of the Lord. Blessing to you Chris. read more

We recently had our daughter's 30th birthday party at Il Villagio. Chris and his entire team did an outstanding job making everything perfect. The room and decorations looked like a million dollars and the food was absolutely delicious. Chris and his staff were constantly monitoring the event and made everything perfect. We are big foodies and have dined at some of the best restaurants in the NYC metro area and throughout Europe and can easily say that this is the venue you want to pick for amazing food, glamorous decor and outstanding service! Joe & Rosaria Latour NJ & GA read more

We planned a surprise 70th birthday celebration for my wife. The entire planning took about 6 months. We had to keep it a secret. Through it all Chris worked with us. Since we are vegetarians Chris and his team not only catered to our needs but went beyond by including some vegan options also. The service was excellent as was the ambiance and the food. Everyone who was there about 100 of us loved the food, ambiance and the service. Many couldn't believe a place like this was in their backyard and remarked for their events this would be the place of choice. Thank you Chris and your team for making this special event so memorable for all of us. read more

My friend and her husband had their wedding reception here!! The atmosphere is amazing. The artists art pieces throughout the entire franchise is breathtaking. It's a bar area in every room with seating available. Service was immaculate. Staff was extremely attentive and friendly and remain professional and happy throughout the entire time of the venue. The food and drinks where delicious. Very elegant read more

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The ambiance here is beautiful. I love the beautiful flowers when you walk in. We've had multiple parties here. The rooms are very nice! We were here last week for dinner & the food was good. The French martini was great. read more

It's so nice going to a restaurant that makes you feel special ! The place is beautiful, service amazing. Where can you go these days where the waiters are dressed in jackets and bow ties. Not to mention amazing food read more

Il Villaggio - Beautiful Christmas decor - Italian Near Me - Carlstadt, New Jersey

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I have passed by many times but never had an occasion where u til last night. I was pleasantly surprised once I stepped inside because the outside is rather plain and doesn't hint of the tasteful and elegant inside. The front door opens to a lovely atrium area adorned with a huge flower arrangement in an urn with a bar and seating area. It is lovely tan and brown marble with bronze lighting fixtures and comfortable and booth seating. The food was done very very well. In stark contrast to a wedding I went to at a different well known catering hall a few weekends ago, the buffet was on point. The fried calamari was brought out small trays at a time often so that it remained crispy on the buffet. The cheese was delicious and actually tasted like cheese. The chicken franchise was tasty of lemons and butter and not overdone or mushy. The coating wasn't falling off in a wet heap like we sometimes see. The salads were fresh and delicious. The roasted peppers were certainly made in house because they had roasted flavor with brown grill marks and the garlic slices tasted like freshly sauced garlic. The drinks were on point. The bartender assured me she could make a good old fashioned, and indeed she did! I highly recommend this place read more

Il Villaggio - a group of men sitting at a table - Italian Near Me - Carlstadt, New Jersey

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Just had my spouses 50th Birthday Celebration at Il Villaggio. I am so grateful to Chris and his team for providing such a wonder (very classy) atmosphere with amazing food. We had the butler service passed Hors d'oeuvres with the cold table for the cocktail hour and buffet with 2 carving stations for dinner. TRUST me, no one will leave hungry! I've been going to Il Villaggio for many many years which is why i selected them for this celebration. Chris and his team have my highest recommendation! read more

So we travel here from about 200 miles away Just to come here. We have done it now 4 years in a row and we are never let down. The staff is amazing and the food is perfect. I highly recommend if you want a great experience and amazing atmosphere. read more

Food was really good but really pricy so good for a celebration. Portions really small for the price I was still hungry after but as I said it's a place to celebrate. It was hard to give a 4 star due to the price and portions of the food but would say easy 3.5 3.7, waiter was really good and for a place like this it was expected and he did great. Interior is very nice and clean and not much else to say. This is a place to impress clients dates etc. read more

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The food and drinks are first rate and the employees make us feel like family. The restaurant and bar are truly inviting and absolutely complement the incredible food and service. It is my family's favorite place to celebrate special events. read more

I had a very good experience here as a wedding guest. I was in the bridal party and hadn't eaten since the morning. Upon arrival, I was so grateful to be greeted by a "pre-cocktail hour cock tail hour" The bridal suite was the best I've ever been in. I was v impressed with the stocked fridge and plates the staff brought up. The server of the staff in the bridal suite was attentive and helpful! Extremely expensive for what you get. read more

Il Villaggio - Filet mignon - Italian Near Me - Carlstadt, New Jersey

I am a wedding planner that worked with Chris and his team at the Il Villaggio for a wedding this past Sunday. They are absolutely amazing! His team took direction and maintained excellent communication throughout the entire day. Working with them made my job so much easier. I saw Chris and his team go above and beyond for my client. They ensured that the ceremony room and ballroom were absolutely breathtaking for the couple and guests to walk into. His team ensured that I had everything I needed and we could collectively made sure the decor met the couple's standards. And the food was delicious. You really get the most value for your money with a place like the Il Villaggio. read more

WOW! Just WOW! I don't know how else to say it I was completely taken back by this restaurant. I don't think I have ever left a fire star review for any of the restaurants I have reviewed on yelp, this will be my first . On 11/18/23 my dining experience was forever changed at II Villaggio. This would be my first and definitely not my last visit to this fantastic restaurant. We had a reservation (strongly recommended) for six people around 8 pm the restaurant was busy and there were a handful of people at the bar. I was completely taken back by the grand atrium as we walked in. We were greeted by a gentleman wearing a chefs jacket and apron, to whom I was introduced to by my friend, it was the owner of the restaurant. This speaks volumes to me when the owner of a restaurant is in the back of house helping expedite and cook I know I'm in the right place. We get to our table in a very grand dining room with high ceilings. The lighting and ambiance was absolutely perfect, it wasn't to dark and it wasn't to loud like other restaurants I have been to. We ordered a few bottles of wine and some drinks before dinner which were perfect. We had 3 Makers Mark Manhattan's and a bottle of Pinot Grigio along with a bottle of red zinfandel which was a game changer. Usually when you order a red wine at most restaurants it's served right at room temp and not chilled at a perfect thirty-eight to forty degrees, at II Villaggio it is that's attention to detail. Our waiter came over and greeted us with a very extensive house specials list for starters and main courses and it was lengthy. What really impressed me is that he did it from memory no notes no lists there had to be ten to twelve items on the specials menu. Everyone at our table ordered from the specials menu for both starters and main courses, it's house specials for a reason! Appetizers come out and they were all outstanding! We looked like a bunch of little kids in the school cafeteria sharing lunches. We were all so very taken back by the quality and flavor spectrum of the appetizers we couldn't wait for the main course. Our main courses came out and did not disappoint! You first eat with your eyes then your nose, then your mouth, remember that. I have to say this the Ossobuco was by far the best one I have ever had before hands down. The halibut special my wife ordered was yet again probably the best I have ever had. The duck breast was so tender and juicy it was unbelievable. The flavors bouncing around from plate to plate made this dinner such a delightful experience. We ordered desert, however I can't tell you what it was it's a secret and not on the menu. However I can tell you this, it was absolutely phenomenal!!!! The chef and his team really know what they're doing here. The owner should be very proud of what he has built over the last almost forty years. If I were you I would definitely make the trip you not be disappointed I promise! I would like to personally thank the owner and his amazing staff for the amazing experience I had last night. Everything was spot on! read more

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Great food. My jobs Christmas party was here and food was amazing and creme brûlée was the best.

I had my wedding here on August 13th and I am so happy that I chose this place as my venue. Chris was an absolute angel who helped me with all of my questions and requests. From organizing my first tour, to my tasting, to the rehearsal he was there every step of the way to ensure my wedding was exactly what I wanted. He will also refer vendors if you need help with a florist, Dj, etc. My guests all raved about the food - super kudos to the chef! They also packed up some of the cocktail hour food to go for my husband and I to take with us, which was super thoughtful and needed since there was hardly any time for us to eat between hosting and photos. The venue itself is absolutely beautiful and the led lighting is a great touch. Everything about the evening was perfect and my make up artist was running behind so I asked to switch the cocktail hour before the ceremony and they had no issue accommodating us - which is appreciated because we all know that unexpected things can happen on important days like this and having some flexibility can make or break an experience. I would definitely say if you are considering this place for your event - BOOK TODAY!! You will not regret it - we had such a fun wedding and this experience was pretty much stress free in terms of venue and catering. Our cake was also included and absolutely beautiful!! read more

I could not be more satisfied with this magnificent venue for my wedding. At Il Villaggio, the food was amazing, the service was excellent and the decor of the venue was spectacular. It has a built in lighting system in the grand ballroom with a balcony and raised area that featured us at our sweetheart table. Chris B. the event director was extremely accommodating and a pleasure to work with. He made my big day stress free, running like clockwork. I changed my mind about a few things throughout the process prior to my wedding and Chris was very flexible and helpful. Everyone had a great time & I thank all staff at Il Villaggio, especially Chris B. for his expertise & professionalism. Ty read more

All of the staff at the Il Villaggio were wonderful. They truly made our wedding an exceptional experience that we will not forget. Everyone was attentive to details of our wedding and went above and beyond to ensure that our wishes for our big day were completed. I would highly recommend having your wedding (or any other event) at the Il Villaggio. You will certainly not regret it. read more

Tried this place earlier this month on a recommendation. Was not disappointed. The place is beautiful. Loved the red velvet chairs. High ceilings and tapestries added to a very sumptuous feel. Having eaten recently in several places that needed sound dampening or where we had to actively ask them to turn down the music so we could hear each other talk, Il Villaggio was a welcome relief. Service was overall excellent. The only drop on that was towards the end of the evening when we were trying to get the check to close out. Somehow, right at that point our waiter got busy with other tables and was slow to check on us. I really enjoyed my meal. To start with, bread was nice. And, they brought a small complimentary antipasto plate with salami, olives and cheese. Before going, I had read reviews and looked at photos, and was prepared to order the risotto special if it was offered. I was happy when the waiter mentioned it. I think they may have the same "specials" every night which are simply regular off-menu offerings. It did not disappoint! Spectacular amount of seafood. Delicious flavor. I was really happy. My daughter and I had split the lobster mango salad (also on special) as appetizer. It was $26, but plenty enough for 2 people. All the seafood dishes offered amazing portions, quite reasonable for the price (not like some places that give you 4-5 shrimp). The flavor of the salad was ok, not great, but maybe I just prefer my lobster dipped in butter! My daughter had a shrimp and clam pasta that she really enjoyed. My other daughter had the filet mignon, which my husband- a steak snob- said was one of the best he'd tasted. I think he wished he'd ordered that instead of the chicken parm, which didn't stand up to others he's had. The steak came completely ala carte on the plate, but our waiter had mentioned that complimentary croquettes would also be brought to the table, and there were enough of them that we didn't order any side for the daughter's steak. Another member of our group was not impressed with his lobster bisque. Dessert was chocolate lava cake with a scoop of ice cream ($10). Loved that too! I had a mini bottle of Prosecco ($12) that gave me about 2 glasses worth. Overall, I thought the prices were reasonable, and I appreciated the complimentary antipasto and croquettes. The one thing that seemed maybe a little high in price were some of the appetizers (like $18 for fried calamari) so we passed on that. But, as I said, portions were large, we all took leftovers, and we were all full. Between the atmosphere, service, and food, it was a terrific evening at Il Villaggio, and I will definitely be going back. read more

Il Villaggio - Risotto special w/ mussel, shrimp and scallop - Italian Near Me - Carlstadt, New Jersey

The food is high quality, beautiful atmosphere. Great place for a romantic date or important business lunch or dinner. Service is impeccable. You get what you pay for is true. I had the Bronzino it melted in my mouth it was delicious. My guest had the mussels and shrimp. The portions are excellent. The place has an elegant feel, dressed to impress. They have valet parking which was actually a good thing as the parking lot is narrow. If you are looking for a restaurant with great food, table clothed high end atmosphere and you are willing to pay for the experience check this place out. read more