We were a party of 4 last night, with reservations for 6:30PM, seated right at the door in the bar…read morearea. I had my back to the bar, but from what I was able to see this is a very cozy place. Service was quick and attentive, and we did not feel rushed and were able to enjoy a pleasant time chatting. Drinks: the black walnut Manhattan, Fig jam old fashioned, wine , beer and port. Drinks were all excellent, i tasted the Manhattan and enjoyed it over the Fig Jam. For apps: Clams oreganato (the couple with us enjoyed this), flat bread (was much more like pizza than flat bread, but still tasty, per my husband), and on the special New England Clam Chowder which was very good, not too thick and decent and fresh clams in it. Entrees: Shrimp Risotto scampi, very flavorful Risotto cooked perfectly. Two of us ordered the Cajun Mahi Mahi, over spinach with mashed, and 2 shrimp. the Cajun sauce was tasty with the perfect amount of heat, shrimp and mahi-mahi fresh and cooked perfectly. Rigatoni Bolognese which my husband enjoyed and said it was almost as good as my Italian mother's (like a good son-in-law) lol Dessert: Crème Brûlée - Brûlée was perfect, the crème was a little too thick for me. I ate it and enjoyed it, but not the best I've had. My husband ordered the key Lime Pie happy that it did not include nuts in the crust as some do, he thought it was good. Overall we had an enjoyable albeit pricy meal with good service. I would come back if other's wanted to go but it would not be my go to place.

We always have a great experience when we come to this restaurant. The staff are very friendly. The…read moreplace is beautifully decorated and very clean. It is a very large restaurant with plenty of seating either in the main dining room or in the two separate dining areas. They have a great drink and wine by the glass selection and the prices are reasonable for the portion size and the quality of food you receive.

This establishment isn't just a restaurant; it's a delightful journey back to the heart of…read moretraditional Italian cooking, steeped in the rich heritage of Newark, NJ. The pizza is limited to a square pie, cut into small squares. Very thin, very crunchy, quite flavorful. This restaurant is mid sized with about 15 tables, seems to be able to accommodate very easily small and large groups. Also BYOB. Beyond their pizza, the full Italian menu pretty complete., very reasonable pricing. An inexpensive night out for a group of four. Conveniently located just behind the Red Roof Inn, it's an accessible hidden gem. Also plenty of parking. Very casual dining, in an old-school setting. I also noticed they are have a back room equipped for large parties. They also take reservations on busy nights.

Excellent rigatoni vodka and the service was really great as well !! Nice family restaurantread more

Met up with friends for some wood-fired pizza, and this place was perfect for it! The restaurant…read morefeels like stepping into a beautiful log cabin--cozy and intimate for date nights, yet spacious enough for larger groups. They also have a full bar, craft beer and offer much more than just pizza, including vegan options, a great selection of appetizers, salads, handcrafted pastas, plus fish and steak dishes. The menu is really well done. We decided to share a few pizzas since the brick oven was calling our name: Margherita - fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil Pesto Chicken - wood-fired chicken, fresh basil, mozzarella, Fontina, and basil pesto Smokey the Pig - smoked mozzarella, baked prosciutto, field mushrooms, fresh garlic, and EVOO For dessert, we shared the coconut cake. It's plant-based, made with coconut milk and brown sugar, and topped with coconut flakes. The portion was easily enough for four people and absolutely delicious--super fresh and flavorful. Our server, Tara, was wonderful--so sweet and attentive. She checked in often, kept our drinks filled, and made sure we enjoyed everything from the food to dessert. I'll definitely be back to try more dishes!

THE GOOD ----------------…read more+ Sensaaaaaationally delicious food ... and, more specifically, pizza!! ++++ Lacinato Kale and Roasted Squash Salad - Excellllent salad. Lots of kale, but was light and the combination of all of the ingredients were perfect. Red wine vinaigrette was perfect too, not too heavy. ++++ Shroom Pie, Pesto Chicken Pie - Absolutely phenomenal!!!! Some of the best pizza I've had in NJ! So much flavor in both pies. The pies were personal in size, 12", and perfect for 1 person. ++++ Kids Plain Pie - This 12" pie might have been the greatest kids pizza I've everrrrrr, eveerrrrrr had. There was so much flavor in the cheese and pie. It was tangy and the tomato sauce's flavor definitely hit me in allllll of the right spots! ++++ Kids Mac and Cheese - Verrrry, verrrry good as well. Cheese was gooey and it was topped with bread crumbs. It was served in a skillet and didn't come out piping hot, which we appreciated since it was for the kids. + Supppper spacious restaurant with LOTS of tables, including a bar with counter seats. + Waitress was personally friendly and quick. + Large private parking lot. THE NOT SO GOOD ---------------------------- - Sat for 15 minutes before we were tended to by someone while other tables that sat down after us were already getting their orders taken. Only downside to our experience here. MIXED THOUGHTS --------------------------- = Nada. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS -------------------------------------- = Make reservations on their website! The restaurant was extremely busy on the February Saturday evening that we went. We were here from 5:30-7:00 PM and it was bustling with many groups/families. CONCLUSION --------------------

Large portions. Great food. Great service !! Very reasonably priced . BYO. Pietro was our server…read moreand he was great !! Didn't rush us. Can't wait to go back .

As I stepped into the warmly lit dining room, I was immediately welcomed by the hostess's radiant…read moresmile and genuinely cheerful demeanor a delightful first impression that set the tone for the evening. Moments later, we were in the capable and charismatic hands of Maya, our server. She brought not just efficiency, but real joy to the table: quick wit, a warm and friendly vibe, and an infectious passion for the food that made every recommendation feel personal and sincere. Hospitality like hers elevates a meal from good to memorable. We began with the Caesar salad, and it was exactly what a Caesar should be: crisp, balanced, and perfectly executed, with that ideal punch of garlic, anchovy, and Parmesan. No missteps here this was textbook excellence. Next came the meatballs, and they were glorious enormous, tender orbs that instantly transported me back to Sunday dinners at my grandmother's table. Generous in size and soulful in flavor, they were everything you want in a classic Italian meatball. The accompanying tomato sauce was nothing short of velvety luxury: smooth, rich, deeply savory, and so delicious I found myself sneaking extra spoonfuls just to savor it. On a whim, I requested a side of the short rib ragu, and it proved to be one of the standout moments of the night. Braised to fall apart tenderness in what I can only describe as an osso buco style preparation, it mirrored the kind of slow cooked, soul warming short ribs I make at home only better. The depth of flavor was top notch, luxurious without being heavy. For the main event, I went with the chicken Parmesan, and let me tell you; it was the bomb-diggity of chicken parms. Massive in portion (honestly, almost comically large), it arrived golden and crisp on the outside, juicy within, blanketed in that same magnificent tomato sauce and a generous snowfall of melted cheese. Every bite was pure comfort and satisfaction. Congratulations to the kitchen this is how chicken Parm should be done. A lovely surprise came when the chef himself stopped by the table to say hello. That personal touch, combined with the restaurant's charming ambiance lush hanging vines draping overhead like a cozy Italian garden created a wonderfully inviting and relaxed vibe that made the whole experience feel special. I left with generous leftovers, already plotting to pair the short rib ragu with fresh pappardelle pasta at home. From the warm welcome to the passionate service and soul satisfying plates, this was a thoroughly wonderful evening. If you're craving authentic Italian American comfort food served with heart, this place delivers in spades. Highly recommended.

Last year I missed out on the Cucina Calandra Grinch/Christmas experience and I vowed to not let…read morethat happen this year. As soon as I saw that reservations were live, I immediately made mine! I had a Thursday dinner reservation that I eventually needed to cancel and remake for a lunch reservation. Didn't love that I had to go for lunch but oh well. Our reservation was for Noon which meant that they were just opening up for the day and boy were they busy! There were a ton of people coming in for lunch. Getting situated and to our table took a few because of the overwhelming amount of reservations. I booked our table in the Lounge area rather than the dining room and glad I did as it seems to be more festive! Food-wise we ate the Pollo Parm Pizza and the Hot Calamari. Both were good but nothing spectacular. We ordered festive drinks which were $18 each -- a little high but I get it. We skipped on dessert and got dessert drinks instead - I had the Tiramisu Martini which was delightful!

The staff were so nice to us. They came around with play "dough" of leftover pizza dough…read more The vodka pizza was good. The rest of it was mediocre. The cheese bread they brought out in the beginning was amazing. The decor was festive for Grinchmas but it's a separate event to be there when he comes out. It's decent for a restaurant attached to a hotel.

The tiramisu has the perfect coffee and sweetness blend! The ferre roche cake is to best along with…read morethe triple chocolate. The coffee is fresh and creamy.

Palazzone 1960 in Wayne is a wonderful spot if you're looking for high-quality Italian food (lunch)…read moreand pastries. It's a bit small for a dining in spot, but the team more than makes up for it; everyone is incredibly polite, welcoming, and happy to help. The food is fresh and truly outstanding. The bread alone will make you feel like you're in Europe, and the pastries are absolutely delectable and worth every penny. Everything travels well, too, making it a perfect stop for bringing food to a party or gathering. Definitely a go-to spot for quality and authenticity!

We moved back to Jersey a year ago and could not find great pizza. We have finally found it!!!…read more Have been here twice already in a week. The smell of the wood fire as you walk in is amazing. And if you've forgotten a beverage - there's a liquor store across the parking lot!!! Mike is great to speak with as he preps the dough and everyone who comes in is a regular!

Hands down the BEST 00-Style Wood-Fired Pizza in New Jersey…read moreyou're anywhere near Fairfield, stop what you're doing and get to Double Zero Pizza. I'm honestly shocked this place isn't packed wall-to-wall every night -- this is the kind of pizza you expect to find in Naples . From the second you walk in, you know they take their craft seriously. Stacks of real wood, the authentic Pavesi Italian oven, and trays of perfectly risen dough balls -- it's the real deal. No shortcuts, no gimmicks. Just craftsmanship. I ordered two pies: White Pie with Mushrooms & Olives Incredible. The crust has that perfect leopard-spotted char, blistered just right, crispy on the outside but still soft and airy inside. The ricotta and mozzarella are super fresh, the mushrooms taste like they were sliced minutes before hitting the oven, and the olives add the perfect salty punch. Every bite tasted like it was straight out of a wood-fired pizza boutique. Classic Margherita One word: unreal. The sauce is bright and fresh, the cheese melts into little pools of heaven, and the basil actually survives the oven without turning bitter. Balanced, clean, and addictive. The crust is truly the star -- you can tell they use high-quality "00" flour and slow fermentation. Light, airy, not heavy at all. The kind of crust you want to eat all of, even the charred ends. The owner Mike clearly cares about every detail -- from the dough to the toppings to the oven temperature. This isn't "pizza shop pizza," this is artisanal, handcrafted, authentic wood-fired pizza done right. Prices are super fair for this quality. Cash-only but totally worth it. If you love real Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, put this place on your list immediately. Easily one of the best pies I've had in NJ -- maybe the best. I'll definitely be back .

One of my favorite places . The best mussels Fra diavolo and clams oregano around ! Never had a…read morebad meal . This is our regular stop for good food and also good drinks.

This is a lovely little find in a strip mall with plenty of parking. The food is good and well…read morepriced. Full bar and great takeout counter. Garlic knots are fabulous!!! My fiancé and I dined there recently early one evening. We had a male server who was a bit loud AND aggressive about placing our order. At the end of the meal (tip time) he came over and chatted us up. He asked me where I was from, as I have a slight southern accent. He then asked my partner the same thing. My partner referenced his religion rather than where he was from. The server then said 'oh, I'm cheap like you' then patted him on the back and chuckled. We both looked at each other and were like 'did he actually just say that'? We were stunned. I mean, seriously.... I guess we could have addressed it with management but we just wanted to leave. Everyone else has been lovely when we have eaten there. We won't be going back as often due to this person's behavior. So many other places in the area that we can go to without being insulted.

This is an amazing family owned restaurant - such wonderful food and service. Don't miss this gem…read moreof a restaurant.

My wife and I have been wanting to try this place since we heard about it. Cute interior, service…read morewas tip top. The chef came out and greeted each table. Always appreciate that. My wife had the zucchini flowers and I had the arugula with shaved pears for appetizers. The zucchini flowers were delicious. My salad was good but it needed much more dressing. 90% of the leaves were dry. For mains my wife had the bronzino and I had the squid ink pasta with seafood. It had squid,octopus, shrimp, & crab. *sigh* I don't think the water my pasta was cooked in had any salt. For me that makes the pasta inedible. I was VERY disappointed. I don't know how a Sicilian cook can make that mistake. Little or no salt on any of the seafood either. For dessert I had a cannoli and my wife had the ricotta cheesecake. Both were delicious. Especially the cannoi! We brought home an order of the gnocchi with mushrooms and asparagus. My daughter loved it! I tried some and agree. It was delicious! We'll definitely come back. Hopefully next time they'll remember to salt the pasta water.

First: I am a fussy, never "5" star review sort. But, I had to! We worked with Frank to host a…read morerepast for our mom. We do not live in the area, so we did not know. But, we do know that NJ can have great Italian food-- you just have to know where. This place is so definitely it. The food, staff and service all get rave reviews. We had close to 60 people, with an unbelievably delicious 3 course meal. Staff is easy going, but on top of things. I grew up in NJ, and know that NJ can have great Italian. This place is definitely it. Frank was phenomenal and easy to work with. After a long morning, we couldn't have asked for a better place to be. And, my mom was 100% Italian heritage. I have to believe she was vicariously enjoying everything through us. Thanks to the staff. This review is the least I could do to convey my thanks and appreciation.

Been coming here for a long time and realized no review from me yet…read more Great Sicilian - Italian local restaurant. Always a great meal and the service is very good. I always love the Branzino. The Antipasto Siciliano is always a favorite along with the Frittura Di Pesce. Always love it here . The place does get loud but that's always a great sign. It's also BYOB and there is street and lot parking. I recommend getting a reservation as well.