A simple chicken parm from my second visit to Nonna’s in Englishtown, New Jersey in the spring of this year. It’s one of the best I’ve ever had. You will note how little sauce there is. Some might take issue with that, but for me, it’s perfect. Less sauce = crispier chicken, and boy was…
Tag: Italian Food
Photo of the Day: June 12, 2017
A classic Italian Calabrese at Piero’s in Union Beach, New Jersey. Mozzarella, tomato, prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, olives, and pepperoncini. January 2017.
Restaurant Review: Nonna’s Citi Cucina (Englishtown, NJ)
Any restaurant which starts you off with homemade bread this good is okay in my book. I had heard about Nonna’s for years. People rave about them, but that is mainly directed at their family-style dinners. It may be a misconception that family dinners are all that Nonna’s serves. They actually have a full ala carte…
Hunter’s Casual Crusades: Mr. Pizza Slice (Red Bank, NJ)
I finished working a shift that started at 5 a.m. with a hockey game the night before that had me in bed at 2 that morning. Sleep deprived, my buddy texted me asking if I wanted to join him at some pizza place he recently posted about on social media. Uh oh. As we spoke,…
Hunter’s Casual Crusades: Vicci’s Pizza & Restaurant (Port Monmouth, NJ)
I’ve been a regular at Vicci’s for a little over a year now—a little too regular. Almost to the point where I had to force myself to not go as often. Why does anyone stop going to a specific eatery? Mediocre food experience? Bad service, which is arguably just as disappointing? Sure, but in this case…
Travel Guide PA: California Pizza Kitchen (Plymouth Meeting)
I don’t usually review chains, but because this is for the Travel Guide, I will make an exception. The other “big mall” in the King of Prussia vicinity is located in Plymouth Meeting (the town we stayed in). It’s much smaller, but gives you additional dining options in terms of well-known chain restaurants. We gave…
Takeout Joints: Pizza/Italian Volume 1
Like the previous Takeout Joints column which focused on Asian food, these restaurants are graded on slightly a different scale (4 stars = great). Unlike the others, though, the following Italian restaurants do have dining rooms. But they are still known for their takeout (Villa is the only one I’ve actually eaten in).
Restaurant Review: Piero’s (Union Beach, NJ)
Piero’s is one of those places I have driven past almost every day for many years. I live less than 10 minutes away, but until two weeks ago, had never been there. We went for my mom’s birthday. My parents had been there once before and wanted to come back. The chef/owner used to be…
Playing the Waiting Game: A Review of La Madona (Matawan, NJ)
There’s waiting and then there’s waiting. We waited at La Madona. The evening went something like this: at 30 minutes: “It’s nice that they don’t rush you out of here.” At 60 minutes: “Wow, this is even longer than fine dining.” At 85 minutes: “Okay, where the hell is the food?” (Or maybe the language…
Restaurant Review: Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge, NJ)
I had driven past Ponte Vecchio in Old Bridge for years but never actually gave it a try until last week. Will was in the mood for seafood and since the place bills itself as a “Seafood Grill”, we figured it was worth a shot. The menu is an eclectic mix for an Italian restaurant. There…
Restaurant Review: Trattoria Rustica (Matawan, NJ)
Chicken Ravello I worked here when I was in high school and have been eating here since well before that. Trattoria Rustica is one of those rare places that provides you with both quality and quantity. Meals are enormous, and come served with a slab of home-baked foccacia bread. Most entrees are also served with…
