All great restaurants have something in common. The owners are always there! It is impossible to eat a meal here and not have Spiro or Stefanie stop by your table and sincerely ask how everything was. Their seasoned waitstaff are very efficient without being overbearing, but the real stars here are the creative dishes. Things like: filet mignon on the bone, dover sole, the rissota of the day, homemade pastas and sauces. The daily specials are printed with pricing on an insert in the menu. They don't play the "special game", where specials are read off a list and when the check comes you are surprised that even though all the veal dishes on the menu were $22.00, the special veal dish you ordered (with similar ingredients) cost you $37.00. I think that is just plain dishonest, and I have no problem asking waiters the cost of a special in places that play that game.
The other appeal of Novelli is the lively bar crowd. In addition to offering excellent cocktails, many patrons enjoy dining at the bar. As I have stated in previous posts, it's fun to meet new people while dining out. The evening bartender Jason, anticipates your needs and will not only make a killer martini, but take your food order. This is a very hopping scene on some nights, so if you want to eat at the bar, plan on being there early.
Novelli Restaurant
2410 Hamburg Tpk.
Wayne, NJ
973-835-3585
http://www.novellis-restaurant.com/dining.htm
Are you getting discount meals?
ReplyDeleteI recommend the stuffed sole, the fillet is rolled around a center of various seafood including scallops, shrimp, crab, and lobster as well as some bread and spices. Its then covered in a delicious cream sauce. Overall, a 'light' dish with will fill you up. But if you are lucky enough to see short ribs on the special menu, don't think twice and order them. And as jerseypaulie said, the only thing that tops their food, which is superb, is their service. Overall, a five star restaurant, severing five star dishes, made with five star ingredients, served by a six star staff, all owned by people who, when (not if, when) they ask "How is everything?", actually care how you respond.
ReplyDeleteIndiana Erik has some good points, and God knows he has been to Novelli's enough to make those observations. They typically serve the braised short ribs with a homemade cavatelli, which is the perfect compliment. Wait till he tries the "Yummy Asian Ribs" recently posted.
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