The entry door to the bar area of Berta's always brings fond memories. I have only been going here for 50 years of their 85 years in business. A truly remarkable restaurant serving many unique Piedmontese dishes from the north of Italy. Still run by the same family, serving great classics like; clams casino, frogs legs, massive antipastas, home made pastas, crispy duck, tasty veal dishes, and lots of dessert options.
We always order from the complete dinner menu, where you get a selection of appetizer, a selection of pasta, a main course, which is served with vegetables and their farina dolce ( a sweet polenta croquette), and a choice from the dessert menu. I have never left this restaurant without being absolutely full. They make very healthy cocktails, and have one of the best wine lists in New Jersey. They have made Wine Spectator's list of "The Best" for 24 straight years.
This is not an easy restaurant to find and you really need to get directions from their web site.
Some of my favorite choices:
Appetizers- - Clams Casino, Shrimp a la Berta, Antipasta, or any of their homemade soups
Pasta Course- - Homemade veal and porcini ravioli, eggplant parmigian.
Entrees--- Duck Venice Style, Chicken Pietro, Sole Santina, any veal scallopini dish
Dessert- - - Prune Apricot pie a al mode, Chocolate Mousse, parfait, pecan pie a la mode
They also include coffee or espresso, which is the real deal.
Expect to spend a few hours for dinner. After reviewing the menu, I will have get myself over here real soon, as the drool is running down my chin.
