Nicola's Ristorante

Write a Review973-653-3636

CLOSED NOW - Opens at 11:30am

I am online to make a note of the place so I can bring friends back another time. My overall experience was very good. I had stuffed artichoke to start - fresh & tasty. I enjoyed dipping the top-notch crusty Italian bread into the broth. The bread was terrific but the broth was a bit light on flavor. Seemed to need further reduction. Next course broccoli raab with endive, also good although the presentation was a bit lacking - a light garnish of diced red pepper could fix that. The waitress readily offered to alter the special of the night according to our preferences. We had a beautifully-prepared rich risotto topped with 4 jumbo, succulent shrimp. The asparagus in the risotto was just to my liking, al dente, not mushy at all, as were the shrimps. A cannolli with devine filling completed the meal. Two of us shared each course and we left stuffed. The wait staff treated us very well. Every so often a friendly face would appear to check on us. They readily accommodated our request to share and brought the meal already divided on two heaping plates. I would definitely go back - lots of other potential hits on the menu.

Worst restuarant experience I ever had. If you are not a large party or a regular you are completely ignored. Our waiter took our order and we never saw him again or were asked by anyone else if we needed anything. The meal was so inetible that I had to send it back, something I have never done before. I have never seen asparagus so over cooked that they actually liquified on the plate and their mashed potatoes are immitation from a box. I was kind when I said I couldn't eat what was placed in front of me and I was given nothing but attitude from several people and a hostess who proceeded to roll her eyes at me when I described the mush they tried to pass off as fish and asparagus. I wish I could write how that conversation progressed. It's a treat to go out to dinner and the experience should leave you feeling that way. Regardless of whether or not your relatives work in the establishment. This left me angry and disgusted. The wine we brought and served ourselves was the best part.