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March 2024 by H G
As other reviewers have mentioned, we started our meal off positively. When we arrived, there weren't many tables in the restaurant and the service was prompt. Drinks and appetizers arrived quickly. As the restaurant got busier, service became all but non-existent. Entrees took another 45 minutes. The waiter did not check in with us at all after taking our initial order. Our waters were not refilled. We received our main entrees with the appetizers still on the table. Saw the manager standing around but he didn't seem particularly concerned by the lack of service to tables, which makes me think this was business as usual. Seems management may need to hire more waiters to accommodate all the diners at the restaurant. The best service we received was from the valet.We had high hopes for the restaurant, but we will not be going back.
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March 2024 by
The lighting outside the restaurant was poor. Some people had difficulty seeing the stairs. It was almost unsafe. The parking lot was too dark as well. However, it was very pretty. The food was great, and everyone was very friendly. I would definitely go back.
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February 2024 by
The food was absolutely delicious and the bottle of wine we ordered was perfection. The ambiance is so nice. We got there just as the sun was beginning to set and it made the experience all the better. The twinkle lights really set the mood for a romantic date night out.
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February 2024 by Chris L.
We went over the weekend for 1st time and it was very average. Service is beyond strange. We waited forever for them to take our order and then food came out way too quick. As we were eating our appetizer the waiter said your food is ready when you are. Moments later another waiter then tried to grab our appetizer before we were done. Then dinner plates out 5 seconds later. Food was just OK. I had chicken dish and sauce was light with no depth of flavor. A very your couple next to us ordered Fried Calamari and it was out in about 20 seconds. I get the feeling this is a factory that they just try to squeeze out as many people as possible per night with no regard for enjoyment, atmosphere and quality of food. We agreed we won't be back especially with all the great places in the vicinity!
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February 2024 by Deborah H.
Went to a sit down party for 100; it was good food especially the starters but service was really patchy. They had wine w extra cash bar for mixed drinks but not enough bar service. No sound system for party which was an issue since average age was 60 yo and we needed amplification.
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February 2024 by Mariap
I thought it was quite expensive for a special that was mainly pasta, & drinks seemed to be high priced also. We had an early reservation but once it got busy it seems like we were forgotten. It was after 9:00 when we left, too long.
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February 2024 by Marty B.
The evening started out on a questionable note. We arrived on time for our reservation and ended up waiting half an hour for our table. Not the end of the world but since the only place to wait was in the crush at the bar it was fairly uncomfortable. We finally got our table and the night took an upward turn. Drinks, appetizers, and entrees came out in an orderly fashion, and I must say the food was fantastic. Four plates of appetizers were wiped clean! For entrees, the T-Bone veal chop was incredibly flavorful and a nice-sized piece of meat. The Pollo Portofino was excellent and huge. Everyone truly enjoyed their meal. Unfortunately it all took a downward turn during of all things, dessert. We ordered simple choices, including two orange sherbets and a key lime pie. After almost 15 minutes we were still waiting when one orange sherbet was brought out. About seven minutes later the other one was served, along with the key lime. A note about the key lime...it may be the worst key lime I've ever tasted. It was fairly heavy and remarkably did not even have a hint of key lime taste. It was abandoned after a few bites. As usual the room was very noisy but it was tolerable, and we had a great time. Definitely coming back, but no pie.
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February 2024 by Zoobin S
I was there on Feb 8, 2024 for a dinner meeting by my workplace. Afterwards, I got one of the worst food poisoning ever. Severe diarrhea and vomiting. I do not recommend this restaurant.
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February 2024 by Noa Avtalion
Feb 2024: the Pinot grio and the pear vodka liqueur were excellent. The sauteed artichokes were delicious .The red snapper (special of the day) with lobster was amazing. The pasta a la mere was classic and very good. The steak was good with a nice red wine sauce and spinach.2022: Some dishes were delicious. The Sauteed marinated artichokes was delicious, but the Carciofi ripeni was challenging.The blue point oysters were brought to the table before the chilled white one. But they were really good. The Tagliatelle e’salmone was our favorite. The tiramisu was excellent but the Napoleon was ok. The expresso martini was the best way to close the night.
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February 2024 by Deana
Great good, good service. Waiter was nice but had difficulties understanding our questions and also said yes to everything, which was annoying. Did offer free sambuca for our espresso though.
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January 2024 by Suzanne Estrella
It is always a pleasure to visit my favorite place in all of New Jersey which is Donatella Restaurant, the most authentic Italian cuisine, quality, freshness and an unforgettable flavor, it is a very cozy and pleasant place, the best attention from the staff, I always visit this wonderful place with my husband, my friends and my family. Thank you very much for your wonderful attention from the owner, the waiters like Marvin and the chefs. If I could give a score of 100 I definitely would. thank you so much!Suzanne Estrella
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January 2024 by Katherine Gerardo
Amazing! From start to finish we had the best dinner here. Every bite of food was delicious. We had the burrata, short rib and mushroom ravioli, short rib entree, and tiramisu. Great wine and cappuccino too. Service was excellent, ambiance is beautiful, and they helped celebrate our anniversary with us!
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January 2024 by Kim Kowalenko
Only one dish I can eat there and it's fantastic- mostly take
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January 2024 by Anita U.
I'm not sure how this place went so completely downhill in a matter of about a year/two years.. Upon entering, the restaurant is absolutely filled to the brim with people - not in a good way. The tables are overcrowding the restaurant and it's a task to get up and walk anywhere. We received one (tiny) complimentary antipasti plate for eight people. It went very quickly. It was tasty, but the portion was funny. For appetizers we got calamari and three orders of the long spicy stuffed peppers (sorry, don't remember what it's called on their menu). These dishes were good but all three peppers were different temperatures. One hot, one warm, and one straight up cold. Most of the people at our table really hated their meals. One of the chicken dishes came with a vodka sauce (not stated in menu, so beware if you can't have it) and had an overwhelming smoky flavor. Really off putting - they didn't take their leftovers home (there was a lot left over) The steak was still mooing. I love medium rare steak - but this was full of fat that hasn't been rendered off and was pretty blue on the inside. The pasta sauce is extremely acidic in every pasta dish. Caesar salad was great! But I can't list that as a redeeming dish due to this supposedly being a higher end italian restaurant. Most restaurants can provide a decent Caesar. Our waiter was very nice - but there were only two waiters for the whole restaurant that night. Crazy.
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January 2024 by Michael N.
One of the best veal parmigiana's I've ever had. I also really enjoyed the grilled octopus appetizer. Aside from that it's your basic Italian fare. The ambiance inside is very nice and has a modern elegant vibe. The service was great as well and they took the time to make sure we were enjoying our meal. It is a bit pricey, but it's nothing surprising. I enjoyed my cocktail as well (though I forget the name of it).
