Gennaro's Italian Kitchen — Restaurant in Aston Township

I would like to preface this review by saying that my family has been going to Ristorante Gennaro for about 20 years (since I was a baby), before the restaurant went under new management/kitchen staff and was known as Gennaro's Italian Kitchen. We know the original owner and used to love this place, going here regularly at least once a week when it was Ristorante Gennaro. This review is based off my experience from this past weekend when I went for the first time since the restaurant has been re-branded and under new management. This past Saturday night my family decided to try the restaurant now that it has been under new management. When we went in and it was very busy. We checked in with the hostess and waited about 25 minutes until we were sat towards the back of the restaurant at 2) two tops that were put together. We then waited another 20 minutes until we were greeted by our waitress, which in my opinion was completely unacceptable. I actually had to get up and go over to the hostess and ask if we had a waitress. The restaurant is fairly small and there were about 5 waitresses working; at some point they all walked past and looked us and never thought we haven't been greeted yet. We were told the sections were changed and none of them knew which table was ours. This was very frustrating and not a good start to our first experience back at the restaurant. We also had to wait around 20 minutes for bread and water. From there, the night did get better for the most part. Our waitress ended up being very nice and making it a pleasant experience. The new menu under the new chef is very nice. It has all of the classic dishes that you look for at an Italian restaurant and everything was competitively priced. My biggest pet peeve (and it is a big one) is that salads are not included with your dinner. Considering the restaurant, location, and all other factors; they should include a soup or salad with your entree. In my opinion, it is something customers come to expect. Also, the salads are very expensive. I ended up getting a caesar salad and chicken parm with chocolate mousse for dessert. All of the food was delicious and the portions were very good. Everything else about the dinner was great and everyone else in my party enjoyed their food and the experience. All in all I struggle to give the experience higher than a 3/5 stars. Overall, I really like the restaurant under the new management and branding. The menu, prices, atmosphere, staff, and restaurant as a whole are all very good and I think the restaurant will continue to do well and succeed. The food is also delicious. But, I think the biggest weakness is the staff and their training. With the amount of staff at the restaurant, as a customer you shouldn't have to wait so long to be greeted, get bread, water, get your plates cleared when you finish your meal, etc. I plan to give the restaurant another chance soon and I will update my review at that point. I really want to love the new and improved Gennaro's Italian Kitchen, but my first experience there made it tough to do so. I hope my next experience can be overall as amazing as the food is.

Update (3/17/18): I have now had the opportunity to go back to Gennaro's a few more times since my initial review and it appears that my first experience was simply an unfortunate experience. The last few times I have went, I have had an amazing dinner from start to finish. As I mentioned in my initial review, the menu and food is fantastic. The restaurant is very cozy and inviting. And the staff are also very nice and friendly. Since they have been under new management/ownership, the restaurant has really done a good job of establishing itself as a nice Italian restaurant in the area. I still do believe that restaurant overall still has some maturing to do when it comes to the operation and staff, but I think over time those aspects will improve. I am updating my review to 5 stars and I look forward to returning...

From the moment I unwrapped my order, it was clear that this establishment treats takeout dining with the same care and precision as fine in-house service. The packaging was sturdy and thoughtfully arranged—compartments ensured that the pasta retained its integrity, the sauce was not compromised in transit, and the chicken remained tender and distinct rather than over-steamed. Even before tasting, the attention to detail inspired confidence. The Penne alla Vodka with Chicken was, quite simply, extraordinary. The penne itself was cooked to a textbook al dente, maintaining a subtle resistance that elevated each bite beyond the commonplace softness often found in takeout pasta. The vodka sauce revealed layers of craftsmanship: a velvety texture that coated the pasta without excess heaviness, a delicate balance of cream and tomato, and a gentle heat that lingered just long enough to awaken the palate without overwhelming it. The chicken—often an afterthought in similar dishes—was treated with remarkable care. Each piece was tender, evenly seasoned, and retained its natural juiciness, suggesting both quality sourcing and precise cooking methods. When combined with the sauce, the chicken provided a savory counterpoint that harmonized beautifully with the richness of the dish. What impressed me most was how well the dish traveled. Many Italian cream-based sauces risk separation or greasiness by the time they arrive at one’s table outside the restaurant; here, the sauce retained its cohesion and elegance from first bite to last. It was a clear testament to both the chef’s technique and the restaurant’s commitment to ensuring that their takeout experience rivals in-house dining. In sum, this was not merely a convenient meal—it was a thoughtfully prepared culinary experience, presented in a way that respected both the food and the customer. For those seeking the pinnacle of Italian takeout, the Penne alla Vodka with Chicken is nothing short...

I went here to celebrate my graduation from graduate school. I was quite disappointed and will not be returning again.

Unfortunately, the staff didn't seem concerned about giving us a positive experience even though I came in with my cap and gown on. They sat us but didn't give us menus. Someone from our party had to get the menus for us. We were a party of 7 but were only given one basket of bread. I had to keep asking for bread. I was disappointed to remind the server, have her forget, ask for two baskets, then have her only bring one. We had 3 bottles of wine and the server opened all 3, which wasn't exactly our plan. We didn't get a check back to make sure we were enjoying our meals. At the end of the meal, we paid and waited. Then waited some more. I was incredibly disappointed to have to walk up to the front counter myself. The credit card book was just laying on the counter. No one apologized. My party left a +20% tip because we were a big party but also because many of us work in the food service industry while in school. I somewhat regret that. The staff wasn't rude, they were just oblivious to what...