Nostrana Ristorante — Restaurant in Boonton Township

We were a party of 6 adults and one 10 month old baby. The main reason for this review is to compliment the service of literally every person we interacted with from start to finish, and having been regulars of the former restaurant at the same property, wanted to share the pleasure we had at this new place!

Upon arrival; neither hostess was on their phone and we were immediately seated (to be fair, 4:45 rez). The hostesses were pleasant and both smiled. Our waitress was top notch, especially at such a new restaurant and us being such a large party. They DID have high chairs that were brought to the table, and there was one other family with children that we noticed at that time.

Unfortunately; the baby in our party got fussy, which made the adults get a little fussy too. After said baby had thrown all the carrot sticks we brought on the floor (yes we cleaned them up😁), and continued to be fussy, I decided to ask the waitress if there were any side dishes or side veggies that could be served plain in attempts to occupy the baby so we could all have a better time. Within no time, she confirmed the chef could make plain steamed carrots and broccoli.

While I wouldn’t normally expect a restaurant of this caliber to make / be able to make such an accommodation, it occupied the baby for the ENTIRE dinner. We could not be more grateful for this experience.

Afterwards, the gentleman clearing the table and the sommelier were both friendly and made great conversation. We felt very taken care of the entire evening!

The cocktails were a 10/10 across the board - from a standard gin and tonic to their holiday spritzer and even a mocktail, everyone agreed they were perfect. The espresso martini is nice and sweet and packs a punch - not for the DD!

The goat cheese espuma and sundried tomato butter were to die for. The salads were fresh but filling - nice big portions. The table favorite entree was the raviolo. The gingerbread tiramisu was incredible - but I deff recommend splitting it! It’s very sweet, and simultaneously crunchy and creamy - a very satisfying end to a great night!

The only reason the food did not get a 5 from me; is because they are still finding their legs as a new place. I know the owners have other incredible local restaurants and businesses, so I have no doubt once they’re settled it will be 5’s across the board. I can’t wait to see them succeed and be able to add to my review.

They guaranteed we will be back with the full experience (even...

Let me preface this by saying I want Nostrana to succeed because the town does need a restaurant like this. Our experience was disappointing and it seems they still have much to work on. The restaurant atmosphere and decor is gorgeous. The service was all over the place. Our reservation was for 8 and we werent seated until 8:30 and only because we followed up. 15 mins later, no one greeted us or offered us water or took our order. We had no idea we had a server because the manager took our order and no servers came up until the end.

The food was not great for the prices. It has potential but just overall sloppiness that maybe requires more chef training or a new chef. The tartare was delicious but there were two big hunks where they didn’t finely dice the beef so that was unappealing. The inside out arancini was tasty but the short rib on top was homey and looked like something out of a crockpot esp with big hunks of carrots. My advice- lose the carrots and make it more sleek, esp for the price. The Caesar salad was AWFUL. We were served two hunks of wet romaine hearts so they obviously wash the lettuce but it was watery and then some areas were just salt. Inedible. Also for $15 why am I cutting my own salad? Again, refinement is needed. each part of the lettuce should be properly dressed too. It notes breadcrumbs as a callout ingredient and some were tiny and some were big chunks of bread. Pasta shop does a better Caesar salad and it comes with white anchovies. The scallop pasta dish was good. The raviolo was BAD. For $28 and if you’re going to serve ONE ravioli (I know this is standard), it better be cooked perfectly. The egg was runny, which was good, but the exterior of the pasta was uncooked. I even mentioned it to a busboy (again, no server) and they just shrugged. We have a video of us trying to cut through it to film the yolk - couldn’t do it. Not great. I’ve had raviolo before and it was amazing. This could use major work. And since Pasta Shop is right in the next town, you need to do better. Especially since we have had pasta carbonara takeout where the egg yolk was still runny by the time we took it home. The servers were all over the place, confused, and unfriendly. The manager was also MIA at the end of the night so we were unable to share our thoughts. I hope management reads this and updates things bc I want them to stay and do well, but for these prices, the food...

tlwmNostrana RistoranteNostrana Ristorante Boonton NJ

In the quaint township of Boonton, New Jersey, Nostrana Ristorante has swiftly emerged as a beacon of Italian culinary excellence. Located at 91 Elcock Ave, this establishment is the brainchild of Certified Sommelier and Mountain Lakes native, Gabriella "Gabi" Lombardi. Her vision, combined with the dedication of her team, brought Nostrana to life in a remarkably short span, reflecting their unwavering commitment to authentic Italian dining. citeturn0search1

Upon entering, guests are enveloped in an ambiance that harmoniously blends the warmth of family gatherings with the sophistication of Italian culture. The interior design exudes a rustic yet refined charm, creating an inviting atmosphere that beckons patrons to linger.

The menu is a testament to Italy's rich culinary traditions, offering a seasonally inspired selection that highlights local ingredients. Homemade pastas, such as the squash tortellini with cauliflower and plumped cranberries, showcase the kitchen's dedication to craftsmanship and flavor. The curated selection of fine Italian wines and signature cocktails further elevates the dining experience, providing perfect pairings for each dish. citeturn0search5

Service at Nostrana is both attentive and personable, reflecting the team's passion for hospitality. The staff's knowledge of the menu and wine list enhances the dining experience, guiding guests through a memorable culinary journey.

In a short time, Nostrana Ristorante has established itself as a cornerstone of Boonton's dining scene. Through the hard work and vision of Gabriella Lombardi and her team, it offers patrons an authentic taste of Italy, making every meal feel like a cherished...