Al Dente — Restaurant in Elmwood Park

Translated from the Italian literally “to the tooth," it describes pasta that is cooked to be firm to the bite. Located at the Marketplace of Elmwood Park strip mall off of Market Street, my partner and I made a return trip after two years to Al Dente for an early dinner tonight. Reservations were easily made by calling the establishment at the spur of the moment. Greeted by the staff upon entering, the patrons seemed to be enjoying their dinners and were seated promptly by the window. The menu featured typical Italian cuisine with appetizers, salads, pastas, chicken, fish, and veal dishes, as well as a special menu. We decided on their specials and got their homemade spinach and ricotta ravioli with blackened julienne chicken in Alfredo sauce and homemade fettuccine with chopped shrimp and sweet Italian sausage in a vodka pink sauce with shaved provolone. Our meal came with a side salad. Complimentary warm bread accompanied by butter started our meal. Food was always made with fresh ingredients, just the right amount of spice, and unbelievably delicious. Portions were just right. They offer a dessert, but we had no room to even try to have any. The service was excellent and accommodating, and the whole wait staff worked in tandem with each other. The price is comparable to the area, and BYOB adds to the value of the dinner. We continue to recommend it to anyone who either loves genuine Italian food or actually knows what genuine Italian food is...

I’ve been wanting to try this place for some time now, finally got the chance recently to get inside.

The tablecloths were sheets of paper. That may be acceptable at a hotdog stand, But not an Italian restaurant.

The waiter was never anywhere to be seen.

I get excited when I see stuffed artichoke on a menu. It holds a special place in my heart, and it shows you know how to do it right. Aldente proved me wrong. The sauce at the bottom of the dish was actually very good. But the stuffing was nothing more than dry bread crumbs. It was like eating sand. At least I had the sauce to wet it a bit, but wow what a disappointment.

The clams casino were only slightly better. The only word I can use to describe the dish is “sad”.

My dinner was stuffed ravioli, Tasted like it was bought from ShopRite and made by children. No hate on ShopRite ravioli, They do great. Just not what I expect from an Italian restaurant in Jersey.

After one disappointment after another, I refused to leave so unhappy. I was full, but so unsatisfied I felt the need to step in. I instructed them to make me fried calamari. Use the sauce from the artichoke and add cherry peppers. It was fantastic. If you do decide to go here, ask for this.

It’s byob, but there is a wine store next door.

I doubt I’ll ever be back, and recommend you spend your money elsewhere. Plenty of amazing options in...

I ordered the food online ... I really expected more from this restaurant, too bad that the food was horrible ... I ordered a Chicken Marsala the two pieces were hard, it showed that it was old chicken, the regular sauce was salty it could not be eaten, it was a waste of money ... The vegetables were overcooked ... The Veal Saltimbocco was also ordered the veal was super thin the spinach I never found it, the cheese gratin and the sauce a couple of tablespoons definitely a disappointment ... Even the garlic bread I ordered was burned ... I had to eat the bread that came extra with butter and cheese from the house because with the food there was no way ... And what about the price it was not cheap ... First and last time ... How sad to spend so much money and no even get...