Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Manalapan Township

On a bustling Saturday evening, I had the absolute pleasure of being served by Nicole, a waitress whose exceptional service transformed an ordinary dining experience into something truly extraordinary. From the moment my party and I stepped into the restaurant, Nicole’s warm, radiant smile set the tone for what would become a memorable night. Her presence was like a burst of sunshine, instantly making us feel welcomed and valued, as if we were honored guests in her own home rather than patrons at a busy establishment.

Nicole’s attentiveness was nothing short of remarkable. As soon as we were seated, she greeted us with genuine enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with a sincerity that made it clear she loved what she did. She took the time to introduce herself, offering a brief but charming rundown of the evening’s specials with such passion that it was impossible not to share her excitement about the menu. Her knowledge of the offerings was impeccable—when I asked about the ingredients in a particularly intriguing dish, she didn’t hesitate to provide a detailed explanation, even offering pairing suggestions for drinks and sides that elevated the entire meal. Her recommendations were spot-on, and it was clear she had a deep understanding of the cuisine, which she conveyed with an infectious enthusiasm that made us eager to try everything she suggested.

What truly set Nicole apart, however, was her ability to anticipate our needs before we even voiced them. She noticed my friend’s water glass was running low and refilled it without prompting, all while maintaining a seamless flow in her interactions with other tables. When a member of our group mentioned a dietary restriction, Nicole didn’t just nod and move on—she went above and beyond, consulting with the kitchen to ensure every dish was safe and tailored to their needs, presenting alternatives with such care and creativity that they felt spoiled rather than limited. Her attention to detail was astounding; she even remembered a casual comment I made about preferring my drink with extra ice and ensured it was delivered exactly that way throughout the evening.

Nicole’s warmth extended beyond her technical skills as a server. She had a rare gift for making every interaction feel personal and meaningful. During a brief lull in the meal, she engaged us in light, delightful conversation, sharing a quick anecdote about her favorite dessert on the menu that had us laughing and eager to order it. Yet, she never lingered too long or made us feel rushed—her timing was impeccable, striking the perfect balance between being present and giving us space to enjoy our time together. It was as if she had an intuitive sense of what we needed at every moment, creating an atmosphere that was both relaxed and luxurious.

Even when the restaurant grew increasingly crowded, Nicole’s composure never wavered. She moved with grace and efficiency, handling multiple tables with a calm professionalism that was nothing short of inspiring. At one point, I overheard her reassuring a nearby table with a kind word and a quick solution to a minor issue, turning a potential complaint into a moment of gratitude. Her ability to juggle the demands of a busy night while maintaining her cheerful demeanor was a testament.

In all my years of dining out, I can honestly say that Nicole’s service was unparalleled. She didn’t just meet expectations; she soared past them, turning a simple meal into a celebration of hospitality, warmth, and care. Her passion for her work, her genuine kindness, and her ability to make every guest feel special made her the heart and soul of our dining experience. If there were an award for Waitress of the Year, Nicole would be the undisputed winner. I left the restaurant not only satisfied with the food but uplifted by the incredible service she provided. I’m already looking forward to my next visit, hoping to be lucky enough to have Nicole as our waitress again—she’s truly a gem and a credit to the...

My family has catered from here for Christmas Eve and a surprise birthday and the food was spectacular.

So when I called here to reserve for 10 people for my Daughters post baptism party which I told them I really thought I was getting quality. Boy was I wrong.

So despite walking into a dining room where tables looked set and standing there for 5 min before a human walked by. My family was walked past the pizza counter and into a private room that literally looked it’s where they make pizza boxes as there was storage items off to the side not set tables but like pizzeria tables all put together. No table cloths. Nothing set. No silverware.

So right off the bat this was all off. I should have known.

I worked in a lotttttta restaurants through college and our server was polite but the service we received was subpar because she was clearly weeded all shift. She had no business taking a private party 10 top alone that needed 2 people to it.

We waited a long time for everything. And we had to ask for things that were pretty basic like plates for the pizza and or salad appetizers. Silverware. Etc refills.

Additionally complaints on the food all around. My bolognese tasted like canned tomato sauce and chopped meat there’s certain ingredients in bolognese. This wasn’t it., I ate the pasta and avoided the whole dish. It tasted like sloppy joe. I kid you not.

2x Chicken saltimbocca was nothing of the kind. It’s always wrapped in prosciutto. Not tossed in pancetta. You took a classic dish and ruined it for several people. And it’s not even like supplementing the sage for something else. It’s a core part of the recipe.maybe tell people that you change it in the description .

Idk if you noticed but nobody finished their entree but the chicken parm with veggies. This says a lot to me.

To say I’m disappointed and embarrassed is an understatement. I chose your restaurant instead of aunt butchies. nonnas, federicis, feast & honestly it was probably one of the worst dining experiences I have had living in this town and we will never come back or order here again.

I considered really hard to leave this but for my daughters post baptism meal to be stuck in a back storage area that felt like a pizzaria after walking past a dining room? Yea no. Others should know. This is a TAKEOUT restaurant. Don’t ever give them the responsibility of hosting something so special.

By the way I still tipped $25% on $350. Thank...

Mezza Luna is a little bipolar - both sides in a good way!

The restaurant is neatly tucked toward the back of a fairly stereotypical suburban shopping center. Follow the sounds of music broadcasting, and the diner is given a choice - right, into a fashionable and contemporary dining room, or left into a nicely appointed casual area for pizza slices, etc. Even the casual side is tiled and a definite cut above the stereotypical "New Jersey Strip Mall Pizza Joint".

There are a wide variety of gourmet pies available, including a Salad slice, BBQ, Broccoli, and others. We tried a traditional Sicilian slice, for many places they provide a Sicilian pie out of obligation but don't put a lot of effort forth, leaving this a weak spot on the menu. Not true, here, as it was hefty and thick, yet with a light, airy texture and a fresh, tangy sauce with notes of garlic and spices. We also tried a Chicken Parm slice, this was HUGE, yet tasty, it actually tasted like a good chicken Parm!

Mezza Luna offer a new "super thin" pie that we wanted to try. This, probably a nod to a famous family-owned place the next town south. To be fair, it was disappointing, the crust tasteless and a bit dry, the tangy tomato sauce and cheese with a nice bite weren't enough to overcome the crust.

Stick with the traditional pizza offerings, and you'll be quite pleased. Can't wait to visit one evening, and try the more formal side and recipes....