La Cucina Nouveau — Restaurant in Marlboro Township

I regret having to post a review of this nature about a business I have solicited without issue previously. However, my experience tonight compelled a review before the night was through.

The restaurant was full with people celebrating the holidays, which always sets the table for a happy and festive evening. However, it became quickly apparent that the restaurant was unable to flex to the occasion. Service from arrival to departure was slow and unapologetic. Initially this was able to be overlooked, but as the evening progressed; it turned from slow to somewhat ignorant and disrespectful.

After quickly placing orders for both apps and entrees, we were served and finished our appetizers within maybe 45 minutes of our reservation time. This began a painful period where the seven of us (4 adults and 3 children aged 12 and under) waited over an hour and 15 minutes for entrees to be served. After 60 minutes, a woman that appeared to possibly be an owner breezed by to say our food "should" be out soon.

Finally, 15 minutes after the one acknowledgement of the long delay: our entrees arrived. The same woman specifically called attention to my daughter (one of the 12 year old girls) and said "yeah, the filet (my daughter's entree, and a regular menu item) held everything up. They take a long time.". Needless, to say, for any parent of a 12 year old girl.... Shaming a child for her order and blaming her rather than the kitchen, restaurant, management, etc is disgraceful.

My daughter immediately was embarrassed and apologetic in a way that makes a parent proud, yet, sympathetic. My 12 year old, a patron of a restaurant in her town, knew to immediately apologize to her tablemates at the accusation of her entree delaying six others when a restauranteur made no apology across 75 minutes. Nor, was any attempt made to offer anything... Bread, cheese, a small antipasti.... anything to bridge the 75 minute gap.

While my food was mostly excellent, others were clearly impacted by the delay in the quality, temperature and texture of their entrees.

After the entrees. We mentioned it was a birthday celebration for a member of our table. The same woman was quick to mention she would bring him a dessert "on the house". Repeating those words at least 3 times thereafter. I ordered a dessert and coffee, which were both very good. My children (one whom was blamed for everyone's late and quality-impacted meals) ordered sorbets.

Despite us now approaching the start of a fourth hour from our reservation time; my 8 and 12 year old daughters received unnecessarily large sorbets that few adults would not find gluttonous. They barely scratched the surface of each.

The bill arrived to find each child was billed 12 dollars (obviously plus tax and tip) for what should have been modest sorbet portions. Adding over $30 to a bill for our over 3 hours meal for 4 adults and 3 children. I questioned the charge and again, the same woman unapologetically said, yes, each sorbet was $12.

I am a local business owner. I frequent nearly all the local restaurants regularly. I always work to promote these businesses and advocate out clients to patronize them (often introducing them myself).

It is with a heavy heart, as someone raised Sicilian and a lover of great food to feel unapologetic in this review. Had the woman or anyone on the staff shown even a small amount of sympathy, appreciation or empathy... I would have chalked it up to maybe a bad night. But the lack of the aforementioned leaves so many more respectful and appreciative local establishments better worthy of our patronage.

This restaurant is an excellent example of authentic Italian cooking that brings me back to my youth. However, their willingness to be so dismissive of their own inadequacies (even if circumstantial) to cast fault not on themselves but a child ..... Makes it impossible to not speak up. I hope and know they could be capable of being better and more compassionate to their...

If youre looking for a FINE DINING experience - THIS IS IT!

We've passed this place often when visiting BWW and meant to stop by so we finally went on a date with my husband here. We LOVE good food but we have high standards for places with higher prices. Over $20 for a meal.

From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was very romantic. They sat us by a "fireplace" and the lights were dimmed, music playing, small candles on the table. Very clean and comfortable.

The waitress brought fresh hot bread with butter (always a plus!) And shared the specials.

Every single plate that hit our table was wiped clean because it was so delicious. We ordered a fresh salad with balsamic. Amazing. Then tried the mushroom risotto that others raved about in reviews and we couldnt believe how tasty it was and how every element complimented each other. We used the bread to wipe the plate clean. A must try!

Then, my husband ordered a meal with chicken, filet mignon and sausage with peppers and it was so good! He raved about the mignon melting in his mouth and the peppers being so soft and juicy.

I got the salmon on a bed of zuchinni and lemon risotto and it was absolutely fantastic. It was light yet so filling and the portions were worth the pay. Although, just the taste of it would have been worth it.

Finally, we ordered lattes and creme brulee and it was gone in an instant (even though we thought we were so full). They were fresh, delicious and absolutely the perfect ending to our night.

We had an amazing evening celebrating us and we couldnt have chosen a better place to do it. Thank you to the waitress and the chef! It was a fine dining experience all around! Will be...

Our first dinner at this place Today .. I had seen a lot of reviews of people waiting long etc etc .. for us we got a table at our reserved time (observation: don’t think they ever note reservations as they don’t have a host/hostess desk :)) we were excited as food reviews were great .. we sat and got our wine bottle opened .. bread and olives came pretty fast.. very nice to see warm plates on a cold evening is welcoming. We ordered seafood appetizer from the special menu.. very tasty and well made .. our server said the dish would be spicy but it was absolutely NO Spice in it but still well made. May be our server was less informed . :) We ordered Salmon, pork chops and seafood pasta for main course. We were done with our appetizer and then the wait started ………… after 2 follow ups and 45 mins we finally got the main course but the appetite was Gone … the food was OK not bad but definitely NOT WORTH THE WAIT.. they definitely have a ‘LAZY KITCHEN’ and a poor service staff too because when we said we are not happy about the delay our server said I can’t do much about it “it’s the Kitchen”… even a simple apology did not come out for the delay till I said your owners will read my experience in my google review.. we had no choice but to box our meal as our appetite was killed

We walked out without having a dessert.. Thanks to the liquor chocolates I have at home :)).. they were the saving grace .. I am sure if it was better weather and they are full capacity we would have waited till eternity for mediocre food.. (today they were 70% capacity) My take is this place has a higher hype than they...