Trattoria Toscana — Restaurant in Middletown Township

I've only been there once and want to be fair but I feel compelled to leave a review to tamp down the current 4.6 rating. Our food was very average although I'm sure we didn't order their best. Service from both our waitress and bussers was amateurish while we observed very professional servers at other tables. Decor is ok but the restaurant has not been completely rebuilt as you might have expected after Crown Palace was closed so long ago. The carpet is gone (thank God) and there's a new bartop along with a good cleaning throughout but it's basically the same place.

We ordered Calamari, an arugula salad and veal saltimbocca. None were remarkable. The calamari was cooked to brown with no tentacles - seemed like a food service item. The salad was overdressed and offered precious little goat cheese as the advertised ingredient. The veal was heavily bread crumbed and cooked to near crispy. Sauce was extremely heavy and overwhelmed the pasta we substituted for potato and veg.

We ordered a cheap bottle of wine - admittedly late in the process - and after waiting a while were told it wasn't available. Ok then, bring two glasses of the house cab. The bottle appeared on our bill anyway. It got fixed....but still.

The owner came thru with some free desserts but we really didn't want dessert. These were also unremarkable. In case your wondering - because the dessert menu includes no descriptions - the cheesecake is NY style and the cannoli are miniature and extremely sweet.

I will wait awhile and see how the place develops before I go back. If and when I do I'll spring for the specialty meats if I can get a straight answer about prices. Stuff in the case up front looked phenomenal but it's not on the menu. I guess you have to ask specifically about each one.

In the meantime, I'll enjoy the Italian staples at Naples in Campbell's Junction, Palumbo's in Hazlet or Toscanella Village in Middletown for half the price.

Our check was about $150 for two cocktails, two glasses of wine, one app, one salad,...

Came for dinner with my family last night with high expectations, and left very impressed! Very classy ambiance and beautiful space filled with an exceptionally friendly staff, from the hostess to the waitstaff to the owner himself who came to the table himself throughout the meal to check in on us and to see if we needed anything to make our experience even better.

We started off with the fried calamari appetizer and a salad to share. The calamari came out piping hot and was well-seasoned. The salad included perfectly cooked beets, and was very fresh.

For entrees, we got the steak special they had last night, which was a filet mignon on the bone. They said it was enough for 2-3 people, and it certainly was easily that. I had never seen anywhere else that served that cut on the bone before, and it did provide for one of the most flavorful filets I've ever had. It was tender and juicy, and cooked to a perfect medium rare, served sizzling. It came with a side of vegetables and two potato croquettes, which were crispy on the outside and so soft on the inside. We also ordered their penne alla vodka, which was wonderfully creamy, and one of their pasta specials, which was a squid ink pasta with shrimp. Both pastas were fantastic, and they were generous with their fresh cracked pepper and parmesan cheese.

Dessert was an assortment of goodies that included their cheesecake, the panna cotta, a tiramisu, and cannoli, all of which were decadent, but not overwhelmingly so. We love desserts, and none of them disappointed.

Ultimately, the waitstaff was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the meal, and the owner could not have been more genial. We left completely satisfied, and will certainly be...

I have dined here a few times so far. Every time is better than the last. Excellent Calamari, all the risottos, Chicken Marsala and the ABSOLUTE BEST Bolognese I’ve ever had with homemade fettuccini. I always try a special as well such as spicy poached octopus (every type of octopus dish I’ve tried was cooked to perfection), artichoke croquette in a Parmesan cream, Carbonara with homemade linguini, all stellar.

The cocktails are divine. I’ve tried almost the entire cocktail list so far some of my favorites are the Watermelon Martini, Salted Pampelmousse which is this really elevated margarita in a martini glass and the Bourbon Cherry Smash is soooo delicious. I never thought I would enjoy a bourbon drink the way I enjoyed that.

The desserts were also a hit. So far I’ve tried the chocolate mousse which is so light, airy and chocolatey and the Tiramisu made in-house and I haven’t tried anything else bc I am so in love with the two I’ve already tried and I can’t imagine anything will compare!

Now, the service. The service from hostess to bartender to the servers and the gracious owner, phenomenal! The owner has been extremely attentive every time I’ve been there and he’s remembered me coming back.

The prices are extremely fair. I can’t say enough about this place from start to finish it is a lovely experience and a fresh welcome to the neighborhood. This will be a go-to neighborhood spot for us for sure.

I’m also so excited, they started a Happy Hour for during the week! Get to try some more of...