Bazzarelli — Restaurant in Moonachie

My husband and I dined in this past Saturday evening. We arrived at 8:40, an hour and 20 minutes before closing. The dining room was already empty except for one table. We were told to sit where ever we liked. Menus were presented by a server's assistant who asked us if we wanted water while she held a water pitcher in her hands. Another couple arrived and seated themselves directly next to us in a place that had tables to choose from. Immediately, a server approached that table for a drink order. At 8 minutes in, we were still waiting for anyone to approach us, other than the water bearer. We did notice that the staff was seated comfortably at a table just inside the doorway chatting amongst themselves. When the server took the other table's drink order, I asked if we had a server, as well. He responded that someone would be with us in a few minutes. At this time, we'd been in the restaurant 15 minutes and were just about to get up. A server approached and asked ' he didn't take your order?' as if she were surprised that we were still waiting. We ordered a bottle of wine, pizza with two toppings and an antipasto. The server returned a moment later to ask about the two toppings we had ordered not a minute ago, and we repeated the order. One of the owners approached with the bottle of wine and asked 'do you want to taste it?'. I know it's not a fine dining establishment, but we're not eating on paper plates, either, and there is a protocol for pouring wine at the table. She opened the bottle and poured wine into my husband's glass from a bottle that must be stored in the kitchen. The wine was about 80 degrees. After exchanging a quick look, deciding if it was worth it to not keep the bottle because the wine was so warm, we opted to keep it. It actually got cooler as it sat on the table. We were trying to save this evening and mentioned to the wine bearer that we haven't been to the restaurant in over 14 years. She seemed genuinely happy that we were in, and proceeded to inform us about the unfortunate passing of the parents who initially began the restaurant, and how she and a sibling were trying to keep it going. That one sentence certainly explained it all. The antipasto arrived with soppresata, prosciutto, marinated olives and mushrooms, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella, sharp provolone and about half a pound of sun dried tomatoes. The bread was fresh and warm. The initial water bearer asked if everything was okay. The couple next to us proceeded to speak on their phones, on speakerphone. When only the sundried tomatoes remained on the antipasto plate, we were asked if we were ready for the pizza. The pizza arrived a second later. It was still hot, but not piping hot as you expect when it comes directly from the oven, and you have to wait a few moments before you can try to remove a slice. The pizza is still as good as I remember it. Plenty of toppings, good sauce, nice crust. Just as we were finishing the first slice, each, a box for leftovers was presented and placed on the table. We still had half a bottle of warm wine, and 3/4 of pizza left. We took another slice each, as the majority of the staff seated at the company table watched. It was 45 minutes to closing now, and knew we overstayed our welcome the minute we walked in the door. The server who deigned to take our order initially asked something like 'I guess you don't want dessert?', as if saying 'here's your hat, what's your hurry?'. The moral of this story is if you want the pizza from Bazzerelli's, then order it to go. Clearly, they don't want you in the dining room, at least not any longer. It was nothing like the hospitable place from the early 2000-2010 era when you could have a drink at the bar, or chat with the friendly wait staff at your table. The owner said she was trying to hold it together. Clearly. I hope some changes are made with respect to service. The food is still...

I guess it was an off night last night. I will start with the good: Our bus staff was super attentive, we had more than one bus boy and they were on point. The bread was amazing. The two pasta dishes my party ordered were also very tasty. The bad: I will make mention that it was a Saturday night it was very busy and there were two large parties but as far as I could tell our waitress was not attending to either party and she could not be bothered with mine as well. She took our drink orders, 20 mintues went by before she took our food orders, gave us one option for salad dressing by saying "is house dressing good because thats what you're getting". At one point she came by to ask how we were doing but instead of listening to our answers she grabbed my husbands ginger ale and refilled it, then ignored us for the rest of our dinner. I did see her walk by and look at us several times but ran away before I could get her attention. I was drinking a 10$ per glass Malbec, which I would have liked refilled but she never came back (big mistake) until it was time for the check. My father's calamari was not edible. My husband's veal was drowning in butter. My daughters meatballs were overcooked and under spiced. The salad had so much salt on it, I could barely eat it but my daughter couldn't eat her's at all. The take away: This place has the potential to be amazing with a few tweaks of the menue and a more attentive wait staff. If our bus person was our waiter our experience would have been much better, he was great. I am sorry to leave a lackluster review, I am not trying to dissuade anyone from eating here. Like I said, it must have just been an off night. I just wanted to share my experience with you because if it were my business I would want to be made aware of...

We ordered lunch today at the office and for the first time we were able to enjoy delivery as they have added that feature. It is our last day before our two week shut down for vacation. The food was INCREDIBLE! Delivered hot, and within time promised. We ordered the portabella parmesan entrée and we all shared it as an appetizer. All 4 of us fell in love... It's like having a fried chicken cutlet smothered in vodka sauce without the meat. Truly to die for and we all had seconds of it. Cannot wait to have it again. We also ordered chicken francese and chicken marsala both delicious. The marsala is like francese with mushrooms. It is lighter than I am used to but in a great way. Chicken juicy and big fresh mushrooms. Two ladies had eggplant parm and raved how great it was. We all love thin eggplant and they get 5 stars for that. Love their sauce too always comes out great. We all had side salads and they were fresh and very well done. The portions were very generous and we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. Miss the restaurant, hope to get back there soon but in the meantime their take out rocks! Thank you for a...