Cafe L'Amore — Restaurant in Oakland

tl;dr if you don't want your day to be ruined by poor service and terrible food, or if you are a minority , do not come to this restaurant.

As I write this review, I am still trying to process and comprehend the disrespectful way in which my family was treated this evening. Our experience here has somehow ruined my last day with my family before I move to a different country. I made a reservation for 7:30pm at this restaurant, excited to try this place out after seeing the high rating. When we arrived, the girl at the front paid us no attention, and after I managed to tell her about our reservation, she told me to "wait a sec" and disappeared for 10 minutes. There were several open tables we could see in the dining area. When she returned, she seated parties that arrived later than us first, and my family was seated half an hour after our reservation time with no explanations or apologies. Once seated, an older waitress with a white hair bob came and asked if we wanted tap or Pellegrino. I had no preference, so I asked my parents which they preferred. They both told me they wanted Pellegrino, but before I could translate what they said, she brusquely said, "Tap, right?" while writing down something on her notepad. I tried correcting her and telling her we wanted the Pellegrino, but she repeated again, "So, tap?" I was taken aback and corrected her one more time, thinking that maybe she had some difficulty hearing. In retrospect, I think she made the assumption that we were going to order tap based on our race, which is not an uncommon experience for my immigrant parents and I in NJ white-owned businesses. The waitress came back when we were ready to order, and I asked her if it was possible to not have sausages and pepperonis on the "mista" pizza dish due to dietary restrictions -- I still wanted the combination of eggplant, pesto, and tomato sauce on the pizza. She brusquely replied, "No," and slowly, as if explaining to a toddler, told me that to replace parts of the pizza, I would have to pay $4 extra. Confused, I tried to get her to clarify what she meant by "replace", but she kept changing what she was saying (mentioning something about using a completely different sauce??) leading to further confusion. Even my parents, who are not fluent in English, could tell that she was being aggressive towards me. Not wanting to prolong this uncomfortable interaction, I told her to disregard my request and please just place an order for the mista pizza with no alterations. The food was brought to our table by a different server and no one checked in with us the entire time we were dining there.

I always judge food separately from the service. I have been to places with not-so-great service but amazing food, and places with amazing hospitality, but below average food. This place had neither good food nor good service. I am genuinely confused about how this place has the ratings that it does. My "pollo alla parmigiana" (chicken parm) was somehow worse the chicken parm I got at my middle school public school and what I serve at soup kitchens. The chicken tasted like chicken in microwave meals and it was more soggy breading than chicken. I couldn't even take a second bite of the pasta. I couldn't have the pizza because of the sausage and pepperoni on it, but both of my parents couldn't have more than a slice because of how salty it was. This was the first time we ever decided not to take our leftovers for take-out because the food was just so bad.

When we asked our rude waitress for the check, she didn't respond and turned to the large table of 8 next to us to ask if they wanted her to take their order. She was extraordinarily cordial with them (all Caucasians), while making a point to completely ignore my family. When she finally came back with our check, I am not kidding or exaggerating when I say she TOSSED the check on our table on top of our plates and passed us without even a glance.

My whole family left in a terrible mood and our night has been ruined by...

​Stepping into Cafe L'Amore in Oakland, NJ, is less like entering a restaurant and more like being welcomed home. This establishment doesn't just serve Italian food; it serves a deep, abiding respect for Italian heritage, delivered with a warmth that is increasingly rare in the dining world. L'Amore is, at its heart, a testament to the power of a true family business, and the difference that multi-generational passion makes. ​The experience starts with the owner, a maestro whose presence defines the entire atmosphere. His warmth is palpable, setting a tone of genuine hospitality the moment you cross the threshold. It’s clear that this is a vocation, not just a job; he consistently honors his culinary heritage, ensuring every dish reflects the quality and tradition of Italy. Perhaps the most remarkable detail is how effortlessly he navigates the room, greeting regulars not just by face, but by name. This personal touch—this knowledge and recognition—instantly transforms diners into valued members of the L'Amore extended family. ​Exquisite Food, Always Fresh ​While the atmosphere warms the soul, the food ignites the palate. Simply put, the cuisine at Cafe L'Amore is exquisite—a triumph of simple, fresh ingredients handled with expert care. The commitment to using ingredients that are always fresh shines through in every course, creating a culinary experience that is consistently exceptional. ​Three dishes, in particular, deserve fervent praise: ​The Pizza: A masterpiece of balance. The crust achieves that perfect nexus of chewy and crisp, the sauce is bright and tangy, and the high-quality mozzarella ensures a rich, satisfying melt. It’s an authentic slice of Italian perfection that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the state. ​The Calamari: Often a simple dish, L'Amore elevates it to an art form. The calamari is cooked to absolute perfection, boasting a delicate crispness on the exterior while remaining wonderfully tender and never rubbery. ​The Octopus: This dish is a must-try for any seafood lover. Perfectly prepared—often grilled or charred just enough to impart a smoky richness—the octopus is succulent and beautifully seasoned, demonstrating a sophisticated command of Mediterranean flavors. ​From their signature pastas to their seasonal specials, all the food is consistently amazing. Cafe L'Amore is not merely a local gem; it is a destination for anyone seeking authentic Italian cuisine served in an environment that truly understands the meaning of hospitality. It is a genuine, delicious slice of Italy in...

Absolute masterclass of an establishment. Called and asked for a Piccante pie with some fries on a busy Sunday evening.

Showed up 10 minutes later, the pie was already outfitted with the toppings, fries and condiments were bagged up ready to go. The gentleman at the front slid the pie right into the beautiful wood fire oven as I’m standing there while making cordial conversation about how this was my first time at his establishment, and how he was sure that he makes the best pies in the area. He delivered on every claim and the piping hot box of pizza he handed me assured my confidence in that before I even took a bite.

Not even 5 minutes later, the pizza was perfectly crusted and sizzling right before my eyes in the front-and-center oven setup. That really lets the customer watch the magic happen. It tasted absolutely magnificent and was cooked to perfection, with the perfect amount of balance in crunch and flavor.

The gentleman was extremely prideful in his craft and let his creation show the proof to back up his claims of having the best pizza in town. I even witnessed one of his regulars call in to check the status of his delivery order, and he missed no stride to pick up the phone to call his delivery driver and make sure all was well. This is an above-and-beyond dedication to paying attention to what matters - service to the community that shares the commonality of loving your establishment.

Any time you might be craving a quality Jersey pie with the right array of flavor, crisp, options, service, and environment - this is the place to go. I will be back and sincerely appreciate a person who cares as much about their craft as the people at this...