Il Leone — Restaurant in Old Bridge Township

Il Leone: Old Bridge’s Newest Italian Gem

Nestled in the Market Place, Il Leone is a family-owned BYOB Italian restaurant that beautifully blends tradition, innovation, and heart. As noted on their website, Il Leone is a passion project for owners Brianna and Izzy, carrying forward a legacy built on the belief that “Food is Love”, and as a Family Meals dietitian and Italian American promoting Mediterranean lifestyle which includes the importance of family connections over the dinner table, I understand when this family refers to the 'power of food', and why they create a warm, welcoming restaurant for guests to feel "at home".

This is my first and not my last visit to Il Leone’s. I brought my family where we were seated at a beautifully crafted round wooden table surrounded by sparkling white lights on trees, appropriatefor this Christmas snd Holiday season. The menu delighted us as we started with a perfectly toasted garlic flatbread, classic Clams Oreganata, and innovatice twist on Arancini -made with black rice and Manchego cheese. Our pasta highlights included flavorful Linguini Fini Alla Vongole, authentic Spaghetti Carbonara, and Bold spicy RIgatoni with Calabrian chiles. Every meal needs more greens, including salad.While I was yearning for their Arugula salad, which they wer out of, Ceasar Salad was a hit because the Romaine letuce was perfectly (not overly) dressed. Our meal ended perfectly sharing a creamy tiramisu and a bright 'limoncello' toast, rounding out an experience that’s as comforting as it...

The staff is extremely friendly and attentive. The restaurant is decorated beautifully. However, this is the first time I have ever given any restaurant two stars. The appetizers were delicious, although quite heavy on the bread. The whipped ricotta and the steak bites were delicious and well seasoned. We ordered the chicken milanes and the linguine clams. Unfortunately, my linguine wasn’t lemony or garlicky, leaving it very bland. The part of the meal that I’ve never experienced before were two desserts that quite frankly, I still can’t believe I was served. The Tres Leche tasted like a Duncan Hines (haven’t had that since I was a child), & had a dense poundcake consistency. It was missing the three different types of milk that are supposed to go into the cake and the light airy texture of a tres leche. It also had a caramel like topping that typically belongs on flan. While I understand desserts are open for interpretation. It was borderline offensive to call it something that it is absolutely not and then charge someone $15 each for it. The other disappointment was the baklava which I was quite confused about as well. There was a white milk coming out of it and baklava’s do not have any milk at all. Furthermore, it came out very cold and all of the phyllo dough was squishy. Being that we are Greek and Puerto Rican and make these deserts regularly, you can imagine how disappointed we were to end our night with these...

Just had dinner with a party of 5 (1 toddler) the day after Christmas, and everything was honestly delicious. So delicious in fact that I had to write this review to rave about it.

To begin - even the bread starter was freshly baked with a variety of flatbread and fluffy loafs, seasoned and spiced with garlic and herbs, adorned with a side of oil.

My toddler, who is normally a picky eater, finished nearly the whole margarita pie himself. He surprisingly had no complaints with any of the dishes.

My wife and friend said it’s the best steak they had in a long time. (Filet mignon and skirt)

I had the fish of the day (salmon) and will also say it’s the best salmon I’ve had in ages.

Dessert was normal. Vanilla ice cream, panna cotta, and tiramisu.

The only things I can give as feedback are: it’s BYOB, but there is a BuyRite literally next door so it’s not a big deal. I also would like a bit more options for dessert. Service was very friendly, professional, and prompt.

Highly recommended and...