I think we can all say we are foodies here. I've been trying to get to Riccardo's Italian Restaurant since I first saw it on my radar back in February. It's a solid 30 minute ride from me and though that isn't long, you aren't married to my husband. He is hard to get out of the house for dinner. And if it's more than 10 minutes away it's usually a firm no from him. So since February I've been trying to get him to take the ride to try Vito Russo 's restaurant. We'll tonight I guess he caved because I told him before lunch today that I wanted to go tonight since we try to avoid weekend nights at eateries-he shockingky agreed to go We actually enjoyed the country ride there. It's true first impressions are important. When we arrived and walked to the door the young pizza delivery man was walking way in front of us and he stopped to hold the door open for us- a great first impression. It was seat yourself and within a minute our server came to bring us menus and get our drink order. The dining room is very pretty and softly lit with fresh roses at every table in a wine bottle. You can't help but notice the far wall full of family photos and the soft neon sign that says "Everything you see I owe to pizza." The entire staff here is pleasant. My husband noticed the comradery among the employees and said he must be good to work for. We couldn't decide which pie to order or whether to have a dinner entree, so we got both. I ordered Tour of Italy and he ordered the Grandma Pie. Tour of Italy is Lasagna, Chicken Parm, and Fettuccine Alfredo on one plate with choice of soup or salad. I went in objectively -though I read nothing but positive reviews about this place- I mean that's why I was so eager to visit. Right away we saw Vito come out to visit every table and talk to his customers (like I've read in other posts). He started bringing out plates to each table and minutes later appeared at ours to offer his fermented garlic bread, now mind you we already feasted on delicious garlic knots with a thick marinara dip, and a garden salad with a yummy balsamic house dressing. When Vito came to our table is when I told him I came from seeing so much on Facebook and this group. He introduced us to his mother who was seated behind me and what a sweet little lady she is. You can see family it's very important here and that the staff too is family. We talked to him about the expansion and how he grew up here. Photos of his father and him on the wall reinforced that- 50 years in business this year When our food came we dove into all of it and I'm not one to order fettuccine Alfredo, because in the past at other places it is either too heavy or to strong. This however was like eating pasta in a sauce made of clouds. It was so creamy and light yet still stuck to my ribs- Major comfort food. The lasagna and chicken parm were just as tasty in their own right. The pie was delicious. Bill and I shared it all and still couldn't finish half of it. Vito saw what pizza we ordered and came out to tell us to save room. He brought out a browns mills tomato pie for us to try on the house. Whew I'm glad I saved room. I took a couple bites from my husband's slices. Everything we had was rich and robust in flavor. Nothing masked anything else. The garlic was just right and the sweetness of the tomatoes complimented the cheeses. The biggest compliment would be from my husband as we left. He isn't one to say much and he said "** that was good. I thought it was just a regular pizza place but this was worth the drive." So Vito from the man who says about 10 words a day and likes to stay home, you earned all his words. Thank you for the great food and customer service and unexpected complimentary pie- we will be bringing our whole family back very...
Read moreIf you are anywhere near Pemberton or Browns Mills New Jersey you will want to go out of your way to eat at this one-of-a-kind amazing restaurant. Don't let the name fool you. This is not your ordinary pizzeria. This is the best Italian food made with genuine true love and the freshest most quality ingredients I have ever tasted. This is coming from a foodie from Savannah with a discerning palette. Visiting my boyfriend's family last weekend, we went to the neighborhood pizza joint Riccardo's on Friday for lunch. The contagious vibe of positive happy people right there in the open bustling kitchen and the smell of the pizza-by-the-slice displayed as you walk in the door wasn't the first thing I noticed, it was the desserts in the display cabinet that got me, all handmade cannolis and goodie covered fresh made cheesecakes and things I'd never seen before had me drooling....it all looked so fresh. The menu had so many options I didn't know what to pick, but for $20 I got a dinner sized salad and the best chicken piccata I've ever had. The plates are enormous portions that could feed two if you're willing to share. With so many options it was hard to decide what to get but our waiter Josh took our order in stride. My house vinaigrette was handmade and came in an adorable little mini soup pot, all fresh chopped ingredients, not some bottled stuff. Perfection. The garlic knots were out of this world so naturally when asked what we should have for dinner I was ready for round two at Riccardo's. When we came back the place was packed. Despite the parking lot being almost full and the restaurant in full swing everyone in the open kitchen was still in a fantastic mood, happily welcomed us in and once again I looked into the dessert display. They said "if you want something that's not in here, Vino will whip it up for you! " We were immediately seated surprisingly and our waitress Becky approached us with a level of happiness you don't often see on people at work! This time I went the dinner route and ordered the muscles over linguine in white wine garlic sauce which hands down, rivalled the fancy seafood restaurants in the south and I'm a muscle girl. My other table mates had a tour of Italy and a parmigiana that were hand breaded and the best sauce and flavor I have ever tasted. The owner Vino came to our table bearing gifts; just a little something he whipped up in the moment that night: a cheezy bruschetta with black garlic, sliced mini tomatoes, onion and olives with a honey drizzle-not even on the menu- enough for us each to have one to taste while we waited. Incredible. He treated us like family. Naturally we were stuffed, so we got our desert to go. Walking to the car I waved back at the staff saying goodnight! who made us feel like family. Even after a long busy Friday service there was Vito, the owner, buzzing around, tending to the basil and hugging people goodbye. Despite the impeccable service, delicious, quality food and insane desert the atmosphere was very comfortable, family friendly, clean and refreshing and the fresh basil garden really made this my top five places to eat in America. In fact, we even ordered a pie to go on our last night in town because why not? I can't wait to go back to Riccardo's. Thank you sincerely, every one for making us feel at home. P.S. the T-shirts...
Read moreDamn, what can I say about Ricardo's Restaurant in Browns Mills? This place is absolutely amazing! That’s not just coming from me, but from my son, who couldn’t help but say it after taking his first bite of the appetizer they brought us. The moment he said “Damn, this is good!” I knew we were in for a special dining experience.
The food here is out of this world, especially if you’re into authentic Italian cuisine. Ricardo’s offers everything from delicious pizzas to hearty pasta dishes, paninis, and more. Their pizzas have the perfect crisp crust, topped with fresh ingredients that make each slice better than the last. The pasta dishes are rich and flavorful, with sauces that taste homemade, and the paninis are just the right mix of savory and satisfying. Each dish is made with care, and you can taste the quality in every bite. Portions are generous too, so you won’t leave hungry!
But it’s not just the food that makes Ricardo’s stand out—it’s the people. The owner of the restaurant is truly something special. He’s not the type to hide in the back; instead, he’s out on the floor, checking in on customers, making sure everyone’s happy with their meal. He even came to our table and brought us a free appetizer, something new he wanted us to try, which is what sparked that memorable reaction from my son. It’s clear he genuinely cares about his customers and takes pride in everything he serves.
The service here is just as amazing as the food. The staff are friendly, attentive, and always ready with a smile. They make you feel like you’re a part of the family, going out of their way to ensure your dining experience is perfect. They’re knowledgeable about the menu and more than happy to make recommendations if you’re not sure what to order. Their warmth and professionalism really add to the overall experience.
The ambiance at Ricardo’s is cozy and relaxed, perfect for a family dinner, a casual night out with friends, or even a date night. The space is clean and comfortable, with just the right amount of charm to make it feel special without being too formal.
In short, Ricardo’s Restaurant is a gem in Browns Mills. From the mouth-watering Italian dishes to the outstanding service and personal touches from the owner, this place is one you’ll want to visit again and again. My family and I left with full stomachs and smiles on our faces, already looking forward to our...
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