Nanni Ristorante — Restaurant in Rochelle Park

The Wonderful World of Traditional Italian Cuisine Full disclosure - I have been the musician at Nanni for the past 26 years. However this review is based on my experience as a customer. Over the years I have gone to Restaurant Nanni many times. I've gone with my wife, and with my family and friends. The food and service are consistently excellent. From the time you are seated and greeted by your host, Manny Moreira, you begin to realize that you are in for a treat. The wait staff is attentive and cordial. I am always made to feel like I'm a guest even though I work there weekly. I highly recommend Carmen's homemade seafood salad or a selection from Onofrio's cold antipasto as a starter. However, there are many more choices from the classic Calamari to oysters, escargot, and shrimp and clam cocktails. Main dishes are always well prepared by a kitchen that works like a well-oiled machine. Pastas are prepared al dente and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The gnocchi and risotto dishes are always great.

Steaks and chops are expertly prepared and although I gave up red meat 3 years ago, my mouth still waters at the thought of a steak from Nanni. Rack of lamb is on the menu and I often see other customers ordering it. Fish dishes are also well prepared and one of my favorites is salmon in mustard sauce. There is also a nice selection of veal dishes. The food is consistently good. In the 26 years I have been eating there from when I perform to the times I have come as a customer, I have never had a bad meal. After dinner - there are coffees and desserts galore. I recommend Carmen's flan - the texture is thicker (more like cheesecake) than traditional flan and it is a real treat. She also makes a terrific creme brulee. From Italian pastries to tartufos, tiramisu, and sherbets served in fruit shells, there is something for everyone. Nanni has a wonderful balanced selection of fine wines, with bottles both moderately priced and some more expensive. I highly recommend Ristorante Nanni as a special place to go for a extraordinary...

I would leave 0 stars if I could. Be warned.. went out to dinner and was forced to valet park my car even when I told the man who spoke no English I did not feel comfortable and wanted to park my vehicle my self. None the less I gave him my key and allowed him to park my car since there was no other way around it. During my meal I went outside to smoke and I witnessed the same valet guy give someone the wrong car along with the keys for that car. After dinner I proceeded to go get my car as any normal person would do, and the valet guy told me he didn’t have my car key and proceeded to tell me I never gave it to him..which is impossible because you can’t drive the car without the key..we then proceeded to inform the owner Manny, of both incidents where he asked the valet guy and said valet guy denied both incidents ever happening. Manny informed me he would purchase a new key for me as it was his workers fault. He gave me the run around for weeks and told me that my key was out of stock and he wasn’t able to order it and if I wanted a new key I should take care of it. Proceed to order a new key which arrived NEXT DAY (key was never out of stock). I paid $600 out of my own pocket to get a new key, cut and program it to my car, Manny told me it was too expensive for a key and he was only covering the cost of the key 6 weeks after the fact they lost my key. Will never go here again and will never recommend this place to anyone! Horrible...

Went there for Mother's Day, it was 2 men and 2 women. Parking is by valet only. Decor was nice, seating comfortable, and service friendly and attentive. Food was o.k. but not spectacular; I've had better and I've had worse. Portion sizes were fair and slightly on the generous side, but prices are high for the quality you get. The bread was basic Italian loaf and on the dry side. The stuffed mushroom appetizer was rubbery and not very appetizing. I ordered the seafood risotto which was reasonably good and the portion was fair. The ladies ordered veal dishes and I tried both - the veal was well-prepared and tasty, not sinewy like veal I've had at other Italian places. Thumbs up for the veal.

However - do not order the Caesar salad for two - HUGE waste of money. It was supposed to have the traditional dressing with anchovies so I was eager to try it. There was barely any dressing at all, I could not taste anything. It was leaves on a plate, and the portions were small. We spent $28 for two of these monstrosities - they should have paid us for eating them! Aside from that big mis-step, desserts were o.k. although I have had much better Italian cheesecake (ricotta) and the tiramisu was panned by everyone at the table who tasted it.

Overall, I would give the place somewhere between 3 - 3.5 stars, but I'm a tough grader. The ladies both received a rose upon leaving which I thought was...