That’s Amore Trattoria Italiana — Restaurant in Toms River

I went to the restaurant for the first time with my 90 year old mother the other evening and sat at the outdoor tables. Prior to entering with my mother, I went into the outdoor dining space and was greeted by a gentleman not wearing a mask. At first it didn't register. But I was wearing a mask. I told him we had a reservation, and a woman who appeared to be a hostess and wearing a mask, pointed out some available tables and i chose one right by the "door", so my mother wouldn't have to walk too far upon entering.

I returned to the car to get her and when we entered, we didn't have masks on as I knew we could quickly sit down as the table was right beside the opening. All of the servers wore masks. The other diners didn't have masks on since they were all eating or drinking, but they all wore masks upon entering and exiting as they had a longer distance to walk than we did.

I am giving this place 3 stars because it takes a lot for me to give anything the maximum amount of 5 stars. I would have given it 4 stars but the owner didn't wear a mask as he came to our table to talk and table hopped to other tables. When I said something to him, he said well you are not wearing a mask. And i said then more the reason for YOU to be wearing one to protect yourself from diners. While he wasn't right on top of the table when speaking to us, he wan't 6 feet away. He grumbled something about the governor and indoor dining and I took away that he felt he wasn't required to wear a mask.

Having said all of that, the service was great, the food was delicious. My mother always hesitates ordering veal parmigiana out because she is afraid the meat won't be tender but she said it was so tender and delicious. She barely usually eats much, but she ate a whole half of the gigantic portion they gave her and the other half the next night. My shrimp scampi was delicious. I made a dish out of the leftover linguine the next night and it remained delicious. The salad was very good too - real greens, not the iceberg lettuce kind of salad.

For now i will order for pick up and delivery. Not sure about...

Stopped in recently for a couple slices. Their pizza is one of the best in the area. While enjoying my perfectly heated slices the owner and some of the kitchen staff sat at an adjacent table and had some of the most amazing looking, aromatic roasted chicken I’ve ever seen! Nice sized chicken too. Huge delicious looking cesar salads. I thought it was an off menu meal they threw together after a hard days work. Tonight I was pleasantly surprised to see it’s actually on the menu featured as a pan seared half chicken with roasted vegetables and a potato croquet. It was incredible!!! AMAZING!!! AND every bit as appetizing looking as what they served themselves. Sautéed spinach was very good, and the potato croquet was a very pleasant surprise. The whole combination of flavors screamed of fine dining. Yes it was that good. If it’s even possible, you’d have to be one helluva chef to out do this wonderful dish. If you want the Best pan seared chicken you’ve had....this is place. Absolutely delicious. Had a side of grilled clams that were right on point. My Son had chicken parmigiana and loved it! Last night we had a Sicilian pie with sausage and mushrooms. Excellent sausage, very, very good in fact. Fresh mushrooms... not canned. Great tasting rustic type tomato sauce. The best! Side of mussels......very, very good!

I’m so glad I got that chicken dish! You will...

04/25/2025: 2 Arugula Salads & Coconut Shrimp to-go: DELICIOUS! 12/24/2024: Christmas Eve menu to-go: Bang-Bang Calamari, Antipasto Montes, Shrimp & Scallops Campana & Salmon Positano - OUTSTANDING! IMO, Amore is the BEST Italian Restaurant in the Toms River area! 02/20/2024: Karla White Pie for pickup - OUTSTANDING! 12/24/2023: Christmas Eve Dinner for 2. We enjoyed a mozzarella-tomato salad appe and for dinner: stuffed salmon and a chicken-pasta dish. Desserts were cheesecake & lemon cake. Outstanding!!! 06/2023: I picked up dinner to-go a few times in June. Food is consistently above average, ready on time and the counter people are personable and friendly. This is my #1 local go-to restaurant. 05/31/2023: Picked-up pizza with extras for dinner: Excellent! We do not buy from here often but when we do, the food is FAR above average. Thank you. 02/05/2022: Saturday Dinner for 2. The food this evening was excellent from appetizers, salad,...