Nicola's Ristorante — Restaurant in Totowa

I have to say I'm so disappointed. My family and I have been going here for years! This has always been a longstanding go-to for us. From business meetings, to family get togethers, holidays, to big celebrations, and just because. I flew in from Chicago to celebrate my mother's 70th and my father's retirement. What better place to go...right? Wrong! The service was abysmal and the food was terrible. What has happened. Our waitress was so rude from the beginning. Never once introduced herself, made us feel welcomed or checked on us throughout the entire meal. She repeatedly rolled her eyes. For example, as if we were to know. We wanted to order appetizers. Well, that clearly was a no no! We were scolded like children. Instead of explaining, she rolled her eyes, huffed and puffed and said, that she had to put our entire order in, appetizers, entries, everything all at once. Nothing else was allowed. So we all had to quickly decide what to order. We were rushed through the meal. No one came to check on us. The bus-people huffed if you asked them for something and barked most of the time, we asked for bread and the gentleman said, "yeah when I get a minute". We were in utter shock at what has come of this place. Shame on the wait staff for being so rude. The food was barely ok. The stuffed artichoke had a cup-and-a-half of Parmesan cheese in the middle. Not melted , not fresh, somewhere in between, room temperature. No flavoring, no bread crumbs, just this blob in the middle! What do you do with that? Gd forbid we asked! Mind you the artichoke was $18.00. My sister asked about her chicken, a.k.a veal and the waitress was rude and wouldn't explain the dish. The sauce tastes like it came out of a jar. They charged us for a full portion of spaghetti because with veal Parm they serve potatoes and asparagus. Three, quarter potatoes, and three tiny, tiny tips of asparagus! What! The waitress couldn't even calmly explain that spaghetti does not come with the veal and chicken Parm. I'm sorry, how many places do not serve spaghetti with their parm meals? Was that so odd that we asked what the meal comes with? That was so ghastly!? Why do you have to be so rude when we asked what it came with. Why couldn't you explain that you had to charge a full portion for the spaghetti, but might as well keep the "potatoes' and "asparagus" as well. I just cannot believe what was going on. We were so upset, when they finally, after 5 people located our birthday cake, we asked for it to be packed up and left. What a shame! And shame on people for being so rude! Needless to say we will not be returning and unfortunately, after recommending this place to hundreds over the years, will no longer do so. I felt sorry most of all for my parents, after a brain tumor, a stroke and cancer, this was more than a birthday/retirement...

Upon entering Nicola's Ristorante in Totowa, NJ, the first thing that caught my eye wasn't just the expansive dining space or the quaint Christmas trees oddly segmenting the room. It was our server, Brian. His presence seemed to echo the grandeur of the high-ceilinged space, adding an unexpected charm to the restaurant's ambiance.

The interior of Nicola's was both clean and aesthetically pleasing, with fresh paint and a general air of freshness. But as I took in the surroundings, I found my attention intermittently drifting back to Brian. His effortless grace as he navigated the dining area, coupled with his impressive physique, suggested a level of professionalism and attention to detail that promised a memorable dining experience.

And indeed, the service was exceptional. Brian, with his bulging biceps subtly straining against the fabric of his uniform, was more than just a waiter; he was the orchestrator of our culinary experience. His deft movements, whether pouring American champagne or refilling wine glasses, were performed with an ease that spoke of experience and a deep understanding of hospitality.

The food, too, lived up to the high standards set by our surroundings and our server. The Italian cuisine was remarkable, possibly the best I had savored outside Manhattan in recent times. The appetizers, especially the clams special and the burrata, arrived swiftly, each dish a testament to the kitchen's prowess. As my dining companions enjoyed their pastas and veal, Brian hovered nearby, his attentive gaze ensuring that our every need was met.

While the atmosphere of Nicola's was pleasant, it lacked a certain intimacy. The restaurant's boxy structure, reminiscent of its strip mall location, lacked secluded corners for more private conversations. Yet, even this minor shortfall seemed less significant each time Brian passed by our table, his presence a subtle reminder that we were in capable hands.

In terms of value, Nicola's hit the mark. The prices were reasonable, especially considering the BYOB option, which certainly eased the financial burden of dining out.

As the evening wore on, Brian's charm never waned. His approachable demeanor and striking appearance added an extra layer of enjoyment to our meal, making the experience about more than just food.

In conclusion, Nicola's Ristorante is a place I'll return to, not just for the delightful Italian fare or the reasonable prices, but for the chance to be served by Brian again. His subtle impact on our evening was undeniable, elevating a simple dinner into a truly memorable event. Just a word of advice: Nicola's open layout might not be ideal for those seeking a discreet dining experience. But for an evening of good food and exceptional service,...

Worst experience ever! Service was horrible! Food was thrown on the table not served properly so everything spilled. Of course it was bigger party with kids and there were two glasses broken (not on purpose) and with big attitude one of the busboy came to clean up saying "They break too many glasses". Like it was done on purpose. Half an hour before the end all stuff came in and throw out (literally throw out) people from table so they didn't have place to go. Place was too crowded, to go outside you have to squeeze between people eating their dinner and staff. The worst part was when the waiter brought coffee and served it over children's heads! (not saying that they forgot about Worst experience ever! Service was horrible! Food was thrown on the table not served properly so everything spilled. Of course it was bigger party with kids and there were two glasses broken (not on purpose) and with big additute one of the busboy came to clean up saying "They break to many glass". Like it was done on purpose. Half an hour before the end all stuff came in and throw out (litterly throw out) people from table so they didn't have place to go. Place was too crowded, to go outside you have to squeeze between people eating their meals and staff. The worst part was that waiter served hot coffee over children's heads! (Half of the people didn't received their coffee). Many times I had to remind them to bring something. The food was nothing special so I was surprised for the reviews. Don't recommend this...