Oh my God.
I'm SO glad we found this place! We almost didn't go. It was our first night in New Jersey and we were tired, but I just had this feeling to go. I get these gut feelings about places and I had it about this place. Was I right? Read on...
We called to see if we could bring a bottle of wine and the lady who answered said of course! And got our reservation right then. We showed up a half hour later.
The place is quaint and cute and beautiful even. Small, intimate. Clean. Greeted by the matriarch of the family who floats from table to table chatting up the patrons. Her grandson came to us immediately. His name is Joey and he is a delight! Waiters are on top of things, professional, and the place is great for a date, friend or family night. Cloth napkins, good silverware. The people next to us at the table are speaking Italian. Ok, good start!
But oh my God let's get to the food.
Started with the stuffed artichoke. This is the first time in the night that I closed my eyes to block out everything but the delicious flavor flooding my taste buds. Holy moly grab your grandma grab your wife. This food is the REAL DEAL.
Then the main courses. Our party had the eggplant, and shrimp Parmigiano, and penne, and pesto linguine, and Broccoli Rabe and shrimp. Second time I'm eating with my eyes closed to savor every bite.
We died and went to heaven. I told my partner I'm sorry I'm leaving you for Joey and I'll find out if he has a sister so we can both eat at their families house b/c I NEED this food in my life more than just once.
Now I'm contemplating my whole life here, wondering why fate had me born in Southern Louisiana to cajuns, and why couldn't I have been born in Jersey to some sweet Italian grandma who cooks like this??? What a cruel toss up, fate!
Ok then of course we order dessert! I've never had a Canoli so I order that. It comes, and I bite into it. I start CRYING OVER THIS DANG CANOLI. I'm sobbing a bit now because it's the best thing I've had. I've only cried twice over food in my life. Once when I went back to my hometown and had true Cajun seafood gumbo after 12 years (real Cajun not new orleans cajun) and tonight over this Canoli.
I'm wiping my eyes on this towel while my partner and parents are concerned.. "Why are you crying"
"Because of the canoli"
"The canoli?"
"Just try it!"
THEN they understood.
What else can I say?
I've never had Italian food this good. It doesn't exist like this in the South. I will ALWAYS come back here when I visit.
And our meal from start to finish was 100. For 4 people with two desserts and an appetizer and four entrees and a side. Amazing
As I'm walking out I tell Joey to tell the chef that I cried over his canoli. He promises to do it. It's not a euphemism 🤣. It's really that...
Read moreNestled in the heart of our vibrant community, Casa di Napoli is a hidden gem that effortlessly combines authentic Italian cuisine with the warmth of family hospitality. From the moment you step through the door, you are greeted with a charming ambiance that feels both inviting and intimate, making it the perfect spot for a casual dinner or a special celebration.
The service at Casa di Napoli is truly top-notch. The staff, often family members themselves, exude a genuine passion for their craft, ensuring every guest feels right at home. Our server was attentive without being intrusive, offering thoughtful recommendations and making sure our glasses were never empty.
Now, let’s talk about the food – a delightful journey through the rich flavors of Italy. We started with the fried calamari, which was perfectly crispy, tender, and accompanied by a zesty marinara sauce that left us wanting more. The Caesar salad was equally impressive, with crisp romaine, freshly shaved parmesan, and a dressing that was just the right balance of tangy and creamy.
For the main course, I opted for the eggplant parmigiana, and it was nothing short of excellent. The layers of thinly sliced eggplant were beautifully breaded and fried, then baked to perfection with a rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella that created a heavenly combination. My wife chose the stuffed artichoke as an appetizer and then the shrimp fra diavolo for her main course, which was a delightful surprise. Each bite was a burst of flavor, showcasing the care and attention that goes into every dish.
To finish our meal, we couldn’t resist trying the tartufo. This decadent dessert, featuring a rich chocolate shell with a creamy filling, was the perfect ending to an already stellar dining experience.
What truly sets Casa di Napoli apart is their commitment to specials that reflect the season and the chef’s creativity. Each visit promises something new and exciting, making it a place we can't wait to return to.
Casa di Napoli is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Italian cuisine served with love and dedication. With excellent dishes across the board and exceptional service, I highly recommend this family-owned treasure. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, make sure to stop by and experience the culinary delights that await you at Casa di Napoli. You won't be...
Read moreWorst Experience Ever!!! Fruit Flies or some kind of weird bugs everywhere all over the wall and buzzing all around us. The rude old lady that's sat us down said they must have came in when we open the door and then said it was only our table so why on Earth did she sit us in the corner between the kitchen and the bathroom when the whole restaurant was empty? While we were waiting this very nosey fat old lady, I don't know if she was the manager or the owner but she did say that her husband was the cook, was constantly staring and pointing at us while speaking in Italian about us to another unpleasant old lady that was sitting with her in another table. Then she was constantly coming over to our table to tell us about the menu like we couldn't read or something. But really it was to ask us a bunch of personal questions like why we came in or if we've been there before and where we are from, if we were dating, how long we were together, why we were dating, all because my girlfriend was black and this old lady was obviously Racist and very upset we were there! So we only ordered appetizers and when the food finally came there were bugs all over it, flying around it, and on our food!! Then this very intrusive old lady that wouldn't leave us alone came over again and started touching our Food and grab the artichoke leaf and wanted to feed it to me. At which point I just had enough and I had to just get up and leave immediately. We felt so violated it's like they did everything wrong on purpose just to get me to leave just because my girlfriend was black. I had to go home and take a shower immediately and separate my clothes and put it in a plastic bag to take to the dry cleaner because of that flea infested restaurants. I should have gave them to dry cleaning bill. Just a horrible falling apart restaurant. I even felt like calling a lawyer, but never ever going there again, and neither should you or anyone else who wants a peaceful, decent, quiet, and...
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