i was going to give it 3 stars, but we go here twice a month at least, so i must like it. Â it's got a warm atmosphere--a full bar in the front with the news running and the obligatory regulars arguing politics. Â then there's the dining room and in front, there's a pizza parlor. Â we always say we want to get a pie, cuz they look so good, but we never do (go to nancy's townhouse for the pie. . .) anyhoo...
we usually go around 3-4, as they have a great lunch menu. Â $10 for a soup or salad and an entree. Â this is an amazing deal, as the entree is always enough for leftovers. Â their salad dressing is kick-a@@ (why am i always discussing salad dressings. . i should write a book!) Â their entrees are great--i'm a little limited as i a veg, but they're very accommodating within reason. Â i love the zingara, hold the prosciutto, and the eggplant parm is great, too.
the staff is great, you can tell they consider themselves a family (if they're not), and you can hit the barnes and noble across the street when you're done!
My husband and I go to Tarantellas every Saturday night with my parents. There pizza is delicious..especially the margarita pizza.. I like that they offer medium and large portions as well. Just be aware that if you get a pasta dinner in the medium size it is quite small...go for the large. One of the best meals there is the shrimp parm. My husband always LOVES there chicken marsala and chicken parm. Â If you don't feel like having Italian that's fine..they have hot open sandwiches and paninis. Â The service is always great. Kim is our normal waitress..nice and attentive. We always try to sit in her section. We will continue to have our Saturday night dinners at Tarantellas.
Review Source:My mom called up to make a last minute reservation for 9 and they had no trouble accomodating us. My dad had eaten there once because the restaurant is a few minutes away from the assisted living facility my 92 year old grandpa lives in and we wanted to celebrate his birthday with FOOD! So my husband and I travel up from DC and we are absolutely in dire need of some good Northern NJ authentic italian comfort food. The food was so good we discussed moving Back to the NY/NJ area! The service was absolutely spot on which was impressive because we were 9 starving boisterous people and the restaurant was packed with families :)
The owner was there, greeting customers and he was very sweet with my grandpa. We will definitely be back next time were in the area.
Wasn't expecting that much when I strolled in here, looking for a place to kill time....boy, was I surprised! Everything I had was delicious and flavorful....and the bread they brought out to me was amazing! I had Shrimp Francese, which was truly some of the best I'd ever had...just wish it had come on a bed of pasta instead of solo. This place is sort of far from where I live, but I could see myself driving up there to eat!
Review Source:I am giving back the 5th star. Â Went with a friend who had never been there before, he had the chicken parm and loved it. Â We went there for lunch. Â What I particularly loved was that the was a lunch special menu that I was unaware of and even though we came in after the time listed, our server was nice enough to both tell us about the menu and let us order from it. Â They always have great service here! Â Along with the chicken parm and my dish of rigatoni and peas in vodka sauce, the lunch came with soup. Â Jeff had the minestrone and I had the pasta fagioli. Â Both very hardy and maybe not great but very good.
Review Source:Their house salad is wonderful! Â They're willing to substitute entree items; all of which have been great. Â I love entrees that have spinach and I wasn't disappointed, as they use fresh spinach! Â The bread is real Italian bread ~ crusty outside and arrives nice and warm! Â
If you don't want to wait on a Friday or Saturday evening, arrive before 5:30pm. Â The servers are friendly & competent. Â They have many booths & also tables in the dining room, but the table section is a little too tight. Â
At the front of the building is the pizzeria section and where you would pick up take out orders. Â Their pizza's are quite large and always delicious.
The deserts are very good, but small in size and expensive.
We've gone there many times over the years & have brought visiting friends with us.
Customers dress in all ways ~ casual, dressy and business.
There is a bar area which has a TV.
Small groups can be accommodated by changing the set up of the tables.
We are from San Francisco, spent a night at a local hotel, while visiting family, en route to NYC. Â Hungry for NJ Italian food. Â Wow - We scored big time with Tarantella's Ristorante! Â Venue is casual, diner-ish. Â Service was great. Â Food was outstanding! Â We enjoyed excellent salads, pasta dishes and entrees - Plentiful portions of quality food at reasonable prices.
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