Trattoria Mediterranea

Very disappointed with the  food and the service. Difficult to carry on a conversation because  of the noise level.

You won't find me handing out 5 stars that often, but when I do, you know perfection has been attained (or the restaurant has successfully blackmailed me, which is getting easier to do each successive weekend). Trattoria Mediterranea is everything you look for in an italian restaurant (or any restaurant for that matter): delicious & fresh food, fair portions, respectable prices, excellent service, intimate atmosphere, treated like "la familia", and most importantly, consistent execution of all the above.

It's easy to write this place off at first glance: Located in a small boring strip mall with a parking lot that hides the entire front entrance, Mediterranea boasts a bland rectangular facade that looks like another run of the mill cookie-cutter [name your cuisine] restaurant (did I mention its only store neighbors are the town post office, bank, and sister pizza shop?). They have some outdoor seating in the warmer months, but when your table is literally next to the front end of a parking spot, the only thing you'll be concerned about is getting run over by Joe Schmo who forgot to apply the parking brake when he ran in to get a pepperoni pizza.

It would be petty of me to list a pros/cons section when literally every dish from this family owned restaurant puts me into an instant food coma with each visit. In the mood to relive those childhood fishing trips where you devoured your prized deep sea catch? Get the Cod or Swordfish (for the record, the only fish I caught were Bream in summer camp, and I had to let them go...). Feel like reconnecting with your ancestral hunter craving for red meat and PROTEIN? Go with the pork chop or short ribs. Feeling like just kickin' it back Italian Style? Lasagna or Ravioli. Got a sweet tooth? Mini chocolate cakes like a boss.

Final Comments
If you live near Bedminster, NJ and enjoy authentic italian home cooked meals, you're doing yourself a disservice by not visiting Mediterranea -- and don't be surprised if you're sitting next to a celebrity or athlete from the metropolitan area because this place is on everyone's A-list.

Actually, I lied, I do have one con -- nothing I hate more than visiting a restaurant webpage with music (only a notch up from restaurants who disrupt my meal by blasting generic birthday music with an accompanied light show -- I'm looking at you Hibachi restaurants...). This isn't 1995, you don't have to woo us with your knowledge of how to upload audio files via Internet Explorer 2.0. Feel free to write a whole section on your site about your favorite italian songs, but please don't abuse my earbuds with "That's Amore" when all I want to do is look at the menu. That's my only rant-- now back to planning my next trip to hometown Bedminster and what my BYOB choice will be for Mediterranea...

We have been to this terrific, little Italian restaurant twice.  Both times, we were amazed by the food and thrilled by the service.  The menu is EXTENSIVE...and then they have many, many specials each and every day.  The bread basket includes some of the best, tasty bread I've ever had.  The antipasta plate is different and extraordinary each time.  Finally, on the last visit, we brought my honey's son - who is handicapped and in a wheel chair.  They graciously accommodated us quickly, and made all of us feel at ease.  This delightful restaurant gives the impression that you are dining with their family.  A wonderful experience!!  Also, it's BYOB...so bring your fav bottle of wine and they will open and pour!