Cutest place ever the grinch grotto was great! The food was amazing and the waiters were wonderful.
Karen
$9.25 for a bottle of Miller Lite is unheard of. Unfortunately we will never return. $34 bottle of “table wine” with a label stuck on it with the Calandra name , horrible. Portions were small ; prices absurdly expensive. Only thing good was the bread.
Allison
Delicious pasta dishes and amazing table bread!!! Loved the grinch vibes, so cute for a holiday lunch!
Gina
The grinch's grotto experience was cute but not maybe as over the top as I had envisioned. Food was quite tasty but I felt a bit overpriced for what it was. Our server seemed to be in a rush while waiting on us. My guest was mid bite when she was asked if she was still working on her meal or would like a box. Clearly she was still eating. We were then asked if we would like coffee/dessert and the check. Maybe it was an off night for service but it was off putting to the experience.
patti
Lunch at the Grinchmas pop-up experience was fun. They did a great job decorating and creating a uniquely fun environment. Food was very good as was service.
Suzanne
We had an enjoyable lunch and the pop up (Dr. Suess) Grinch theme was fantastic. This is one of my favorite Christmas movies and brought out the child at heart memory! Thank you. Suzanne
Joan Reynolds
Beautiful place delicious food! Family friendly! Grinch decorations were so fun!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eugi LaLindez
Place, customer service and food is Great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ian Thomson
12/4/25. 12:19 PM.
First time attempting to try this restaurant. Called to make a reservation for this Saturday 12/6/25. The woman said we don’t have anymore reservations available and just hung up on me.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Carmine Iacullo
We went there for Thanksgiving and they had a Grinch Themed atmosphere which was tastefully done. We needed to change our table because the first one was too small for 4 people. Everything was good overall, but where they fall short is on their desserts. For a place that is known for their baked goods, sadly, they do not offer them in their restaurant.
We went to dinner at the Grinch’s Grotto and it was worse than we could have imagined. We have eaten at Calandra’s Caldwell location many times before and also have visited their Holly Jolly Lounge, and those experiences were vastly different from this one. Nobody came over to our table until 20 minutes after we were seated and when they did, it was the MANAGER. She proceeded to take our drink, appetizer, and food orders and saw our service through until the end. The waitress who was supposed to be helping us (we presume, as she never introduced herself or served us), came over once to ask how we were enjoying everything, when it was already time to pay. Overall, the service was an embarrassment on a weeknight when there were only a handful of tables filled. We felt terrible for the manager who did her best to rectify an evidently shameful situation. The drinks were overpriced (which was fine for the festive nature of it all- and the place was decorated beautifully) and the food was so salty that it should have been served with a complimentary diuretic. We already told our other friends who we were going to return with that we MUST pick a different location.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Kenny Robinson
I recently visited Cucina Calandra for the Grinch’s Grato pop-up, and it was an unforgettable date night. From start to finish, everything was top-notch. The service was friendly and attentive, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The food? Absolutely phenomenal!
We began with some pre-meal bread, which was fresh, soft, and delicious. For the main course, I had the Cavatelli Con Ragu Di Salsiccia—a rich and flavorful dish that was perfectly cooked. The Pepperoni & Hot Honey Pizza was another standout, with just the right balance of spicy and savory flavors. Every bite was a 10/10.
If you’re looking for a great meal in Fairfield, NJ, I highly recommend Cucina Calandra. Whether you’re here for a special occasion or just a night out, it’s definitely worth a visit. I can't wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeana
Charlie our server was superb! Outstanding customer service, outstanding food and outstanding surroundings. Loved it!
Heather
Second time visiting and second time having terrible food. Tried pasta rhe first time and pizza the second time and neither were edible. Not even the bread on the table is good, which is sad for a place that is known for their bread. Guests are also treated differently depending on whether or not the manager decides they are special. Overall not a pleasant place to dine.
Steve S
Nice server ,Good service, but the food wasn't anything great.. n most of the speciality drinks were imo bad enough to ask for something else. Other then that just an okay place thats next to hotel.
Cutest place ever the grinch grotto was great! The food was amazing and the waiters were wonderful.
$9.25 for a bottle of Miller Lite is unheard of. Unfortunately we will never return. $34 bottle of “table wine” with a label stuck on it with the Calandra name , horrible. Portions were small ; prices absurdly expensive. Only thing good was the bread.
Delicious pasta dishes and amazing table bread!!! Loved the grinch vibes, so cute for a holiday lunch!
The grinch's grotto experience was cute but not maybe as over the top as I had envisioned. Food was quite tasty but I felt a bit overpriced for what it was. Our server seemed to be in a rush while waiting on us. My guest was mid bite when she was asked if she was still working on her meal or would like a box. Clearly she was still eating. We were then asked if we would like coffee/dessert and the check. Maybe it was an off night for service but it was off putting to the experience.
Lunch at the Grinchmas pop-up experience was fun. They did a great job decorating and creating a uniquely fun environment. Food was very good as was service.
We had an enjoyable lunch and the pop up (Dr. Suess) Grinch theme was fantastic. This is one of my favorite Christmas movies and brought out the child at heart memory! Thank you. Suzanne
Beautiful place delicious food! Family friendly! Grinch decorations were so fun!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Place, customer service and food is Great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
12/4/25.
12:19 PM.
First time attempting to try this restaurant. Called to make a reservation for this Saturday 12/6/25. The woman said we don’t have anymore reservations available and just hung up on me.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We went there for Thanksgiving and they had a Grinch Themed atmosphere which was tastefully done. We needed to change our table because the first one was too small for 4 people. Everything was good overall, but where they fall short is on their desserts. For a place that is known for their baked goods, sadly, they do not offer them in their restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
We went to dinner at the Grinch’s Grotto and it was worse than we could have imagined. We have eaten at Calandra’s Caldwell location many times before and also have visited their Holly Jolly Lounge, and those experiences were vastly different from this one. Nobody came over to our table until 20 minutes after we were seated and when they did, it was the MANAGER. She proceeded to take our drink, appetizer, and food orders and saw our service through until the end. The waitress who was supposed to be helping us (we presume, as she never introduced herself or served us), came over once to ask how we were enjoying everything, when it was already time to pay. Overall, the service was an embarrassment on a weeknight when there were only a handful of tables filled. We felt terrible for the manager who did her best to rectify an evidently shameful situation. The drinks were overpriced (which was fine for the festive nature of it all- and the place was decorated beautifully) and the food was so salty that it should have been served with a complimentary diuretic. We already told our other friends who we were going to return with that we MUST pick a different location.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
I recently visited Cucina Calandra for the Grinch’s Grato pop-up, and it was an unforgettable date night. From start to finish, everything was top-notch. The service was friendly and attentive, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The food? Absolutely phenomenal!
We began with some pre-meal bread, which was fresh, soft, and delicious. For the main course, I had the Cavatelli Con Ragu Di Salsiccia—a rich and flavorful dish that was perfectly cooked. The Pepperoni & Hot Honey Pizza was another standout, with just the right balance of spicy and savory flavors. Every bite was a 10/10.
If you’re looking for a great meal in Fairfield,
NJ, I highly recommend Cucina Calandra. Whether you’re here for a special occasion or just a night out, it’s definitely worth a visit. I can't wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charlie our server was superb! Outstanding customer service, outstanding food and outstanding surroundings. Loved it!
Second time visiting and second time having terrible food. Tried pasta rhe first time and pizza the second time and neither were edible. Not even the bread on the table is good, which is sad for a place that is known for their bread. Guests are also treated differently depending on whether or not the manager decides they are special. Overall not a pleasant place to dine.
Nice server ,Good service, but the food wasn't anything great.. n most of the speciality drinks were imo bad enough to ask for something else. Other then that just an okay place thats next to hotel.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
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