This is my favorite Italian Restaurant in Metuchen,in fact in all of New Jersey. Food is authentic Italian. In fact it feels like you're in a little cafe in Italy. Owner and wait staff is excellent. Very friendly. Will always eat here for a good experience!
Susie D.
Civile in Metuchen * This is a rarity where I find a restaurant where every dish was perfect and delicious and without complaint. A complete hidden gem, filled with regulars who are keeping this spot on the down-low AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO VISIT. Each dish is flavorful and gives the feel of "elevated homemade." The ambiance is cozy and quaint. The service is good with one of the owners actively overseeing customers while the other cooks up the storm. It's BYOB. We did their family-style where you can order salads, 4 appetizers, 3 entrees (1 beef, 1 fish, and 1 chicken), 1 pasta dish, and dessert tray all for $45 per person. What we ordered: Pancetta fig crostini Calamari Ciasulli (calamari with balsamic reduction) Mussels Anise Sicilian Meatballs Vodka Farfalle Salmon (2x substituted for chicken for extra $) New York Strip
CARMEN MELCHIONNA
Foods ok, but this place is "sticky" and dated, and the service is a downer.The owner has a puss on him, and the other waiter disappears for 20 minutes a clip.....not worth your
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Gerald Dezenzo
We have been to this restaurant several times with parties of 8 plus. The food is always excellent. We share appetizers and try each others dishes to plan or the next visit.Portions are enough for a second helping the next day. It is BYOB which is another plus. This way we get more appetizers to enhance our dining experience. Our reservation times have been honored and the wait staff is great. The atmosphere is nice. If your looking for a grand dining room forget that because the food is the star. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Yuji L.
Impeccable dining experience, great service, nice decor and ambiance. The bread was baked to perfection, we got the special ricotta balls appetizer to start and everyone liked it, I got the specialty linguine while my friends got the linguine white clam and salmon mare chiara, the portions are huge, plating is nice and food tastes great. Definitely recommend.
Olivia B
Had the best time here! Service was wonderful and the food was unbelievably good! Starting with the bread and oil, I knew we were in for a treat. I had a few appetizers with my friends, and ate the goat cheese salad for dinner and we just loved everything we ordered. Will absolutely come back with friends and family!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lenny K.
Continues to have great food and terrific service. Jason and Juan are really serving up some great food. Need to address some aesthetic issues in the main dining room.
Kevin L.
Excellent food, great service and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Italian Jambalaya, Balsamic Calamari
Tony F.
We were there on Saturday night, January 23, 2024 for a friend's birthday. The parking lot was a disaster area! Completely ice covered! A lawsuit waiting to happen! Next, we were seated in what looked like the back room, and the exterior door had a wicked draft! The food and service was ok, but a little pricey!
Jen B.
I will start with the positives...the food was delicious and big portions. This is the only reason I am wven being generous with 3 stars. Party of 10 and 10/10 really enjoyed their food. The grouper, gnocchi, and spiedini appetizer especially stood out. It's BYOB, which is always a plus, and portions are large. The atmosphere dated, but I found it charming. The cons... service was terrible! I mean, rudest of rude. Ordered 3 sodas. They never came out. Asked about them and wasn't even an apology. The owner himself took our order, and his demeanor was terrible. He acted as if he was doing us a favor. It was Christmas Eve, and my husband just lost his Mom. We hoped for a relaxed, friendly night. The food saved the night but we were really disappointed in the service. I see mostly positive reviews regarding Civile's service. Maybe he had an off night. But it was Christmas Eve, and he kinda ruined the night. We talked about walking out, but where could we go without a reservation? It's a shame bc food was pretty spectacular. We had a $440 bill, which I felt was great for the food quality, but that service would keep me from ever returning.
Family style was good. Nice selection, and generous portions.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Carmen Locacio
Very cozy and quaint, good place for Italian cuisine. Limited parking, use municipal parking across the street. Great staff , very professional and friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi Alla Sorrentino, Bruschetta, Balsamic Calamari
Cindy B
OMG They GO ABOVE AND BEYOND!! This place is a hidden gem. My favorite now for all type of family events. They really care and do the best to make everything perfect for you!! Truly I could never thank them enough.Food was incredible!!!, the timing, the service, the set up! Everything!!!! We did family style. 100% recommended. Everyone had something good to say. They all love the food. We had a great time! Favorites: calamari, steak, and carbonara!! The desserts omg!!!!!! All amazing!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kimberly Vournas
We had seen some of the reviews were good so we figured will give it a try. Bad idea food was horrible the tomato sauce tasted like it was from a jar not home made. Pasta was overcooked and the sauce on it tasted burnt. I would never recommend this place. Over priced and nothing to write home about. We have had better food at an Italian chain restaurants
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Anny Perilla
Amazing place to have your events! We just recently went there for a wedding reception and the food and service was incredible! Make sure you order their NY steak and the calamari!
This is my favorite Italian Restaurant in Metuchen,in fact in all of New Jersey. Food is authentic Italian. In fact it feels like you're in a little cafe in Italy. Owner and wait staff is excellent. Very friendly. Will always eat here for a good experience!
Civile in Metuchen * This is a rarity where I find a restaurant where every dish was perfect and delicious and without complaint. A complete hidden gem, filled with regulars who are keeping this spot on the down-low AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO VISIT. Each dish is flavorful and gives the feel of "elevated homemade." The ambiance is cozy and quaint. The service is good with one of the owners actively overseeing customers while the other cooks up the storm. It's BYOB. We did their family-style where you can order salads, 4 appetizers, 3 entrees (1 beef, 1 fish, and 1 chicken), 1 pasta dish, and dessert tray all for $45 per person. What we ordered: Pancetta fig crostini Calamari Ciasulli (calamari with balsamic reduction) Mussels Anise Sicilian Meatballs Vodka Farfalle Salmon (2x substituted for chicken for extra $) New York Strip
Foods ok, but this place is "sticky" and dated, and the service is a downer.The owner has a puss on him, and the other waiter disappears for 20 minutes a clip.....not worth your
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
We have been to this restaurant several times with parties of 8 plus. The food is always excellent. We share appetizers and try each others dishes to plan or the next visit.Portions are enough for a second helping the next day. It is BYOB which is another plus. This way we get more appetizers to enhance our dining experience. Our reservation times have been honored and the wait staff is great. The atmosphere is nice. If your looking for a grand dining room forget that because the food is the star. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Impeccable dining experience, great service, nice decor and ambiance. The bread was baked to perfection, we got the special ricotta balls appetizer to start and everyone liked it, I got the specialty linguine while my friends got the linguine white clam and salmon mare chiara, the portions are huge, plating is nice and food tastes great. Definitely recommend.
Had the best time here! Service was wonderful and the food was unbelievably good! Starting with the bread and oil, I knew we were in for a treat. I had a few appetizers with my friends, and ate the goat cheese salad for dinner and we just loved everything we ordered. Will absolutely come back with friends and family!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Continues to have great food and terrific service. Jason and Juan are really serving up some great food. Need to address some aesthetic issues in the main dining room.
Excellent food, great service and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Italian Jambalaya, Balsamic Calamari
We were there on Saturday night, January 23, 2024 for a friend's birthday. The parking lot was a disaster area! Completely ice covered! A lawsuit waiting to happen! Next, we were seated in what looked like the back room, and the exterior door had a wicked draft! The food and service was ok, but a little pricey!
I will start with the positives...the food was delicious and big portions. This is the only reason I am wven being generous with 3 stars. Party of 10 and 10/10 really enjoyed their food. The grouper, gnocchi, and spiedini appetizer especially stood out. It's BYOB, which is always a plus, and portions are large. The atmosphere dated, but I found it charming. The cons... service was terrible! I mean, rudest of rude. Ordered 3 sodas. They never came out. Asked about them and wasn't even an apology. The owner himself took our order, and his demeanor was terrible. He acted as if he was doing us a favor. It was Christmas Eve, and my husband just lost his Mom. We hoped for a relaxed, friendly night. The food saved the night but we were really disappointed in the service. I see mostly positive reviews regarding Civile's service. Maybe he had an off night. But it was Christmas Eve, and he kinda ruined the night. We talked about walking out, but where could we go without a reservation? It's a shame bc food was pretty spectacular. We had a $440 bill, which I felt was great for the food quality, but that service would keep me from ever returning.
Restaurantji Recommends
Family style was good. Nice selection, and generous portions.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Very cozy and quaint, good place for Italian cuisine. Limited parking, use municipal parking across the street. Great staff , very professional and friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi Alla Sorrentino, Bruschetta, Balsamic Calamari
OMG They GO ABOVE AND BEYOND!! This place is a hidden gem. My favorite now for all type of family events. They really care and do the best to make everything perfect for you!! Truly I could never thank them enough.Food was incredible!!!, the timing, the service, the set up! Everything!!!! We did family style. 100% recommended. Everyone had something good to say. They all love the food. We had a great time! Favorites: calamari, steak, and carbonara!! The desserts omg!!!!!! All amazing!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had seen some of the reviews were good so we figured will give it a try. Bad idea food was horrible the tomato sauce tasted like it was from a jar not home made. Pasta was overcooked and the sauce on it tasted burnt. I would never recommend this place. Over priced and nothing to write home about. We have had better food at an Italian chain restaurants
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Amazing place to have your events! We just recently went there for a wedding reception and the food and service was incredible! Make sure you order their NY steak and the calamari!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5