I’ve been here many times. Food is spectacular… every time. Servers are awesome also, as is the ambiance. Why 4 stars then? Well, the prices are a bit steep and the portions are very small. I don’t understand how normal eaters can possibly be ok here. In order to feel satisfied I think you need to order an Appetizer, pasta dish and an entree. Yes, portions are that small. I have no issues paying premium prices for good food, but I need to leave full. Keep up with the spectacular food, but pleeeeease increase the portions a bit and I’ll be a customer forever!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben Herrera
The atmosphere is pleasant, but that's about where I'd stop. Bread is only brought out when you order the meal, not as a pre-meal app like most “fine dining” restaurants. Additionally, you can't order your apps, or “small plates,” as they call them before you place your main course meal. If it were a prefix menu, that would be understandable, but with an a la carte menu, you expect to be able to order an appetizer, enjoy it, and then place the main course to help decide what you'd like to eat. Two burgers came slightly undercooked; the duck ravioli was extraordinarily salty and seemed to be drowned in soy sauce. The gnocchi was overcooked and sprinkled with raw rosemary, making you feel like you had grass. Burnt mushrooms mixed in with the regular mushrooms. The ravioli with a brown butter sauce was undercooked. The squid ink pasta was cooked perfectly, and the shrimp was as well. The baked oysters were good as well. If I had a recommendation, I’d say order one dozen (double order as they only sell them in a 1/2 dozen) of the oysters being your wine; enjoy, and leave. Overall, the menu was basic and overdone. Nothing made you feel like it was worth the money and unique or memorable.
Exp 14+ years in the industry.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Nduja Baked Local Oysters
Whitney Russo
Loved this restaurant the food was outstanding … will definitely be going back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ricotta Gnocchi
Donald Pratola
My girlfriend and I went on a Saturday night. We had a reservation and were promptly seated. The server immediately asked if we would like to have our bottle of wine opened and explained the menu to us.
The bread they give you before your meal is excellent. We had the tuna and pork belly as appetizers. The tuna was fresh, but had an overpowering amount of onion on it. It wasn’t for us. The pork belly sauce was great and we enjoyed that appetizer.
For dinner we both had pasta. The reviews raved about the squid ink pasta so that is what I decided to give a try. While the pasta was good as well as the sauce, I didn’t think the dish had any wow factor that I was expecting.
Overall the restaurant has a fantastic atmosphere and service, for me I didn’t think the food had that wow factor that I would expect from a restaurant of this caliper. That being said we did not try any entrees. I would say it’s worth a try simply for the great atmosphere and decent food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
John Llano
The food was good and romantic restaurant
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pei Mussels Fra Diavolo, Dozen East Coast Oysters Cucumber Mignonette Cocktail Sauce Lemon Wedges, Hanger Steak, Ricotta Gnocchi, Berkshire Pork Chop
Donald DiStaso
Top notch food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashok Kumar
Parking: Park in the Lackawanna section. It’s a one block walk from there
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Pei Mussels Fra Diavolo, Charred Octopus
Rebecca Barbacci
Absolutely fabulous dinner here on a rainy Saturday night! Atmosphere, service & food were all outstanding. Run don’t walk to check it out. We’ll definitely be back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wesley Garland
Nice plating and presentation. Dishes didn't wow me, though.
The crab risotto was just okay, if a bit underwhelming.
The jus of the duck triangoli was quite salty and overpowering. I think the dish could've benefited from less of it on the plate. The braised duck inside was nice and tender, at least.
The octopus was enjoyable. The dressed oysters, with what was essentially frozen lemon ice on top, overpowered the salty brine of the oysters.
It was also uncomfortably hot inside. I overhead many guests mentioning it to themselves, and my girlfriend and I were both sweating.
Menu has adventurous ideas but overall didn't land for me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Khrystyna Manko
Fantastic is how I would sum it up. The food, especially the oysters, was amazing. Everything was fresh, plates were the right size and service was delightful. A new discovery for us and we will definitely come back and recommend to others.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Charred Octopus
Terrific Italian restaurant that I highly recommend! Everything is amazing here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Casey Tran
This is a Spanish Italian fusion restaurant not specifically Italian traditional. Wednesdays they have half priced oyster dishes. All the food was great! We also loved
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Cotton
Fascino never disappointed. We loved it. Now the space is occupied by Gioia Mia run by Mary Cumella and Executive Chef Logan Ramirez. Although a new menu and different from Fascino it maintains the high quality food and service we have always experienced. Try the creative new menu items, enjoy the casual upscale vibe and let your senses be delighted. Their new venture Lulu's food truck is also quite good and a welcome addition the food truck scene. Although the Lulu menu is generally not available in the restaurant they have run certain one day only promotions and we were wowed by the food, selection and presentation. Gioia Mia is already claiming their place in the well developed Montclair food scene. Run don't walk to Gioia Mia. Resy makes it so easy to secure your table. Enjoy!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Lynch
The quality of a Michelin Star restaurant in the heart of Montclair. Very attentive and friendly waitstaff, cozy and warm atmosphere, and delicious food! Perfect place for a romantic date night or a family celebration. We ordered a few things from each section of the menu and it was all fresh and presented elegantly. We will definitely be going back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vera
For the price you are paying, the service and ambience and music choice could be more elevated. Had to wait ten minutes to even be able to ASK for water at the table. Food was amazing but I’m not sure why they had one server working. There were five tables and she was the only one on the floor so I don’t blame her, I know how busy it gets. Although, she could’ve just let tables know saying something along the lines of “I’m the only one working the floor so please bear with me”. The prices justifies for better service! Faubourg has similar prices and service is a lot better, something for the owners to be mindful about. Came for a special occasion and it didn’t feel special at all :(
I’ve been here many times. Food is spectacular… every time. Servers are awesome also, as is the ambiance. Why 4 stars then? Well, the prices are a bit steep and the portions are very small. I don’t understand how normal eaters can possibly be ok here. In order to feel satisfied I think you need to order an Appetizer, pasta dish and an entree. Yes, portions are that small. I have no issues paying premium prices for good food, but I need to leave full. Keep up with the spectacular food, but pleeeeease increase the portions a bit and I’ll be a customer forever!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The atmosphere is pleasant, but that's about where I'd stop. Bread is only brought out when you order the meal, not as a pre-meal app like most “fine dining” restaurants. Additionally, you can't order your apps, or “small plates,” as they call them before you place your main course meal. If it were a prefix menu, that would be understandable, but with an a la carte menu, you expect to be able to order an appetizer, enjoy it, and then place the main course to help decide what you'd like to eat. Two burgers came slightly undercooked; the duck ravioli was extraordinarily salty and seemed to be drowned in soy sauce. The gnocchi was overcooked and sprinkled with raw rosemary, making you feel like you had grass. Burnt mushrooms mixed in with the regular mushrooms. The ravioli with a brown butter sauce was undercooked. The squid ink pasta was cooked perfectly, and the shrimp was as well. The baked oysters were good as well. If I had a recommendation, I’d say order one dozen (double order as they only sell them in a 1/2 dozen) of the oysters being your wine; enjoy, and leave. Overall, the menu was basic and overdone. Nothing made you feel like it was worth the money and unique or memorable.
Exp 14+ years in the industry.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Nduja Baked Local Oysters
Loved this restaurant the food was outstanding … will definitely be going back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ricotta Gnocchi
My girlfriend and I went on a Saturday night. We had a reservation and were promptly seated. The server immediately asked if we would like to have our bottle of wine opened and explained the menu to us.
The bread they give you before your meal is excellent. We had the tuna and pork belly as appetizers. The tuna was fresh, but had an overpowering amount of onion on it. It wasn’t for us. The pork belly sauce was great and we enjoyed that appetizer.
For dinner we both had pasta. The reviews raved about the squid ink pasta so that is what I decided to give a try. While the pasta was good as well as the sauce, I didn’t think the dish had any wow factor that I was expecting.
Overall the restaurant has a fantastic atmosphere and service, for me I didn’t think the food had that wow factor that I would expect from a restaurant of this caliper. That being said we did not try any entrees. I would say it’s worth a try simply for the great atmosphere and decent food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
The food was good and romantic restaurant
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pei Mussels Fra Diavolo, Dozen East Coast Oysters Cucumber Mignonette Cocktail Sauce Lemon Wedges, Hanger Steak, Ricotta Gnocchi, Berkshire Pork Chop
Top notch food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Parking: Park in the Lackawanna section. It’s a one block walk from there
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Pei Mussels Fra Diavolo, Charred Octopus
Absolutely fabulous dinner here on a rainy Saturday night! Atmosphere, service & food were all outstanding. Run don’t walk to check it out. We’ll definitely be back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice plating and presentation. Dishes didn't wow me, though.
The crab risotto was just okay, if a bit underwhelming.
The jus of the duck triangoli was quite salty and overpowering. I think the dish could've benefited from less of it on the plate. The braised duck inside was nice and tender, at least.
The octopus was enjoyable. The dressed oysters, with what was essentially frozen lemon ice on top, overpowered the salty brine of the oysters.
It was also uncomfortably hot inside. I overhead many guests mentioning it to themselves, and my girlfriend and I were both sweating.
Menu has adventurous ideas but overall didn't land for me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Fantastic is how I would sum it up. The food, especially the oysters, was amazing. Everything was fresh, plates were the right size and service was delightful. A new discovery for us and we will definitely come back and recommend to others.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Charred Octopus
Restaurantji Recommends
Terrific Italian restaurant that I highly recommend! Everything is amazing here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a Spanish Italian fusion restaurant not specifically Italian traditional. Wednesdays they have half priced oyster dishes. All the food was great! We also loved
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fascino never disappointed. We loved it. Now the space is occupied by Gioia Mia run by Mary Cumella and Executive Chef Logan Ramirez. Although a new menu and different from Fascino it maintains the high quality food and service we have always experienced. Try the creative new menu items, enjoy the casual upscale vibe and let your senses be delighted. Their new venture Lulu's food truck is also quite good and a welcome addition the food truck scene. Although the Lulu menu is generally not available in the restaurant they have run certain one day only promotions and we were wowed by the food, selection and presentation. Gioia Mia is already claiming their place in the well developed Montclair food scene. Run don't walk to Gioia Mia. Resy makes it so easy to secure your table. Enjoy!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The quality of a Michelin Star restaurant in the heart of Montclair. Very attentive and friendly waitstaff, cozy and warm atmosphere, and delicious food! Perfect place for a romantic date night or a family celebration. We ordered a few things from each section of the menu and it was all fresh and presented elegantly. We will definitely be going back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
For the price you are paying, the service and ambience and music choice could be more elevated. Had to wait ten minutes to even be able to ASK for water at the table. Food was amazing but I’m not sure why they had one server working. There were five tables and she was the only one on the floor so I don’t blame her, I know how busy it gets. Although, she could’ve just let tables know saying something along the lines of “I’m the only one working the floor so please bear with me”. The prices justifies for better service! Faubourg has similar prices and service is a lot better, something for the owners to be mindful about. Came for a special occasion and it didn’t feel special at all :(
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
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