Was in the area not planning on eating out, but it was too late to go home and cook. Came across this gem and will definitely be back. Delicious food and cocktails. Friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmigiana, Black Spaghetti, Clams Oreganata
mark b.
This was my very first time coming to Borelli's and I'm so glad I did, it features a wonderful staff, wonderful food and a warm & friendly owner who has 6 grandchildren! My lovely date and I sat at the bar and got the last two available stools; it's a cool, small U-shaped bar with a lot of friendly people that are regulars there and they helped us make wise menu selections as did the owner. We started out with Bluepoint oysters that were just splendid and progressed to Bareli's meatball dish, which is definitely a must if you go, a few lovely Chianti Classicos for me and Pinot Grigio for my date, we were happy as a lark, we'll back tonight to see Lonnie Youngblood perform which I couldn't believe, he's 87 years old and still gigging. Somebody buy this man a gold watch! We were also told that the Italian pork chop here is not mind blowing superb. Two. Thumbs up kiddos.
Neel D.
Unrealistic and most who first time visitors would be shocks at food, drinks, service, ambiance or
ChristopherG
Had a business dinner here. The ambience is elegant but comfortable and you feel at home. The waiter provided us with specials as well as explained some favorites on the menu. I had the double cut pork chop that couldn't have been any larger or more delicious. It was crusty on the outside while moist and tender in the inside. The sauce was so delicious I had to lap it up with some bread. My associate enjoyed the seafood salad which had an abundance of seafood and a bit of lettuce with a light vinaigrette dressing. While I am one to enjoy a dessert, the serving was such that no dessert was able to be eaten. Overall a wonderful place and should be a strong contender for your night out. Business or pleasure.
Greg M.
I've been coming to Barelis for over 20 years and I cannot believe I have never reviewed them on yelp. It is clearly one of the finest Italian restaurants in New Jersey. The restaurant has ample parking and the inside decor is very elegant and inviting. You comfortably sink into these oversized comfortable leather chairs. The tables are donned with a beautiful tablecloth, silverware and glassware. The staff are very friendly and attentive. WNile some items on the menu can be quite pricey, you do get what you pay for because the food is so fresh, high-quality and house made. If you are cost conscious, they do have lower priced glasses and bottles of wine, appetizers and entrées. I had the buffalo mozzarella appetizer, my fiancé had a salad with radicchio and fennel, both were exceptional. My fiancé always loves to get the Dover Sole which is expertly deboned tableside and is the best she's ever had. I had the homemade gnocchi with fresh Pomodoro sauce, basil and mozzarella cheese, it was delicious. We shared the Valentine's Day chocolate cheesecake shaped in a heart. My only criticism is we paid $27 each for two old fashions made with Woodford and a maraschino cherry, not the best we have had, which is a lot. I had two glasses of the Borolo, it was excellent. Our server Nelson, was exceptional!
Michael Austerlitz
Amazing. Beautiful ambience, great service, and excellent food. Went for a later valentines dinner (try not to do the 14th.) Dimly lit but not dark, well spaced out tables, and comfortable chairs. All the food was delicious. Service was excellent. Highly recommend for a nice meal out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ZomboG2014
I've been coming here for close to 20 years. The food is of the highest quality as is the service and the selection of wine. Nelson was our server he was phenomenal. My only criticism is my fiancé ordered two old fashions we were charged $27 each which is very high and it was not the best old-fashioned we have ever had. Most restaurants that would charge close to that would use black cherries, this had a Manoshero cherry, Woodford reserve and quite frankly tasted like an old fashioned I would expect in a dive bar.
Pullmmm
The elegant ambience was the prefect start to a romantic evening, it felt like a sene out of classy Italian movie. The restaurant itself is small but in a good way, leaves you feeling at home. We definitely will return the next time we are in the area. The severs were super friendly and attentive, especially our waiter Marvin L, he made us feel like family with how understanding and accommodating he was with my various food allergies. The salads were garden fresh and their olive oil tasted like we were dinning in Italy. The 20oz bone in New York steak was delicious, complements to the chef indeed.
First and foremost they over booked this place . I was excited about coming to eat here with my husband we been wanting to for a while . We got to the restaurant parking lot and notice no valet so I called to ask where can we park since it was packed and no valet parking so we parked at the other restaurant near bareli's. We walked in and we notice a few ppl upset about the waiting time . 5min was really 20min , no biggie so we wait . The boss or manager tried telling the host to sit us down by the doorway which was near the waiting area a coat area she ignored him so we continued to wait . The jazz guy was drunk talking by the bar and they had to remind him to go play music . The jazz music does not reach the other side of the dining room which was disappointing. We don't get water not bread right away and had to asked twice , my husband ordered our drink was was good as we liked then we ordered two Cesar salads which was horrible , literally the core of the lettuce yellow brownish $15 so I sent them back to have a more fresh and green salad . Next we ordered the meatball Parmesan but instead got veal it was okay.. the sauce tasted like can of tomato, for our entree I got the lasagne and my husband got the black pasta with lobster . The lasagne really tasted like boxed frozen lasagne and was very disappointed as well! My husband plate was so so as to the lobster had a funny taste . Me and my husband didn't really eat and asked for a box to go so we won't be rude . The manager or boss was going around with his wife asking CERTAIN ppl if everything was good and did not asked us not once if our food was okay nor said sorry about the salad. We are two adults that love fine dining and have no issues with spending a good amount of money when we go out but this wasn't it at all ! I'm sorry but I will not return to this place ever again . The food quality isn't worth the price at all. Happy valentines I guess ....
KennethM
The food and service was excellent. We didn't like being seated next to a table with 2 loud very young children especially when the restaurant was at about 20 % capacity. We were also not happy at all with the 4% over charge for paying with a credit card.
They have the best chicken parmigiana dinner I've ever had! The service and ambience is amazing as well!
Kathleen W.
Amazing food ! Such knowledgeable staff ! Chef! We'll 5 star The service is impeccable! Love love love this place ! Highly recommended it
James Sicheri
Ordered 18 Oz veal chop. Delicious. Weird layout.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Dean B.
This little gem is squeezed between a highway, a gas station and an athletic field. Worth the u-turn if you fly past the entrance, which is easy to do. How very....Jersey! Step inside....to a warm, inviting room. Superior service and excellent Northern Italian food at a somewhat elevated but not unreasonable price point. Full bar....a nice departure from the BYO deal. Recommended....
Jack S.
Food, and service are very good. Had the black spaghetti entree and it was excellent. This place is real deal. Nice menu not too overwhelming so I believe the food is fresh.
Was in the area not planning on eating out, but it was too late to go home and cook. Came across this gem and will definitely be back. Delicious food and cocktails. Friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmigiana, Black Spaghetti, Clams Oreganata
This was my very first time coming to Borelli's and I'm so glad I did, it features a wonderful staff, wonderful food and a warm & friendly owner who has 6 grandchildren! My lovely date and I sat at the bar and got the last two available stools; it's a cool, small U-shaped bar with a lot of friendly people that are regulars there and they helped us make wise menu selections as did the owner. We started out with Bluepoint oysters that were just splendid and progressed to Bareli's meatball dish, which is definitely a must if you go, a few lovely Chianti Classicos for me and Pinot Grigio for my date, we were happy as a lark, we'll back tonight to see Lonnie Youngblood perform which I couldn't believe, he's 87 years old and still gigging. Somebody buy this man a gold watch! We were also told that the Italian pork chop here is not mind blowing superb. Two. Thumbs up kiddos.
Unrealistic and most who first time visitors would be shocks at food, drinks, service, ambiance or
Had a business dinner here. The ambience is elegant but comfortable and you feel at home. The waiter provided us with specials as well as explained some favorites on the menu. I had the double cut pork chop that couldn't have been any larger or more delicious. It was crusty on the outside while moist and tender in the inside. The sauce was so delicious I had to lap it up with some bread. My associate enjoyed the seafood salad which had an abundance of seafood and a bit of lettuce with a light vinaigrette dressing. While I am one to enjoy a dessert, the serving was such that no dessert was able to be eaten. Overall a wonderful place and should be a strong contender for your night out. Business or pleasure.
I've been coming to Barelis for over 20 years and I cannot believe I have never reviewed them on yelp. It is clearly one of the finest Italian restaurants in New Jersey. The restaurant has ample parking and the inside decor is very elegant and inviting. You comfortably sink into these oversized comfortable leather chairs. The tables are donned with a beautiful tablecloth, silverware and glassware. The staff are very friendly and attentive. WNile some items on the menu can be quite pricey, you do get what you pay for because the food is so fresh, high-quality and house made. If you are cost conscious, they do have lower priced glasses and bottles of wine, appetizers and entrées. I had the buffalo mozzarella appetizer, my fiancé had a salad with radicchio and fennel, both were exceptional. My fiancé always loves to get the Dover Sole which is expertly deboned tableside and is the best she's ever had. I had the homemade gnocchi with fresh Pomodoro sauce, basil and mozzarella cheese, it was delicious. We shared the Valentine's Day chocolate cheesecake shaped in a heart. My only criticism is we paid $27 each for two old fashions made with Woodford and a maraschino cherry, not the best we have had, which is a lot. I had two glasses of the Borolo, it was excellent. Our server Nelson, was exceptional!
Amazing. Beautiful ambience, great service, and excellent food. Went for a later valentines dinner (try not to do the 14th.) Dimly lit but not dark, well spaced out tables, and comfortable chairs. All the food was delicious. Service was excellent. Highly recommend for a nice meal out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been coming here for close to 20 years. The food is of the highest quality as is the service and the selection of wine. Nelson was our server he was phenomenal. My only criticism is my fiancé ordered two old fashions we were charged $27 each which is very high and it was not the best old-fashioned we have ever had. Most restaurants that would charge close to that would use black cherries, this had a Manoshero cherry, Woodford reserve and quite frankly tasted like an old fashioned I would expect in a dive bar.
The elegant ambience was the prefect start to a romantic evening, it felt like a sene out of classy Italian movie. The restaurant itself is small but in a good way, leaves you feeling at home. We definitely will return the next time we are in the area. The severs were super friendly and attentive, especially our waiter Marvin L, he made us feel like family with how understanding and accommodating he was with my various food allergies. The salads were garden fresh and their olive oil tasted like we were dinning in Italy. The 20oz bone in New York steak was delicious, complements to the chef indeed.
First and foremost they over booked this place . I was excited about coming to eat here with my husband we been wanting to for a while . We got to the restaurant parking lot and notice no valet so I called to ask where can we park since it was packed and no valet parking so we parked at the other restaurant near bareli's. We walked in and we notice a few ppl upset about the waiting time . 5min was really 20min , no biggie so we wait . The boss or manager tried telling the host to sit us down by the doorway which was near the waiting area a coat area she ignored him so we continued to wait . The jazz guy was drunk talking by the bar and they had to remind him to go play music . The jazz music does not reach the other side of the dining room which was disappointing. We don't get water not bread right away and had to asked twice , my husband ordered our drink was was good as we liked then we ordered two Cesar salads which was horrible , literally the core of the lettuce yellow brownish $15 so I sent them back to have a more fresh and green salad . Next we ordered the meatball Parmesan but instead got veal it was okay.. the sauce tasted like can of tomato, for our entree I got the lasagne and my husband got the black pasta with lobster . The lasagne really tasted like boxed frozen lasagne and was very disappointed as well! My husband plate was so so as to the lobster had a funny taste . Me and my husband didn't really eat and asked for a box to go so we won't be rude . The manager or boss was going around with his wife asking CERTAIN ppl if everything was good and did not asked us not once if our food was okay nor said sorry about the salad. We are two adults that love fine dining and have no issues with spending a good amount of money when we go out but this wasn't it at all ! I'm sorry but I will not return to this place ever again . The food quality isn't worth the price at all. Happy valentines I guess ....
The food and service was excellent. We didn't like being seated next to a table with 2 loud very young children especially when the restaurant was at about 20 % capacity. We were also not happy at all with the 4% over charge for paying with a credit card.
Restaurantji Recommends
They have the best chicken parmigiana dinner I've ever had! The service and ambience is amazing as well!
Amazing food ! Such knowledgeable staff ! Chef! We'll 5 star The service is impeccable! Love love love this place ! Highly recommended it
Ordered 18 Oz veal chop. Delicious. Weird layout.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
This little gem is squeezed between a highway, a gas station and an athletic field. Worth the u-turn if you fly past the entrance, which is easy to do. How very....Jersey! Step inside....to a warm, inviting room. Superior service and excellent Northern Italian food at a somewhat elevated but not unreasonable price point. Full bar....a nice departure from the BYO deal. Recommended....
Food, and service are very good. Had the black spaghetti entree and it was excellent. This place is real deal. Nice menu not too overwhelming so I believe the food is fresh.