RISTORANTE IL MONELLO

Review summary

1. S

   Sharon

   New York City

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   I should have read the recent reviews here before dining at Il Monello on New Year’s Eve. We needed a last minute reservation at 7 pm and this was one of the only places available nearby. We have lived in the area for more than 25 years and had never been here before. In Peapack, Azzuro has been our “go to.” Upon arrival, I noted that the parking lot was only about 25% full which seemed strange for New Year’s Eve. Inside, less than 50% of the tables were occupied. Upon being seated, we were handed the $100 prix fixe 3 course menu with very limited options. As others have mentioned, this came as a complete surprise as it was not mentioned on Open Table, the restaurant’s own website, or their reservation confirmation phone call earlier in the day. We were headed to another event after dinner and weren’t interested in a full 3 course meal nor spending $100 per person. We explained that we were unaware of the “special” menu but Martino rather rudely insisted that we should have known as it it was posted on the website along with the Valentines Day menu. Not the case! - we confirmed there was no mention of the prix fixe on the website or any social media platforms. We told Martino we were willing to leave but after some pushback, he let us order off the regular menu but told us we had to be “quiet” about it so that the other guests didn’t hear. Not surprisingly, service from this point on was lacking until it was time to pay the bill and leave despite the fact there were several staff members that seemed to be standing around at all times. And, the 2 pasta dishes we ordered were okay but rather bland. Perhaps that is the reason Martino flooded my husband’s dish with fresh ground pepper? No need to tolerate rude behavior, “sketchy” menu/pricing practices, poor service, and mediocre food. There are better options for good BYOB Italian restaurants! We passed Azzuro on the way out and it was still very busy. Hopefully “management” will take note but we will not be back.
   

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2. J

   Joe

   Greater Boston

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   One of the best Italian places I've ever been to according to me, my son and my wife
   

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3. m

   michael and janice

   VIP

   New York City

   22 reviews

   3.0

   22 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   The mood kind of gets ruined when you’re asked “Do you want to talk or order?” Also rather rudely and loudly asked “Did you hear we have cold seafood salad over your talking?” Yes we heard but first we wanted to enjoy or wine with friends we haven’t seen in 2 yrs. Dinner could wait a bit. Considering there are two other very good restaurants the same road, I’d be a little more courteous.
   

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4. L

   Lisa

   VIP

   Key West

   6 reviews

   3.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on 25 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   I think we should be told if a restaurant is pre-fix. 100 pp for 3 courses was a lot. Then they wre out of what i wanted (5:30 reservation). We waited for 40 mins before anyone even came over to us. No one raved about the food. They all said meh. Dessert was good. Ithink there are too many better Italian BYOs in the area to return.
   

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5. C

   Christine

   New York City

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on 25 December 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Our Christmas Day experience was marred by several shortcomings . When making the reservation, a table with a view was requested; however, we were seated at a table crammed into a corner. It was a prix fixe menu which was not mentioned nor advertised on their website. The service was inattentive, as we poured our own wine and asked for items several times. Despite these issues, the appetizers were great; we especially enjoyed the meatballs. Martino was rude on several occasions and became furious and accusatory when told the veal dish was dry and not edible. The best dish we enjoyed was the chicken, and luckily the desserts left a pleasant taste in our mouths.
   

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6. H

   Heather

   New York City

   6 reviews

   3.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on 25 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   We waited for over an hour after our reservation to be seated and even after that the service was very slow. We were also unaware of the prefix when making the reservation so we young kids, it was a lot of money. Overall, a disappointing Christmas Eve.
   

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7. K

   Kevin

   New York City

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on 25 December 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   I recently dined at Il Monello, and while the food was decent, I left feeling very disappointed. Upon arrival, we were seated and handed menus and we were informed it was a pricey prix fixe menu with no à la carte options. The fact that it was later at night on Christmas Eve left us no other options. Nothing on their website advertised this nor when I called to make the reservation was I notified about this special menu. While the dishes were creative, the lack of transparency about pricing soured the entire experience. My 12 year old son was able to order off the menu, but we were then charged $32 for spaghetti with marinara, causing me to complain to management at that time. I was trying to do everything in my power to avoid doing that in front of my family on Christmas Eve.
   

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8. C

   Christopher

   New York City

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 30 November 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   Food is good, steak was very good. Service is spotty- we generally had to pour our own wine and the waiter was pushing additional sides/apps yet unhelpful with questions about what we actually ordered. He was also borderline obnoxious in the way he treated us and the more junior servers. No one up front to get our coat check so after a wait had to go into the closet myself. Place was basically empty on a Saturday night. Not sure about the hype but we won’t be going back.
   

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9. L

   Lisa

   VIP

   New York City

   4 reviews

   4.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 2 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Food was excellent. Service was great. We had an early reservation and was seated at a table that was a little cramped. We felt like our meal was being rushed to make sure they had that table for the next seating. Would have liked to go a little slower and enjoy my meal. Would try to make a later reservation next time to avoid being rushed and to sit at a more comfortable table.
   

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10. M

    Michele

    Greater Boston

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 13 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Always a wonderful experience. Our daughter had the Pappardelle al Leo, a delicious pasta with mushrooms. My husband had the Linguini Pescatore with clams, mussels, calamari and fish, and I had the Turbot special with artichokes. Every dish was absolutely delicious. We started with the fried calamari, the most tender we've ever had. Wonderful desserts and coffees as well. We highly recommend!
    

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