Service is a let down!
I agree, Scalini Fedeli has some of the best food in northern New Jersey, but because of the bad service I will never go back. I have spread the word of my many bad dinners at Scalini. If you do go, make sure it's a table of four because if you are only a two top you will be ignored. It has happened to me multiple times. Good luck.    [13 Oct 2000 16:14:35]

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     ­Terry McCarty   

It's great
I thought that with a prix fixe menu, there would only be a few choices. I was completely wrong --- and the food was delicious, beautifully presented, and generously sized. Based on the only other review posted, I was very worried about the service (we were a twosome with an 8 year old -- what could give you worse service that that?!) but frankly, the service was impeccable. They came by the table regularly and courteously, but were not stuffy or overbearing. The pacing of the meal was relaxed so that you could enjoy each course. The restaurant is in a house and the atmosphere was very pleasant.    [13 Jun 2002 17:48:03]

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Recommended Dishes: veal scallopine, marscapone/ricotta torte, grilled spedine of diver sea scallops (salad), cannelini bean and pecorino ravioli soup

     ­Anonymous   

Best in NJ
My wife and I make it a point to have our anniversary dinners at Scalini Fedeli. The food is amazing. The service is exceptional (despite what I've read in other reviews). When they hear it is our anniv., they have surprised us by bring our dessert on plates with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate souuce around the edge of the plate(s). Combined with the fact that it's BYOB--you have a wine lover's delight (best food with best wine--without the $ 400 wine bill!)

Their NYC (Duane Street) restaurant gives Babbo a run for the money as far as NYC restaurants are concerned! Only the service is better at Scalini Fedeli....j    [04 Sep 2002 06:45:20]

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Recommended Dishes: Filet Mignon, pasta fagioli (if avail)

     ­Anonymous   

The Best Northern Italian Food & Incredible Service
Talk about White Glove service. Service is definitely not a let down in the Trebeca restaurant. In fact, my husband and I were the most casual dressed ones in the place and we were given white glove service from the moment we entered. They treated us like Royalty. Most of the patrons were dressed very elegantly. This restaurant is indeed 5+ stars. This restaurant has it all the romantic atmosphere, incredible food, the presentation, and the wine list. The service is absolutely fabulous in the NYC location. I rank it among the top 3 Italian restaurants in NYC and it’s not impossible to get reservations for. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a fancy Italian cuisine. One thing, don’t expect a traditional Italian menu; veal scaloppini, chicken parm. There is no such thing. Everything is exotic, many fish dishes and other unusual dishes are served here. I was actually worried about what I would order initially, not being a seafood eater. But, with the waiters help I had a mouthwatering veal chop (it was very large and melted in my mouth and actually cut with a fork.) The portions are very large and the desert adds the finishing touch.    [13 Jan 2003 16:47:45]

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Recommended Dishes: Veal Chop

     ­Tara   

Scalini Fedeli
Scalini Fedeli has gotten worse over the last year or two. The food is very good, but is no longer excellent. The service is just satisfactory. Six of us went (three couples) and brought three bottles of wine. They charged us $60 to open three bottles! The bill for six of us came to almost $500, which does not include alcohol. I have been a fan for years, but might not go back after this experience.    [20 Jan 2003 18:52:35]

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     ­Anonymous, Hunterdon County   

Was great now service is deplorable
I have not received a reply to this letter sent a month ago:

June 09, 2004
Michael Cetrulo
Scalini Fedeli
63 Main Street
Chatham, New Jersey 07928


Gentle Michael Cetrulo,

We brought a dear friend to Scalini Fedeli in Chatham last night to celebrate her new job. The service was a disaster and spoiled the occasion. The main course did not arrive until over an hour after we finished our appetizers. The head waiter had not indicated there would be a delay in the preparation time, and he did not come near us between the two courses. Several who arrived after we did, had finished their dessert before our main course arrived. When I sought out the head waiter, he said that I would have to discuss the matter with the manager. The manager said he was short staffed in the kitchen.

On arrival the menu I received was badly soiled. A waiter brought several kinds of bread and plopped two pieces on bread plates for each of us without asking our choice. Earlier the house bread with onions was stale. Two of us each ordered a glass of champagne; a bottle was brought instead.

On the positive side: water was replenished steadily, and the food, once it arrived, was delicious, but we were in no mood to enjoy it. Two even declined the dessert for which we had paid, and all three declined the manager’s offer of a cordial on the house.

The service spoiled not only our celebration, but our pleasure in frequently promoting Scalini Fedeli as our ‘favorite restaurant .’ I regret to have to tell our many friends that we were wrong.

I write in hopes that you can assure that this evening was an aberration. The restaurant has been too fine in the past to tolerate service this bad.

Faithfully,

Louie Crew, Ph.D., D.D., D.D. D.H.L.
377 S. Harrison Street, 12D, East Orange, NJ 07018-1222
   [09 Jul 2004 07:53:52]

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     ­Louie Crew   

Scalini Fedeli: A Great Experience!!
My parents took us out (3 couples) to celebrate my 25th anniversary. They have eaten here before and always raved about the food and service. You do have to make a reservation weeks in advance.
I am now convinced they are totally right. My husband and I arrived a bit early, they seated us at our table, we ordered wine and they offered us a selection of three different types of bread. All were fresh and tasty.

The ambiance is like a Tuscan Villa, soft lighting, and tapestries on the walls andchairs. The $52 price fix menu is quite extensive, a great value for the price. It includes a single shrimp on a plate (with garnish), appetizer, entree, intermezzo (sorbet between entree & dessert) and dessert. The menu is exotic Italian with a touch of french. Portions are nicely sized, and the food is well prepared, nicely plated, top quality and DELICIOUS !!

I don't know about BYOB because we didn't. They had a full bar and very nice wine list available.

The staff was professional and efficient. Contrary to other reviews the service was virtually perfect. My personal pet peeve is the swooping down of the pepper wielding bus boys. But Scalini's isn't unique in this manner.

For appetizers the giant ravioli filled with ricotta, spinach, sliced white truffles, and a lightly cooked egg yolk, topped with Parmesan and truffle butter is wonderful, as was a special of cold seafood salad over arugula, with a lemony dressing.
The entrees offered were varied, fish, seafood, pork, duck, filet mignon & braised ribs. Everything we tried was great. Braised ribs so soft, they virtually melted. The Fruit de mere or seafood (lobster tail, mussels, shrimp, calamari) in a slightly spicy broth was delicious. Pork medallions with eggplant, procuitto, tomato & fontana cheese in a madiera demi-glace was a delicious special. The duck was tender in a just the right sweetness glaze, and the tuna was done perfectly with a pepper crumb crust.

The sorbet served was strawberry and tangy lemon. A welcome "palate cleansing" treat before dessert.

Desserts ranged from rich chocolate, to fruit based to a lovely cheese plate. My favorite is an individual buttercrust tart with an intense chocolate filling and caramelized orange peel. The chocolate souffle with gelato, creme brulee, and the crispy chocolate-covered phyllo pastry layered with chocolate ganache and whipped cream were also delicious. Since it was also my mother's birthday, her creme brulee came out with a candle and everyone sang "Happy Birthday". My chocolate souffle also came with a candle and "Happy Anniversary" was also sung. A pleasant surprise.

We all had a wonderful night, superb food and service. I can't wait to go back again soon !!!!    [04 Dec 2005 18:36:17]

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     ­Bonnie   

NOT WORTH THE TRIP
When Scalini first opened it was a portal to NYC quality in suburban NJ. The food and the service were top notch. It's evolved over the years to become an overpriced, overrated hole who's patrons simply show up to see and be seen. Its become an 'old boys club' for a boorish community of braggarts.    [19 Dec 2006 10:14:19]

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     ­Anonymous