RISTORANTE IL MONELLO

Review summary

1. a

   andrea VIP

   New York City6 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 1 March 2025

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

   Never disappoints! Il Monello is our family favorite!
   

   Is this helpful?

2. W

   William VIP

   New York City4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 27 February 2025

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

   We love this place for a nice quiet relaxing meal.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. B

   Bryan VIP

   New York City27 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 15 February 2025

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

   Food and service were outstanding. The ambiance is great and perfect for date night or family gatherings.
   

   Is this helpful?

4. D

   Don VIP

   New York City44 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 26 January 2025

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

   Martino never fails to impress! He and his staff do an excellent job making you feel like family. The meatball appetizer is fantastic!
   

   Is this helpful?

5. S

   Sharon

   New York City2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on 1 January 2025

   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. 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 just wanted salad and pasta 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. Absolutely not the case! We told Martino we were willing to leave; however, 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.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. J

   Joe

   Greater Boston1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 28 December 2024

   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
   

   Is this helpful?

7. m

   michael and janice VIP

   New York City22 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on 27 December 2024

   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.
   

   1 person found this helpful

8. L

   Lisa VIP

   Key West6 reviews

   3.0

   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.
   

   1 person found this helpful

9. C

   Christine

   New York City1 review

   2.0

   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.
   

   1 person found this helpful

10. H

    Heather

    New York City6 reviews

    3.0

    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.
    

    1 person found this helpful