Il Nido - Restaurant in Marlboro - Shopping Center, 184 Route 9 North, Willow Point, USA

This is an amazing Italian restaurant. They pride themselves on their organic and fresh menu. They are constantly updating their menu so that it fits the season. Every bite of food was out of this world. We enjoyed the meatballs, crab tortellini, scallops, sea bass and the fillet. For dessert we enjoyed the pistachio cake and cheesecake. Cocktails were tasty and well balanced. We can’t wait to come back again soon!!

We drove 1:45 minutes in Friday rush-hour traffic to dine with friends at Il Nido, one of NJ Magazine’s top Italian restaurants in NJ. If you’ve seen “The Bear” on Hulu, you have an idea of what it takes to strive to be a Michelin-quality restaurant. I critique that kind of restaurant differently than I would a local restaurant, which is satisfied to sling hash competently. 1. Il Nido’s basket of fresh bread was worth the calories, BUT the butter should have been left out to thaw so as to not be rock-hard. I know my paisans are thinking, “what are you using butter when oil and pepper were available?” 2. The caesar salad was great, and when we told them we were sharing, they split the order in the kitchen and served 2 plates as if we had both ordered it. 👍👍 3. The Gramigna pasta was off the charts great, with a veal bolognese sauce and crunchy bread crumbs on top. 👍👍 4. The wagyu short rib, with braised cannellini beans, pancetta, escarole was fall-off-the-bone tender. 👍👍 Edie and I shared the entrèe and the staff split the order in the kitchen. Unfortunately, Edie’s half of the short rib was fatty. However, I can’t kill the kitchen for that, because if I had been served the whole short rib, the meat-to-fat ratio would’ve been in proportion. 5. The fancy tartufo dessert, with Fudgy the Whale (kind of) chocolate crumble on top was a waste of calories and money. Like the butter that was served frozen, the tartufo consistency was rock-hard, as if it just had come out of the freezer. 6. Our server James was attentive and knew the menu well. As we all know, American restaurants clear plates in an effort to move you along. But like a good european restaurant where it’s your table for the night, James allowed us to eat at our own pace. My only beef about the service was that every time a staff member came to our table, they interrupted our conversation “because what they had to say was so important”. At Michelin-caliber restaurants, staff is taught to wait 5 to 7 seconds in hopes for a lull in the conversation before apologizing for interrupting. So if you understand and accept that, like the great Viaggio’s in Wayne, Il Nido is located in a hideous strip-mall on a NJ highway, and that the menu is priced like a restaurant striving to be Michelin-caliber, I would give it a try. I would go back for the gramigna pasta alone.

Absolutely amazing service, food, and staff. I traveled from North NJ because I heard the food was great and it did not disappoint. At no point in the night was my water glass empty, silverware was always changed in between courses, etc. To me, this shows the staff is professional and well versed in fine dining etiquette. The food was out of this world. Easily the best chicken I have ever had. Arancini had spaghetti in it, instead of rice which was so unique and original. Squid ink cavatelli and Spicy rigatoni pasta was amazing. Cheesecake dessert was perfection. Manager came out and spoke with us and was so sweet. We will absolutely be back!

One of the best meals we have had since being in Italy. My husband and I are originally from manhattan and have traveled to many countries. We feel we have tried some of the worlds best food and this absolutely ranks up there. The services was incredible and the food was all impeccable. Highly recommended 10/10.

One of my favorites places in area! Always fresh organic delicious ingredients! Their staff members are amazing! Thank you to Adonnay and El ! They always making our evening even more enjoyable! Can’t even choose what to recommend from the menu! Their menu changes pretty often! So every time you will have a new food experience !

We had dinner with friends the other night. We sat inside by the kitchen. It was very cozy and comfortable Everyone liked their meals. We had an amazing grilled octopus appetizer and few other delicious apps. The main courses impeccable. The Dessert 👍👍👍 The staff was amazing great service! Thank you again guys. Keep it up!!

il Nido was a dream! Phenomenal service, food, and atmosphere. My husband and I were the first ones there so we definitely got to soak in the ambiance. For appetizers we ordered the wagu meatballs, squash flower (special) and the grilled octopus. It was all delicious and intentional. For our entrees my husband ordered the filet mignon and I had the cicao de peppe with truffle. Both dntress were ridiculously delicious. Every bite is flavored. The filet was charred... seasoned to perfection and tender! My pasta was cooked perfectly and the flavors were peppery, salty, earthy, just heavenly! For dessert we did the banana bread. Perfect way to end the dinner. Cocktails we had were Island Time & Pink Lady. Both drinks made great, however Pink Lady was elite! We spent $300 and feel it was well worth it. We'll be back and plan on bringing the family!

Il Nido was the perfect place for dinner. We were greeted by our waiter, James. He was exceptional. Very attentive from the beginning. Recommended great drinks, appetizers, & the main course! The dishes were so colorful and tasty! James plated our food for us! I can’t say enough good things about this restaurant! Definitely will be back!!