When Fascino opened 3 years ago I was just so done with upscale restaurants.
David Corcoran's, NY Times, excellent review intrigued me, but other mixed reviews discouraged making a trip there.
A couple of weeks ago a dining friend insisted we try it. It is one of her favorites so we said great lets go.
Armed with two fabulous Italian wines we were looking forward to a great dinner.
Fascino, Italian for ''fascination'', ''charm'', "glamor" is for the most part a fabulous restaurant. The DePersio family put their heart and soul into creating a memorable dining experience. And in many ways they come very close.
Unfortunately to my palate the competition is formidable, I have come to the conclusion that the perfect dining experience that Fascino seeks to achieve just does not happen in our beloved state of New Jersey.
Having had many amazing Italian dinners in Italy, New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco it is impossible for me to love Fascino the way, perhaps, I should.
The great published reviews on Fascino are all two and three years old. Perhaps the passion has wained.
Il Forno and Giotto remain my favorite Italians in Montclair. They are genuine and more humble in their preparation and presentation of great Italian.
You may enjoy Fascino, the dinning room is comfortable, the service from greeting, sitting, serving through clearing is mixed, formal, casual, attentive, and not. Confusing.
The food is graciously prepared, we started with the crab cakes over greens, and a pasta parpardelle with beef and blue cheese.
Our main courses were the specials of the evening. All good. On the cusp of amazing.
For wine we poured the Schiopetto Collio Sauvignon 2003 and Dievole La Vendemmia, Chianti 2001. They are both exquisite.
Desserts were sublime. Thank you Cynthia for that.
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
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