There is something very comforting about this place. The murals of Italian farm houses and wine bottles that line the back wall invoke a feeling of dining in a small Tuscan village. Maybe it is just my fond memories of Italy, but I liked this place. A beautiful Tony Ortiz Design
Not on par with Il Forno or Giotto, but we did enjoy the dinner and will visit again.
I was on guard, after mixed reviews on Baristanet, I was not expecting an exceptional meal. Perhaps since it was a quiet Sunday night, our dinner was delicious.
Started with the beet salad with a delicate pistachio vinaigrette, very nice, and an eggplant caponata bruschetta, served warm, very tasty. The bread was good.
We had two specials. A swordfish over a perfect bed of spinach and a sweet potato mash, surrounded by a delicate lemon butter sauce and unusually topped with a fresh strawberry jam. Something new and according to our waiter very popular the night before.
I had the tuna, grilled in chunks, with tomatoes, capers and olives, with garlic over penne. Surprisingly good.
The service, unrefined, simple, but adequate.
A DieVole Chianti was a perfect accompaniment to the meal.
Barristanet Reader Comments, are mostly good.
Trattoria Rustica
517 Bloomfield Avenue
Montclair
973.783.3436
Review Posted December 2006
I have been consistently delighted with the food at TR! Originally hesitant to enter the premises of what was once Tina's Pizzaria, I held back about half a year before making a luncheon foray, but when I did I was wonderfully surprised!
Everything - and I do mean everything - on the menu that I've tried has been perfectly prepared and expertly served! The soups are 'to die for' (especially the cream of mushroom, which is magickal!), the seafood is just-pulled-out-of-the-ocean fresh, and the homemade ravioli are, well ... you'll just have to try them yourselves. There are no words!
Posted by: Bill Courson | 11/30/2007 at 10:29
it was not designed by tony ortiz
Posted by: food critic | 07/16/2007 at 15:36
I have to say this restaurant's gnocchi is the best I have ever had outside of Tuscany.
Posted by: Elizabeth Caraballo | 05/16/2007 at 13:15