IL Monello

We had our daughter’s baptism here last weekend and we are so happy we did! The service was exceptional, they worked with us to create a menu we liked. Our guests all loved the food, and the portion sizes were very large. We had the baptism outside on the patio and it was a gorgeous day. Our family couldn’t tell us enough how impressed they were by the place! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

I went there for my birthday dinner with a bunch of friends and we experienced the best service ever. The chef came out to talk to us various times, gave us an appetizer on the house, and sang happy birthday with the crew.

The food was amazing as well! We got free slices of parmigiano reggiano and bread before food came. The lobster ravioli tasted great, with a lot of flavors inside. Same as the truffle ravioli. All the pastas were cooked to the T. Would definitely go again and recommend to anyone looking for a good time!!

What an amazing experience we had for our daughter’s lunch! The staff catered to all our needs, delivered exceptional food and service and were so kind and understanding in the whole planning process. Our guests left with such a great experience, saying “that was some of the best Italian food we have ever had”.

My boyfriend and I just went for a Valentine’s Day dinner and it was a phenomenal experience. We never are inclined to leave review, but we were so impressed and happy with the evening, we had to. We were greeted warmly by the chef and staff. The servers were so attentive, professional and personable. The food was delicious. We’re absolutely coming back. Plus, at the end of the meal you get a little after dinner night cap which was such a cute addition. If you live in the area or not, please go there! We live 40 minutes away and it was beyond worth it.

We came for our 26th wedding anniversary. The owner/chef greeted us, sat us and too care of us. Staff very on top of everything and polite. Food was incredibly delicious , right down to dessert. I highly recommend this place to everyone and best of all, it's byob.

This is a first rate BYOB Italian restaurant that provides a fine dining experience in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The selection is outstanding, and Chef Valentino is a true master at preparing the cuisine. The meatball appetizer was so delicious, and the branzino and barramundi specials he recommended were amazing. Service is attentive and the portions are generous (we took part of our dinners home).

Before dinner we enjoyed the complimentary warm Italian bread , spicy zucchini, shaved parmesan cheese, and spicy Italian meat. The double expresso and cappuccino we had for dessert were the largest we've ever had and served nice and hot. The flourless chocolate cake was incredible, and the two scoops of gelato were so creamy. Definitely one of the best meals and dining experiences we have had.

This restaurant is a 50+ mile round trip for my wife and me, but well worth it. That's how much we like this restaurant and why we highly recommend it.

Update July 2023:
We have eaten here many times. Tonight was another wonderful dining experience. The sweet and sour calamari was delicious. The tuna and grouper specials were amazing. The raspberry sorbet and biscotti for dessert were terrific. Service as always is attentive, and it’s so relaxing to eat outside facing a quiet country road.

Amazing food, great ambiance. Asparagus and grilled calamari appetizers were on point. Pork chops and pesto pasta were amazing. Tiramisu and Lemon cake were a perfect ending. Martino made our special evening a blast. I definitely recommend this restaurant and will be back very soon.

Went with my friends for my birthday lunch and was blown away. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful and the food was beyond delicious. We’ve already set a date for our next visit.

One of my favorite spots since moving to Hunterdon County. The chef/owner is always around. Not only does he take your order, he is very honest when you ask him the old "What's good today" question. All of the staff is quite friendly and accommodating. Your glass is never empty and used plates never stack up. All pasta dishes are lights out, and I always get a special.

If I had to make any suggestions at all which I believe is honest criticism, I would spread the people out more when possible. I have been there with my lady before and all couple were in one section while rest of the place was pretty open. Again, if not booked spread people out. Not always looking to hear my neighbors conversation :)

Seven of us had a ladies lunch at the IL Monello yesterday and we thoroughly enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. The food, staff, and environment were superb. They really rolled out the carpet for us. If you are in the area and or want to experience a memorable meal, I highly recommend it. PS I like spreading good news and the IL Monello experience was wonderful!

I had my husband’s 40th surprise birthday party there. Very happy about my choice! The owner Martino did his best to make everything perfect! They made the tables U shape for my 20 guests.
They provided bunch of appetizers and the dinner was wonderful!
They provided heaters and special music for our party.
What a memorable night for me, my husband and our guests!

The food was amazing and the staff was kind and efficient. They played authetic italian music in the background with dim lights making for a very romatic dinner. The staff was very kind and funny. GO HERE its worth every penny.

Our future son in law’s parents hosted the rehearsal dinner at IL Monello and I can’t say enough about it. The owner worked out a special menu for the event and both the food and atmosphere were equally amazing! Everything from the appetizers to desserts were prepared with perfection and so delicious! They set up the tables with linens in a U-shape for the 25 guests outside under a beautiful tent surrounded by flowers. The staff was top notch and we had a great time. Highly recommend for dinner or special event!

The food, the atmosphere, and the host/waiters, made our lunch experience a TOP NOTCH afternoon. The food was incredible, ending with the perfect dessert, espresso, and limoncello! Highly recommend if looking for an authentic Italian lunch/dinner!

My family held a surprise birthday party for my father at Il Monello and it was the best decision we could have made. The owner and staff were so easy to work with to plan the party and were very accommodating of our 24-person group. On the day, the food and service were superb - I heard from a few family members that it was the best Italian meal they’d had in a while. This was our first visit to Il Monello, and we will definitely be coming back to dine in the future.

Amazing experience. Tried for the first time and it was fantastic. Complimentary bread, cheese, meat, and mushroom spread. Followed by our order being taken directly from one of the chefs who was very accommodating, kind, and charismatic. Deserts were also amazing - we tried the tiramisu and sorbetto. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality we will definitely be back.

We’ve been coming to Ristorante IL MONELLO since 2015! We have dined in 5 star dining all over the world and IL Monello is by far our favorite restaurant!!! Martino, the owner, and Saban is the absolute best and are like family to us. Their food is of the highest quality and cooked literally to perfection in an artful way. It’s the gem of Peapack NJ! This review is actually long overdue and we couldn’t be more thankful for this wonderful place we absolutely love!! Experience it for yourself!! ❤

We discovered this as we were driving through the area.

The food was delicious, the service impeccable. Would come here again if passing by. Really nice spot.

A truly exquisite dining experience. While it's an Italian restaurant, don't expect the usual dishes - and even such "ordinary" fare as a Bolognese sauce is an enticingly complex creation. Our visit began with antipasti distributed to the table even before we saw a menu, including a bruschetta-like zucchini mix and long thin slices of fresh parmesan sliced right off a massive wheel in front of us. The list of daily specials was almost as long as the menu, and all sounded delicious. What we ended up ordering came in incredibly generous portions and everything was delicious. On top of everything else, we had a five-year-old girl in our party and *everyone* in the waitstaff treated her like a princess. Over all an amazing place.

Servers were attentive, food was delicious. I would definitely recommend the stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer. Atmosphere was nice, good music, my only issue is that the tables are really close, not my favorite. This restaurant is about 30 minutes away from me, but I will definitely be going back.