Il Nido, which recently opened in Marlboro, New Jersey, is a restaurant that celebrates Italy’s artisan tradition with meticulous ingredient sourcing both locally and from Italy. Ingredients are organic, sustainable, and local whenever possible; and Chef Joseph Voller, who has run the kitchens at Eno Terra in Princeton and Le Virtu in Philadelphia, lets them speak for themselves through his modern Italian menu.
The menu changes weekly, with signature dishes and spring highlights including White Asparagus Soup with prosciutto-rosemary pestata; Lamb Chop Scottadita with spring onion, pea and mint salsa verde; Mugnaia, a long, single strand pasta that the chef learned to make at La Bilancia in Abruzzo, Italy (pictured); Black Spaghetti with crab, green chilies and bottarga; Mushroom Risotto with porcini, morels, and black trumpets; Grilled Octopus with crispy potatoes and salsa verde; Halibut alla Piastra with fava beans, pancetta, potato & artichoke in brodo; and Four Story Hill Farm Veal with white asparagus, baby carrot, cippolini, and gnocchetti.
The menu also features four different dry-aged steaks from Allen Brothers in Chicago. Every month, Il Nido’s regional tasting menu (four courses, $60.00) will showcase a different region of Italy. For the month of May, it will be Sicily.
Tucked away in a strip mall on Route 9, Il Nido offers surprises at every turn. Two elegant, intimate brick-walled dining rooms – one also featuring a fireplace – transport diners to the Italian countryside. Tables are large and comfortable; and the sound level is muted, allowing for a proper dining experience and good conversation. Two comfortable booths with chef’s tables are tucked away by the kitchen. Both affording great views of the culinary action. A separate private dining room is reminiscent of a wine cellar.
The restaurant, located at 184 Route 9 North, Marlboro, New Jersey, is BYO and serves dinner Wednesday – Sunday. For more information, or to make reservations, please call (732) 851-6347 or click on the restaurant’s website, www.ilnidonj.com.
Bon Appétit!
TAD
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I’ve been here twice and the food is fantastic. The restaurant itself is beautiful. The staff was outstanding. There aren’t enough adjectives in the English language to describe how good the food is.