Was great now service is deplorable
I have not received a reply to this letter sent a month ago: June 09, 2004 Michael Cetrulo Scalini Fedeli 63 Main Street Chatham, New Jersey 07928 Gentle Michael Cetrulo, We brought a dear friend to Scalini Fedeli in Chatham last night to celebrate her new job. The service was a disaster and spoiled the occasion. The main course did not arrive until over an hour after we finished our appetizers. The head waiter had not indicated there would be a delay in the preparation time, and he did not come near us between the two courses. Several who arrived after we did, had finished their dessert before our main course arrived. When I sought out the head waiter, he said that I would have to discuss the matter with the manager. The manager said he was short staffed in the kitchen. On arrival the menu I received was badly soiled. A waiter brought several kinds of bread and plopped two pieces on bread plates for each of us without asking our choice. Earlier the house bread with onions was stale. Two of us each ordered a glass of champagne; a bottle was brought instead. On the positive side: water was replenished steadily, and the food, once it arrived, was delicious, but we were in no mood to enjoy it. Two even declined the dessert for which we had paid, and all three declined the manager’s offer of a cordial on the house. The service spoiled not only our celebration, but our pleasure in frequently promoting Scalini Fedeli as our ‘favorite restaurant .’ I regret to have to tell our many friends that we were wrong. I write in hopes that you can assure that this evening was an aberration. The restaurant has been too fine in the past to tolerate service this bad. Faithfully, Louie Crew, Ph.D., D.D., D.D. D.H.L. 377 S. Harrison Street, 12D, East Orange, NJ 07018-1222
Food: 6
Service: 2
Ambiance: 8
Overall: 2

Scalini Fedeli
Scalini Fedeli has gotten worse over the last year or two. The food is very good, but is no longer excellent. The service is just satisfactory. Six of us went (three couples) and brought three bottles of wine. They charged us $60 to open three bottles! The bill for six of us came to almost $500, which does not include alcohol. I have been a fan for years, but might not go back after this experience.
Food: 6
Service: 6
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 6
- Hunterdon County

The Best Northern Italian Food & Incredible Service
Talk about White Glove service. Service is definitely not a let down in the Trebeca restaurant. In fact, my husband and I were the most casual dressed ones in the place and we were given white glove service from the moment we entered. They treated us like Royalty. Most of the patrons were dressed very elegantly. This restaurant is indeed 5+ stars. This restaurant has it all the romantic atmosphere, incredible food, the presentation, and the wine list. The service is absolutely fabulous in the NYC location. I rank it among the top 3 Italian restaurants in NYC and it’s not impossible to get reservations for. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a fancy Italian cuisine. One thing, don’t expect a traditional Italian menu; veal scaloppini, chicken parm. There is no such thing. Everything is exotic, many fish dishes and other unusual dishes are served here. I was actually worried about what I would order initially, not being a seafood eater. But, with the waiters help I had a mouthwatering veal chop (it was very large and melted in my mouth and actually cut with a fork.) The portions are very large and the desert adds the finishing touch.
Recommended: Veal Chop
Food: 10
Service: 10
Ambiance: 10
Overall: 10

Best in NJ
My wife and I make it a point to have our anniversary dinners at Scalini Fedeli. The food is amazing. The service is exceptional (despite what I've read in other reviews). When they hear it is our anniv., they have surprised us by bring our dessert on plates with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate souuce around the edge of the plate(s). Combined with the fact that it's BYOB--you have a wine lover's delight (best food with best wine--without the $ 400 wine bill!) Their NYC (Duane Street) restaurant gives Babbo a run for the money as far as NYC restaurants are concerned! Only the service is better at Scalini Fedeli....j
Recommended: Filet Mignon, pasta fagioli (if avail)
Food: 10
Service: 10
Ambiance: 10
Overall: 10

It's great
I thought that with a prix fixe menu, there would only be a few choices. I was completely wrong --- and the food was delicious, beautifully presented, and generously sized. Based on the only other review posted, I was very worried about the service (we were a twosome with an 8 year old -- what could give you worse service that that?!) but frankly, the service was impeccable. They came by the table regularly and courteously, but were not stuffy or overbearing. The pacing of the meal was relaxed so that you could enjoy each course. The restaurant is in a house and the atmosphere was very pleasant.
Recommended: veal scallopine, marscapone/ricotta torte, grilled spedine of diver sea scallops (salad), cannelini bean and pecorino ravioli soup
Food: 10
Service: 10
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 8

Service is a let down!
I agree, Scalini Fedeli has some of the best food in northern New Jersey, but because of the bad service I will never go back. I have spread the word of my many bad dinners at Scalini. If you do go, make sure it's a table of four because if you are only a two top you will be ignored. It has happened to me multiple times. Good luck.
Food: 8
Service: 2
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 6