Scalini Fedeli
“This has been a go-to place for special occasions for years, and I can honestly say I have never had a less than amazing meal.”
“I remember several years ago they made a pumpkin risotto that was so amazingly delicious I ordered a second one as my desert!”
“Their fixed price menu is full of variety and absolutely worth the cost.”
Scalini Fedeli
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$$$ Price range Above $61
8 reviews
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This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants of all time and I try to eat here every time i come up to NJ. Perfectly prepared Foi Gras. Fresh pasta great meats and seafood. I remember several years ago they made a pumpkin risotto that was so amazingly delicious I ordered a second one as my desert!
I think about that dish every year when the pumpkins come out which is why I'm posting this review now.
They now have a wine list, when I used to live in NJ it was a BYOB.
You certainly won't go wrong making a reservation here!
Service, food and decor are all top notch.
Went there for a lunch on a wednesday afternoon. I would characterize this as a solid, but not exceptional restaurant that didn't quite live up to its hype.
Ambiance: Step into an old gangster movie, sit down at the italian restaurant and be very worried that someone is going to whack you. That essentially describes the ambience at Scalini Fedeli in Chatham. The day was bright, the inside was dark. Windows had 1970s style curtains which were drawn, thus making the place look darker than it should of on such a gorgeous day. To add to the experience there were waiters in their tuxedos in a "classic" manner.
Food: we both opted for the "beet and goat cheese salad" as a starter. What came out instead was a salad with plenty of greens, some sundried tomoatoes, and a few, select pieces of beet. The Goat cheese was balanced for the amount of beet, but my point is that the salad was misadvertised. The salad was fine, definitely 3 star material, but it wasn't remarkable in any sense of the word.
We also both opted for the duck. I have read many reviews about the duck and was waiting to be wowed. Really waiting to be wowed. I nervously ordered it medium rare as I prefer it that way (recommendation was to order it medium). However what came out… Duck was medium well. The sauce that accompanied it was a bit sweet and it was served on asparagus that was prepared well. On the whole it was….fine. just fine. Nothing super memorable, nothing enchanting. Just fine.
The coffee that came after was standard drip coffee that was less than fine.
So for an establishment that is regarded as 'one of the best in NJ' and 'Chatham's finest', I left massively underwhelmed. If it is good food that you are after and it is Italian, then do yourself and your pocket book a favor and head over to Marie's (see yelp reviews, its in chatham and now one in Madison). If you want a long drawn out meal with table service, then find somewhere else. Perhaps Serenade – that's going to be one of the next ones that I try.
Oh yeah, one other thing. I called them a few months back to inquire about whether they could prepare something special for my vegan wife. The answer was a very polite "No". So this is not a place for Vegans. At all.
Sorry for the lack of pics. I was on a business lunch.
Scalini used to be so much better. Maybe because we came on a Monday night they weren't on their game? I don't know but I am being generous by giving three stars. Reservations were at 7 and I was expecting it to be busy but there were only two other tables filled in the restaurant. We were seated at a corner table. Listen, I understand this is supposed to be "fine dining", I get it. But seriously; lighten the hell up with kissing my ass and speaking so softly like you're at a movie theatre. The whole atmosphere seems over the top. If you want to impress me that you have a fine dining restaurant, let's start by updating the hideous decor inside the place. Maybe even swap out the light bulb above my table that they literally painted over when doing the ceiling. Anyway, let's get to the most important part; the food. I ordered one of the special apps; "seafood risotto". It was supposed to come with shrimp, clams and scallops. I asked that they substitute the scallops because I'm allergic. They accommodated by giving me muscles. The risotto itself was just ok. However the clams were rancid. I ate one and nearly spit it out. Not what I was expecting from this place. My main course was the snapper special which was decent and probably the only reason I bumped the review up to three stars. Get your act together Scalini! Oh and you might want to consider replacing our waiter; dude gives me the creeps.
Fine dining at its best. I've been here a couple times over the years to celebrate special occasions, and must say I have never been disappointed! The menu is varied and everything is delicious. Was here this past mother's day and I got the risotto appetizer. I would recommend this to anyone- it was fantastic! As the night went on, we sampled each other's dishes and everything was outstanding. The service is on par and the atmosphere is nice.
Definitely a go to place!
Came back here after a decade to celebrate my sister's engagement. We had a nice, big table for the six of us. Food was decadent and delicious.
I took a star off because I think the space needs a bit of an update. I understand the feel for a more homey, older Italian restaurant but I think the lighting could be change and just an update could freshen it up.
Service is on point and it is a very nice place to have near my parents' home.
I rarely write a review for a place I have only been to once, but this restaurant totally deserves it. I simply cannot wait to return.
It's BYOB (FYI – they charge a cork fee on Saturdays) and prix fixe. When I think prix fixe, I think, "Great, four entree options, one of which I will only kind of like, if any." Not here. OMG, there are like 15 options for appetizers and entrees. Not to mention, they serve an amuse-bouche, sorbet and dessert (of your choice) throughout the meal. It's about $54 a person.
Everything I ate here was absolutely fabulous. I had the most amazing crabmeat appetizer and delicious shrimp and lobster entree. My husband ordered a pork chop for the entree and it was incredible. I'd never think to order that because it's not one of my go-to dishes but I would do it in a heartbeat at Scalini Fedeli.
The service was top notch – every attention to detail was made from the presentation of the food to making sure our glass was always full. A great place for a romantic dinner, meeting up with old friends, or special occasion. A plus – they take OpenTable reservations.
I just don't know where to start! I couldn't wait to write this review but i am actually speechless – tongue tied!
Had a resey for (6) tonight, as usual on a Saturday night the joint was packed, filled to the gills.
The entire experience is five star. The valet parking belongs here – it wouldn't work to come here and park your own car, its part of the experience. The service is impeccable from the moment you are seated, the amuse bouche was a perfect bite – a shrimp on porcini mushroom and spring pea in a dijon mustard sauce. I started with the egg yolk ravioli. Yes, an egg yolk ravioli. This gorgeous handmade ravioli that when you put your fork in oozed a fresh egg yolk over ricotta and just a tad of spinach stuffed in there for color and it was swimming in a truffle butter sauce. When this dish was placed in front of me, the truffle wafted up and it was mesmerizing. The first bite was delicious but on that second bite i got the egg yolk and i can now die because i don't think that i will ever have anything more delicious. If i had everyone on Yelp's phone number i would have sent a group text that read "GET HERE NOW!" For dinner – veal milanese – i had (2) bites and had it packed to bring home because all i could think was – i want another egg yolk ravioli! But i bit my lip and persevered to dessert and ordered what i think is a house specialty – the chocolate shuffle, (a $3 supplemental but well worth it). I love that most of the desserts – are served with a little smidge of some kind of homemade gelato. In this instance a simple a vanilla and a bright mint chocolate chip with flecks of fresh mint that was refreshing.
Everyone at the table was delighted with the experience, and the fact that this is a prixe fixe menu is the cherry on top. The menu is endless and it is difficult to choose because everything is delicious and the presentation is perfection. If you have ever considered Scalini Fedeli – pick up the phone and make a resey now because you will need one and once you are there you are going to kick yourself for not discovering this place sooner.
Returned with friends to celebrate. For full review see previous entry.
This time appetizers were mushroom ravioli, mushroom risotto, pasta special with peas and prosciutto, as well as pasta with crab and pepperocini. All were ample portions and delicious!
Entrees were salmon special with truffles, special 16 ounce sirloin, filet mignon, and veal milanese. Again all were amazing! !!
Had a great time. Delicious food. Impeccable service. Again, Scalini Fedeli presented us with an amazing experience.