A small, family owned restaurant located on Farnsworth Avenue in historic Bordentown, New Jersey will give you an authentic Italian taste. For a special occasion or a night out on the town, Toscano Ristorante will deliver more than meets the eye. Although it costs more than a quick bite to eat, Toscano uses fresh and tasty ingredients to enhance your experience. This wonderful spot offers take-out, although you won’t want to miss dining in after being greeted by the delicious scent of burgundy wine demi-glace. As is the case at most restaurants, weekend evening hours can be the busiest and most difficult times to score a table. Something Toscano offers clientele while they wait is their rustic bar; in this unique space, appetizers and beverages are served to you while you wait for a table.
While it is an authentic establishment, this restaurant comes with a twist, as they are also considered a steakhouse. Notably, these menu options also impress, from their porterhouse for two, to their Kansas City sirloin, to their New York strip. However, the best of all is the Tomahawk ribeye: thick, marbled, juicy.
My experience at Toscano was amazing. Our meal began with their delightful bacon dusted calamari, drizzled with pesto aioli and served with a sweet and sour sauce. Our waiter was extremely polite and very familiar with the items on the menu, convincing us to split the Tomahawk steak. After enjoying our appetizer, we were greeted by lobster mac and cheese, roasted potatoes, and the Creek Stone bone steak. Although we were stuffed from dinner, we couldn’t leave without getting one of their tempting desserts. We enjoyed a light custard parfait with biscotti and a shot of espresso. I would most definitely come back to this restaurant time and time again. It was an outstanding dining experience.
As college students, our pockets aren’t overflowing with money. However, Toscano is a great spot to celebrate this upcoming graduation or birthday for a reasonable price. Their dishes range from $20 – $40, unless you splurge on their famous Tomahawk ribeye for two, which rings in at $120 and is served with roasted potatoes and a side salad.
Toscano Ristorante is rated 4.7 stars out of 5 online. However, I would give 5 out of 5 stars for not only the food quality but also ambiance, service, and presentation. I believe Toscano is the closest you’ll get to your Italian grandmother’s kitchen. It can be difficult to find an authentic dish today, which makes Toscano worth every penny spent and every mile driven.
By Camryn Curiale
Tri-Lite 