La Cucina Nouveau, Morganville, NJ:
A Restaurant Review

La Cucina Nouveau, Morganville, NJ
La Cucina Nouveau
167 US Highway 9,
Morganville, NJ
732-414-6822
Website


Restaurant Highlights

Fare: Italian - Seafood

Price:  Expensive

Food Quality:  3 Stars

Service:  2 1/2 Stars

Decor:  3 Stars

Overall Rating: 3 Stars

Note:  Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class

Well prepared Italian food using high quality local and imported ingredients

A good spot for couples looking for a moderately priced romantic dining experience

Value: Excellent

Noise Level:  Moderate - High

Dress:  Casual

Recommended For:  Budget conscious diners who enjoy a BYOB with well prepared, creative Italian food in a warm, welcoming setting

Not Recommended For:  Diners who prefer a traditional red sauce southern Italian menu with a large selection of pizza's and comfort food

Recommended dishes:  When available, The Zuppa di Pesce in a spicy red sauce with black ink tagliatelle.: The Paccheri con Gamberi with Shrimps, Broccoli Florets, in a Garlic and white Wine Sauce with toasted Parmigiano Breadcrumbs; and The Branzino, cooked intact with head tail and bones, and filleted before serving.

Liquor:  BYOB, Forget your bottle, no problem, there is a Wine Academy Superstore in the same shopping center.

Restaurant Review

La Cucina Nouveau, a hidden gem tucked away in a small shopping center, is popular with diners who come to enjoy well prepared Italian dishes and fresh sea food in a friendly, welcoming environment.

Owned by husband & wife team Giuseppe (Joe) and Salvina Di Cristo. Joe runs the kitchen while Salvina runs the dining area with passion and a commitment to making the dining experience feel as though you are eating in a family setting. When not greeting diners as they enter, she can be found roaming the dining area to ensure diners needs are being attended to.

La Cucina Nouveau serves a creative menu of pasta, seafood, fillet mignon, veal, and pork dishes with a  good choice of daily specials . Dining begins on a positive note with a complimentary serving of a small plate of tasty olives and roasted garlic accompanied by warm crusted Italian bread.

To receive the full benefit of Chef Joe's culinary delights, order at least one of his daily specials.

The interior with seating for approximate 66, has a charming, modern, contemporary look. The decor is done up with dark wood flooring, contemporary, soft lit hanging chandeliers, Grey, earth toned walls, with an attractive stand alone wall built with light Grey brick wall surrounding an attractive recessed "aquarium" style fireplace. Tables are set with white linen.

The dining area is partitioned with a low divider wall separating the group dining area for parties of four or more from tables for two, placed against large floor to ceilings windows over looking the parking lot. This is a clever way of providing couples a dining area for quiet conversation away from large groups. A good spot for couples looking for a moderately priced romantic dining experience.

During the weekend dining hours from 5:30 pm - 7:30pm, the main dining area for larger groups is popular with families with small kids.

The wait staff is outgoing, engaging and attentive. However, the only knock on the service is when they serve the food, they tend to interrupt a conversation to ask "Who gets the ....."

La Cucina Nouveau is open six days/week:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 12:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Friday 12:00 pm - 10:30 pm, Saturday 3:00 pm - 10:30 pm, and Sunday 3:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Reservations are a must especially on weekends, for parties of 4 or more you may need to book at least a week in advance.

(updated: November, 2016)

How Do We Review (analyze) Restaurants?

New Jersey Leisure Guide strives to provide analytic restaurant reviews.

The methodology used is research, analysis driven --- as opposed to that of a single restaurant critic or a social media platform, viewer comment posting board.

Learn More