Covo Italian Steakhouse Restaurant Review:
A must try spot in Englishtown, NJ

Covo Italian Steakhouse
184 Route 9 North
Willow Point Shopping Center
Englishtown, NJ

Covo Italian Steakhouse is Englishtown's newest upscale dining destination, blending a modern American steakhouse with rustic Italian warmth. Set in the former Il Nido space, it delivers premium cuts, refined technique, and a polished yet inviting atmosphere that positions it as one of Monmouth County’s top newest openings.

Led by the management team of General Manager Tony Ruccio amd Executive Chef Felix Gonzalez.
GM Tony Ruccio comes with impressive credentials. Including 16 years with Darden Restaurants, and recently 9 years in the Princeton restaurant scene, holding senior leadership roles.
Chef Gonzalez received his formal culinary education at The Italian Culinary Academy in Colorno, Italy. He later honed his culinary skills with the Charlie Palmer Group in Manhattan. Prior to Covo Italian Steakhouse, he served as Chef de Cuisine for The Heritage Hospitality Group.

Cuisine

Fare: Italian influenced modern steakhouse

Price: $$–$$$

The Chef: While Covo Italian Steakhouse’s Englishtown location is new, the brand’s culinary identity is rooted in Chef Gonzalez's cooking skills, styles, and ingredients.
The kitchen features ingredient first cooking with minimal but thoughtful embellishment using High grade beef including dry aged selections and American Wagyu Seasonal produce with house made sauces, compound butters, and Italian leaning accents.

Menu Highlights: DryAged American Wagyu Ribeye. Prime Covo Dry-aged New York Strip, Vitello Alla Parmigiana (Veal Chop, pomodoro, Mozzarella, basil pesto). House made pastas and Italian inspired starters.

Ambiance

Decor: Rustic Italian meets modern steakhouse—stone, dark woods, leather seating, black marble accents

Vibe: Warm, refined, and intimate without feeling stuffy

Table Spacing: Comfortable, not crowded; ideal for conversation

Noise Level: Moderate—lively but controlled

Background Music: Low lit, contemporary, unobtrusive

Service

Welcoming & Professional: Warm greeting, attentive pacing. Knowledgeable Staff: Confident with steak temperatures, and menu details. Consistency: Strong execution from kitchen to table; polished but friendly.

Other Factors

Alcohol & Bar Service

Full bar with craft cocktails
Strong whiskey and bourbon selections
Italian leaning wine list with steak friendly reds

Child Friendly?

Suitable for well behaved children, but primarily geared toward adults and special occasion dining

Best For:

Date nights, Celebrations and milestones, Business dinners, Upscale nights out

Not Ideal For:

Quick, casual meals, Large, noisy groups, Budget focused diners

Parking:

On site lot with ample parking, Easy access from Route 9

Dress Code:

Smart casual to upscale casual

What I Like About This Restaurant

Covo Italian Steakhouse stands out because it brings big city steakhouse polish to suburban Englishtown without losing warmth or approachability. The Italian influence gives the menu personality, the ingredients are top tier, and the ambiance feels intentionally crafted—cozy, stylish, and memorable.

What Sets Them Apart

A dual identity: Italian soul + classic steakhouse confidence. Premium beef program with dry aged and Wagyu selections. A design that feels both elevated and inviting, and a menu that balances indulgence with thoughtful, ingredient driven cooking

Updated March 2026