Cucina Calandra

OVERALL: Good restaurant, excellent service, nice ambience. Food good but a bit disappointing.
Appetizers: Arancini, classic Sicilian rice balls, should have been only lightly browned and typically served with a light tomato sauce on the side. These were significantly over-​fried, to the point where they had a rather thick, hard crust on the outside. There were peas (traditional) in the center, but the rice tasted soft and without body. The stuffed meatballs were tender and nicely prepared, but they were served in a pool of sauce and covered with a rather thick layer of melted cheese. Both these appetizers had potential, but they did not translate well, from the original, light Italian recipes, to our table.
Entrees: The Orecchiette with salsicce e rabe (Orecchiette pasta with sausage and broccoli rabe) was quite good. The brown sauce in which it was served was light and delicious; the broccoli rabe was cooked properly, and I was surprised that even the stems (more than I thought were needed) were surprisingly tender; the Pizza Margherita was prepared as they do in Italy, although the use of fresh tomato made it likely to become soggy, had it not been served promptly; the Penne Norma was very good, but what appeared to be eggplant was a bit overdone.
The wine selection was adequate, although the night we went, our preferred wine (Gavi di Gavi) was not available. Their pinot grigio was quite good, with a nice balance of fruit and acidity, which was surprising, for a moderate priced wine.
Service was excellent, and the server assigned to our table was courteous, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and attentive without being intrusive.
We found the ambience to be pleasant, but the restaurant was surprisingly noisy, for a Tuesday evening. Which leads me to recommend this weekday, because most pasta dishes are discounted significantly, as was the wine.
One of our dining companions enjoyed a Margarita, which was well made, using Rose’s Lime juice — a nice touch that only an experienced bartender would know.

My father loves this place, so I’ve been here quite a few times. One thing I noticed is that the main dining room is incredibly loud with little kids, but that’s ok. If you choose to eat in the bar area, they’ll bring you to a very nice, quiet, romantic tabled area with no kids. I used a Groupon once and had no problem using it. I love their food. On half price pasta night, they gave us a little speech about how not ALL the pasta dishes are half off which I thought was a little cheap, because hey… it’s just pasta, but we still found lots of good remaining pasta choices that were half off. In the summer, they have a really nice outside area that’s beautiful to eat in. My only complaint about this place is that the prices are exhoribitant. It’s a special occasion kind of place. That’s the only reason why I can’t give this place 5 stars. Otherwise, a huge hit.

Cucina has changed for the worst! Prices are way off and service was terrible. And being greeted by an unfriendly hostess. There are many restaurants to enjoy in area where you will be treated like a guest and pay fair prices!!!

This place is awful and so over price. Chicken parm for $ 26 what a joke. Sea bass for $ 37 and it’s not even fresh. Will not return at all.

Since the wait on weekends is long we decided to try it on a Thursday. No wait at all. Sandra and I both had pasta dishes. Both were presented well but both lacked much flavor. To us it’s very average food at best. Sorry but we will not return even for the free bread.

We had dinner there for the first time. We wanted a casual dining experience with good food at reasonable prices. Our children loved Frank the pizza man. It gave us some alone time while he occupied them with his conversation and pizza making skills. The food was very good. They were very accommodating when it came to our request. The prices were reasonable according to our standards. The food was tasty, hot and huge portions. The free cheesy bread and free loaf of bread was a surprise bonus. The desserts were great. Our server was very attentive. I will be back and would recommend it to family and friends

Every time I come here I like it more and more! All of the food is delicious and the service is on par.
As an appetizer they put out free bread with cheese in it– it’s out of this world! They also have so many different specials for happy hour/​pasta night/​lunch.
When I went today they had a new express lunch menu– soup or salad with entrée, coffee, and desert for $ 12.95. How can you go wrong?
Also, be sure to grab your free loaf of bread on your way out. Can this place get any better?

Adorable place with massive potions. Go hungry. The garlic cheese bread is to die for. The menu is endless and affordable. They offer half price pasta on Tuesday, but BEWARE– it gets VERY crowded and there are usually a lot of unruly children involved. A great place to overindulge, as most of the menu options are very heavy, comfort foods, however they do have fish dishes and salads if you can resist the temptation. Food is Always fresh. Cute place for a date or for a family meal.

Food is always delicious. Can be considered a hidden gem as its attached to a Best Western but we always have a hard time getting a reservation and have yet to have a less than satisfactory meal. Staff is friendly and accommodating, never takes too long to get the food, and their cheesy garlic bread is amazing!

Shrimp lobster ravioli to die for!!! Small portion but was full at the end and had an amazing taste ever bite

We recently ate here for a family birthday party. Most of the entrees were alright, not great, but I must comment about the lobster ravioli special that night.
Out of the 5 – 6 ravioli on the place, 2 were completely empty, as in no filling, just pasta dough with an air pocket! The remaining ravioli had a tiny bit of lobster but mostly cheese. I expect a little better from a $ 25 entrée.
We’re regulars here and found it to be a good value on Tuesday’s pasta night or the happy hour, but wouldn’t recommend otherwise. Some dishes are very greasy with too much olive oil.

Very surprised at how good this was. My initial instinct of «it’s a restaurant connected to a Best Western» told me this probably wasn’t going to be good. I was wrong.
Fresh bread at the table to start. All three of us had pasta dishes — which were all homemade pasta. Portions were large — none of us finished. Apparently Tuesdays are half off pasta and wine — place was packed.

Conveniently located just off the highway. Came here for dinner with some friends and really enjoyed it. Great atmosphere and good food. What more could I ask for. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.

Went here for a birthday dinner. They start you off with a small loaf of cheesy bread which was good. InGot lobster raviolis in what was suppose to be vodka sauce. They were ok but the sauce was just tomato sauce. We also got gnocchis and vodka sauce was the same. Saw a guy paying w groupon so bought one but when I went to use it an older manager said I needed to buy a dessert togo also Bc they lose money on a groupon. Told him my bill was $ 65 so I’m not buying anything more since the food was way overpriced and quality was subpar to a diner.

Fairfield NJ. In the Best Western Fairfield Executive Inn on US 46. Have eaten here many times before when on business at St Barnabas Hospital. Consistently superb food and service. They start you off with a delicious hard crust bread filled with cheese. BTW don’t forget to take a loaf of bread from the hallway upon exit, complimentary from their own bakery.
Have had there Scallop salad entrée a couple of times. Half a dozen large Scallops on a bed of mixed greens, with mangoes, strawberries, black berries, orange slices and fresh fennel. Has a honey ginger vinegrette tglaze and toppiing.

Kids kids kids.
Corkage fee is $ 10 super good deal.
You will need to bring a couple of bottles since this place is loud and did I mention caters to kids.
Food and service needs help.

Cold and rainy April day but it was warm inside the cuccina. the cheesy bread and dunked it in olive oil. The salmon special was grilled to perfection in a soy blaze and the bed of broccoli rabe with garlic was a great accompaniment.
The waiter Christian was very good and I took the puttanesca special to try for dinner.

I came here on Sunday with my family. I would probably rate them 3.5, but will give them the benefit of the doubt. Let me start by saying that the food is fantastic. They start you off with garlic-​cheese bread, although they are happy to bring you fresh Italian bread and olive oil with fresh Parmesan if you ask for it. We ordered the tilapia with mushroom risotto, lobster ravioli, and chicken arrabiatta. The tilapia was juicy and had a nice brown sauce, and the risotto had a nice consistancy and nice mushroom flavor. The chicken was tender and juicy and had a really nice smokey tomato sauce and spicy sausage.
My only complaint was that the service was really slow. The waiter seemed to be paying attention to every table but ours. It was not easy to flag him down when we needed something. The food runners and bussers were more attentive and got us extra drinks and bread.
Overall a good experience, and with better service, would have been a great one.

Come for Tuesday nigh half-​priced pasta! You get to take home a loaf of bread on your way out too.
Love the cheesy garlic bread! Love the pasta! The service is very quick and great as well.

Calandra’s is like family if you grew up in NJ. We all watched their business grow up from a fine bakery to a collection of bakeries, restaurants, cafes and bar/​grills.
This particular «Cucina» has charming décor, excellent service, and quality food. The food tends to bounce around a 3 – 4. Today’s chicken parm at a recent lunch, for example, had perfect chicken yet the red sauce was too tart/​acidic to appreciate. However, the salad with gorgonzola-​stuffed figs (yes, you heard me right) was really super. The lunch menu varies from sandwiches/​pizzas to full entrees. The dinner menu features a larger selection of appetizers, pastas, and entrees. Save a little room for dessert! Calandra’s tends to be generous with coupons, so check local papers or internet for special offers.
The Cucina serves wine and cocktails, incredible cheese-​bread is brought to your table to start, and a complimentary loaf of Calandra’s Italian bread is available on your way out. Don’t let the ‘in a hotel’ location deter you, Calandra’s is very good and has a dedicated crowd of regulars every day.