Montclair Eats - the retaurant and dining guide for Montclair, NJ and surrounding communities
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Gencarelli's Cucina



Gencarelli's Cucina

Average entree price $13.00 to $20.99Average rating 4.57 from 23 votes.Average rating 4.57 from 23 votes.Average rating 4.57 from 23 votes.Average rating 4.57 from 23 votes.Average rating 4.57 from 23 votes.
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381 Bloomfield Avenue
Montclair, NJ  07042
973-744-8881

Mon:
Closed

Tue:
11:30-3:00 / 5:00-10:00

Wed:
11:30-3:00/ 5:00-10:00

Thu:
11:30-3:00/ 5:00-10:00

Fri:
11:30-3:00/ 5:00-11:00

Sat:
11:30-3:00/ 5:00-11:00

Sun:
3:00-9:00

Map showing Gencarelli's Cucina

Cuisine: Italian
Casual Atmosphere, Large Portions, Parking in Rear Glenridge Ave lot.

Serves Lunch Serves Dinner Indoor Dining/Seating Area Outdoor Dining Area (in season) Takeout Available BYOB Permitted Off-Premises Catering0 Accepts Credit Cards0 Open Late0 Child-Friendly0
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Always Reliable!
Been coming to Gencarelli's since they opened and have always had a great meal! Creative inventive menu and great friendly people who own and work there.
Posted by Mitch on 10/27/2011
0 out of 0 people found this review useful.
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Always Reliable!
Been coming to Gencarelli's since they opened and have always had a great meal! Creative inventive menu and great friendly people who own and work there.
Posted by Mitch on 10/27/2011
0 out of 0 people found this review useful.
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First of all, the coupon that says 2 for $20 on the website only applies to certain nights. We went for dinner before going to Wellmont Theatre and was told its not allowed on "show nights". We had a 615 reservation and was not served until 745. The waitress had a attitude over everything we asked for. Needless to say we missed the start of the show.
Posted by Anne on 07/14/2011
1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Real Italian!!
I've been dissapointed with the local Italian food here. It's either fusion or fancy pizza and the sauce keeps you up at night. sometimes they seem like they are doing you a favor when you eat at these placesl I grew up in Brooklyn and I miss the traditional stuff. I think my search is over. Last Saturday I was going to the Wellmont to see the Gypsy Kings. I usually don't venture past Church street but a friend told me about Gencarelli's, right accross the street from the Wellmont, so, I decided to make it convenient. So, glad I did. This place is phenomenal. Traditional Italian like my family makes. There were so many things my mouth was watering for that I will have to go back this week. I had the Sunday Gravy and my wife had the Giambotta. Cleaned the plate!! Topped it of with a homemade dessert with fresh cannoli cream and berries. Large portions, great welcoming owner and staff and if you want that comfy feeling this is it! Hard to believe I didn't know they were there almost 4 years. Also, join the fan page and they have coupons for weeknights. We will be back with friends.
Posted by Carlo on 05/20/2011
0 out of 0 people found this review useful.
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Amazing family experience
My family recently moved from Manhattan, and we were looking for a good place for dinner on a Sunday evening (but also relatively casual). We found Gencarelli's on MontclairEats.com, and were really impressed with everything. The food was great from appetizers to desserts, the service was friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. They even featured a great live singer/acoustic guitarist. Looking forward to going again.
Posted by Scott Kessler on 08/28/2010
0 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Great Patio! Excellent Food and Service
I just came back from dining at Gencarelli's for the first time. We live in Bergen County and wanted to venture out on this beautiful day. Saw the reviews here and I have to say it will be our new favorite. Best Italian food I've had outside of NYC. I had the Sunday Gravy and my husband had the fish special. Everything was very fresh and tasty. The topper was the patio and the owner,Debbie, came over to our table. Very nice touch, no wonder there are so many nice comments. I also thought the portions were great for the price. Thanks for the Tip!!
Posted by Lea on 05/16/2010
2 out of 3 people found this review useful.
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I think this place is very overpriced. I could have had the same meal somewhere else for $5.00 cheaper. The food wasn't worth the price paid. It was just ok, nothing spectacular.
Posted by Beth on 04/11/2010
3 out of 5 people found this review useful.
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We Will Return
Just discovered this lovely Italian BYOB right accross the street from the Wellmont in Montclair. Being from Westwood I am not that familiar with the restaurants in Montclair, but, we had tickets to see Al Greenat the Wellmont a few weeks back. We heard a couple of people talking about it so we followed them in. Not only was I impressed by the taste of their food, but, the presentation and portions were great. Their pasta and meatballs were unbelievable. We took home a quart of sauce. Can't wait to go back next month for my Birthday.
Posted by Gianna on 03/25/2010
3 out of 6 people found this review useful.
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Nice Place
I found Gencarelli's to be a great find. Since they were offering $10 pasta dishes during the week we decided to try them and the pasta was done perfect I got the Penne Pomodoro which was so fresh and my friend ordered off the menu skirt steak that was delish. I also had a side of the Turkey meatballs. Excellent quality in the food and atmosphere. Would definitely go back.
Posted by Alyssa on 10/21/2009
0 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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very disappointed
I read so many wonderful reviews which lead me to dinner here tonight. The service was a bit slow, but polite. The mussels were so overcooked that I had to send them back. They also tasted old. The marinara sauce was the highlight of the dinner. Excellent with the bread served at the table. The fried calamari was very mediocre. The salad was average at best. We had a crabcake 'special' appetizer that was disgusting and gross. I will not be back. There are too many other excellent Italian restaurants in the area!!!
Posted by Pamela on 08/26/2009
3 out of 7 people found this review useful.
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Yummy and I would go back to try other dishes.
My friend and I ate here on Tuesday night to try someplace new. We both ordered Caprese Salads, but should have just gotten one for two of us. I've had better mozzarella, but overall it was a good salad and I enjoyed the pesto sauce that came with it. I ordered the special...Roasted Vegtable Ravioli and it was delicious! I loved the sauce and it was a perfect amount of food. My friend ordered the Chicken Rustica...she liked it and I thought that sauce was good too. We didn't get dessert so I can't comment. Overall we had a good, reasonably priced dinner with a nice waitress and loved sitting outside in the patio. We'll definitely go back again and I'll recommend to others.
Posted by nancy on 07/16/2009
1 out of 4 people found this review useful.
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I love this place, Very consistant overall food is excellent!!! And ofcourse there a lot of other good restaurants, this is montclair...But in my opinion this place is def one of my fav's.
Posted by Anthony on 05/17/2009
4 out of 6 people found this review useful.
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Thanks for a great Mothers Day!!
I just wanted to say thanks to this site for giving out of towners like me a place to see where the good places are. I'm fromTom's River and wanted to take my Mom and family out somewhere local since she lives in Verona. I have to say this restaurant definitely lives up to everything you hear, friendly and warm attentive service, but, I think the overwhelming holiday slowed them a bit. We really enjoyed it . Started with a huge stuffed artichoke which was excellent, for dinner a pork loin that was just as beautiful as it tasted and the best was the special of two stuffed lobster tails, they were huge. Even though we didn't finish dinner we saved room for the roasted pear in wine dessert. What an ending!! The only thing that could have been better was being outside enjoying the patio, but, it was too cold for Mom. She loved it and has been bragging to all her friends. Great experience Overall.
Posted by Belinda on 05/13/2009
4 out of 7 people found this review useful.
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I don't get it
These "reviews" must be shills for this place. Unless I have just had bad luck the two times I went there. Service was bad the food was OK at best. I can't find a single reason to got there when there is Giotto, Palazzo, Corso98, Marzulo's and Nauna's in town. All are much better choices.
Posted by Emmit on 05/06/2009
7 out of 11 people found this review useful.
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Nice Surprise
Best Italian food I have had since I visited Italy 3 yrs ago!! Great tasting food..Friendly staff..Trendy atmosphere. Would recommend highly
Posted by Carlotta on 05/04/2009
3 out of 6 people found this review useful.
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Truly The Best Italian in Town!!
I just want to say that Gencarelli's is always consistent and you'll always feel welcome when you go there. After eating last week at another Italian in town I went there last night with a friend and it was her first time. I had the pre fix menu special for $30. It's great value for the money, app, entree and dessert. I was surprised it had so many choices, of course I chose Mrs. G's Gravy with the best meatballs on the planet. My friend ordered off the menu and had a great fish dish that was so fresh. She loved it and thanked me for bringing her. Debbie came over and it was really a nice touch. I'm surprised more restauranteurs don't take the time to get to know their customers because it makes a huge difference. If you haven't tried it you must treat yourself. Once they go on Iron Chef you won't be able to get a table.
Posted by Jeanette on 03/26/2009
5 out of 9 people found this review useful.
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xcellent
This place is hands down best in montclair!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by billy d on 03/13/2009
2 out of 7 people found this review useful.
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excellent
The atmosphere, staff, food excellent! The only thing that would make this restaurant even better is if they served alcohol :).
Posted by Giselle on 02/26/2009
2 out of 5 people found this review useful.
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Delightful!
We thoroughly enjoyed our delicious dinner and desert. The service was excellent.
Posted by Table45 on 02/14/2009
3 out of 6 people found this review useful.
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Highly Recommended
After living in both italy and nyc i found this gem on a recomendation of friends who live in montclair and frequent this restaurant. And i must say im very impressed by probably one of the closest replicas of a trattoria in italy and still has the soho trendy feel.Food was excellent ,I highly recommend Gencarelli's .
Posted by Syriana Casale on 02/13/2009
8 out of 13 people found this review useful.
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great experience
i love everything about this place
Posted by billremi on 02/13/2009
4 out of 6 people found this review useful.
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Excellent Experience
I have been going here since this place opened. If you are craving authentic Italian this is the place for you. They have an outside patio in the summer that is so nice.. Great desserts, friendly service and owners too.
Posted by Jeanette on 01/30/2009
3 out of 6 people found this review useful.
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Joy of Eating
This is the place to go if you really enjoy eating -- a welcoming place with delightful service; delicious food; and a casual, but elegant atmosphere. A fantastic value.
Posted by George on 01/28/2009
5 out of 12 people found this review useful.
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