Nettie's House of Spaghetti, Tinton Falls, NJ:
A Restaurant Review

Nettie's House of Spaghetti Tinton Falls, NJ. A restaurant review

Nettie's House of Spaghetti
5119 Asbury Ave
Tinton Falls, NJ

Nettie's House of Spaghetti: Restaurant Highlights

Fare: Italian

Price: Expensive

Food Quality: Well-executed, inspired menu using quality local sourced and imported ingredients

Service: Friendly, knowledgeable, attentive.

Ambiance/Decor: Old-school chic, with a touch of Art Deco charm.

Noise Level: Moderate - high (Loud background music)

Dress: Casual

Overall Rating: 2 1/2 Stars

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

Recommended For: Diners who enjoy well-executed menu of regional Italian classic dishes served small plate portion style to encourage sharing and sampling.

Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer Americanized, heavy red sauce, traditional Southern Italian dishes served with huge portions, at a moderate price.

Recommended dishes: When available, Two Roman Italian classics Cacio e Pepe, and the Arrabbiata: The Roasted garlic cavatelli with broccoli rabe & sausage; And for Carnivores, the Prime Flat Iron Steak served medium rare

Liquor: Full Service Bar with an excellent selection of wines (large variety of imported Italian wines) and specialty cocktails

Nettie's House of Spaghetti in Tinton Falls is a popular dining spot for diners who come to enjoy their well-executed menu of small plate, regional Italian classic dishes, a well-stocked bar serving creative specialty cocktails, in an upbeat atmosphere of high energy and loud music.

Owned and managed by Chris and Tania Calabrese.

Executive Chef Chris Calabrese received his inspiration for cooking from his grandmother and her memorable Italian dishes. The start of his culinary career began with working in the kitchens of some of the Jersey Shore's top restaurants including the Raven & the Peach in Fair Haven, Fromagerie in Rumson, Restaurant Nicholas in Middletown, Ama Ristorante in Sea Bright, and the Copper Canyon restaurant in the Highlands where he met his wife Tania when she was a hostess.

Prior to opening Nettie's House of Spaghetti with his wife in 2018, Chef Calabrese was the Executive chef at the very successful Porta restaurants in Asbury Park and Jersey City.

Chef Calabrese oversees a limited menu of well-executed Italian dishes with a mix of regional Italian lighter sauce dishes, served as small plate offerings to encourage sharing and sampling.

This is not your typical Americanized, heavy red sauce Italian restaurant with dishes served in huge portions.

Dishes are scratch made, with high quality ingredients, both imported and locally sourced ingredients that change seasonally.

Pasta, mozzarella, ricotta, sausage, bacon --- which is cured in house --- and desserts, are all house made.

The restaurant is relatively small with two dining areas, The interior is old-school chic, with a touch of Art Deco charm.
The front dining area features a well-stocked lighted art deco bar with table & booth seating. The back room dining area is more upscale with tables set with white linens, mid-century modern lighting fixtures, velvet seats, and dark blues walls adorned with picture frames.

Children under the age of ten are not permitted.

Nettie's House of Spaghetti is open for dinner 5 days/week. Closed Monday & Tuesdays.
Reservations necessary. This popular restaurant fills up early, especially on weekends.

There is ample on-site parking.

(Updated September 2024)

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