Undici Taverna Rustica, Rumson, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
Undici Restaurant:
Discover One of The Best Central Jersey Italian Restaurants for Contemporary, Inspirational Italian Food
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
Undici: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: Italian
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: Excellent, A well executed seasonal menu using quality, imported Italian ingredients.
Service: Knowledgeable, friendly well trained, attentive staff without being intrusive or pretentious.
Ambiance: Chic - rustic Tuscan farmhouse, with aging brick, stone columns, and a sitting area with a blazing fireplace to create a cozy setting
Liquor: Good wine list, specialty cocktails. One of the largest selections of Italian Wines in Central. Bar scene is vibrant.
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star =Poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate - High during peak hours
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy well executed,high-end, contemporary Italian food preparation using quality, imported ingredients.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer traditional, heavy sauce Italian dishes served in huge portions.
Recommended dishes: When available, Pizza favorite Originale with San Marzano tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, Pecorino-Romano cheese, and extra virgin olive oil.
The Gnocchi Toscani Fresca house ricotta and spinach gnocchi with fresca sauce; the Papalina house made "chitarra" guitar string pasta, Prosciutto di Parma, cremini mushroom, fresh peas, light cream and Parmigiano sauce; and
The Agro Dolce, a center cut pork chop with house made sweet and hot vinegar peppers, roasted potato, olive oil, garlic and red wine vinegar.
Liquor: Full service bar. Excellent Italian wine list, specialty cocktails. Bar scene is vibrant.
For an authentic Tuscan fine dining experience without leaving New Jersey, Undici comes remarkably close to the real thing.
Owned and operated by Victor Rallo—who also owns Birravino in Red Bank—Undici transports guests to the Italian countryside with its beautifully designed interior.
The restaurant’s decor evokes a Tuscan farmhouse, featuring aged brick, stone columns, and a cozy sitting area centered around a blazing fireplace.
The first floor consists of two spacious, interconnected dining rooms that accommodate about 100 guests. A striking rectangular bar, adorned with hanging industrial-size salamis and cheeses, serves as a focal point. Massive, dark wood beams, antique wide-plank floors, rustic archways, and custom-made wooden tables complete the warm, old-world ambiance.
The upstairs dining room seats 60 guests, though it lacks the charm of the main floor. During warmer months, outdoor seating on rustic wooden tables adds to the inviting experience.
Undici’s wine list is nothing short of impressive, boasting over 500 carefully curated Italian wines hand-selected by Victor Rallo.
The kitchen is helmed by Co-owner Victor Rallo Jr., who collaborates closely with Chef Giovanni Atzori, a native of Rome. Together, they craft seasonal menus featuring new and inventive dishes. Rallo’s frequent trips to Italy and strong relationships within the country’s food, wine, and restaurant industries allow Undici to source top-quality ingredients, ensuring an authentic dining experience. Whenever possible, the restaurant also incorporates fresh, locally sourced, farm-to-table ingredients.
A highlight of the menu is the house-made pasta, prepared fresh daily.
Another standout is the wood-fired pizza, cooked at 800 degrees in a traditional Italian oven. With its Neapolitan-style thin crust—perfectly chewy, crunchy, and bursting with flavor—Undici’s pizza ranks among the best in New Jersey.
The bar scene is lively and stylish, making it an ideal spot to meet up before dinner or enjoy a pre-meal cocktail while waiting for a table. The bar/lounge area also features a cozy fireplace with soft seating, perfect for a relaxed drink.
Be sure to save room for dessert—the Biscotto with fresh cannoli cream is a must-try.
One downside is the acoustics. On busy weekend nights, the noise level can be quite high, sometimes requiring raised voices for conversation.
Parking is available on the street and in a lot behind the restaurant.
Undici is open seven days a week for dinner, with lunch service available on Saturdays and Sundays.
(Updated: February 2025)
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