Undici Taverna Rustica, Rumson, NJ:
A Restaurant Review

This is as close to it gets to having an Italian, Tuscan fine dining experience without having to travel to Italy.

Undici is owned and managed by Victor Rallo, also owner of Birravino, in Red Bank.

The decor is beautiful! It resembles a Tuscan farmhouse done up with aging brick, stone columns, and a sitting area with a blazing fireplace to create a cozy setting. On the first floor there are two large connected rooms, seating about 100 diners, with an attractive, large rectangular bar adorned with hung with industrial-size salamis and cheeses. The wood beams are massive, rugged and dark, the floors are antique, wide planked, connecting archways an Italian rustic looking custom-made wooden tables and walls treated with plasters and aged brick. The upstairs dining room, with seating for 60, is not as attractive as the first floor. During the warmer summer months, they have outside dining on comfortable rustic tables.

The wine list at Undici is impressive with over 500 Italian wines carefully selected by Victor Rallo.

The kitchen is run under the direction of Co-owner Victor Rallo Jr. who works closely with Chef Giovanni Atzori, a native of Rome, Italy, to create seasonal menus and new recipes. Mr. Rallo is a frequent visitor to Italy with close relationships with the food, restaurant & wine industry in Italy to import quality ingredients and to maintain that authentic Italian dining experience. When available, fresh farm to table, locally sourced ingredients are also used.

Pastas are fresh and made daily in house.

The wood burning oven pizza, fired at 800 degrees, is one of the best in New Jersey. The thin crust pizza is outstanding ---- chewy, crunchy, and bread like tasty in Neapolitan style.

The bar scene is energetic and trendy, and a great place to meet your arriving party or to have a pre-dinner drink while waiting for your table. The bar/lounge area also includes a warm, cozy fire place with soft seating to enjoy your pre-dinner drink.

Save room for dessert; Try the Biscotto with fresh cannoli cream.

The acoustics are not optimum. On busy weekend nights and depending on patrons seated near you, you are apt to have to shout above the roar of the crowd to be heard.

Undici also has a private party room that can accommodate up to 70 people.

Parking is available on the street and in a lot behind the restaurant.

Undici is open seven day/week :seven days/week for dinner, in addition to lunch on Saturday and Sunday

(Updated: September 2024)