DeNovellis

Hands down the best Italian food will ever eat!!! My favorite entrée actually is there grilled chicken salad!!! The house dressing is absolutely delicious (I asked how to make it and it’s a secret recipe of the owners) the chicken dishes are incredible as well! I’m working my way through the entire menu! They are in a new beautiful location too!!! I also host a lot of sports team dinners for my teen boys and order food from them as well! Big hit and you can’t beat the prices but most importantly the food is just exceptional and they are super generous with their portions.

My goodness what a let down! I rarely give poor reviews but this is deserving, and I gave it a second chance before crafting this essay of foodly review. I have heard many times again and again how wonderful DeNovellis is and so I was excited to dive face first in to some grinders that I have heard so much about. The first time I ordered a ham grinder for pick up with extra mayo, extra black olives, and lettuce only, all the while specifying no tomatoes, no cheese, and hot. I picked up my grinder, got home, opened it and to my surprise there was a heaping helping of whatever default cheese they put on their sandwiches, very little mayo. My heart sank, as I tried to pull the cheese off, olives started falling out, lettuce began to rain from my broken sandwich and the once hot, promising log of heavenly meat and bread became an amalgam of slop. I forced myself through the sandwich, crying all the way through it, salty tears dripping on the sad loaf. The second time, a group of us decided we’d like to try DeNovellis this particular fateful evening. I had to order the same thing again just to see if the first time good olé DeNo was having an off day, but I digress, we called in our sizeable order at 7:30pm. The staff person on the other end of the line; «I am not sure we’ll be able to fulfill that order!», they exclaimed, «but you close at 9 don’t you?», we rebutted, to which she begrudgingly took our order. A group of sandwiches were ordered and a side of penne a la vodka. I thought maybe they were just too busy but then she gave us a pick up time of 20 minutes later… The eggplant grinders had little to no sauce, might of well had a note inside saying «haha», that would’ve been acceptable, but no. My grinder, oh, my grinder… Cheese AGAIN! and not only was extra mayo not provided but zero mayo was slathered on my bread boat of meaty offering. I sadly closed the sandwich and threw it on the ground.

holy cow… best meal i’ve had in a long time (Chicken Casa Loma)… staff super friendly and service fantastic. Love the vibe in new bar

First time here on a Tuesday night with a family of four. We liked the dining room, but despite it being empty, we were placed at a table in a small room just outside the kitchen (noisy, on top of loud Italian music coming from speakers in the ceiling). We had calamari-​ny style, mozzarella sticks and salads. All were pretty good. Wine list is marginal and pretty expensive for a little place like this ($ 8-​$ 12/​glass). For entrees, we had chicken a la Dino, chicken fortunata, the ny strip with Gorgonzola, and spaghetti a la olio. Portions were a nice size and the food was all very good. Service, however, was very spotty — seems like a lot of them are new and have not worked in restaurants before. We had a lot of mixups but they were all corrected. Interestingly, The mozzarella sticks came with a long metal shaving on the plate — they deducted this from the bill, which was fine. Other quirky things — our table was only about 24″ wide, so it got really full very quickly — this was kind of uncomfortable; the specials list and the entire dessert menu had no prices — turned out desserts were only $ 5, but just kinda strange. We got out the door for about $ 185 with tip, which was about what you would pay for 4 people at Carbones or Goodfellas. Bottom line: Food is good, not great; service needs a lot of improvement, and it’s overpriced for the whole experience — there are better bangs for the buck.

Ok, they just moved to their new location, décor simple but classy. The layout is superb, they are able to adjust the dinning area to their guests needs. Bar area, big and comfortable. The waitstaff is efficient, friendly, and knowledgable. Unlike most restaurants it is very apparent the waiters and waitresses work together, help each other out, picking up empty plates, refilling water even if not their table. Now to the food, Baked Eggplant A, Chicken Parm A+(real cutlets, not thick breasts), Pizza B, Tomato Sauce A, Italian Bread B, House Salad B+, prices A. Overall a big time hit, because of the size and layout it will get noisy when busy.

Last night was my second time at the new location. First time the hostess was rude and unfriendly. This time again they were rude and unfriendly, In fact entire staff was unfriendly. Had 5:30 reservations for 3. 2 of us showed up at the same time 5:28. gave her 2 names of the lady who made reservations that it could be under.(first name and last) Said she had nothing written in for 3. I told her the lady made the reservations yesterday. I had the text. Snotty hostess said «couldn’t have. we’re not open on Monday» Then another one said we may be able to get a table at 6:30…after she walked thru the dining room to see if anything was available. So we waited for the last friend to show since it was just 5:32., Then we would go to Elizabeth’s. Few minutes later a waitress came over after overhearing this conversaion and said there was a lady by herself at a table set for 3. Yup that was our friend. already seated. and neither one of the hostesses remembered crossing her name off the reservation list! and as for the hostess who walked thru the dining room looking for an open table… never crossed her mind to ask if the lone diner was waiting for 2 other ladies. We were not happy with the way we were treated… first telling us no way she could make reservations on a monday. Then telling me I was snippy because «well you didn’t give me her last name. just her first.» Not true. No apologies from the hostess after she knew she screwed up.
After drinks came we asked the waiter for bread and he said it comes after the dinner orders are taken., huh? be nice and just bring over some bread.,
I ordered a second bottled beer. waiter brought it with a fresh glass. Instead of using the clean glass I just continued to use the original glass since there was a little beer left in it. He came back, picked up the one empty bottle and said something like «we have to see how many we serve». ok that makes sense. one drink at a time, .then said. «I brought another glass, why are you wasting my clean glass» and walked away. Did not sound like he was joking,
We all said yes to dessert. He walked by and slapped the dessert menu down without a word… we thought it was the check. Shouldn’t the waiter at least open the dessert menu and hand it to one of the diners. Or At least say here’s the dessert menu?
We ordered 3 desserts The waitress came out with 2. They ran out of the one I wanted and she said «what do you want to do». No smile on her face either. I did order another dessert.
The staff was very unprofessional. Their demeanor, the way they spoke to us. Honestly the kids at McDonald’s are nicer to customers.
Oh and the food is nothing to rave about. (Yes I ate most of it, and had a little to bring home). Seems the food was better at the old location.
We won’t be back and we won’t recommend this restaurant.
Hate to be critical and this is the first negative review I’ve ever written for a restaurant. But I think your staff needs to learn how to treat your customers.

Absolutely one of the best restaurants in the area! New location, beautiful new décor and the food is amazing! Great service and great menu. I had one of the specials which was awesome… Sea bass and calamari over linguine. The sauce was perfect and the combination was out of this world. My husband had chicken piccata and loved it! We previously ordered take out before eating in (we didn’t have reservations and the place is packed on the weekends)…grinders and pizza are truly the best around!!! This has become one of our favorite restaurants! Try it… you won’t be disappointed!!!

New location, same amazing place. The restaurant relocated, expanded but the food and service hasn’t changed a bit. Absolutely delicious! My veal forte with sausage, sun dried tomatoes, olives and hot cherry peppers is to die for!

Went last night with friends from work and our entire experience was awesome because of our waitress Jennifer! She was prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. She has a great personality !!! :-) I was so impressed that I demanded that the restaurant create a survey that I could complete! I left my thoughts and feelings on a check receipt. I will be back for sure.

Went to the new DeNovellis location Saturday evening. The place is outstanding. Sat in the bar area which was busy but we had the greatest experience. Our server Dave did a spectacular job. Food was wonderful and delivered in a timely manner. The personal service sets this restaurant a step above other establishments. Thank you Dave!

Fantastic new location and very warm surroundings. Food is awesome as always. Fresh consistent and the service is superb.
I have been a patron for the past 10 years or so and have never had a bad meal.
Freshest of food prepared to your liking and you can count on how good of a meal you will always get. My favorite is Chicken Enzo.
From the huge subs, perfect pizzas and lunch specials to the great menu selection of veal, chicken and pork dishes to the pasta dishes too numerous to mention.
Don’t just take my word for it… Check it out for yourself!!!
All the best to Enzo, his family and entire staff. Very well done!!!
Mario Fiel, Manchester NH

Unless you’re a «regular» don’t expect great service. Food was very good and their new place on Cromwell Ave. is able to accommodate more people. After waiting 10 mins our waiter came over and took our drink order and dinner order. The warm bread and antipasto plate in other reviews never made it to our table. After 35 minutes we had to call over someone to find out when our dinner was coming (she brought it right out… hmmm) then I had to ask for a plate– I guess I was suppose to eat my pizza right off of the pan. The new location doesn’t have that «homey» feeling like their old place on the Silas Deane. I understand they are opening a place in Clinton. Feel some competition going on with First and Last. I’ll stick with First and Last. At least they serve you bread while you wait despite what was ordered.

In one word– meh
Came for a late lunch on a recommendation from a coworker. Walked in waited a good solid 5 mins for someone to come up front and seat us in the empty restaurant. Felt like we were intruding almost.
Our waitress came and took our food orders, never asking if we wanted a drink. I had to ask for drinks when she brought our salads a few mins later. Then she forgot them and I had to remind her about it as she was walking by.
You do get salads, bread, and a plate of cheese and roasted peppers. The house dressing was very good. Bread was good but not the best.
For entrees we ordered the chicken deno and zuppa de mare (which was not on lunch menu but they let us order it). My boyfriends zuppa was bland, he must’ve added a ton of salt as he ate it. I felt like it was very light on shrimp (only 2 shrimp) and the fish he said tasted funny– he didn’t eat it. My chicken was ok– I never get sherry cream sauce dishes (probably my 2^nd time ever in 32 years) and I probably won’t ever order it again but that is at no fault of the restaurant just my taste (I ordered it based on Unilocal reviews and friend recommendation).
Overall it was all ok, but for lunch at $ 54 bucks (before tip) I want it to be very good. Won’t be on our return list sadly.

This is our favorite restaurant. Food is excellent as is the service. Never had a bad meal. Definitely worth trying. Make a reservation on the weekends as they are always packed. Love it.

Went here for the first time. We ate in the bar since the wait for 2 was half an hour at 7:30 on a Saturday. The food was awesome. We had the veal parm and the fetuccini carbonara. We knew the meal would be great when we had the minestrone soup. You could tell it was homemade and to die for! This place will definitely be on our return list.

What a pleasant surprise! My barber told me about this place over a year ago. Then, today, he reminded me, so I went. Wonderful! Really wonderful! Everything it says it is; a family restaurant — simple, humble setting; fresh ingredients, and authentic recipes.
The veal Parmesan was the best restaurant veal Parmesan that I’ve had. The meat tender, lightly breaded, and set in a simple fresh tomato sauce. Very good. The side of penne in a creamy tomato sauce was a nice complement — served very hot!
Free antipasto, ok bread and a side salad served with the meal made it a very good value, as well.
And the service was attentive and professional.
Couldn’t have been more pleased.

This review only covers take out– we have not eaten on site. Recipes closely match what my family recipes are– exception is the delicious but giant meatball. It’s expensive but in my opinion best Italian around, so we gladly pay.

I eat out so much I think I’m going to start posting reviews of my dining experiences more frequently. Hope you all enjoy.
I will admit. I am a tough foodie and critic. If I pay a premium I expect exceptional. I also expect restaurants that brand themselves as a specific ethnicity they will have perfected the cuisine.
Today’s post is about DeNovellis Restaurant in Rocky Hill. This is at best «pizza house» quality. Nothing special, nothing fancy but the prices dictate otherwise.
This family owned business provides mediocre at best and overpriced food. Branding itself as an «Italian» restaurant and attempting to be a step up by providing cloth napkins, I was incredibly disappointed with the food here.
First lets talk about the positives. The service was good. The evening started off right when they brought a plate of roasted peppers, olives, cheese and warm bread. I always enjoy when a restaurant takes the time to warm the bread. It is a little thing to do but makes a big difference. This impresses me always. In addition the peppers, olives and cheese were a nice touch and they were complimentary.
The waitress was kind and very helpful.
Now let’s talk about what needs improvement.
I ordered the Chicken Parmigiana. The dish was pricey. $ 20.00 for one chicken breast and a side of pasta. That was a bit much. I felt the sauce was mediocre for an Italian «family owned» restaurant. There was little effort. Little passion in the sauce. It was fairly watery which caused the chicken to be somewhat soggy. I like chicken parmigiana to be crispy. I tend to fry it first in olive oil and put the sauce on it right before I serve it so it stays crispy.
My grandfather ordered eggplant parmigiana and it was comparable. Priced at $ 18.00 it was soggy as well.
These are relatively simple dishes and if they can not be made correctly indicative of greater problems.
One other serious flaw. Desserts are not made onsite but brought in and I believe my Tiramisu was actually half frozen. What a tragedy.
The décor was dated. In need of a desperate update. Green walls and brick with various jars filled with peppers and other Italian condiments were spread around the restaurant.
Overall as I said the service was good. But the food lacked passion and was overpriced.
An unfortunate disappointment especially when Rocky Hill/​Weathersfield is noted for its Italian population. I’m sure if «mama» ate in her restaurant she would agree with me. It lacked what I’m sure it once had when it was first opened. No doubt by Italian parents with a passion for food from their homeland. This just wasn’t there the night I ate there and I was disappointed.

I rarely give a top rating but in my opinion this restaurant deserves it. Unbelievably fantastic in every way — food, atmosphere, and service. We can not wait to go back!

Homerun. This was my second time here but my first time reviewing. Both times, service and food were great. This time in particular I had stopped in for lunch with 2 friends. Lunch specials and portions were good. You cant go wrong here, pizza, pasta or grinders are all good. Put this place on the top of your list.