The first things my girlfriend Maggie and I noticed about Natale’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza and Seafood (600 Valley Rd, Gillette, N.J.) is the old-school look and vibe of the family-owned establishment.
Considered it first opened in 1985, it is no wonder that the old-school, classic feeling runs throughout the Gillette, New Jersey, hidden gem pizzeria and eatery.
The restaurant is adorned with wall-mounted menus, along with a few paintings that probably have not been changed in years. And there is a small, non-fancy dining room in the back to enjoy a sit-down hardy meal.
But I did not mind the classic touch and feel of Natale’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza and Seafood at all, as the pizza was flat-out fantastic. It is no wonder, as one of the owners is from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, my birthplace and where I lived for several years. He attended and played football at Lafayette High School, while I attended its rival, New Utrecht High School.
Bensonhurst is known for its great pizza parlors, such as DaVinci Pizzeria and L&B Spumoni Gardens, to name a few.
We ordered four slices: two Neapolitan cheese and two mushroom. The crust on the Neapolitan was crunchy and crispy, slightly charred. The mozzarella was decadent and gooey, and the sauce (not gravy) was savory and delicious, put all together for tasty slices.
As for the mushroom, it was just as scrumptious, if not better than the regular slice. The mushrooms were fresh and not soggy, and the crust, sauce and mozzarella were all above par, making for a wonderful offering.
We will have to try one of the subs or the classically prepared Italian dishes on our next visit.
Perhaps a hot eggplant parmigiana or meatball sub, or maybe a cold ham, cheese, salami and pepperoni sub? On second thought, why not devour a shrimp scallops combo — (vodka sauce over linguini) served with sides of pasta and salad or French fires or fried flounder served with sides of pasta and salad or French fires?
Natale’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza and Seafood is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, while Friday and Saturday are open from 11;00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sundays are closed.
Rating: 8.25 out of 10.
Call (908) 647-1834 for more information regarding Natale’s and place an order or to have your event catered. Natale’s accepts most major debit and credit cards. Please make a reservation for six or more people.
— Jerry Del Priore
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 