Due Mari

Nice location, nice décor, overall good food. Maybe a bit too pricey, but I will gladly pay for a good dining experience. And this could have been a good experience, but. We hosted a business dinner for 6 maybe two weeks ago. Waiter was efficient. Appetizers came out in an acceptable time frame. But then, an hour and fifteen minutes wait for the main courses. I mean there’s only so much bread you can eat, and wine you can drink while trying to keep all engaged and not getting totally pissed of with the wait. Despite several signals flags being thrown to the staff.
We were told that «they had a large party in another room and our main courses got caught up behind theirs.» Is that an acceptable excuse, at these prices? I think not.
By the times the main courses arrived, who’s hungry?

Used to go here just for there Kobe beef burgers they were the best around and fairly priced after they got rid of them I don’t go no more don’t like much of the menu. Cool place to get a drink at the bar nice place for a date but sucks they can’t bring back them Kobe burgers

This review is for a private event I had here.
I planned a 11 person private lunch to honor my mom on her 60^th birthday. I loved the location, and had eaten here multiple times, so I figured it was the perfect spot for us. When I got there we were shown the table and it was a bit tight but not a problem bc it was the smaller room. The hostess looked at me like I was nuts when I brought in my baby in his stroller. I found room for him that didn’t make an issue for anyone. So everyone started to arrive, and it was tight, but we made it work. We had ONE WAITRESS. For 11 people!!! They were having some sort of staff meeting, but couldn’t have an extra waiter for the party? Any way, before the guests started to arrive, I had a cake for my mom that I wanted to serve. The party planner told me she would charge me $ 5 per slice (!!!) In order to serve the cake. Really? Where were we? I know they do it in nyc, but we aren’t in nyc. She told me that we can do some desserts from their menu for the dessert for the same price. What to do, I can’t not serve dessert. The kicker? They NEVER told me that there was a slicing fee and that they have a baker in house to order a cake. Why wouldn’t you tell me so I can buy a cake!!! What uoset me the most was that the event planner disappeared afterwards. Even after i emailed her, she didnt respond. She couldve acknowledged my email and said something, but chose to ignore me.
I was told there would be pastries and bread on the table. That never came.
The food was ok, at best. Not family style at all. The salad was good enough for 5 people let alone 11, and they forgot one of our apps. Also, when the desserts came out, they were the size of a silver dollar but the best part was they stuck a candle in a sorbet to serve to my mom for her birthday. They couldn’t give us one of the desserts? The waitress we did have though was excellent. It would’ve been a much better experience if we had one more.
All in all I was extremely disappointed with how unprofessional this establishment was when we were faced with some issues. I was a paying customer and we were treated as if we were asking for freebies. My family is in the restaurant business and we have been for 20 years. I expected far better service at this restaurant and most likely won’t be returning.

The environment is very nice and warm. However, the service and the food were not as good as the atmosphere, probably because I don’t know what authentic Italian food is. The pasta, for me, tasted good and I recommend you to try. The desserts also looked attractive even though I didn’t get a chance to taste.

Service was excellent from beginning to end. Our waiters name was Michael & he was soooo sweet to us. Super kind and patient. Never ever rushed us for anything & we took forever to order or meals, drinks, dessert just bc we were busy talking. Beautiful restaurant as well. Loved the atmosphere. The food was all so good. Desserts delicious as well. They also have live music Friday nights which was delightful. Definitely going back.

One of less than a half dozen or so true fine dining experiences in New Brunswick. The décor is chic and modern. The service is attentive and knowledgable. The service staff operates as a team and really cover all the details well together. The food is a modernist interpretation of classic Italian dishes. The flavors are subtle and even handed. The mood is sophisticated with a lively bar area.
I did also do Easter Brunch and it was wonderful! Great selection of breads, pastries, quality Italian meats, and some of the best smoked salmon ever! Followed by a choice entrée, it was well worth the price of admission! Highly recommend Due Mari for an elegant night out!

I came here for my mom’s birthday for brunch and I called ahead for a reservation too. That wasn’t needed at all because it was pretty empty. Kinda unexpected but that’s okay!
I chose this place for brunch for the Rise and Shine special: $ 24 (per person) for pastries, an entrée, and juice/​coffee/​tea. That sounded like a pretty good deal and I was excited to try the pastries. It was my first time at Due Mari so I was not aware that you can just order the entrées separately on their own. The waitress did not even ask if we wanted the Rise and Shine brunch or just the entrées. During the meal, I was expectantly waiting for the pastries and drinks but they never came. I eventually asked the waitress and she explained that she thought we just wanted the entrées. It would’ve been helpful if she had informed us of the options.
My mom ordered the lobster benedict and loved it. My brother ordered the white label burger and also liked it. I forget what my sister got but it was some type of pasta dish. She said it was okay. As for myself, I ordered the bisteca e uova and a bellini. The steak was delicious and the potatoes were also heavenly.
I can’t deny that the food was definitely above average and the interior of the restaurant looked very nice. However, I really wish that we had the opportunity to try the Rise and Shine brunch.

Ace-​ing the brunch game is no joke. Especially for a group of 25 hungry girls. I came here for a friends bridal shower on a Sunday and left extremely impressed. From their service, to their food, to their décor, everything was impeccable.
We were given the downstairs party space which was very accommodating for our large party. They had two tables set up with beautiful place settings of mason jars, candles & woven yarn table covers.
As soon as we sat down we were brought out the warm sugar covered doughnuts, that are made fresh and in house with a side of strawberry jam. Our menus were especially designed for the bridal shower and had an option of several different entrees. For appetizers we had crab cakes and calamari that they brought out for the whole table. For my entrée I got the skirt steak with scrambled eggs. The steak was cooked the perfect temperature and the eggs along with the potatoes and vegetables was quite the filling meal.
Overall we had a great time celebrating our friends big day. It’s hard to accommodate large parties along with having great food. Thanks again!

I ventured into this Establishment within the last two weeks, time has been flying by and I can not remember the exact date. I decided to go here, actually based on Unilocal reviews, and I happen to live in the area.
When you first walk in, you see the bar dead ahead of you. Its made from some of the most virginal marble I have ever seen. It gives the bar area an earthy feel. Sort of like that feeling you get as you ski down a mountain yet covered in snow. Rough, yet exhilarating, strong but precise. Effortless, yet quite challenging. It was so impressive that I was intimidated, and decided I would head for a table.
The hostess met me with grace, and brought me over to a table by the windows. Now these windows are quite large, as you stare out them, it is almost as if you are staring into the soul of New Brunswick. After meeting the demons that taunt the soul of New Brunswick face to face, I quickly broke gaze, and focused on the menu.
It was at this point I noticed the background music, smooth jazz, some of the best jazz there is in the Jazz market. I felt as if they were a bit heavy on the Dave Koz. I’m more of a Culbertson fan, but when it comes to smooth jazz the opiate sound of a Saxophone is good enough for me.
At this point my waiter, Robert, approached to take my offer. I am a fan of Robert, he was quite knowledgeable in regards to the menu, and his thoughts on wine were very helpful. A two tool waiter as they call him in the biz. Although I will say this, I am not sure if Robert was his real name. I’d be willing to bet a hard quarter against a stiff cork he was a George, but I will not hold it against him. He directed me to the Calamari, and the squid ink pasta, as well as a Manhattan (the drink not the subtle pasta dish). I did not have any complaints with the food, the tastes were quaint and the portion size was completed in a reasonable amount of time without extra effort. The drink appeared as if it had been shaken 8 times, I’m more of a seven shake guy, but I did not pass that along to Robert (George), my fault not theirs.
When my Journey came to an end I was able to pay in a quick and orderly fashion, something very important to me. I passed on their desert, as the last time I ordered desert in a restaurant I missed my bus to Nashville. It was a risk I was not willing to take. Overall, I am a fan of the place, I do plan on being back, but I am not sure if I will glare out the windows.

This place has been on my radar for a while and I am happy I finally went. My colleague was visiting from China and I had the task of planning her dinners for the week. Our office is close by so I brought her for dinner on a weekday.
We didn’t have a reservation but were able to be sat. We got there early but if going later definitely make a reservation cos it filled up fast.
I was thrilled that they allowed plate sharing because i wanted her to be able to try a lot of different food. We ordered a bunch of stuff of apps, pasta, entrees and desserts. I can’t get into everything but it was all amazing.
The service was fine. I did tell the server I did not want another glass of wine and she brought one anyway. But no points lost on that.
The ambiance was contemporary and comfortable.
I will be back her for sure. Hopefully sooner than later.

The Mrs loves a fancy fine dine experience every once in a while, so what better way to celebrate our 4^th, than at Due Mari (pretty much the only one around).
The entire experience was nothing but fabulous. Right from Making reservation to wiping the dessert clean off the plates everything was just perfect, that did add a lot of positive point to my credit
The only drawback is parking and and lack of valet parking at it, A fine dine like this and you’d expect valet or at-​least reserved parking.
The 4 course prix-​fixe is the BEST way to eat at Due Mari you get 2 options $ 58 and $ 87 (wine pairing with each course) so the choice was obvious no brainer here.
Psss. Prix-​Fixe are sharable «Major Point Scored»
We went with 1 Prix-​Fixe along with an addition of an Appetizer and Entrée, thats Enough Food for 2, mind you this being a fine dine the food portions are not exactly Olive Garden sized.
There was not one thing about the night that we had any complaints about right from the lovely host greeting us at the door to the attentive server taking care of us to the prompt and timely food delivery, the overall atmosphere and the live music. It could not have been any perfect (hell it was more perfect that the day I proposed, which was far from perfect. I guess this night was my redemption)
Apps
Rucola salad (Crisp n refreshing, although a bit tarty for our palate but still better than most salads)
Calamari — Perfect Light breading just enough to give that crispness
Pasta
Nothing but Tagliatelle — Traditional Bolognese left me wanting for More A Lot More
Entrée
Granchio — Creamy seafood risotto (a little under seasoned, but nothing a salt shaker couldn’t fix)
Dentice — Now there’s the Star of the Night, the brightest one. Hands down the BEST dish I have ever had. Seared red snapper (crispy skin but moist fish) and the farro just hitting it out the ball park.
And the Olive Cake to top it all ummm ummmm.
Due Mari is that once in a life time experience which will last in your memories for long and you will but wait in anticipation for the next visit and make sure it stays that way, places like these need to be visited but rarely on special occasion to make those ever more special.

I came to Due Mari by myself when I was in town for work. Parking (even on a weeknight) was pretty high maintenance. It was a little weird dining alone here, but I made it happen! I tried to chat up my waiter about the area and ask what things I should go see/​do while I was around, but he wasn’t much help. I was surprised to learn that happy hour was still going on at 6:30pm.
I ordered off of the dinner menu and chose the garganelli with prosciutto, mushrooms, and black truffle butter. It was an absolutely outstanding pasta dish with great flavors (especially the truffle which was definitely present but not overwhelming). I wish it had more prosciutto than the 4 – 5 small pieces on top, but I’m still thinking about this meal long after having eaten it. I liked that the pasta dishes could be ordered in appetizer and entrée sizes. I thought the price was perhaps a little steep for what was essentially a vegetarian dish, but it was worth it and I would go back.

This place has the most amazing pasta dishes. I love the ambiance, the staff are all extremely helpful and friendly. I came here for their happy hour, $ 8 half portion pastas (still a very good amount) and half price on select appetizers. We had the calamari which was fresh and delish, I don’t know what dipping sauce came with it, but it wasn’t your standard boring tomato sauce. The cocktails are delish, it is a little on the pricier side but the food is well worth the money.

New Brunswick did well when they opened this Italian seafood restaurant. Great atmosphere, tasty food, and a classy place to be.
My favorite dish is the garganelli pasta with prosciutto and truffle butter. The squid ink pasta is delish too. Advice: they offer them as appetizer portions for half the price (around $ 12 instead of entrée size of $ 24), so you could try more! Also, they have Mari Monday’s where all pastas are $ 8.
My only complaints: consistency because one or two times I came the food didn’t live up to its usual taste, so I had stopped coming for a while. Recently, it’s been good again though! Also, service is super super slow on busy nights such as Friday. Be prepared to wait forever for your food and gave a 3 hour meal.

Just ate here tonight, we didn’t know what to expect. All I know, I wanted to eat some good fresh pasta and good drinks.
Really awesome place and DM also has other sister restaurants in NYC, London, Hongkong, etc. awesome fun fact!
You will never go wrong with ordering multiple small pasta plates. I stayed away from the entrees, since the menu seems pretty standard to me. The pasta menu was superb! Very well executed dishes!
Service was consistent and nothing that really stood out, nothing bad. It was great until the point when one of the bar back/​runner/​server cleaned up our empty plates and asked me if I wanted another round of Negroni. I replied, no. I do however would like an old fashioned. I asked the server what type of rye bourbon do you guys carry. He responded «hmmm…Jim Beam, I guess.»
I don’t mean to be a jerk or snob, but knowing the fact this restaurant is part of a hospitality group, you would think that training would be a priority!
This is my new favorite Italian/​Pasta place in central jersey… Highly recommended!

I have to start off with saying that I’m just not in love with Due Mari as much as others are. That said, I still think it deserves higher than a three star rating.
My boyfriend and I chose to spend our four year anniversary near the New Brunswick area, so we chose Due Mari for dinner. Due Mari was the best choice in the area for a «upscale, romantic» night. The décor is gorgeous, but I honestly wish we decided to go to a more upbeat place nearby… I really didn’t enjoy our experience.
First of all, we were only able to make a reservation at 7:45 and inconveniently rushed to get there. The place was completely empty the entire time we were there… There’s no reason why we shouldn’t have been able to make a later reservation. The entire vibe in the restaurant was awkwardly dead.
We ordered the calamari to start (it came with kale chips & a lemon cream sauce) and loved it! I ordered the garganelli with mushrooms & a creamy black truffle sauce – I didn’t like it whatsoever. The sauce was SO heavy that I could barely even stomach it without feeling sick. My boyfriend tasted it and completely agreed. He even felt so bad for me that he tried to trade dishes. My boyfriend ordered the pappardelle and we both loved it!
I’ve tried Due Mari once before about 2 years ago, and didn’t like it either. I still wouldn’t mind giving Due Mari another chance. It seems to be so loved by others.
I just definitely wouldn’t select it for another special occasion.

I love this place. The staff is wonderful and professional. The service is great. The interior is romantic and grand. The food is presented beautifully. My boyfriend brought me here on a special occasion and I was blown away. He got some sort of pasta with clam and he was addicted. It was filling and every bite was delicious. I go ta salmon dish and it was cooked to perfection. Not overdone, but not undercooked. We also got this chocolate dessert with gold on it and it was delicious. We were not disappointed. It was raining that day and we had called a ride to come and get us. As we were waiting for them, we sat at the bar and even though we did not order a drink, the hostess and the bartender made conversation with us while we waited. Very friendly staff.
We both want to go back. It is expensive so we’ll probably only be back for special occasions, but I would definitely recommend this place!

Excellent happy hour. The bartender was super efficient and accommodated some tough dietary restrictions quickly (!) and nicely (!) Our bartender from a previous visit was excellent as well. He taught us the joy of apple & cinnamon infused whiskey. It’s nice in the summer when you can sit outside on the sidewalk and it’s nice in the winter, especially when decorated for the holidays. The bartenders really take their time to prepare cocktails and it’s a treat!
I had a work event here once and the manager was great.

Such a charming place to take your special one (s) to for a nice dinner. Very nice atmosphere for a quiet, romantic dinner. My favorite part of this place is the «wine wall» that holds all their wine collections.
We came here on a rainy Tuesday night. Started off with the calamari and a glass of Fiano di Avellino. The calamari was perfectly crispy, complemented with bits of kale crisp and yummy lemon crema.
The next thing we got was pasta. Highly recommend the lobster pasta (chittara) and the squid ink pasta (trenette). Quite large dinner portions. The service is definitely superb, but if you’re not a fan of street parking, park in the self-​park garage in the back like I did.

Had drinks and dinner on a Thursday evening. It was comfortable. No Valet parking but you can self park at the Hyatt a block away. I would imagine parking would be worse on weekend evenings.
Had the Chianti Classico 2009 red wine which was good– medium body red wine. I also tried a cocktail– the Cosmo listed at the top — sweet and refreshing
Tried the Crudo for app– it was good and light but not a «wow» for me
Now I had the Lumache for dinner (homemade pasta, shrimp, scallop) and it was DELICIOUS!
I tried the Branzino (sea bass) and also very good.
Service was attentive and friendly
Wouldn’t mind coming back and trying what else they have to offer