This is not your Nina’s Italian food! What an absolute find!! They don’t advertise so you have to find them. Flavors and presentation and staff are all excellent!!!
LauraThreeBridges
We go to Mangia Bene regularly. It is a hidden gem of Flemington, tucked into the Ramada Inn on Route 202/31 North. The food is always delicious, high quality, very fresh, and very reasonably priced. They are also always willing to customize dishes (and even cook something you suggest on your own). Tonight I needed something very plain to deal with a special medical diet and they made me an absolutely delicious grilled bronzini fish with sautéed vegetables, and a delightful salad. Others in my group enjoyed pasta dishes and a tasty sausage appetizer. And they have a full bar and a speciality cocktail menu! The restaurant is also very quiet, which we also enjoy, but really more people should know about it! The only minor drawback that some people might find is that the decor is rather plain, so there is no fancy ambience. But it is professionally done with white cloth napkins and tablecloths and the service is very professional. Giovanni, who runs the establishment, is both warm and professional.
matt r.
1st time visiting because we were spending the weekend in the area & looked on Yelp for where to go. As others have said dont be swayed by the fact it's connected to a Ramada Inn(imo it didnt look that bad on the outside). If you're passing the Shoprite on 202S your next U-turn will get you to Ramada Inn. There is a small bar as you enter on the right(they also have a banquet area signs clearly posted). Main dining area is small about 8-10 tables but well spaced. Made reservations for a Fri nite but at 6:30 we were just 1 of 3 tables & their were never more than 4 occupied at once. We both got soft drinks. Bread was fresh & warm with typical butter pads. Appetizer was Calamari Balsamic. All rings-- well cooked not rubbery, breading stayed intact & balsamic ok. It was pooled so I think what they do is pour it on after cooking---because the rings were so thin cooking them with the balsamic on may have dried them out. Entrees were Pollo Mozarrella, one cutlet but enough to cover at least 1/2 the plate, prosciutto ok, plenty of mozzarella & sauce plentiful & tasty. Other was Spaghetti Soho(happily changed pasta to angel hair) with shrimp, mushrooms, spinach garlic, white wine & touch of tomato sauce. Very tasty, big mushrooms, pieces of garlic & the shrimp(which on its own has little taste) was quite tasty so kudos on the sauce preparation. A special appetizer[(grilled peppers, mushrooms, onions(substituted for olives)] & mozzarella was a togo & that was also very tasty. We both finished our entrees so skipped dessert/coffee, etc. Service was fine, no noticeable laps. Decor was bright w/o being over the top. Definitely a place I will continue to patronize So for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees & 2 soft drinks with tax/tip was $80 which is very reasonable. I prefer to give a detailed rating as opposed to just saying I liked it or I didn't. For me I rate a restaurant in 4 categories in order of importance: Food Service Value Décor/ambience/misc If you're wondering why this is the order for me I rather have great food & so-so service than the other way around. You can always plan around a slower evening to make it just as enjoyable but not around mediocre food whether it's fast or slow paced. My 3rd item I call value instead of price because based on the taste & serving portion of the item compared to similar items at other restaurants tells me if it's a good value. Food(2.0), service(1.5), value(1.0) & décor/ambience/misc(0.5) I then take the # stars for each category & multiply by the # in parentheses then divide by 5 to get my final rating. If the final average is near 1/2 I'll round up or down depending on other reviews & anything out of the ordinary(good or bad). So my calculations are as follows: FOOD 4.5 x 2 = 9.0 SERVICE 4.5 x 1.5 = 6.75 VALUE 4.5 x 1 = 4.5 AMBIENCE/OTHER 4 x .5 = 2 Total pts 23.25 divided by 5 = 4.65 which rounds to 5
Aleen Larsen
Excellent food, drinks, service!
Gordon Darling
Used to be 5 stars, but now I question their freshness as the place is always empty.
Excellent food price is good
Food was excellent! Nice little hidden gem, pleasantly surprised with the meal.
Excellent food and service!
Excellent food and price!
Loved the food and atmosphere
Food is amazing would definitely go back
Love their fast service but they need more staff
Wonderful food and great service.
Amazing food , full plates, you will take leftovers home and amazing staff, friendly.
Always my favorite place!! Everyone is so nice! Dinner and drinks always great!!
Restaurantji Recommends
This is not your Nina’s Italian food! What an absolute find!! They don’t advertise so you have to find them. Flavors and presentation and staff are all excellent!!!
We go to Mangia Bene regularly. It is a hidden gem of Flemington, tucked into the Ramada Inn on Route 202/31 North. The food is always delicious, high quality, very fresh, and very reasonably priced. They are also always willing to customize dishes (and even cook something you suggest on your own). Tonight I needed something very plain to deal with a special medical diet and they made me an absolutely delicious grilled bronzini fish with sautéed vegetables, and a delightful salad. Others in my group enjoyed pasta dishes and a tasty sausage appetizer. And they have a full bar and a speciality cocktail menu! The restaurant is also very quiet, which we also enjoy, but really more people should know about it! The only minor drawback that some people might find is that the decor is rather plain, so there is no fancy ambience. But it is professionally done with white cloth napkins and tablecloths and the service is very professional. Giovanni, who runs the establishment, is both warm and professional.
1st time visiting because we were spending the weekend in the area & looked on Yelp for where to go. As others have said dont be swayed by the fact it's connected to a Ramada Inn(imo it didnt look that bad on the outside). If you're passing the Shoprite on 202S your next U-turn will get you to Ramada Inn. There is a small bar as you enter on the right(they also have a banquet area signs clearly posted). Main dining area is small about 8-10 tables but well spaced. Made reservations for a Fri nite but at 6:30 we were just 1 of 3 tables & their were never more than 4 occupied at once. We both got soft drinks. Bread was fresh & warm with typical butter pads. Appetizer was Calamari Balsamic. All rings-- well cooked not rubbery, breading stayed intact & balsamic ok. It was pooled so I think what they do is pour it on after cooking---because the rings were so thin cooking them with the balsamic on may have dried them out. Entrees were Pollo Mozarrella, one cutlet but enough to cover at least 1/2 the plate, prosciutto ok, plenty of mozzarella & sauce plentiful & tasty. Other was Spaghetti Soho(happily changed pasta to angel hair) with shrimp, mushrooms, spinach garlic, white wine & touch of tomato sauce. Very tasty, big mushrooms, pieces of garlic & the shrimp(which on its own has little taste) was quite tasty so kudos on the sauce preparation. A special appetizer[(grilled peppers, mushrooms, onions(substituted for olives)] & mozzarella was a togo & that was also very tasty. We both finished our entrees so skipped dessert/coffee, etc. Service was fine, no noticeable laps. Decor was bright w/o being over the top. Definitely a place I will continue to patronize So for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees & 2 soft drinks with tax/tip was $80 which is very reasonable. I prefer to give a detailed rating as opposed to just saying I liked it or I didn't. For me I rate a restaurant in 4 categories in order of importance: Food Service Value Décor/ambience/misc If you're wondering why this is the order for me I rather have great food & so-so service than the other way around. You can always plan around a slower evening to make it just as enjoyable but not around mediocre food whether it's fast or slow paced. My 3rd item I call value instead of price because based on the taste & serving portion of the item compared to similar items at other restaurants tells me if it's a good value. Food(2.0), service(1.5), value(1.0) & décor/ambience/misc(0.5) I then take the # stars for each category & multiply by the # in parentheses then divide by 5 to get my final rating. If the final average is near 1/2 I'll round up or down depending on other reviews & anything out of the ordinary(good or bad). So my calculations are as follows: FOOD 4.5 x 2 = 9.0 SERVICE 4.5 x 1.5 = 6.75 VALUE 4.5 x 1 = 4.5 AMBIENCE/OTHER 4 x .5 = 2 Total pts 23.25 divided by 5 = 4.65 which rounds to 5
Excellent food, drinks, service!
Used to be 5 stars, but now I question their freshness as the place is always empty.