Italian Restaurants in Trenton/Hamilton Area

[Heatherb]

There are a LOT of Italian restaurants in the Trenton/Hamilton area. There's a bunch of new Italian restaurants in Hamilton in recent years and of course there are still a lot of old favorites in the 'Burg in Trenton. I'm just curious as to which ones locals think are the best out of the whole range of offerings.

For myself, I love the freshly made pasta at Pasta Please, and I've had a few excellent meals at Amici Milano. There's quite a few others that I enjoy visiting. But I don't think I've even begun to get a good sample of the Italian food available in the area. So tell me: What do YOU think is the best and why?

[ira]

I always liked Marsilio's on Roebling Ave in Trenton.
Not cheap, but full of atmosphere and good food.

[Heatherb]

Actually, I believe it's still open, but under new management for the past year.

I dunno, I always liked it because the pasta was always al dente and their sauces were pretty tasty. I thought it was better than a lot of the pizzerias that have spaghetti on the menu as an afterthought. The service was always excellent, and my friends always enjoyed their meals. I particularly liked the fact that they had whole wheat pasta that was very flavorful.

[BeeZee]

No surprise there, if you constantly have B1/G1 and no customers...I don't think I ever saw more than 6 people eating in there...plus that area has Italian food just about every 1/4 mile up and down Rt.33.

[patsea2]

Pasta Please has closed. Should we be surprised.

[BeeZee]

I'll take a pass on Pasta Please. The pasta always has a funky "old water" smell to me, ravioli is usually too thick and undercooked. Last time we went the bread seemed like it had been reheated three times. There's a reason they always have the B1/G1 coupons. Villa Barone on corner of Rt.526 and Rt.130 is much better quality, I usually get any pasta that includes crab, they always have huge pieces of sweet lump crabmeat.

[pasuga]

My family is from the area - all dispersed now, but we go to the Homestead every time we're back.

As Canrob said, there are no menus, so be prepared, it is pricey - not out of line for the quality of the food, but the first time I paid there myself it was a bit of sticker shock.

[cranrob]

I love the Homestead Inn on Kuser Rd. It's a bit of a strange place... no menus, odd old-world atmosphere in an old run-down farmhouse... but the food is great. It's old-fashioned Italian-American. The grilled veal chop is excellent, as are the other grilled meats. The "Pasta Primo" is very addictive (The sauce is a mix of their Ragu and Oil/garlic). The service is very good once they get to know you a bit.

[Heatherb]

I've passed that place a lot and wondered about it (it does look pretty run-down). Good to have an endorsement before I try it out:-)
Thanks!

[jsfein]

I've worked in the area for the past decade and haven't found an Italian restaurant in the Burg that I've wanted to return to.

[SarahEats]

Now that I think about it, I haven't been very adventurous in Chambersburg despite living in the area my whole life.

Amici Milano is our go-to Italian spot in the 'Burg. We even had our rehearsal dinner there. Great food, great service.

I tried Tattoni's once and had a so-so experience. It's an interesting place that I hear is very popular with locals.

I love DeLorenzo's on Hudson for tomato pie and Papa's is a great neighborhood pizza joint. For months my husband and I went there every Friday for pizza, antipasto and a pitcher of birch beer.

I also tried the place that used to be Diamond's (I think the name starts with a C now) and it wasn't great but it wasn't bad either.

I don't have much experience with Hamilton, except for two awful meals at Pasta Please.