We love to eat. Most of the time we cook at home, particularly since our fabulous (and expensive) kitchen renovation, but it is always fun to go out for a meal. We’re very lucky here. We have many fantastic restaurants to choose from in our area, from casual and inexpensive to the opposite. Chatham Borough alone has over a dozen restaurants (this may in part account for the town being so desirable). Some are good, some are great! There are a few I have not yet tried.

For years, however, people have raved to me about Scalini Fedeli a beautiful, upscale dining establishment on Main Street. I had dinner there several years ago, not once but twice and had found the food to be mediocre and overly complicated, the service was merely ok, and the noise level was deafening. I stopped going. In its place I enjoyed very much going to Restaurant Serenade on Roosevelt Street. Another upscale dining establishment that changed hands at about the same time I had the not-so-wonderful experiences at Scalini.

Yet, over the years, people kept raving to me about Scalini. Ok, some people may be easy to please. But the commentary was overwhelming so that I had to revisit Scalini. Wow! What a wonderful dining experience! The food was not overly complicated but more than I would try at home and the result was absolutely scrumptious. Oh, yes, the service was impeccable and the noise level issue must have been dealt with because we were able to speak and hear each other clearly without shouting.

I recently introduced a friend to Serenade and he commented that it was quite special, but equally special is Scalini. I can’t help, now, but agree.

Bon appétit and have a wonderful weekend!