Samantha B.
Google
Stepping through the doors is a portal to an international destination of vibrant olive trees outlining a rustic driveway to an Italian al fresco-inspired retreat. A ritual of whetting the appetite with herbaceous bubbly cocktails and herbed small, yet enough for 2, sharable plates.
The citrus-fresh vibe is so unlike anything in Pennington you are not sure where you are. But the moment you sink down into a wicker bar stool or a bistro side table you know you're not in 08534.
The food is best described as sharable…don't settle for one flavor. But taste the melding of a fine olive oil (EVOO) and a delicious homemade focaccia paired with a salad, fish or fine meat. Point is…don't just get one thing, but two things (really, why stop there, except to remember there's still gelato or rum cake ahead). The delightfully fresh ingredients are served on immaculate blue rimmed plates and the servers are attentive and as vibrant as the blue bookcase decor.
Bottles of Prosecco and other kinds of Italian aperitifs line one whole wall plus the backdrop of the small-space bar (the small hilltop-of-a-winery atmosphere only has room for 36 diners) while a large high top table is the center of the main area. Which would be perfect for a girls’ nite or even an office gathering happy hour. Off to the side, a small sette and coffee table is reminiscent of a place under the Tuscan sun. Not without a few date-friendly bistro tables, perfect for a cocktail or a small bite.
Don't let the off the beaten path of location between a Fed Ex office and a dry cleaners deter from the unique atmosphere of this place.
Aperitivo Bar is a piccolo of Prosecco-sprinkled bliss that momentarily takes you out of NJ and into the Italian countryside. And don't miss the Aperol Spritz selfie spot to remember the moment. Buon appetito!!!