Tessara Restaurant

This is a casual, family-oriented Italian restaurant which is rather easy to miss when driving past at night (I speak from experience). Note that the entrance is in the back, not facing the main road. One thing to note is that the restaurant is undergoing lots of changes right now due to having new owners. If you see a very extensive menu floating around online, know that this menu has been significantly downsized to only include the most popular items. We walked in at perhaps 8:30 PM to most of the chairs put up on the tables. If this happens to you, you don't have to walk out like we nearly did; the restaurant is open - there's a section in the back where you can sit. To start with, we were given some bread and packaged butter to eat. There wasn't quite enough butter for the bread, and the bread was tough on the outside. For appetizers, we ordered a Caesar salad and a mixed salad. There were large croutons in one of the salads, which would have been better in a soup. I believe a salad should have small croutons in order to not break your teeth. The croutons in the salad were very hard and large, and with nothing to soften them, they were difficult to eat. We had varied success with the mains. My dining companion enjoyed his steak ferrara immensely. Unfortunately, my surf & turf (filet and lobster tail) didn't agree with me. The lobster was overcooked, and the steak was on the chewy side. The green beans appeared very wet and unappetizing and didn't look seasoned in any way, just steamed. I'm a hard sell when it comes to steamed veggies, so this sadly wasn't for me. I also started feeling very suddenly ill after having the clarified butter that comes with the lobster, so there's that. We were asked during the meal whether we were planning to order any drinks, because if not, the bartender could go home. The chef also went home maybe an hour before closing, so there was no opportunity to order dessert. I personally prefer to have it clearly stated if the kitchen closes earlier than the official closing time of the restaurant itself, so this caught me a bit off guard. The service was fine. Our server was quite talkative and happy to talk about the restaurant's history and the changes it's gone through. He was very genial and knowledgeable. However, I felt a tad put on the spot when asked why I hadn't eaten my dish, and I felt compelled to lie that I just wasn't as hungry as I thought I'd been. I realize he was trying to be friendly, but questions like that just aren't something I personally enjoy. The total, including 20% tips, for two people came out to $115.85. For me, it simply did not feel worth the experience. I realize the restaurant is going through a lot of changes, but overall, I can't say there's anything I really enjoyed about being here. If it were me alone, I'd give a 1, but since my dining companion really liked his main, I'm bumping them up to a 2.

We had a great time at Tessara's celebrating our baby shower. The service was excellent and staff were very friendly. Lots of options for food and beverage from their event menu, and the food was great! The newly renovated banquet hall is beautiful and was able to accomodate our 50+ guests comfortably.

We went there for dinner as a family late on a Friday night. The restaurant was rather empty and we were seated quickly. Our server was very nice and friendly. The food was delicious! They are willing to customize customers' orders. It is a great place to visit!

I was there with my friend on Friday evening the 28th of March. Service was horrible. We had to wait 25 minutes to be served. No utensils on the table. When we were handed a menu, the menu was a transition menu and did not specify if you got fries with burgers or cheesesteaks. When we asked for cheesesteaks which were on the menu, the server had to ask the cook if he would make it? This is very sad as I had been going there for a couple of years and only 1 server was there trying to waitvon everyone, the cook even came out of the kitchen to serve a table! So if you are thinking of going there, you may want to think twice.

Came here last night every year Our nursing home staff. We get together and come here for a Christmas. Didn't know what's under new management. I was very disturbed for a high rating. Italian restaurant that gives out laminated menus with limited choices. In a past, the food was so delicious.The food was just OK, it wasn't as hot at all.It took us over 20 minutes to get drinks.I had to go to the bar to find out what was going on with our drink I was server with a very nice person But it just wasn't quite right. As previous years, it has lost something there that wasn't there before. And I understand now because the place was not packed at all for a Friday night.There needs to be more better choices on the And it has to be a better presentation.The place was cold The present. Ation was not there as always. Nobody did greet you at the door. The girls and I will be moving on to a new place for I want annual christmas dinner

I recently threw a surprise baby shower party at Tessara's newly renovated banquet room. Love what they have done with the place with new paint and lights! My pictures turned out great and my guests raved about the new look! As always the service was exceptional and the food was excellent! Will definitely be booking again! Highly recommend to everyone for future events!

If you're looking for a cute date night place, look no further! The atmosphere was cute, the area was cozy & service was great. I had the filet & the purple martini which was excellent. Decent sized portions for the price. The back bar area is small but comfortable, I recommend the espresso martini ! We're locals so we'll most certainly be back, if your in the area, be sure to check it out.

My family booked the small room at Tessara Restaurant for all our family and friends could be together after the services for my sister who passed. Their staff only had a few days notice and went above and beyond to assist us with everything possible. Their attention to detail was excellent. Our menu choices were chicken teriyaki, eggplant parmesan and sirloin steak. Everyone raved about the food and how flavorful it was, made your tastebuds dance. Out of 16 people who ordered the sirloin one person, who ordered their sirloin rear, said it was tough. There will always be that one person! Nicole, the assistant manager, was so helpfull with everything. She asked us all the right questions time and time again. We could not have planned this so quickly without her help. Such a great family place. The "DIAMOND" of Mercer County, New Jersey!