Restaurant News

Wood-paneled walls, linoleum floors and depressing, shabby décor has not deterred customers from dining at Bevacqua’s Reservoir Tavern in Boonton, which opened in 1936. On a weekday night at 6 PM people were waiting for a table. Reservations are not taken but they have “call ahead seating.” Be sure to be there when your name is called.

BAVACQUA’S RESERVOIR TAVERN, BOONTON
There were many families dining at Reservoir Tavern, as it is commonly called, and pizza seems to be the food of choice. On this visit though, we opted for menu items and realized that we had over ordered when our two apps of spinach salad and string beans oreganata were presented, as there was easily enough food for six people to share. The salad was loaded with large pieces of bacon, fresh-tasting spinach, Gorgonzola cheese, red onions and tomatoes drizzled with raspberry vinaigrette. The string beans were sautéed with garlic and herbs and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Both were impressive, although we thought that the salad dressing was too sweet.

One of the house specialties is Due Melanzane, which consists of two stuffed eggplants, filled with spinach, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, onions, peppers and mozzarella cheese served over a bed of linguine. It can  also be ordered as an app with one eggplant and no pasta. I should have opted for the smaller version as, even for lunch the next day, we could not finish the portion. A disappointing pork chop that was thin, unexpectedly fried and tough, had potatoes, onions and sausage as accompaniments. The only dessert made in house is tiramisu, which we bypassed.

The Reservoir Tavern is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 11 PM.


Spinach salad.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein

Bavacqua’s Reservoir Tavern
92 Parsippany Blvd
Boonton, NJ 07005
973-334-5708

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