Italian Restaurants

[bpsklar]

There are so many Italian restaurants in the northern NJ area, that it is hard to choose a good one. Some of the best have dropped in their quality. We are looking for excellent food, home-made pastas and fine service. What are your choices? :confused:

[dodge621]

I hear that Bon Amici in Bogota,NJ is excellent. Will try soon

to tell all.

anyone been there

[tommy]

la carbonaia in ho-ho-kus.

la scala in hoboken, although people have hit-or-miss experiences there.

[Rosie]

Corso 98, Montclair  BYO

Campania, Fair Lawn. Was there once and like it alot.

Il Mondo Vecchio, Madison  BYO

Scalini Fedeli, Chatham BYO

Bella Rosa, East Hanover  BYO

[Jason Perlow]

Rosie: are you down on Cinque Figlie?

[tommy]

"down" good or "down" bad?

i liked it my one time there.  i appreciate good, honest, family run places, even if the owners is a bit a of a lunatic!  the one thing i recall, however, is a salmon sashimi dish that was just overpowered with a sauce.  but i'm a purist when it comes to sashimi.

[Rosie]

Not down on Cingue Figlie at all. Just forgot to list it. Was there recently for lunch. Sooooooo  good. Had a raw tuna app with salad. Friend had the calamari. They grill it perfectly. Then we shared a pasta.

[tommy]

the chef is joe, right?  he offered to have me work in his kitchen for a day when mrs. tommy approched him about it as birthday present.  i never took him up on it, but regret missing the experience.

[Rosie]

Sooooo---just take an early BD gift. Or a late one.  

[tommy]

it's about 3 yrs late.  in fact, when we spoke to joe, you and lowell were with us, in mo-town.  he's since moved, and now the restaurant is reeeally far away.  but i'll make it back.  if not scrubbing pots, in some respect.  

[Rachel Perlow]

I assume you mean it's really far away from where you've since moved to? Because Cinque Figlie only moved a couple of miles, Cedar Knolls is right next door to Morristown.

[tommy]

I assume you mean it's really far away from where you've since moved to? Because Cinque Figlie only moved a couple of miles, Cedar Knolls is right next door to Morristown.

it's all relative.  i've never heard of cedar knolls, so to me, it's in PA.

[Jeff W]

I liked Benitos in Union

[Jason Perlow]

I mentioned it before in a previous thread, but "Cafe Italiano" on Sylvan Ave. in Englewood Cliffs is actually a really good italian-american restaurant. Its situated in the former summer home of 1920's NY Mayor Jimmy Walker.

[NJ2FLA]

I like Aroma in West Paterson.  It's right off of route 46.  Tony is the owner.  I love them rice balls!

[dodge621]

Corso 98 has the best fish I have tried so far in NJ Italian and is very fairly priced.

I am hoping to find more like this as the quality of Corso's fish is excellent and averages only 20 for a nice portion.

[Rosie]

Bella Rosa, East Hanover has very good fish also.

[dodge621]

Tina Louise Carlstadt - anyone know of this new place

[Lady S]

Have you tried Cafe Riviera on Sussex Turnpiike in Randolph. Food good, atmosphere not great, serve very good. Very friendly place. Italian run by Albanians (seems to be happening a lot)

[Rosie]

Welcome Lady S. Haven't been to Cafe Riviera. Is it BYO? Do you know if they are open on Sundays?

[Rosie]

Tina Louise Carlstadt - anyone know of this new place

It's not new. Asian/Chinese. I have heard that it is very good.

[dodge621]

How about Sonoma Grill

do you recommend

[Rosie]

How about Sonoma Grill

do you recommend

New owners came on some time ago and I haven't been there.

[dodge621]

yes I heard Sonoma Grill is not good anymore since

can anyone confirm this?

[Poots]

New here, but been eating in and around Essex County NJ my whole life.  Some of my Italian favorites are:  Solano's in Orange.  Belle Italia, Orange.  Piccolo Italia, Orange.  Libretti's, Orange.  Cafe Arugala, South Orange.  I have eaten at Bella Rosa once and had a very nice dinner, so while not a favorite, would reccomend it.