| Author |
Message |
    
Old Toad
Citizen
Username: Skewer1
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 7:15 pm: |     |
Hi all. What italian restaurants in this general area (Short Hills, Millburn, Maplewood, Summit, Chatham, Madison, Livingston, the Oranges etc) would you recommend?
More interested in traditional italian (preferably tuscan) and not in Scalini Fedili type fancy food. BYO preferred.
Thx in advance |
msg
Citizen
Username: Msg
Post Number: 169
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 8:31 pm: | |
Gian Marco in Millburn, dining room behind the pizza. Great Lobster ravioli and all dinners come with a nice salad. Pasteria in Summit. Libretti's in Orange, but not BYOB. |
Cubeless
Citizen
Username: Cubey
Post Number: 271
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 8:55 pm: | |
Definitely Antonella's in South Orange. Very authentic italian...and delicious. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1100
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 10:21 pm: | |
On Morris Avenue there's a pizzeria, Joe's, which has a nice little dining room attached. The food is very good, it is BYOB, and quite acceptable. It's about a block from the Huntley Tavern, closer to 24 and 78.
I agree with the poster above about both Gian Marco and Pasteria. Libretti's is a little bit "hole in the wall," which I happen to like, but some don't. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 983
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 1:12 pm: | |
Basilico in Millburn. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1112
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 1:36 pm: | |
I second Basilico. |
User58
Citizen
Username: User58
Post Number: 365
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 2:27 pm: | |
Antonella clearly the best around |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 4987
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 3:46 pm: | |
La Foccaccia in Summit. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3618
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 4:17 pm: | |
Hank, Did I ever tell you about our trip to La Foccaccia? My dad knows the owner who invited my parents one night. They went and of course he wouldn't allow them to pay, so they bought us a gift cert. for our anniversary.
The food is good, but it's very crowded and not inexpensive. (Even with a couple of freebies thrown in we exceeeded the $100 for 2)
It's definitely hopping though, cool scene. |
The Oracle of MOL
Supporter
Username: Oracle_of_mol
Post Number: 170
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 9:04 pm: | |
Cafe Arugula
Not quite heavenly, but Italian BYO.
Go in peace.
--The Oracle of MOL
|
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 4991
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 10:02 pm: | |
VIG,
You never told me of your trip to La Foccaccia...
Ive eaten there a few times...I like the quality and variety of food at La Foccaccia...its Italian, but not red sauce only Italian...and since the original poster mentioned something about Tuscan style, they are likely to satisfy that desire there. A good portion of the menu reminds me of an old favorite Italian place in NYC, now closed unfortunately, Follonico, and similar in some respects to Il Trulli. Its not cheap but its reasonable for the quality. The biggest gripe...the tables are cheek to jowl. There are no quiet intimate corners at this place (unless you go outside).
When we first moved here, we used to go to the Appian Way in Orange which I liked alot. I know its still there, just havent gone there in a number of years (7 or 8 at least). My wife makes a great pot of gravy, so I rarely see a need to go out for that red sauce and mostly Southern Italian style of food. |
Anna
Citizen
Username: Anna
Post Number: 24
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 10:22 pm: | |
Where in South Orange is Antonella's? |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3621
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 10:40 pm: | |
I agree about the non-red sauce Italian thing. I generally avoid red sauce when eating out... (other than pizza). |
Mummite
Citizen
Username: Mummite
Post Number: 192
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 10:49 pm: | |
Oooh delicioso! Basilico is a bit higher end but the atmoshere is great.
I like Martini bar atmosphere - it has a mix of dishes but doesn't "feel" Italian
I like the Italian with red shutters in Short Hills for regular nights - opposite Burgdorffs between Khun Thai and Cait and Abbe bakery - We call it Enzos but I could be wrong! |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 667
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 9:40 am: | |
I agree, I think Basilico is better than Antonella's, and much nicer of an atmosphere. At Antonella's, I felt like I was eating in someone's living-room-converted-to-a-restaurant, but still paying fine dining prices. And while the food was very good, I find the Basilico has something extra special - unique dishes in which you can taste a layering of flavors, and the integrity is obvious.
Arugala Cafe is OK for a quick, average meal at a decent price. |
Maplewoody
Citizen
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 1098
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 7:18 pm: | |
I detest Cafe Arugula...
I think you get a MUCH better dinner,
and you'll spend way less $$$ at the Village Trattoria in Maplewood! |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 968
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 8:44 pm: | |
Actually, at Antonella's you are practically eating in someone's livingroom that has been converted to a restaurant. Atonella and Carlo, and their son, who waits tables, are charming and attentive hosts who treat you like dear friends, and the food is superb. |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 317
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 8:48 am: | |
I have eaten at Basilico twice-the first time about six mos ago and it was great-the second time was a month or two ago and it was just ok. Had pasta dishes both times.
oots |
kay
Citizen
Username: Keggie
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 2:43 pm: | |
i just had dinner at cafe arugula. i really liked that place- it's got great atmosphere. the portions are huge! can someone tell me where antonella's is located? |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 892
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 3:13 pm: | |
Antonella's is just off South Orange Avenue, right where it intersects Valley. It's that little diagonal street that cuts off SO Ave and takes you into Valley by Toro Loco, Curves..... I can't remember the name offhand. There's that little park with the stone terrace right across from Antonella's front windows.
It is small and intimate, and that's one of the reasons I like it so much. I like Basilico's, too, but on a busy day, it can be not very personal. Their food is delicious, though the front room can be very noisy at times.
|
Jhcmom
Citizen
Username: Jhcmom
Post Number: 32
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 9:32 am: | |
Libretti's on Nassau Street in (West?) Orange is a great Italian. Take No. Ridgewood past SO Middle School towards Flood Hill, make a right at Gimme Jimmy's Cookies/CVS and take to just before the RR tracks. Libretti's is on the right. Very family friendly in a dignified way - meaning not a loud setting. Food is great. |
heart rn
Citizen
Username: Heart_rn
Post Number: 145
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 9:36 am: | |
Antonella's is on Village Plaza. You definitely need reservations, but it is totally worth the wait. Their specials usually include amazing fresh seafood, if you like that. You won't be disappointed. |
Boomie
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 253
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 7:05 pm: | |
Teresas in Westfield, Garlic Rose in Cranford, and for real italian its worth a drive to Bella Napoli or Michealangelos in Bloomfield. |
Veritas Ultimo
Citizen
Username: Veritas_ultimo
Post Number: 27
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 8:17 pm: | |
Piccola Italia in Orange on Lincoln Avenue (973) 673-7101. Great menu, wine list & bar. They will usually cook anything you want "off menu". |
Old Toad
Citizen
Username: Skewer1
Post Number: 7
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 12:47 pm: | |
A late thanks to everyone for the recommendations. So far, I've tried Basilico and Antonella's. Preferred Basicilo food (didn't try seafood at either of the places). Thought the owner at Antonella's was v. friendly. I also tried Il Ripasso in Livingston which I thought was similar to but better than Antonella |
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