By Sally Deering

 Nestled among the storefronts on Avenue “C” between 25^th and 26^th Streets in Bayonne is Carmelaâ€s Piccola Cucina, a cozy little Italian restaurant that serves hearty, home-style dishes from Northern and Southern Italy.

In Italian, Carmela’s Piccola Cucina means “tiny kitchen” but thatâ€s the only thing small about the place. Owner and Chef Carmela Suppa cooks serves up hearty portions of homestyle dishes that are delicious and seasoned just right.

“You know when you do something you enjoy, you donâ€t think about anything else,” Suppa says, taking a break from her work at the stove. “Everything I make is cooked to order.”

 Carmela’s Piccola Cucinaâ€s menu includes Antipasti like the tasty Calamari served tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside and with a choice of mild or hot sauce; Caprese Stacks, which is Roasted Eggplant, Fresh Mozzarella and Tomatoes; Stuffed Mushrooms with Roasted Peppers; and Antipasto Rustico, a Selection of Dry Meats and Sharp Provolone cheese. ($6.50-$8.95)

Soups include Chicken and Minestrone and daily soup specials like Potato-Leek; and Lentil. ($350-$4.95) Pasta dishes include Pasta with Ham & Mushrooms; and Pasta al Filetto di Pomodoro. ($10.95-$11.95) Fish dishes feature Flounder Marechiara; Shrimp Parmigiana; and Involtini di Flounder made with Pancetta and Spinach. ($13.95-$14.95)

Chicken dishes include Chicken Rustica, which is Chicken Breast with Mushrooms, Peppers, Sausage and Potatoes; and Lemon Chicken, Boneless Chicken Thighs in a Lemon Sauce. ($11.95-$12.95)

Suppa serves specials, too, like Fettuccine with Ricotta cheese and Asparagus. Suppa sautés the asparagus stems in garlic and olive oil and then adds them to the ricotta cheese which has been blended with the flowers of the asparagus. ($12.95)

“I call it traditional American,” Suppa says. “I try all the dishes myself before I put them on the menu or make them specials. I like to try new things.”

Coming in the fall, Suppa plans to add a Braciola dish, which is meat seasoned with garlic, parsley, cheese, rolled, and cooked in a red sauce; and Chicken Rollatini with a ham, rice and Ricotta cheese filing served in a white wine mushroom sauce. ($14.95)

For dessert, Suppa serves Cream Puffs and Cannolis with home-made fillings; and Truffles ice cream in several flavors including Pistachio, Amaretto, and Chocolate Chip Mint. ($4.50)

Since Carmela’s  Piccola Cucina opened two years ago, Suppa has lots of regulars who come back again and again for her homestyle cooking. The Chicken, Minestrone, Lentil and Potato-Leek soups are very popular, Suppa says. So are the Chicken Parmagiana, Lemon Chicken and Involtini di Flounder. Pasta Primavera is also a favorite.

Although this is Suppaâ€s first time as a restaurateur, she is no stranger to the kitchen. Suppa grew up in Naples, Italy, and she was 15 when her family came to the U.S. and settled in Bayonne.

She watched her mother and older sister cook and Suppa herself worked as a banquet chef for the Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange.

“It was my internship,” Suppa says. “They have a restaurant and a banquet hall where they do weddings and parties.”

 Carmela’s Piccola Cucinaâ€s dining room is painted a warm yellow and seats 40. Thereâ€s a large flat-screen TV for customers who like a little news while they dine, and dinner guests are treated to white linen tablecloths that dress up the tables and warm the room so that it almost feels like youâ€re dining in Suppaâ€s home. Suppa says that traditionally Italian families like to entertain and feed their guests.

“When somebody comes in we cook something and we all eat together or we offer coffee and cake,” Suppa says. “You sit around the table with the family and thereâ€s a little bit of food and a little bit of red wine. Thatâ€s how we are.”

 Carmela’s Piccola Cucina is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and brunch is served on weekends. Suppa says the restaurant also delivers to local businesses and caters to customers who have to spend their lunch hours behind a desk or in a classroom.

“This is fulfilling a dream I always had,” Suppa says. “Having a restaurant is something Iâ€ve always wanted.”

If you go:

Carmelaâ€s Piccola Cucina

578 Avenue “C”

(Across from the Shop Rite)

Bayonne

(201) 243-6855

Open 7 days

The post Cooking with Heart at Carmela’s Piccola Cucina in Bayonne first appeared on River View Observer.

By Sally Deering

A short walk from Exchange Place on the Jersey City Waterfront, City Diner (formerly the Flamingo) offers tasty dishes in a hip décor, key ingredients for success according to its owners Nicholas, “Lefty” and Mike Giakoumatos. The three brothers from Queens, New York, bought the old Flamingo and in three months turned it into a trendy corner bistro. With its contemporary décor, free Wi-Fi and a bar that looks right out of a James Bond film – the only thing ‘diner-esque†about City Diner is its hours — open 24/7 – and that it serves breakfast all day.

City Diner has its regulars who come from every walk of life, Lefty Giakoumatos says. Nine-to-fivers who work in downtown Jersey City, families, local residents and folks heading to a game in Manhattan and looking for a pre-game dinner keep things hopping and the booths filled. Even at 3 am, the place can be hopping with customers. Mike says just the other night a group of teenagers having a pajama party and clad in their PJs came in for milk shakes.

City Dinerâ€s menu offers traditional diner dishes but with a flair like Firecracker Meatloaf and the Jersey Boys Burger. Several Breakfast Wraps are named after local towns, too, which brings a little neighborhood flavor to downtown Jersey Cityâ€s Wall Street vibe.

The menu features Morning Favorites, All Day Breakfast, Appetizers, Salads, Premium Sandwiches, Burgers, Dinner Entrees, Desserts, a Kids†Menu, and Drinks & Shakes. If you try the Morning Breakfast, you can choose from Eggs Benedict, Jersey Benedict (Taylor Ham), Florentine Eggs Benedict, Corned Beef Hash & Eggs, Huevos Rancheros, Chicken & Waffle, Steak and Eggs, and Loxed & Loaded. ($8.50-$16.95)

The All Day Breakfast includes Specialty Omelettes like the Harvest Market, Little Italy (tomato & Portobello mushroom), Athenian (spinach and feta), Denver, California, Carnegie (pastrami or corned beef & Swiss) and the Super Nova Omelette (smoked lox, onions and capers). ($7.95-$11.95) You can also try the City Omelette where you choose whatever ingredients you like; and Energy Omelettes like the Veggie Power, Powerhouse (turkey, spinach, avocado and Swiss); the Life Omelette (asparagus, grape tomato, broccoli, mushroom and mozzarella), and the Chicken Protein Omelette. ($8.95-$11.95)

Other breakfast items are the Breakfast Wraps & Sandwiches like the Croque Madam Croissant (ham, poached egg and hollandaise sauce served on a toasted croissant), Nutella Berry Croissant
(chocolate-hazelnut spread, cream cheese and sliced strawberries served on a toasted croissant), Ranchito Breakfast Burrito (scrambled eggs, Monterey jack cheddar, sour cream, black beans and pico de gallo) 5-Alarm Wrap (scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, smoky hot sauce, jalapeño and pepperjack cheese), the Jersey City Wrap (scrambled eggs, Taylor ham and American cheese), the Bayonne Wrap (scrambled eggs with bacon, avocado and spinach), and the Hoboken Wrap (scrambled egg whites and grilled chicken). ($5.95-$8.95)

Premium Sandwiches include the Blackened Chicken & Avocado Wrap, Mikeyâ€s Reuben, Firecracker Meatloaf, Southern BBQ Pulled Pork, California Cobb Wrap, Philly Cheesesteak, Classic BLT, Blackened Salmon & Avocado BLT, Turkey Avocado BLT, Grecian Gyro, and the Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Wrap. ($8.50-$14.95)

Dinner entrees include Calamari & Shrimp, Beer Battered Fish & Chips, Pan Seared Salmon, Fried Chicken Basket, Jumbo Fried Shrimp Basket, Lobster Ravioli, Grown Up Mac N†Cheese (cavatappi, sharp cheddar and blue cheese), Cowboy Steak (16 oz. bone-in ribeye), Charbroiled Porterhouse Pork Chop, and Chicken Milanese. ($14.95-$29.95)

“Nikos comes up with the ideas for the dishes,” Mike says, crediting his oldest brother with the menu. “He loves to put twists on traditional dishes, like our meatballs. These are not your grandmaâ€s meatballs. We make beef and pork meatballs stuffed with mac & cheese and wrapped in bacon.”

City Diner makes the best wings in Jersey City because they make them from scratch and with fresh, high-quality ingredients, Nicholas says. And the burgers are amazing, too, Mike adds, like the Jersey Boys Burger served with Taylor Ham, egg and cheese. Itâ€s a local favorite. City Diner regular Alex Ballas visiting from Philadelphia says the burgers are terrific and so is the French Onion Soup and Firecracker Meatloaf.

Another unique aspect of City Diner is that it offers two Happy Hours daily, one in the afternoon from 4-7 pm; the other late night at 11 pm. The bar menu features Craft, imported and domestic beers, and sexy cocktails, of course.

“Weâ€re dedicated to providing great customer service and quality food in a positive, home-spun atmosphere,” Nicholas says. “We wanted wanted to give Jersey City what it needed: a great 24-hour diner.”

If you go:
City Diner
31 Montgomery St, JC
(201) 721-5331
www.citydiner.com
Open 24/7

The post City Diner in Jersey City Never Sleeps first appeared on River View Observer.

By Sally Deering

 

When you step inside La Reggia restaurant in Secaucus your senses are seized by the distinct aromas of fine Italian cheeses and a warm and inviting atmosphere where tables are dressed in white linens and the wait staff is dressed in long white aprons – an homage to fine European restaurants where food and service are of the highest caliber.  

 Once you are seated at one of those beautifully dressed tables in the warm glow of La Reggiaâ€s inviting dining room, you can understand why itâ€s affectionately called “The Little Italy of Secaucus.” 

 La Reggia serves Italian-American cuisine prepared with only the freshest vegetables, seafood and meats that go straight from the marketplace to the chefâ€s kitchen and then to your plate.  Co-owners Chef Enzo Carputo and Alfonso Corbosiero set the standards high at La Reggia and ever since it opened its doors in 1998, those standards continue to be met.

 Chef Enzo creates exquisite Italian dishes that surprise, impress and ultimately satisfy beyond expectation. In his own words, “I want to educate the people, I want them to know what real Italian Food is,” he says.

Born in Naples, Italy, Enzo Carputo came to the U.S. in 1980 and settled down in New Jersey. He learned to cook at a young age and his talent led to a career as Executive Chef for several fine restaurants where his dishes earned Five-Star ratings. At La Reggia, Chef Enzo will sometimes step away from the stove to visit with the guests in his dining room.

The menu at La Reggia offers a vast array of choices. Appetizers feature Caprese with Prosciutto di Parma, Fresh Mozzarella & Tomato; Wild Boar Sausage with Polenta & Fontina Cheese; Fried Calamari with Sweet, Hot or Ginger Sauce; Antipasto Italiano with imported Meats & Cheeses; and Asparagus wrapped in Prosciutto, Parmiggiano Crust & Cream Champagne Sauce.

Salads include Arugola with Baby Beets & Goat Cheese, Sherry Vinaigrette; Grilled Asparagus with Mixed Greens Shaved Pecorino Fresco, Lemon Extra Virgin Olive Oil; La Reggia Salad, Field Greens with Mozzarella, Roasted Peppers, Portobello Mushroom, Sundried Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts & Balsamic Vinaigrette; and Poached Pear Salad, Mixed Greens, Candied Walnuts & Gorgonzola Cheese in a Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Pasta dishes include Veal Cannelloni, Homemade Crepe Stuffed with Braised Veal & Spinach, Besciamella Sauce & Fresh Tomato; Penne Arrabbiata, Pancetta, Shallots, Italian Hot Peppers & Plum Tomato; Rigatoni Bolognese, Classic Meat Sauce; Linguine Alle Vongole, Classic White or Red Clam Sauce; Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo; and Linguine Nero with Calamari, Clams, Mussels, Arugola & Light Tomato Sauce.

Entrees feature Veal A Piacere, Francese, Picatta, Marsala or Parmigiano; Grilled Veal Paillard with Escarole & Wild Mushroom Saute; Pork Tenderloin with Sun Dried Cherries, Port Wine Sauce served with Risotto; Pork Chop Valdostano stuffed with Prosciutto & Fontina Cheese in a Porcini Mushroom Sauce; 20 oz. Black Angus Rib Eye Steak Arrabbiata sauté with Italian Hot Peppers, Shitake Mushrooms, Madeira Sauce; Poached Salmon with Julienne Vegetables, Tomato/Thyme Beurre Blanc; and, Herb Crusted Chilean Sea Bass with Orange Scented Tomato Broth served with Ginger Risotto.

There are daily Chefâ€s Specials, too, like the Gamberi con Orance e Finocchio, Shrimp with Orange & Fennel appetizer; and Risotto alla Pescatore, Shrimp, Scallop, Calamari, Clams, and Mussels entree. For dessert, you might want to try the Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Mondays through Fridays La Reggia serves an extensive lunch buffet and whether you want to eat light or hearty, thereâ€s something for everyone. It features Antipasto Italiano; Soup, Pizza, Frittata, Garlic Bread, Grilled Vegetables, Salad, Six Hot Chafing Dishes brimming with Meatballs, Chicken and other hearty fare; a Pasta station, Fresh Fruit, and Dessert Table. On a recent Monday, the Chicken Soup was soup of the day and it was divine – hearty pieces of chicken in a delicious, lightly seasoned broth. The salads and vegetables were fresh and flavorful and the balsamic vinaigrette dressed the salad with just the right zing.

La Reggia is open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it offers on-site catering for special events like weddings, baby and bridal showers, class reunions, Quinceanera or Sweet 16 parties, engagements, christenings, anniversaries and birthdays. La Reggia also caters corporate functions and meetings.

Whether youâ€re an out-of-towner staying at the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel in Secaucus or a Hudson resident looking for fine Italian dining, a trip to La Reggia is like a feast for the soul.

If you go:

La Reggia Restaurant, Banquets & Lounge

(201) 422-0200

www.lareggiaus.com

Open 7 days a week

Breakfast:  Mon-Sun, 7 am-10:30 am

Lunch:       Mon-Fri, 11:30 am-3 pm

Dinner:      Mon-Thurs, 4 pm-10 pm

                  Fri, 4 pm-11 pm

                  Sat, 1 pm-11 pm

                  Sun, 3 pm-9 pm

 

The post La Reggia Restaurant, Banquets & Lounge Fine Italian Dining at “The Little Italy of Secaucus” first appeared on River View Observer.

Angelina’s Restaurant Offers Fine Cuisine in a Cozy Hideaway

The post Bayonne’s Best Kept Secret! first appeared on River View Observer.

On January 24th Longhorn Steakhouse 300-seater and first full-service restaurant at the Bayonne Crossings Shopping Center, 907 Bayonne Crossing, Rt. 440, opened its doors to the public.

 Pictured for the opening in front row: 31st District Assemblyman; Jason O’Donnell, First Ward Bayonne Councilwoman; Agnes Gillepsie, Bayonne Mayor; Mark Smith, Bayonne At-large Councilwoman; Deborah Czerwienski, Bayonne 3rd Ward Councilman; Raymond Greaves, Jeff Mulchaey; Managing Partner of Longhorn Steakhouse.

Back row: Bayonne 2nd Ward Councilman; Joseph Hurley, Jeffrey Scott; Longhorn Director of Operations; and Bayonne -at Large City Council President; Terrence Ruane.

The new Longhorn Steakhouse brings a taste of the Southwest to the Bayonne area, with a full menu, and an open bar which is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekends.

 

The post Dining -LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE NOW OPEN IN BAYONNE CROSSING SHOPPING CENTER first appeared on River View Observer.