Italian cuisine is known worldwide for its vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and various dishes. And in New Jersey, it’s no different. From family-owned restaurants to trendy and sophisticated venues, there are plenty of options for those looking to experience authentic Italian in New Jersey.
The Secret to its Success
What makes Italian cuisine so unique is its focus on the quality and freshness of ingredients. Everything is prepared with the passion and taste of one who cooks for their family and that’s why the recurring “homemade” feel is such a crowd pleaser.
From housemade pasta and bread to fresh herbs and vegetables, the ingredients of Italian cuisine are carefully selected to ensure that each dish tastes as good as possible. In addition, cooking methods are very important to bring out the flavors and textures of each ingredient.
If you want some of this homemade flavor but don’t have the cooking experience to achieve it you can try the following link: olivieri.ca/gnocchi-recipes/
In Search of New Flavors
In New Jersey, there are a lot of restaurants that offer traditional Italian cuisine, but there are also places that combine tradition with the creativity and innovation of contemporary cuisine. Each of them will offer you its own version of traditional dishes and in each of them, the experience will be unique.
A restaurant offering contemporary Italian cuisine will offer an elegant and cozy atmosphere with high-quality products. The restaurant is usually run by renowned chefs known for their passion for Italian cuisine and their ability to blend traditional flavors with modern cooking techniques.
In these types of places venture out for popular dishes such as Ravioli di Ricotta, which consists of ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach in a butter and sage sauce. This dish is a perfect example of traditional Italian cuisine with a contemporary twist. The pasta used is made by hand daily in each restaurant, while the sauces are modern versions of classic Italian sauces.
Another popular dish is Tagliatelle al Ragù, which is a modern version of the classic pasta Bolognese. The ragu is prepared with pork and veal and simmered for several hours for a deep, rich flavor. It is served with fresh homemade pasta and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
But Italian cuisine is not only pasta and cheeses, it also offers a selection of meats and seafood, such as Pollo alla Diavola, which is roasted chicken with a blend of spicy spices and served with mashed potatoes and roasted red peppers.
Special Place of Homemade Flavors
On the opposite side of the fine dining restaurant is the well-known Italian trattoria. This is a type of informal restaurant commonly found in Italy. It is usually characterized by having a rustic and cozy atmosphere and serving traditional homemade Italian food.
In trattorias, dishes are generally simple and based on fresh, local ingredients and most dishes are served in generous portions. In addition to the food, another distinctive aspect of trattorias is their ambiance. They are often rustic and cozy places, with stone walls, vaulted ceilings and simple furnishings. In some cases, they may also have outdoor tables so that customers can enjoy the warm weather during the summer months.
Traditional food is the norm in a trattoria, a wide variety of pizzas, including the Pizza Bianca, which is a white pizza with mozzarella, goat cheese, caramelized onion and white truffle as well as the Margarita and the Calzone.
Try also the Antipasti, which are dishes served before the main course and may include a variety of cheeses, cured meats, pickled vegetables and homemade bread. Risotto, a creamy rice dish with ingredients such as mushrooms, seafood or sausage. Polenta is a corn-based dough served as a side dish or as a main course with a variety of ingredients such as sausage, cheese and tomato.
You can’t miss the desserts, most trattorias offer a selection of traditional Italian desserts such as tiramisu, panna cotta, cannoli and delicious multi-flavored gelatos.
New Jersey has a wealth of restaurants that offer traditional Italian cuisine, but some places combine tradition with creativity and innovation in cuisine. The next time you want to take a gastronomic trip to Italy, try a different place and live the experience intensely.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
