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La Famiglia: Italian; Bogota; 107 E Main St @ Palisade; 20/15/$31; 201-489-1713;  Menu highlights include house-made pastas, traditional Italian appetizers, fresh fish and flavorful meats; BYO; Filled nightly with locals, staff will treat you like family; Extremely affordable classics are served.

Il Villaggio: Italian; Carlstadt; 651 Rt 17N @ Passaic Av; 23/21/$47; 201-935-7733; Upscale, mature setting; Classic Northern Italian dishes; The double cut Veal Chop and Crème Brulee stand out; Fairly large menu that is composed of both complex and commonly seen dishes; Excellent, reliable restaurant.

Buco: Italian; Clifton; 953 Allwood Rd @ Rt 602; 21/17/$37; 973-779-3500; Popular old school Jersey Italian joint; Friendly service, large portions, and one of the biggest menus you’ll ever see; Tons of pasta, chicken, port and veal dishes; Great place to go with family and good for groups. 

8 soups on the menu. Also, well spaced tables.

Solaia: Italian; Englewood; 22 N Van Brunt @ Palisade; 19/19/$55; 201-871-7155; Long a popular restaurant in the area- cool scene at night; Post Bergen PAC (concert hall) hotspot; Upscale cuisine; Expensive tabs; Surf & Turn Mondays are a value; Homemade pasta are excellent- but again expensive for area.

Trovato’s: Italian; Elmwood Park; 206 Hwy 46 @ Mill St; 26/19/$44; 201-797-7552; Personable, friendly service; Well spaced tables and an Italian feel; Hugely long menu – they served almost anything you may come up with; Homemade pastas stand out; Local following; Romantic, date friendly. Outstanding experience; Masterful cooking despite large selection.

Cassie’s Pizza: Italian/ Pizza; 18 S Dean St @ Palisade; 19/15/$32; 201-541-6760; Brick over pizza – whole pies – in their specialty; There are a dozen or so pasta and meat dishes on the menu as well; Great salads; Very laid back, casual setting; Decent bar as well.

Café Italiano: Italian; Englewood Cliffs; 14 Sylvan Av @ Irving; 22/18/$38; 201-461-5041; Great outdoor dining on nice patio in summer; Friendly, neighborhood restaurant; Reasonable prices and reliable fare; Speedy service and large menu. Family feeling and well made specials.

Grissini: Italian; Englewood Cliffs; 484 Sylvan Av @ Palisade; 23/20/$54; 201-568-3535; Expensive but worth it; Huge menu for upscale Italian- unique offering plus classic standards; Impeccable service;  Try the Buffalo Mozz with Jersey Tomatoes followed by Linguine with whole lobster fra Diablo. Also a scene at night- people watching and great for a drink.

Campania: Italian; Fair Lawn; 17-15 Broadway @ Amsterdam; 22/19/$42; 201-797-8222; Quaint, pleasant dining room; Limited menu selections but extremely creative and well meshed ingredients in what is offered; Excellent meatballs; Pasta dishes are delish; Freshest ingredients; Featured on Hell’s Kitchen TV show.

La Cambusa: Italian; Fair Lawn; 22-51 Maple Av; 23/18/$45; 201-797-8741; Massive menu featuring more than a dozen pasta dishes – including homemade pastas; 20 or so appetizers; 20 or so meat dishes; Friendly, attentive service; Always tasty ingredients and well presented; Fresh seafood dishes;

GoodFellas Ristorante: Italian; Garfield; 661 Midland Av @ Plauderville; 20/16/$48; 973-478-4000; Family style Italian; Expensive dishes but remember- family style so less needed; Hugely long menu with all the standard Italian classics included; Old world charm; “Sopranos” feel. Great for groups.

RoCCa: Italian; Glen Rock; 203 Rock Rd @ Main St; 23/17/$40; 201-670-4945; For starters, the 10am-2pm $14.95 all you can eat Brunch is a great deal; Connected to a Market to buy goods; Inventive, well prepared classic Italian dishes; Fair prices and generous portions; Family style available; BYO; Well spaced tables; Top  shelf desserts.

Maggiano's: Italian; Hackensack; 70 Riverside @ Rt 4; 20/19/$30; 201-221-2030; For a chain- very high quality; Family style dining; Huge portions of well prepared food; Perfect for groups; High energy setting; Decent cocktail and wine menu. Endless menu.

Solari’s: Italian; Hackensack; 61 River St @ Bridge; 20/17/$41; 201-487-1969; Live music on Saturdays; Absolutely huge menu, yet you feel they care for each dish; Affordable and higher end items to choose from. Active bar scene; Locals love the place; Fun time while eating. Not pretentious at all.

Anthony David’s: Italian; Hoboken; 953 Bloomfield @ 10^th St; 26/19/$43; 201-222-8399; BYO with inventive, nearly perfect Italian selections; They have a formal dining room and more casual bistro setting; Desserts excellent; Daily brunch; Gourmet market next door for shopping. Fantastic cheese plates. Known for desserts- especially doughnuts. Store turned into bistro.

Augustino’s: Italian; Hoboken; 1104 Washington Av @ 11-12^th St; 26/16/$49; 201-420-0104; Cash only- 10 table classic; Make a reservation and be prepared to consume incredible food; Homemade specialties; Spirited staff; Old school Italian feel- terrific atmosphere; One of the best around. Has a small bar. Truly an experience.

Grimaldi’s Pizza: Pizza; Hoboken; 133 Clinton @ 2^nd St; 24/11/$20; 201-792-0800; All about the pizza at this Coal oven institution. The original and far more famous sibling is in Brooklyn; No slices; Fresh mozz on the pies is fresh and perfect

MAHWAH

Roxanne’s: Italian; Mahwah; 150 Franklin Turnpike @ Stephens; 22/18/$38; 201-529-0007; Attractive bistro setting with outdoor dining available; Brick oven turning out fabulous pizzas; Stylish red oak décor; Both individual and family style portions available; Tons of homemade pasts dishes to choose from and a large menu overall; Decent bar scene;  Massive portions.

Arturo’s: Italian; Midland Park; 41 Central Av @ Greenwood – Madison; 23/20/$47; 201-444-2466; Like eating at home with huge menu of Italian mainstays; Tuxedoed service- classy atmosphere; For a special occasion; Slightly pricy but overall great. Closed Mondays; Massive selection of food. Menu includes dishes ‘beginners’ will easily recognize. Lobster tails fra Diablo stands out.

Corso 98: Italian; Montclair; 98 Walnut St @ Willow; 23/19/$45; 973-746-0789; Upscale quality in a comfortable setting; Osso Bucco is amazing; Friendly service and outstanding menu; Though a limited number of selections (25 or so) it is original and often changing; Quaint dining room feel – like at home;

Fascino: Italian; Montclair; 331 Bloomfield Av @ Grove; 26/22/$57; 973-233-0350; BYO high end Italian; Desserts are fabulous; Unique, mouthwatering menu; Tasting menu available; Top shelf cuisine complete with smallish portions and impeccable presentation.

Osteria Giotto: Italian; Montclair; 21-23 Midland Av @ Bloomfield Av; 25/17/$44; 973-746-0111; Wildly popular BYO Italian; Food is flat out outstanding though service a bit rushed and décor just so-so; Outdoor seating; Creative pasta dishes and epic specials; Closed Tuesdays; Very solid option.

Aldo & Gianni: Italian; Montvale; 108 Chestnut Ridge @ Grand Av; 22/15/$38; 201-487-4220; Large menu – excellent classic selections- something for everyone; Fairly inexpensive; Uninventive décor but clear effort is made; Solid, if not inspiring choice for dinner; Food is excellent, however. BYO. Family feel. Welcoming.

MOONACHIE

Sanzari New Bridge: Italian; New Milford; 105 Old New Bridge Rd @ New Bridge; 20/20/$55; 201-692-7700; Both personal portions and family style available; Solid all round- problem is it’s expensive for the genre and quality; Menu has the usual classics, but nothing too creative; Spacious setting; Bar area; Well maintained; Great service.

Dimora Ristorante: Italian; Norwood; 100 Piermont Rd @ B-Way; 23/19/$56; 201-750-5000; Old school family owned restaurant; Chef Gino will take care of you; Classic Italian menu- large selection to choose from; Very friendly feel, full of regulars; Not the cheapest place; Always crowded and busy- can be noisy.

Antonia’s by the Park: Italian; North Bergen; 9011 Palisade Av @ Woodcliff; 22/20/$39; 201-868-0750;  Spacious, elegant seating; Huge portions, numerous selections; Everyone walks out happy; Not the best gourmet food ever but satisfying and enjoyable. Large cocktail and wine list. Regulars abound in this lovely setting. Full bar service with weekend entertainment. Excellent, excellent menu.

La Sorrentina: Italian; North Bergen; 7831 Bergenline Av @ 79^th St; 26/14/$27; 201-869-8100; Near perfection; Top of the line in quality; Brick oven pizza is heralded; Fried Calamari; Try the 4 cheese pizza; Linguini and clam sauce; Basically- nothing fancy- just top of the line preparations. Great wine list. Family run. And, dirt cheap!

Cenzino: Italian; Oakland; 589 Ramapo Valley Rd @ Franklin Av; 24/20/$48; 201-337-6693; Very consistent cuisine, expertly prepared by owners; Decent bar scene; Closed Sundays; Extremely good looking menu with mouth-watering selections to please anyone; Certainly a must-try. Good bar scene. Ultra friendly.

Portobello’s: Italian; Oakland; 175 Ramapo Valley Rd; 19/20/$40; 201-337-8990; Huge place featuring different rooms & settings; From rustic farmhouse to a cozy library- something for everyone setting wise; Menu is a combination of Italian classics, steaks and even a raw bar. Certainly a different way of doing things- unique experience to be had.

E & V: Italian; Paterson; 320 Chamberlain Av @ Preakness; 23/12/$32; 973-942-8080; Seafood is excellent here; Warm, family environment- very casual; In existence since 1967; Family style dining options; Massive menu – whatever you want is there; Spacious; They care about their customers; Inexpensive.

Kinchley’s Tavern: Pizza; Ramsey; 586 N. Franklin Tpke @ Orchard; 23/9/$21; 201-934-7777; Known for Thin Crust pizza; Friendly service; Bring cash; Extremely popular and been around for years;  Fans absolutely love their pies.

Luka's: Italian; Ridgefield Park; 238 Main St @ Park; 22/15/$34; 201-440-2996; BYO Italian in a storefront; Owner-chef is friendly and attentive; Fairly basic menu of classic selections; Large portions; Crowded and popular; Could use a facelift. Overall very reliable.

A Mano: Italian; Ridgewood; 24 Franklin Av @ Chestnut; 22/18/$26; 201-493-2000; Very attractive and date-friendly pizzeria that serves other basic Italian specialties. Wood oven; 30 foot high ceilings;  BYO; Salads and paninis also stand out. Ideal for weekend lunch.

Brooklyn’s Coal-Burning Pizzeria: Italian; Ridgewood; 15 Oak St @ Ridgewood Av; 25/12/$20; 201-493-7600; No slices served; BYO except Hackensack location which has beer/ wine; Fresher than fresh coal over pizza; Truly melt in your mouth pizza; Crust is beyond outstanding.

Radicchio: Italian; Ridgewood; 32 Franklin Av @ Chestnut; 22/18/$49; 201-670-7311; Upscale Italian; Homemade pastas; Nothing fancy décor wise but tables are private; Photos of most dishes on line; Tons of specials; BYO; Expensive overall but dishes are well prepared; If everything were $5 cheaper it would be a sure bet.

Tre Voci: Italian; Ridgewood; 16-18 Chestnut @ Franklin; 22/19/$40; 201-857-3494; Absolutely excellent pizza; Italian-American entrees; Large menu reasonably priced for the area; Wildly popular new establishment as of late 2009; Make a reservation; Believe it is BYO; Meat lasagna is specialty. Wood oven.

Dinallo’s: Italian; River Edge; 259 Johnson Av @ Madison; 22/17/$44; 201-342-1233; Old school, old world Italian feel; Can be cramped and noisy on weekends; Older, more family oriented crowd; Solid food- large selection; Great specials. Decent bar.

Risotto House: Italian; Rutherford; 88 Park Av @ Pasaic – Ridge; 23/15/$32; 201-438-5344; Nothing fancy except consistent, solid Italian fare; 10+ Risottos and also a couple dozen other options to choose from; Mostly standard Italian fare; BYO; Your basic neighborhood trattoria. Menu Here.

Amarone: Italian; Teaneck; 63 Cedar Ln @ Broad – Teaneck; 22/15/$41; 201-833-1897; Filled with locals; Large sized portions served with style in a consistently good eatery; Traditional setting – tables for four laid out with space; Average décor made up for by service and food. They will work with you on adjustments to the menu; Authentic Italian service. Neighborhood regulars.

BV Tuscany: Italian; Teaneck; 368 Cedar @ Palisade; 20/18/$42; 201-287-0404; Neighborhood Italian; Not a huge menu – 10 appetizers, 15 entrees; Mouthwatering aroma and food; Good but not great; Perfect for a weekday dinner in a welcoming environment. Osso Bucco.