Hillsborough Couple Returns Home To Open Italian Eatery

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Culinary duo Joe Trani and Kari LaSpisa are home. After opening and running three successful restaurants, the Hillsborough couple is returning to their hometown to open their newest venture Basilico Trattoria.

“I’m a Hillsborough native. Joey is from Italy but this is where he lived when he first moved to America. My kids go to school here and I wanted to work and live in the same community and be a part of same community,” LaSpisa said.

Trani and LaSpisa first opened Al Dente in Hillsborough and then Taste in Warren, an Italian tapas-style restaurant, in December 2015. They then opened Basilico Trattoria in Hopewell last April before deciding to sell.

“There was a need for this in Hillsborough,” LaSpisa said. “It needed something a little bit different. There are not too many authentic Italian restaurants around.”

Basilico — which means basil in Italian — is a more casual Italian restaurant. It incorporates Trani's roots. They opened last week at 340 South Branch Road.

Trani was born in Princeton but his family moved back to Italy when he was six years old. He lived on the Island of Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples.

He went to culinary school in Italy, worked in restaurants there and also opened two restaurants in Ischia before moving back to New Jersey 30 years later.

Trani is the sole chef at Basilico, while LaSpisa runs the front of the house.

“The food is inspired by southern Italy, the island of Ischia and the dishes are native to that area,” LaSpisa said. “Everything is made on the spot and is made to order. We don’t have sauce sitting in a vat, even the sauces are made to order.”

Priding themselves on fresh local ingredients, every morning the couple visits local farmer's markets to buy fresh produce and bread.

Along with freshness, LaSpisa said the couple is focusing on creating a family-friendly environment.

“We want to keep it really family friendly,” LaSpisa said. “We wanted people to be able to go out and eat with their kids and not have to go to a chain restaurant but still feel comfortable coming here. There is something for everyone here.”

Basilico also offers catering and room for small private parties up to 50 people as well.

“We are excited to be here for the families,” LaSpisa said.

For more information visit www.basilicohopewell.com or Facebook or call 908-369-3190.

(Images via Kari LaSpisa)

Photo 1 - Fruitti di mare

Photo 2 - Fried calamari

Photo 3 - Veal chop

Photo 4 - Pork epomeo

Photo 5 - Bresaola

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