Dining With the Clouds at Your Feet

That’s Amore, an Italian grill located at 430 US Highway 9 North in Englishtown, offers a simple and authentic dining experience. The restaurant boasts superior seafood, moderate-prices, and fresh, daily specials in an intimate and aesthetically pleasing setting. 

Go to an Italian wedding, and you’re likely to hear the crooner classic “That’s Amore”.  While the song’s lyrics speak of falling in love, the restaurant’s owner, Anthony Durazzo, hones in on the romantic allure of Italian dining.

“The name is about the Italian song, and it’s about food,” said Durazzo, matter-of-factly.

Appropriately enough, Durazzo hails from the Italian city mentioned in the song, “ol’ Napoli” and has been in the family restaurant business all his life. He and co-owner Balbino Garcia acquired ownership of the restaurant four years ago. 
 
That’s Amore features two dining rooms with about 35 tables. To the left of the main entrance is a dimly lit dining room, popular for private gatherings. To the right is an open dining area featuring a mural of an Italian bay and ample sunlight during the day.

The restaurant takes great pride in its seafood selection, emphasizing that it is “the finest and fresh seafood and selfish available”. According to Durazzo, dishes that feature shrimp or lobster served in a red sauce over linguini are very popular with customers. Seafood entrées are priced under $27.00.

The “La Griglia” section of the menu offers three different steaks, each accompanied with a salad, seasonal vegetables, and a choice of garlic mashed or roasted potatoes. All steaks are priced under $27.00. A double cut pork chop and broccoli di rabe is listed for $20.99.

A children’s menu lists four items for kids 12 and under, including chicken fingers and three Italian favorites of ziti, chicken parmigiana, and cheese ravioli. All four items, each for $7.99, are served with a soda and salad.

The restaurant hosts private parties and a group menu is available. For larger groups, five in-restaurant packages are available from $24.99 to $65.99. The largest package features a choice of four appetizers, salad, pasta, and an entrée choice of surf & turf, tilapia, ribeye steak, chicken, veal, or salmon. Coffee, tea, and soda are included in the price. Add-ons of steak and seafood are available at an additional cost per person.

That’s Amore also offers a catering service. Party trays in three different sizes are available for pick-up only. They feature a variety of antipastos, three styles of chicken and shrimp, respectively, and four varieties of veal. Grilled salmon and tilapia oreganata are also available.

In-restaurant customers should arrive hungry. “We have big portions, and everyone leaves stuffed,” said Durazzo, adding that to-go bags are very popular.
“That’s always the biggest complaint – the portions are too big,” he said with a smile. It’s one criticism that he doesn't mind hearing.

That’s Amore is open all week, Monday through Thursday from 11:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., Friday and Saturday, 11:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M, and on Sunday, noon to 10:00 P.M. Lunch is served from 12-3. 

The restaurant is BYOB and vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Gift certificates may be purchased and most major credit cards are accepted.