La Pergola Serves Up Old World Favorites

Old World elegance is the allure of La Pergola, a new Northern Italian restaurant in Millburn. Located at 120 Essex Avenue, the eatery is owned by Agron and Driola Kaloshi, an Albanian couple that currently resides in New Providence.

“Millburn is a central location,” said Driola. “We know that this is a beautiful town. The Paper Mill Playhouse is here and we have parking right across the street. So it was a perfect choice.”

The husband and wife team spent time living in Italy where they learned the restaurant business while working with their families. La Pergola is the first restaurant they have owned together.

Open for a little more than a month, the restaurant features Northern Italian staples like fried calamari, pasta fagioli soup, veal milanese, chicken fiorentino, and an array of homemade pastas and focaccia bread. The owners pride themselves on serving farm-fresh cuisine. “Our philosophy of business is farm to table,” said Driola. “All of our pastas are made by hand. We get fresh fish and fresh meats delivered about four times per week.”

Vegetarians, she said, should feel at home at La Pergola too. In addition to the homemade pastas (which include linguini and fettucine), they can enjoy any one of the restaurant’s grilled vegetable dishes or panini sandwiches.

On the day I visited, I tried a bowl of delicious pumpkin soup garnished with walnuts and raisins. Also offered up was a sampling of bruschetta and La Pergola’s very own focaccia. All was very good. A tour of the kitchen showed off a welcoming chef and kitchen staff. A view of the basement revealed a well-stocked and meticulous storage room and refrigeration unit. “Fresh seafood is always kept on ice,” Driola shared, as she opened drawers that contained fish, clams, and mussels.

 La Pergola is housed in the old Vera Wang wedding gown store. The storefront’s oversized arches and glass windows play well to the restaurant’s interior décor. Also an interior decorator by trade, Driola is responsible for the restaurant’s white and crème-colored walls; it’s Old-World inspired wooden chairs; and brass lighting fixtures. The walls are adorned with the vibrant work by Chatham artist Steven C. Fleisch. The Kaloshi’s are looking to feature work by other local artists.

 “The décor is based on our taste and travels to Italy,” said Driola. “We like New York, and a sophisticated kind of look.” Open and airy, the restaurant took a total of seven months to renovate.  The time frame includes the time it took to obtain permits, add a kitchen, and other renovations. Agron, who is also a banker, brings a wealth of knowledge and restaurant experience to La Pergola.

La Pergola will be participating in Millburn Restaurant Week, which takes place April 2-9. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday: 11:30am – 10:00pm; Saturday: 5:00pm to 11:00pm; and Sunday: 4:00pm – 9:00pm.  For more information and a view of their menus, visit www.lapergolanj.com.