Scoop! Tuscany Italian To Move Into Five Guys Space Next Month!

A huge scoop! After months of wondering what would move into the space formerly occupied by Five Guys Burgers and Fries at 622 Valley Road in Upper Montclair, work has begun to transform the locale into Tuscany, an Italian restaurant scheduled to open by mid-May.

"I'm a true, real Italian and not a want-to-be Italian," said owner Valter Cianni, adding confidently that "this place is going to be great."

Having moved to the United States from southern Italy in 1980, Cianni is no stranger to the restaurant business. He owns Tuscany Bistro in Tappan, New York and Cafe La Mer in Naples, Florida. He also owned another restaurant called Tuscany Trattoria for 18 years in Westwood, New Jersey before closing it in 2010.

At the new Tuscany in Upper Montclair, Cianni said he'll serve homemade pastas—gnocchi, fettuccine, pappardelle, and more—plus a variety of steaks and seafood, and a tiramisu prepared without eggs—using cannoli cream, mascarpone, chocolate, and whipped cream.

Painting the walls what he calls a "Siena yellow," Cianni said there will be table service as well as a takeout area in the back where people can purchase sauces and pastas to take home.

No doubt people in Upper Montclair will be thrilled that something is finally opening in the spot just a few doors down from Williams-Sonoma.

The Arlington, Va.-based chain Five Guys had opened there in November 2010 following a long 18-month wait. But then the popular burger joint disappeared without a trace the end of November 2011. 

There were rumors floating about that Muscle Maker Grill might move into the space, but that restaurant is now opening at 10 Park Street across from the YMCA.

So what do you think? Are you happy to see an Italian restaurant moving into Upper Montclair? Tell us in the comments section below.