Princeton Native Opens New Italian Restaurant In Mercer County

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton native Joe Trani is once again teaming with Kari LaSpisa to open a new Italian restaurant. Basilico Trattoria in Hopewell will mark the couple's third restaurant venture.

The culinary masters opened Al Dente in Hillsborough and then Taste in Warren, an Italian tapas-style restaurant, in December 2015. Both restaurants had great success and the couple decided to sell them.

Now they are taking their Italian roots to Hopewell and hope to stay there for years to come. The couple found this location about three years ago, but passed on it. When the opportunity presented itself again, they jumped at the chance.

Opening on March 21, Basilico — which means basil in Italian — is a more casual Italian restaurant. It incorporates Trani’s roots.

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, where he also worked in restaurants. He opened two restaurants in Ischia before moving back to New Jersey 30 years later.

“This is the type of cooking that he knows how to do because he grew up in Italy,” LaSpisa told Patch. “I felt there was a real need for this type of cuisine in this area — a more family friendly and authentic Italian was needed. It’s hard to find authentic Italian in smaller towns. Usually they are more Americanized. But we are keeping our restaurant more authentic.”

Every morning the couple visits local farmers markets to buy fresh produce and bread.

Their menu is authentic and fun as it offers different Bruschettas along with Tagliere, which means cutting boards filled with different kinds of meats and cheeses. There are sandwiches, appetizers and salads offered for lunch. And the dinner menu has plenty of salads, appetizers and pasta dishes.

(Burrata Bruschetta)

(Fresh gnocci in pesto with baby manila clams)

(Caprese Salad)

(Mason jar blueberry cheesecake)

“The menu will rotate every other month based on what is seasonally available,” LaSpisa said. “We have really been focusing on the food, that is the key part of it.”

Basilico is set inside a really beautiful building that has intricate stone work and an outside patio for outdoor dining.

LaSpisa is also working on a garden in the back that they will soon incorporate any fresh ingredients grown their into the cuisine.

To learn more about Basilico or to make a reservation call 609-333-9900 or visit www.basilicohopewell.com or Facebook or Instagram.

(Images provided)

Story by Alexis Tarrazi (Patch Staff)