Where to Dine Out This Weekend

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Damiano Pascali, owner and chef of Roman Pizza and Restaurant in New Milford. Originally established as a pizza parlor 37 years ago, in 1993 Damiano created dinner entrees to expand the business into one of Bergen County's most sought out restaurants. Pascali, along with Chef Elmer, have been serving up Italian cuisine for over 19 years to customers who come from all over to enjoy their creations. In November 2009, Pascali also opened Tre Voci Restaurant in Ridgewood.

Using the freshest ingredients mostly from Italy, Roman Pizza and Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. This family friendly BYOB establishment has an extensive menu of appetizers, soups (my favorites are pasta fagioli and the escarole and beans) salads, an array of pizza pies, pasta with choices of tomato, marinara, meat, vodka and alfredo sauces, seafood and meat entrees served with a side of pasta or salad, hot and cold heros as well as daily specials ranging from $13.95 to $15.95. They are cooked to perfection and are wonderfully delicious. The chicken francaise is one of their most popular dishes and can be served with pasta, spinach or escarole. For all of you bread lovers out there, they make their own combining semolina and whole wheat flour and it’s crispy, light and airy.

I was presented with three signature dishes, the New Zealand mussels in red sauce, pork boscaiola made with onions, green peppers, sliced potatoes and mushrooms served in a light red sauce and the shrimp, broccoli and fresh tomatoes coupled with rigatoni pasta. Two of their many special fish entrees are a mahi-mahi sautéed in white wine sauce, sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms and a salmon teriyaki displayed over orzo, rice shaped pasta, and spinach. Be prepared for a scrumptious meal.

Top off your dinner with an espresso or cappuccino. You must try their homemade tiramisu, white chocolate cake or pastiera di grano, Italian for Easter cake. Other sweet endings they offer are fruit sorbets filled in their natural shells all for around $3 to $5.

On Fridays and Saturdays there is usually a line to get in. Make sure you’re early enough to ensure a table.

Remember, if you don’t see what you are craving for on the menu, just ask. They are more than happy to adjust the dish for you. Like their menu states, “If we can, we will.” When my family dines there, we are treated like family. My husband orders the “Dominic Special” as he likes to call it, made with chicken, veal, roasted peppers, mushrooms, onions and fresh mozzarella in a light red sauce over rigatoni pasta. 

has a successful catering business for all occasions and holidays. Pick up gift certificates for that special someone and they will be pleasantly surprised by the quantity and quality of their food. 

Until next time, mangiare bene!