Italian Food from Right Around the Corner

Connoisseurs of fresh and organic dining experiences need look no further than Osteria Procaccini in Kingston.  Owner Tino Procaccini may hail from Pettoranello del Molise, a small town in Central-Southern Italy, but virtually every ingredient lovingly placed in his terra cotta brick oven is from just around the corner.

“I’ve been in the food business a long time, on my own since 1999, but really since I was 15,” reveals Procaccini.

Some of the materials used to create Osteria’s menu items come from the garden of Procaccini’s father, who actually does live around the corner. If you think it can’t get any closer than that, you’re wrong. Procaccini has begun to grow food on the restaurant property itself.

Prior to 2011, Procaccini was part owner of nearby Princeton Sports Bar. He was initially approached by his current landlord for ideas on what could be done with the location. In January, Osteria opened and there has been no looking back. Procaccini admits that the success took him by surprise.

“I wanted to do deliveries. I don’t even have the time to do that,” says the owner.

Osteria’s homegrown appeal has managed to generate a word of mouth that has spread far beyond the South Brunswick area.  Customers have travelled from as far as North Jersey to watch Procaccini slide his all-natural pies into the quaint brick oven and they don’t expect slices. These pies come as is, whole and fresh from the oven.  The promise of authentic Italian food free of artificial preservatives, colors, sweeteners and flavors strikes a chord with devotees of the organic lifestyle.

With a degree in business, Procaccini makes one thing clear about why he chose that area to study, as opposed to culinary studies.

“My cooking comes from home," Procaccini said.

 Grabbing a treasured moment to sit amidst a bustling lunchtime crowd, Procaccini is  appreciative of having taken a chance on something he believes in and landing squarely on his feet in a still struggling economy. The future is wide open and Procaccini remains humble.

“I just wanted to open something authentic and at the same time using all natural ingredients," he said.

Just walking distance from the familiar sign welcoming passersby to “Kingston – Circa 1675” on Main Street in the village of Kingston, Osteria Procaccini promises both indoor and outdoor dining.

Chalkboards adorn most walls behind the counter, listing each and every ingredient for selections, all made on the premises. Most importantly, Tino himself will guarantee with his own hands the taste of Italy, the atmosphere of home and the fruits of the garden.

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