In the mood for Italian food? The West Milford area offers a selection of Italian restaurants

| 28 Sep 2011 | 02:47

    WEST MILFORD-When it comes to eating out, it seems that everyone likes Italian food. In the past, that often meant traveling into Hoboken, Jersey City, or even New York for your favorite food. From West Milford, that meant a fairly long trip. Times have changed. There are now a number of true Italian restaurants located in West Milford and the surrounding countryside. Here's a sampling. Casa Amore n Located in Hewitt on the Warwick Turnpike, owner-chef Dino Merisi offers Northern Italian cuisine cooked "the old fashioned way." Entrees range from $13 to $20, with daily specials. Merisi had 15 years restaurant experience when he opened Casa Amore four years ago. Guisseppe's n On Oak Ridge Road in Oak Ridge. Owner Joe Seddiki opened Guisseppe's on the former site of the Bella Notte restaurant just three months ago. His experience dates back to 1992 in "Little Italy" in New York City. Dinners range from $12 to $26 n house specialty is veal chop Valdostano.Cooking is Northern Italian. BYOB. Labi D n On Lake Swannanoa in Oak Ridge. Managed by Frank Polozani, this restaurant opened just last month, on the former site of Le Bistro. Cooking is in Northern Italian style, with entrees ranging from $12 to $19. Daily specials include veal chop and rack of lamb. The restaurant name is derived from Mt Labi in Italy, and is also named for the youngest son of the owner. La Rocca n On Route 23 South in Oak Ridge. Owner Jerry Patti and chef Ron Emanuel offer Northern Italian style cooking with American fusion. Dinner's range from $10 to $34, and the house specialty is veal Saltimbocca. Family owned for 2 ½ years, Patti's motto is "taste of New York without the tolls." Le Bistro II n On Lakeside Road in Hewitt, owned and operated by the Sabani family at this location for the past 7 years. Offering mixed Northern Italian style cooking, house specialties of veal, fish and chicken range in price from $11 to $20. There are four brothers operating Le Bistro II (Bob, Adem, Cami and Benny) with restaurant experience dating back to the 70's.