From Scratch
“Se had the vegetarian panini which was excellent.”
“I will come back for whatever Claudia is cooking that day- hopefully gnocchi al pesto and mozzarella di bufula.”
“The food at the Italia di Gusto cafe is authentic Italian food, not tacky Italian-American food that people in this area have come to expect.”
From Scratch
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
4 reviews
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From Scratch features a light and bright interior that was buzzing on the tail end of a Friday lunch hour. The menu offers a smattering of salads, sandwiches, pastas and baked items with ingredients all purportedly fresh off the boat from Italy and assembled in house.
Two elegantly appointed plates and a basket of house made bread were delivered to my table with disconcerting speed. The torta containing pancetta and asparagus was airy and flavorful. While ingredients were fresh, the salad with grilled chicken, avocado, and corn was undersized and overdressed. It wasn't love for me, but the bevy of women bedecked in lululemon looked in their element. Score one for the lunching ladies of Ridgewood.
Went here for lunch. It took a bit for the food but it was worth it. You can tell the craft that goes into the food here.
We both had paninis. They had a meatball special that looked good but we didn't have the time.
They give some Balthazar Bakery bread (always pretty good as always) with some good olive oil.
Se had the vegetarian panini which was excellent. Good bread here. Good vegetables as well. It was 9.50 or 8.50 which was fine for the size and flavor. Very fresh.
I had the bresaola (air dried beef carpaccio) which came with the usual accompaniments, arugula, a salty cheese (in this case Pecorino Romano,) and some olive oil. It was 12.00. So you'd think that price is high.
Well the portion size of this rather delicious meat is huge. The sandwich was excellent in other words excellent.
Would have tried the miel torrte but we had no time.
4.2, might be a bit higher.
Also:
There was a group next to us that was being super demanding but our waiter stayed nice the entire time. He put up with a bunch of jerks politely and that is saying something.
This place is honestly would be given a 4.5 and will probably be given a 5 soon.
Authentic as it comes! If anyone has been to Italy and wished they could sample the delicious food there then this place is for you!
You definatley need reservations here, especially if you plan on coming for dinner. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side. It is all white and has an open kitchen area.
Our table ordered the tagliere misto for an appetizer. Which is a meat and cheese plate. Wow! The meat would melt in your mouth. The plate also came with different jams.
For my main I ordered the pasta al pesto. I have never tasted a pesto so fresh before. It wasn't oily like some pestos tend to be. Another diner got the spaghetti cacio e pepe, which she compared to a dish she had in Italy. They also had specials that night and one was a salmon lasagna. We were intrigued by it so we ordered one. It was remarkable! It had more of bechamel sauce instead of a red sauce. So delicious!.
The owners were very friendly and you can tell they care a lot about the food they put out. It byo, remember to bring your favorite bottle.
With prosciutto that are cheaper and tastier than the Whole Food's in town, and their baby sized mozzarella cheese (forgive me as I do not recall the actual term–bocochinni), this place is a clear winner. Albeit service could be a little slow, it's because they're literally meticulously making the food as you order it.
You have won my heart over. You guys are the talk of the town.
Cannot wait to eat here more often!