Chef Giusppe Di Pietro spent 20 years cooking in kitchens all over New Jersey. Now he’s achieving one of his life goals with the opening of his first restaurant, Casa Di Pietro, in Kenilworth. Guests can expect traditional Italian cuisine with a blend of modern flavors.
Chef Di Pietro says the restaurant has a “cozy elegance” to it. “When we redid the interior of the restaurant before opening, we wanted the décor to reflect our menu,” he says. “Our round modern mirrors lining the walls along with our traditional wood burning brick oven really expresses my cooking style. Which is a modern and innovative take on traditional Italian food.”
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About the Restaurant
Casa Di Pietro seats 60 guests indoors, as well as another dozen on their cobblestone patio. The patio sits in front of two large French doors leading into their dining room. Thanks to their location along a quiet side street, they can offer an optimal outdoor dining experience.
“You never know when the right time is to start a huge venture like opening a restaurant,” says Di Pietro. “But when the opportunity came along, it felt right.”
Di Pietro – a father to 3-year-old twins – takes pride in his love of Italian culture and food. The unique menu is a reflection of his passion for old-school recipes and modern flavors. “Although the heart of my food is rooted in the love for my Italian culture, I like to push boundaries by blending new and different flavors. It’s very important to me to use the most fresh and authentic ingredients. It really makes a difference in the quality and integrity of my food,” he explains
About the Menu
Casa Di Pietro starts every dining experience with an assortment of warm Panella and Semolina bread; along with housemade garlic and herb butter, infused olive oil, and imported mixed olives. In addition, popular starters include their crispy calamari with lemon caper aioli and the charred octopus with fingerling potato. Meanwhile, pasta dish favorites include the Pappardelle with braised short rib, vodka sauce, and English peas. They also serve a 14-ounce pork chop with broccolini, garlic whipped potato, and bourbon barbeque jus. Finally, their signature dessert is the homemade almond biscotti bread pudding with Tahitian vanilla ice cream and crème anglaise.
Chef Di Pietro is personally a fan of the daily Chef’s Specials at Casa Di Pietro. “I love to be creative in my food and my specials are the place I can highlight this,” he says. “I look forward to the challenge of keeping things new and exciting not only for me but for the customer.”
Visit Casa Di Pietro at 24 North 20th Street in Kenilworth. (Click here to see them on Google Maps.) To learn more: Click here to visit their website | Follow them on Instagram | Click here to give them a call.
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Casa Di Pietro FAQs
Yes, they do accept reservations.
Yes, they have gluten-free options.
Casa Di Pietro offers vegetarian options yes.
They do offer takeout, yes.
No, they do not offer delivery.
No, they are BYOB.
Yes, they have a kids’ menu.
All Photos: © Casa Di Pietro / Facebook
