The name Ombra means ‘shade’ or ‘shadow’ in Italian. It’s also Venetian slang for a small glass of wine, ‘un ombra de vin.’ It’s a fitting name for the Venetian-inspired salumeria and bar open in Boonton. But the name has even further cultural meaning behind it.
Legend says that a wine vendor set up his wine cart daily beneath a bell tower in Venice. He’d move his cart to stay in the tower’s shadow as the sun moved. That’s how the expression ‘to meet someone in the shadow of the bell tower’ came to mean ‘meet for a glass of wine.’ Over time, a glass of wine in Venice became known as an ‘ombra.’
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Velvet Couches, Vintage Cocktails
The restaurant is broken into a main dining area and lower level bar. The main floor boasts a mid-century modern vibe with a large oak bar. Patrons will notice exposed brick, tufted brown leather banquettes, and a white marble open-kitchen area. Meanwhile, the downstairs offers a smaller bar in a dimly lit intimate lounge with velvet couches and vintage cocktail tables. They also offer tasting events in their downstairs lounge, including wine tastings and cocktail classes.
Ombra features seasonal cocktails with an Italian flare. All the wines are Italian, focusing on the Veneto and other northern regions of Italy. The curated list is designed to pair with the cuisine and mimic the lists someone would see in Venice.
Venetian Eats
The Venetian-inspired menu at Ombra consists of various small plates highlighting local and seasonal ingredients and quality, imported products. Most of the menu features “tagliare,” or meat and cheese boards with artisanal cheeses and imported and cured meats. They also serve “cicchetti,” which are traditional small bites. Some examples are pesto and shrimp or goat cheese and salami served on crostini.
Other options include salads, antipasti, breads, and desserts such as the chocolate-butterscotch bomb or ricotta cheesecake with pistachio and cranberry. These desserts are all homemade at one of their other restaurants, Sorellina in Hoboken.
Popular dishes include their baccala salad, quail egg with anchovy, and a current seasonal favorite, apple butter with brebirousse cheese. Likewise, the panzanella salad with homemade focaccia bread and their burrata are big hits. They serve the latter with pears, apples, and granola.
About the Owner
Ombra Owner and Operator Gabi Lombardi grew up nearby in Mountain Lakes. “This was sort of a ‘hometown’ opening for me which is special,” she says. “It’s been really fun seeing many familiar faces enjoying Ombra.”
Gabi is a certified sommelier and International Culinary Center (ICC) graduate. She currently owns three other spots in Hoboken—Sorellina, Sirenetta, and Backstage Lounge. In addition, Gabi is currently renovating a restaurant down the road in Boonton (previously Il Michaelangelo). This new spot will be a full-service, two-story restaurant aiming to open in summer 2024.
Visit Ombra at 516 Main St in Boonton. (See them on Google Maps.) To learn more:
| Visit their Website | Reserve a Table | Buy Gift Card | Follow on Instagram | Follow on Facebook | Call 201-367-1196 |
See the Latest Restaurants Open in New Jersey.
Ombra FAQs
Yes, they accept reservations.
Yes, they have gluten-free options.
Ombra offers vegetarian options yes.
They do not offer takeout, no.
No, they do not offer delivery services.
Yes, they serve a variety of Italian-inspired cocktails.
They do not have a kids’ menu, no.
All Photos: © Initium Arts Photography
