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| Ashley Twiggs / Morristown This week |
| From left, Leigh Guerriero Barry, Lynn Guerriero, Jack Guerriero and Jay Guerriero manage Guerriero's Ristorante in Morristown. |
Guerriero's Ristorante
Where: 162 South St., Morristown
Phone: (973) 267-5055; fax: (973) 267-5088
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Chef: Jack Guerriero
Cuisine: Neapolitan Italian.
Liquor: Bring your own. There is a liquor store right next door for that "necessary" bottle of wine.
Payment: Cash or checks. No credit cards.
Price range: $15-$30 for various entrees.
Reservations: Recommended, especially for parties and absolutely on weekends.
Dress: Casual.
The scene: Families and couples -- residents of Morristown and as far West as Randolph; also guests from Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Atmosphere: Warm and cozy -- it's like you're eating in their home.
Outdoor dining: In the summer, wrought iron tables and chairs are in front on South Street sidewalk.
Handicap access: Yes -- at front door and restrooms.
Parking: A few spaces in a nearby alley; otherwise on the street.
Service: A savvy staff that knows its entrees well; very helpful.
Participates in Certificate Program: No.
Owners: The Guerriero family.
Specialties: Meatballs, Beef and Pork Braciole, Pork Osso Bucco, Homemade Ravioli, Seafood Risotto.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Jack Guerriero, a Morristown native with
10-plus years in the restaurant business, opened this restaurant in 2005
on that notable "competitive" line of South Street restaurants.
He wanted to create a place for Morristown that blends a "home
kitchen" atmosphere with the stylish attraction of Mulberry Street in
New York's Little Italy.
MORRISTOWN --
Thank you, Ken Isaacson (a noted Morristown author who frequents many
downtown restaurants), for suggesting we cover Guerriero's Ristorante.
So what are some of the things that make Guerriero's one of the top dinner spots in Morristown?
� Location and appearance: Just walking down South Street, most of the other restaurants' windows show you the dining room. Not Guerriero's. The first thing you see is its inviting, smooth-running kitchen. And what a busy place it is when the chefs are preparing hundreds of meals on a "normal" weekend.
� The menu: Focusing on Neapolitan Italian dishes, Guerriero's dinner menu features a full range of different antipasti for starters, two traditional delicious Italian bean soups, and eight different pasta choices -- from standard clams in red or white sauce to Bucatini Caruso (from Sorrento), which is a hollow-tubed pasta with baby shrimp, zucchini and mushrooms in a light tomato cream sauce. Entrees include tantalizing dishes with fish, shrimp, chicken, veal and eggplant.
� Meatballs: Interesting that one of Guerriero's "signature" dishes is meatballs. Almost every customer we met said they loved Guerriero's meatballs.
"Most meatballs in this country are based on a few different kinds of meat together (pork, beef and veal)," Jack Guerriero told us. "This can be interesting, but we find that using the best ground beef and select Italian cheeses has made our meatballs the talk of the town."
The restaurant's cozy atmosphere is complemented by Jack's gracious style. He greets everyone warmly. All customers feel they are his special guests.
"I love to cook and I love to be out with the people," he said. And it shows. During the evening, he walks around the room and checks to be sure you are comfortable and enjoying your meal. Most everyone we spoke with said that they feel "at home" in Guerriero's.
Some customers' comments:
� Kristin Haskins and Peter Awn, Morristown residents: "Lived in Italy for six months, mostly in Florence. We've been here 2� years, and Guerriero's is fabulous -- our favorite of all the Morristown restaurants."
� Robin Ferrara, a Randolph resident and self-designated foodie who just began work with David Alan Caterers in Florham Park: This is "down home delicious food. Everything is freshly prepared and delicious."
� Elaine and Al Marinaro, 30-plus years in Morris Township: "There's an Old World atmosphere here and wonderful method of cooking. Nice use of garlic and blending it together with everything else. Jack will always fit you in."
� Merrit and Sherry Siegel, residents of Morristown: "The people are great; the food is better. Jack is a most engaging host."
� Michael Susini came in with his party of 12 and said, "I love this place -- like going to my grandmother's in Jersey City when I was a kid."
� And from Ken Isaacson, who told us about Guerriero's: "Rock legend Bon Jovi asks the musical question 'Who says you can't go home?' Jack Guerriero answers with a resounding 'Not me!' Ask Jack and he'll tell you that he wanted to create a restaurant that was just like going to Grandma's house for dinner. And that's just what he did. We love it here. Whether it's the warm welcome from Jack, the friendly attentive service from Michael, Paula or Carlos, or just the great food, we always feel at home."