Tuscany Restaurant Opens Today On Valley Road
The restaurant serves a variety of fish, meat, and pasta dishes in an elegant setting.
At 4 p.m. today, Tuscany, an Italian restaurant specializing in cannelloni, tortelloni, and other pastas, will celebrate its grand opening at 622 Valley Road in Upper Montclair.
Montclair Patch reported earlier this year that the restaurant would be opening in the space formerly occupied by Five Guys Burgers and Fries.
"I'm a true, real Italian and not a want-to-be Italian," said owner Valter Cianni, adding that his food also is "real Italian."
As he put the finishing touches on his restaurant Monday, Cianni showed off a menu that includes Lasagnette Toscana—handmade square pasta, with fresh plum tomatoes, thinly sliced eggplant, fresh mozzarella, pecorino, and a splash of pesto—for $12 as well as Bistecca Fiorentina—aged 17-ounce Prime New York Shell Steak, broiled and topped with a butter garlic sauce and a sprinkle of pecorino—for $39.
There's also a variety of seafood including Gamberoni al Vino Bianco—jumbo shrimp, lightly battered and sauteed with lemon, white wine, over wilted spinach—for $26.
Primi Piattis, or first courses, include Cannelloni—tubular pasta studded with braised short ribs, parmigiano reggiano, and spinach, in a light Cognac cream sauce—for $22.
Having moved to the United States from southern Italy in 1980, Cianni is no stranger to the restaurant business. He owns Tuscany Bistro in Tappan, New York and Cafe La Mer in Naples, Florida. He also owned another restaurant called Tuscany Trattoria for 18 years in Westwood, New Jersey before closing it in 2010.
At the new Tuscany in Upper Montclair, Cianni said he'll serve homemade pastas—gnocchi, fettuccine, pappardelle, and more—plus a variety of steaks and seafood, and a tiramisu prepared without eggs—using cannoli cream, mascarpone, chocolate, and whipped cream.
He said the BYOB restaurant, decorated with paintings showing off Tuscan landscapes, will be open every day of the week for lunch and dinner, starting today, May 22.
No doubt people in Upper Montclair will be thrilled that something is finally opening in the spot just a few doors down from Williams-Sonoma.
The Arlington, Va.-based chain Five Guys had opened there in November 2010 following a long 18-month wait. But then the popular burger joint disappeared without a trace the end of November 2011.
So will you try Tuscany? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
chris
9:38 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Definitely going to try this one! Can't wait. Only question is, is this appropriate for well behaved, on the young side kids?
chris
9:39 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
And do they take reservations?
Shelley Emling
9:50 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Yes, I believe they do take reservations and I intend to take my 3 kids there so I hope so!
Beth
1:42 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Is there an online menu?
Shelley Emling
1:53 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I don't believe it's online yet.. I have a copy if you want to ask about something. The owner is incredibly nice..
Mary
11:33 am on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
What are their hours of operation?
Shelley Emling
11:58 am on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
I believe 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ms. Meyers
4:24 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
Great FOOD, I had the Cannelloni stuffed with Short Ribs...OMG...best Italian I have had in a long while...I had the Eggplant appy and would have preferred it a little on the warmer side but it was delish. Note to owners: Please put down some linen tablecloths...not only will the restaurant look nicer, it will help absorb some of the noise. The noise level needs to be dealt with...please?
Timothy
10:16 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Tuscany is an utter disappointment. I went with my family during the first week it opened, and it was pretty good. However, we went back three weeks later and it was absolutely awful. The service was abhorrent, at one point the waiter stopped listening to our orders and engaged in a two minute conversation with another waiter. The bread basket was extremely bad, and the napkin in the break bowl was dirty. They brought my dinner before my appetizer, and they brought all our food at different times. We could not get out waiters attention multiple times throughout the meal, and he neglected to bring our drinks, even after asking several times. Eventually the manger had to step in to ensure that our food was actually delivered and to bring our drinks, although it was too late by then. The food was not good. I strongly recommend against going here.
chris
10:27 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Wow sorry to read that last review! We went the first couple weeks and it was honestly, ok. We haven't been back. I would have liked if they were a little more kid friendly (kids drink options beside soda, kids menu, crayons or something to play with) I don't even remember our meal so I don't think it was amazing. And I also remember our waiter was a little out to lunch -- I do remember we asked for water and instead of bringing a water pitcher he took the glass to go fill it?? More than one person wanted water! It just struck me as strange. Sounds like they really need to get their wait staff properly trained.