Dining out: Scarpinato's Cucina & Catering offers traditional Italian fare
Scarpinato's Cucina and Catering
127 Greentree Road
www.scarpinatos.com
Joseph Scarpinato knows his way around the kitchen. What began as a family restaurant back in 1973 is now a way for this chef to put his passion for cooking into every dish.
His new location in Turnersville offers an intimate experience where family and friends can enjoy delicious authentic Italian food. "I was really taught to cook by my mother," said Scarpinato. Now a resident of Washington Township, Scarpinato's new restaurant, which opened its doors this past September, is still a family affair. His three daughters, son, wife, nieces and nephews all have a hand in his restaurant. For the past 40 years, the Scarpinato name has been known in the South Jersey region for its quality Italian fare.
"Everything here is from scratch," he said.
Flavor — The overall flavor is traditional Italian food made from scratch. The menu features classics such as calamari fritti — calmari rings lightly seasoned and tossed with long hot pepper rings — an extremely popular appetizer according to waitress and niece Samantha Harvey, and fresh locally grown Jersey tomatoes sliced with mozzarella and garnished with fresh basil in a balsamic reduction.
Dinners include chicken and veal entrees, seafood dishes and, of course, pasta.
The meatballs are made in-house with "beef, pork and veal," Scarpinato said, the traditional way.
And the ravioli is homemade as well. A staple on every table are Scarpinato's roasted peppers, slices of sharp provolone cheese and broccoli rabe served with roasted garlic and olive oil that you can slather right on your bread.
"The garlic is so much healthier to use than butter," Scarpinato said.
Menu — There's a whole lot to choose from here. The restaurant may be small, but the menu isn't. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves different items for each.
Pasta lovers can try the clams and linguini (red or white) for lunch — served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for $10 or the fettucini in a basil cream sauce for $9. Lunch items also include chicken or veal. There's the Franchese — capers, lemon and butter in a white wine sauce or Italiano — chicken or veal served with sautéed shrimp in a scampi sauce and garnished with long hots for $14 and $16, respectively.
Don't forget about the sandwiches. Try the roast pork with greens and provolone or the chicken cutlet parmigiano. Sandwiches are $8 and $9 each. And for dinner, there are several appetizers — try the mussels in a spicy fresh tomato sauce or in garlic wine sauce for $11 or the mushrooms stuffed with fresh ground chicken and mixed with red peppers, shallots and blue cheese drizzles in a light alfredo sauce for $8.
Dinner entrees include chicken romano — eggplant layered with chicken and served in marinara sauce topped with mozzarella cheese — shrimp scampi and seafood fra diablo which is shrimp sautéed in a spicy plum tomato sauce and served over linguini.
Sides include homemade meatballs, broccoli rabe and French fries.
Desserts/Drinks — The restaurant is BYOB, so feel free to bring along a bottle of your favorite wine.
Desserts are all made in-house. Selections such as tiramisu, cannoli cake and cappuccino cheesecake are all made by Scarpinato's wife. Atmosphere — The restaurant space had to be completely gutted and remodeled before the Scarpinato name went on the sign outside.
"We have all new furniture. We did a lot to bring it to where it is today," said Scarpinato.
The dining area is covered in soft browns and beige and has a nice modern Italian feel to it. The kitchen is open so diners can see Chef Scarpinato cooking their meals. It's a small space, but it's cozy and comfortable.
Scarpinato said he would like to eventually expand and add more restaurants to his name. But for now, he's happy to be back in the daily restaurant business right here. In the past he has worked at the Centerton Country Club in Pittsgrove and the Wedgwood Country Club in Washington Township. His family also owned a restaurant in Blackwood.
Hours — The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. Information — Scarpinato's Cucina and Catering is located at 127 Greentree Road in Turnersville. Call 856-352-2010 or visit, www.scarpinatos.com.
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