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Bruschetta Offers the Finest in Food, Drink and Atmosphere
By Steve Sears
 
Have you ever dined out and had everything go exceptionally well? The food was
great, the place spotless and shiny, the people wonderful - the overall
experience superb?
What if I told you that there's an eatery where you can have that experience
nearby? Would you go?
Then head to Bruschetta An Italian Experience at 292 Passaic Avenue in
Fairfield. Under new ownership since August, 2007, this is the plateau of
supreme dining.
Soto Apostolopoulos, his wife Helen, and his family own Bruschetta. They also
own the high-volume, voted "Best Pancakes" in 2007 by The Star-Ledger Caldwell
Diner on Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell, but you can tell there's something extra
special about their new establishment. "There's a definite difference,"
claims Soto. "The chef has more time to prepare an entree, and I have a chance
to better interact with the customers."
He, Helen, and Maitre D' Vasilis Galitsis (if it's your birthday, let him know;
this former opera singer will sing "Happy Birthday" just for you) do this very
well. "We strive for perfection here," says Soto. "I make my customers feel at
home, like they're coming into my house. I treat them just that way."
"House" is the apropos name for Bruschetta, because the restaurant is in a
restored home. An Italian atmosphere - hence the "An Italian Experience" coinage
- pervades, with three small dining rooms and a gorgeous bar area. Open for
lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, and open on Sunday for parties only,
the menu features northern Italian cuisine with a touch of Mediterranean fare.
And while all the entrees are winners, seafood is a specialty here.
Consider a sampling from the dinner menu, which is available during lunch as
well, and enjoyed while soft piano music is performed nightly. A succulent
Antipasti offering is Calamari Fritti, calamari sautéed in garlic, lemon sauce,
and topped with leeks. Follow this up with either an Arugula or Classic Caesar
Salad (just two salads of many to choose from), and then select from a menu that
includes Pasta and over twenty varied Entrees.
You can't beat the Risotto with jumbo shrimp, shitake mushrooms and asparagus,
nor the Shrimp Imperial (stuffed with Crab Meat) or Chicken Scarpiello,
delicious chicken breast sautéed with sweet Italian sausage, shallot, fresh
diced tomatoes and mushrooms in Madeira wine and a touch of demi glace. Of
course, this is just a small portion of the avaiable offerings from a very
gralable offerings from a very gracious menu.
Pair your meal with a select wine from Bruschetta's list of over 200 brands,
which includes domestics, Italian, and a new International section featuring
wines from Greece, Spain, Portugal and more.
Doing justice to Brushetta in a column is nice, but visiting the Apostolopoulos
family and their staff is even better.
It's the ultimate in an evening out.
Bruschetta An Italian Experience
292 Passaic Avenue
Fairfield, NJ 07004
T: (973) 227-6164
F: (973) 227-7572
www.bruschettarestaurant.com
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