County Cuisine...
III Amici Ristorante in Linden
By Karen DeMasters
"Inside Business"
Union County Chamber of Commerce
III Amici Ristorante, located at 1700 West Elizabeth
Avenue in Linden, may be one of Union County's best kept
secrets for where to find good evening dining. Nestled
in a nicely-landscaped corner lot, the restaurant does
a brisk business lunch trade and catering business, but
it apparently has yet to be discovered by the dinner crowd.
And discover it they should, because III Amici served
this writer and her guest two of the best Continental
Italian meals in their experience.
First of all, III Amici, with its nicely appointed building
and Mediterranean decor, is a surprise to find located
on the edge of an industrial area. Tiny white lights decorating
the trees outdoors and real flowers on the tables added
a festive atmosphere to the evening. The restaurant, which
was opened 15 years ago, is owned by Giovanni Lavorato,
who was head chef for a time. Now his brother, Mario Lavorato,
is the head chef, and his two children, Teresa and Dante,
work at the restaurant to make it a family business, which
also includes a knowledgeable and friendly wait staff.
The cuisine combines both northern and southern styles
of Italian cooking. The name derives from the fact that
three friends originally founded the business.
Although the setting is nice, it is the food that sets
the restaurant apart from others. In order for us to be
able to sample a variety of offerings, the chef prepared
two combination plates of appetizers, one a traditional
cold Italian sampling with delicate roasted peppers, flaky
provolone, marinated mushrooms and tender artichoke hearts
in a light olive oil, and the other a sampling of hot
appetizers. It was with the hot appetizers that the chef's
skill really stood out. Tender muscles in a light tomato
sauce, stuffed clams with just the right breaded topping
baked over the whole clam, butter dipped shrimp and eggplant
rolatini were only a part of the excellent offering. The
experience convinced me that, when I return, I probably
will order just appetizers.
The cost for the appetizers, which also include scungili
or calamari salads, shrimp and clam cocktails and prosciutto
and melon range from $6.95 to $8.95, with a $2 charge
for anyone like me who may want to order only appetizers.
My companion and I both selected specials of the evening
for the entree. I had lobster ravioli with shrimp that
was prepared in a light tomato sauce. The ravioli was
homemade, as are the other pastas on the menu, and topped
with freshly grated cheese.
My companion chose the veal and eggplant with spinach
in a light brown sauce. Not only was the veal melt-in-your-mouth
tender, but my guest said the spinach was the best he
had ever eaten. Another special for that evening was swordfish.
III Amici has a large selection of dinner entrees that
include pastas and eggplant dishes in the $9 to $13 range
and a wide selection of fish, veal and other meats including
filet mignon and lamb chops, that range from $14.95 to
the most expensive item on the menu, a double veal chop
at $24.95. Vegetables are a la carte.
Other entrees on the menu include snapper livornese,
lobster tails, several kinds of shrimp and a wide selection
of veal and chicken dishes. The meal can be topped off
with cappuccino, espresso or Irish or Mexican coffee.
A small but very good selection of desserts is available,
including homemade Italian cheesecake and a large, creamy
cannoli. A full-course dinner is offered for $24.95 that
includes appetizer, pasta, a choice of one of four entrees,
coffee and ice cream.
The lunch menu is similar and slightly less expensive.
III Amici is open from 11:30 AM until 10 PM with lunch
served until about 3 PM. Although reservations are not
necessary for dinner, they are recommended for lunch for
parties of four or more. The dining room is divided into
three rooms for more intimate dining and can seat a total
of about 150. A banquet room downstairs with a dance floor
can accommodate 175 to 200 and is used for social affairs,
as well as business lunches and meetings. There are many
Italian restaurants in New Jersey covering a wide range
of dining experiences. III Amici is one of the best.
