A large portrait of 007 portrayed by Sean Connery greets guests as they walk into Americano, an upscale Italian restaurant at 957 Broadway in Bayonne, New Jersey. Desserts are displayed right by the door, giving diners a peek into what they may enjoy after their meal. A large piano sits in the middle of the room, lit by one of many intricate chandeliers around the restaurant. When it’s not being played, soft music floats through the restaurant, making guests feel like they’re about to have dinner at Jay Gatsby’s home. Read more to learn about Americano’s Italian background and what to expect while enjoying a meal at this Bayonne restaurant.
The Background
New Jersey native Lance Lucarelli Sr. opened Americano in November of 2023. His son, Lance Lucarelli Jr., told The Hoboken Girl his Italian-American family drew inspiration from the timeless elegance of James Bond and old Hollywood glam for their restaurant.
Read More: Hoboken’s Oldest Family-Owned Italian Eateries + Restaurants
Lance Jr. shared that his parents got married at The Ocean Club in the Bahamas, where the James Bond movie Casino Royale was filmed. Years later, those wedding photos were featured in a coffee table book paying tribute to the 60th anniversary of The Ocean Club. The family was in the early stages of developing the restaurant when they got their copy of the book. Lance Sr. started doing more research about the history of 007, and that’s when he learned that the first drink Bond ordered in the series written by Ian Fleming wasn’t the classic martini.
“We all sat down at the kitchen table, opened the book, and started flipping through it. We got to the picture of Daniel Craig sitting at the martini bar, and then my father started to read about the history of James Bond. That’s when he stumbled upon the first original drink James Bond ever ordered…Americano.”
The Americano is a cocktail made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water that was invented in Italy. It’s also a popular coffee order, but that’s not what Bond ordered in Casino Royale.
The Restaurant
Whether it’s date night, a birthday dinner, or just a nice dinner with good friends, Americano has plenty of space for all occasions. The massive bar extends through half of the restaurant for those looking to enjoy a cocktail or two. Even solo diners are kept company by the black-and-white portraits of celebrities decorating the back wall.
Many of the team members come from Italy, giving the restaurant an extra flair of authenticity. Lance Jr. told HG the chef is from Calabria, the floor manager is from Northern Italy, the bar manager is from Sardinia, and the pizzaiola, or pizza chef, is from Naples.
View this post on Instagram
The menu has something for everyone. The cold bar has shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare, a seafood tower with oysters, clams, shrimp, lobster, and more. Start the meal with fried calamari or the charcuterie with prosciutto, mortadella and burrata.
The pasta and all of the sauces that accompany it are made in-house. For instance, the Spicy Mezzi Rigatoni Vodka and Pappardelle Short Rib dishes did not disappoint. Over a dozen types of wood-fired pizzas are available, along with several cuts of prime Allen Brothers steaks.
Of course, no spotlight of James Bond would be complete without having a couple of martinis on the cocktail menu. The “Perfect Martini” is made with Botanist Gin, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth, and Angostura Bitters and is sure to please 007 himself. Several beers are on draft, and there are dozens of bottles of wine to choose from on the wine list.
View this post on Instagram
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, local jazz musicians stop by to serenade diners during their meals. It adds a touch of magic to the already classy restaurant and can make guests feel like they stepped back in time to enjoy a meal with the stars of the silver screen.
Lance Jr. told HG, “From the moment you walk into [Americano] from the time you leave, you experience a level of Italian authenticity that is almost impossible to find in this area.”
In addition to an excellent lunch and dinner menu and full bar, Americano also has an espresso and coffee bar. pastries and coffee are available from 8AM to 10PM Sunday through Wednesday and until 11PM Thursday through Saturday. Many of the items are available to order for pickup online. The desserts and pastries are made in-house and taste amazing. The Italian Cheesecake and Tiramisu were sweet and light, a great way to wrap up a great meal.
See More: 24 Italian Restaurants in Montclair + Bloomfield, Based on Your Preferences
The restaurant takes reservations and can host private events. Lunch is served from 11AM to 4PM Monday through Friday, and dinner starts at 5PM all week. Brunch is served on Saturdays from 11AM to 4PM and on Sundays starting at 9AM. While street parking is available outside the restaurant, there is also a parking garage at 13 West 46th Street.