If you’re looking for an authentic Italian establishment that is great for a night of top-tier dining with your gal pals or family, Roman Nose offers quality Italian dishes right along Newark Avenue. Whether for brunch, lunch, or dinner, this staple is a great place to pop in any time of day for a tasty meal. Here’s more about Roman Nose, a quality Italian spot on the pedestrian plaza in Jersey City:
Location
Roman Nose is just a short walk away from Grove Street PATH in downtown Jersey City, making it an easy, accessible spot. The restaurant joins the ranks of other JC favorites like Two Boots Pizza, Downtown Yogurt, and more new locales on Newark Avenue.
Atmosphere
The vibe at Roman Nose is one of friendly, relaxed dining – the walls are painted a deep red and adorned with old-school photos of Italian families, accented by the soft light of hanging ceiling lamps. If the weather is nice there are also some tables set up outdoors – just keep in mind that the restaurant does not take any reservations so it is first come, first serve. The adorable bar is situated in the left-hand corner, stocked with plenty of Italian varietals {yum} as well as Italian and domestic craft beers. If you are looking to start off your meal with a cocktail, Roman Nose has plenty, including a Mediterranean Mule, sangria, a blood orange spritz and several varieties of gin and tonics depending on the season.
See More: 4 Speakeasy-Style Cocktail Bars in Jersey City
Food + Drinks
Once you’ve settled on your beverage of choice, don’t skimp on the appetizers, as there are plenty of delicious choices. A must is the meatball side, which comes with two meatballs {or get the bowl of four if you have a bigger party} – these taste like they’re fresh from an Italian grandma’s kitchen and the sauce is perfection. The meat and cheese are also enticing with a variety of options to choose from, including Gorgonzola and Caciotta al Tartufo {semi-soft cheese infused with black truffle shavings – yummm} as well as soppressata and prosciutto. The fresh, vibrant salads are a satisfying starter too, as the bruschetta, which includes topping options like ricotta with honey and walnuts and a flavorful pomodoro with tomato, parmesan, and olive oil.
Crostini di Casa
After you’ve had your fill of starter munchies, move on to the main event — the pasta! All of the pasta at Roman Nose is made from scratch, not to mention the gluten-free pasta options and kid-friendly pasta portions. Each of the menu options is worth trying at least once – notable dishes include the Tagliatelle al Ragù, which is made with a traditional slow-cooked Bolognese meat sauce and topped with just a drop of cream, and the Cassaracce Alla Norma, made with sautéed eggplant, onion, tomato, basil, and ricotta salata.
Read More: Best Pasta Spots in Jersey City
Non-pasta entrées include a variety of pizzas, made from scratch using homemade dough and mozzarella, as well as chicken parmigiana, chicken marsala, pan-seared salmon, and more. Don’t forget to ask about the pasta specials as well, which change often.
{Photo courtesy of @RomanNose}
If you’ve still got room in your tummy, indulge in a macchiato or an aperitif like sambuca, grappa, or limoncello, or check out the restaurant’s selection of sweet dessert wines. Dessert options include gelato {made especially for Roman Nose by Milk Sugar Love} in flavors like Nutella Cherry and Pear Rosemary Crunch, as well as Nonna Memma’s Cookies {two cakey and fluffy cookies served with powdered sugar}, hazelnut dark chocolate pudding, tiramisu, and cannolis.
{Photo courtesy of @RomanNose}
What’s For Brunch
If you are checking out Roman Nose for brunch, there is a serious menu full of amazing options as well, including a fun cocktail list with carafes of bellinis or mimosas. Check out the paninis with both meat and veggie options, or an array of specials like several types of frittatas {because a good baked egg dish at brunch is always a necessity}, lemon-ricotta-olive oil pancakes, and the Pizza All’Uovo, made with prosciutto, oven-baked eggs, béchamel, and homemade mozzarella.
There’s a lot to indulge in at Roman Nose and it’s definitely worth checking out for your next date night or girls’ night — it’s guaranteed to be a satisfying dining experience for all.
Hours
Roman Nose is open Tuesday through Friday from 12-10PM, and Saturday and Sunday 11AM-10PM for any and all authentic Italian food cravings.
Are you a fan of Roman Nose? Have a favorite dish? Share them with us in the comments below and tag us in your foodie pics on Instagram for a chance to be featured — @HobokenGirlBlog + #HobokenGirl <3
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