From Scratch / Italia di Gusto

My new favorite restaurant. I have been here several times since their opening. I have also been to Italy several times. This restaurant is probably the closest thing you will find in northern new Jersey to authentic Italian food. And Claudia is the best!

Outstanding high quality homemade fresh delicious food. Had dinner here on Friday night and will definitely be back. Pasta was homemade and some of the best I have ever had. Felt like I was back in Rome having dinner. A wonderful addition
To Ridgewood.

First experience at this small, new Italian restaurant in downtown Ridgewood. Service was excellent, as was the food and value. We had the antipasto platter, calamari, eggplant parmigiana, salmon, meatloaf and ravioli with walnut sauce. All of the food was excellent quality and perfectly prepared. The chef came out to ensure that we were enjoying our dinner — a place where the team really cares about the customer’s experience — we will most certainly be back !

Simple, clean, authentic Italian food. We ordered two pasta dishes and the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente in both. We also ordered beef stew over polenta, and it was one of the best entrees I’ve had in some time. The stew was rich, flavorful, and vibrant, while the beef was tender, but not quite fall-​apart tender. We would have had dessert but were too full.
For what you get in authenticity (it’s actively run by the owners/​chefs who recently arrived from Rome, Italy), preparation (homemade, all in-​house), and quality, the prices are very reasonable. We went in the late evening and had a nice chat with the co-​owner, Roberto who was kind enough to talk about the restaurant and his vision.
We will absolutely be back. Also, it’s BYOB.

Had a delicious meal at this adorable authentic Italian restaurant. We had the chicken scallopini and the fettuccini. Both delicious and sooooo fresh!!! The chicken was melt in your mouth. The portions aren’t huge but they are just the right size. I left feeling very satisfied and knowing I had a fresh and good-​for-​you meal. The apple cake was outrageous. We will definitely be back.

Italy holds a special place in our hearts. My fiancé and I got engaged in Italy and when we came back we were searching for a true authentic Italian restaurant that reminded us of our memorable experience. We were in for a real treat when we walked into Italia di Gusto and had the opportunity to experience hands down the BEST Italian cuisine in New Jersey. Chef Claudia’s passion resonates with her food. This is our favorite restaurant and we only hope that everyone takes the time to experience the wonderful food that Chef Claudia shares. She uses only the freshest ingredients and most are even imported from Italy. Also, the portions are absolutely perfect. Our absolute favorites are the Caprese with imported bufalo mozzarella, spaghetti cacio e pepe, apple cake and pear Belgium chocolate cake. Chef Claudia, Roberto and the rest of the staff are so friendly and it is always a pleasure to dine with them. Thank you!

Claudia and Roberto were both extremely hospitable and utterly charming, but if that’s all there was, it wouldn’t be enough to give an excellent review. The care that is taken in the cooking and serving process is also to be commended, my friend Betsey and I felt like we were transported to Italy, wanting to try some of everything, we agreed to share all plates. We started off with the cheese and charcuterie platter, a stunning display and delicious to boot… that alone was enough to sustain the two of us. We then had a pear, arugula, walnut salad and was impressed again, delicate flavor and wonderfully balanced with 30 month aged parmesan and a mellow balsamic. Then, but of course, a pasta dish that was truly divine in its simplicity… the way pasta should be. Spaghetti cooked perfectly al dente, with cherry tomatoes, toasted breadcrumbs, and anchovies… it was an exquisite work of art and done just right. We then shared the salmon special, steamed with olives, cherry tomatoes and served with puntarelle dressed in simple oil and vinegar. Truly authentic and delicious. We were too full for dessert, but since I cannot pass up a sweet finish to my meal, we ordered cappuccino and they came with delectable almond and cornflake cookies. I ordered takeout portions of their torta di mele as well as apricot crostata. The torta di mele was my hands down favorite, light, airy, delicately flavored and scented with apples and spices. They also offer cooking classes on premise, fun and food for all! I’ll be back again in a week or two, to see what else Claudia is preparing.

Went here for lunch. It took a bit for the food but it was worth it. You can tell the craft that goes into the food here.
We both had paninis. They had a meatball special that looked good but we didn’t have the time.
They give some Balthazar Bakery bread (always pretty good as always) with some good olive oil.
Se had the vegetarian panini which was excellent. Good bread here. Good vegetables as well. It was 9.50 or 8.50 which was fine for the size and flavor. Very fresh.
I had the bresaola (air dried beef carpaccio) which came with the usual accompaniments, arugula, a salty cheese (in this case Pecorino Romano,) and some olive oil. It was 12.00. So you’d think that price is high.
Well the portion size of this rather delicious meat is huge. The sandwich was excellent in other words excellent.
Would have tried the miel torrte but we had no time.
4.2, might be a bit higher.
Also:
There was a group next to us that was being super demanding but our waiter stayed nice the entire time. He put up with a bunch of jerks politely and that is saying something.
This place is honestly would be given a 4.5 and will probably be given a 5 soon.

My husband and I came for dinner on Sat night. Excellent fresh pasta. I had pesto with potato and green beans. My husband had the eggplant pasta special. Clean plate club x 2. ;) We were too stuffed for dessert. Service was a bit slow but we would definitely come again.

Arrived at 9:15pm with a party of 6 and were turned away at the door «because we close at 10pm and everyone has to be out by 10pm» first by a waiter, then the manager, SERIOUSLY??? SO, unfortunately we couldn’t even try the food!!! Never heard of this before anywhere else…

Just came back from dinner with my wife. Terrific experience overall. Definitely going back and highly recommend others to try out.
Food was very high quality — highly recommend the meat & cheese board. I had the special pasta, eggplant ragu dish («Paccheri») which was exceptional. Complementary poland spring water is a nice convenient touch. Service was friendly and informative (almost educational in the sense that the owner took the time to explain what part of Italy the particular cuisine/​ingredients are from). Really impressed with the décor — very modern but retains warmth; you also get a view into the kitchen which is cool. Didn’t have room for dessert but we had the espresso which was also very good. They also sell some of the ingredients they use in the kitchen — pasta, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, various jams, all from Italy it appeared — if interested.

Fantastic, affordable and authentic italian. Can’t wait to come back. The owners were present and proud of their food and rightfully so. The food tasted fresh. The pesto was made that morning. It is definitely not four $.

Seriously delicious! There is a lot of heart in this food! I will come back for whatever Claudia is cooking that day– hopefully gnocchi al pesto and mozzarella di bufula. I felt like I was eating pasta in Italy.

Over priced I’ve been to Scarpetta in NYC which is rated the best pasta in New York it’s priced at $ 24 this pasta was $ 22 for the specia pasta, don’t get me wrong it was okay but not a Scarpetta. Also had the Burrata it wasn’t good at all. You tell me if shipping Burrata from Italy would taste good. Burrata is made on the spot with the man power of the chief. Pretty disappointed

A little piece of Italy in New Jersey! After recently visiting Italy this summer and really missing the cuisine, my friend and I were so excited to try this restaurant. It was AMAZING. The tagliere misto we ordered had meats and cheeses, fresh fruits, jams, oils… and everything was absolutely incredible! We also ordered a slice of the torta di mela (apple cake) for dessert, which was also so delicious! The staff was so friendly and welcoming. They spoke to us in Italian, and even played us songs by Jovanotti when we asked! I was really missing Italy, and this restaurant made me feel like I was back there again! I would give them ten stars if I could!
Mi manca Italia, e questo ristorante mi ha fatto sentire come fossi là ! Grazie di cuore per una cena deliziosa!

With prosciutto that are cheaper and tastier than the Whole Food’s in town, and their baby sized mozzarella cheese (forgive me as I do not recall the actual term – bocochinni), this place is a clear winner. Albeit service could be a little slow, it’s because they’re literally meticulously making the food as you order it.
You have won my heart over. You guys are the talk of the town.
Cannot wait to eat here more often!

Authentic Italian food. Amazing high quality sandwiches, pasta and salad. Very fresh ingredients.
The desserts are amazing as well. The Apple Cake is one of my favorites.

I came from Manhattan to try this little gem in the middle of Ridgewood. Real Italian place … It really seems to be at home !
I had spaghetti with real bottarga from Sardinia then melanzane alla parmigiana. Remember to try also the home-​made cakes!
Claudia is amazing and she knows how to treat her clients! Hope to come back soon!

From Scratch features a light and bright interior that was buzzing on the tail end of a Friday lunch hour. The menu offers a smattering of salads, sandwiches, pastas and baked items with ingredients all purportedly fresh off the boat from Italy and assembled in house.
Two elegantly appointed plates and a basket of house made bread were delivered to my table with disconcerting speed. The torta containing pancetta and asparagus was airy and flavorful. While ingredients were fresh, the salad with grilled chicken, avocado, and corn was undersized and overdressed. It wasn’t love for me, but the bevy of women bedecked in lululemon looked in their element. Score one for the lunching ladies of Ridgewood.

The food at the Italia di Gusto café is authentic Italian food, not tacky Italian-​American food that people in this area have come to expect. The owners arrived from Rome a few years ago so they know what real Italian food is.
The atmosphere at Italia di Gusto is fresh & clean. It feels like a mini Dean & Deluca café, which is a welcome addition to downtown Ridgewood. Not only do they offer amazing salads, light entrees and desserts, they also sell top-​quality products from Italy. You can even go in and buy amazing prosciutto or fresh mozzarella by the pound. The owner said she also has a local catering business called From Scratch which offers home delivery of meals and also does larger parties.
It’s so nice to have a new Italian café in town with great food and friendly people!