Salugo Bistro

SALUGO BISTRO
360 Route 10 West
East Hanover
973-515-0074

Hours: Mon, 3-10 pm; Tues-Thurs, noon-10 pm; Fri and Sat, noon-11 pm; Sun, noon-9 pm

Price: $$

Style: Pizza parlor meets Tuscan-inspired BYO bistro in a Best Buy strip mall.

Don’t Miss: The Sicilian meatball appetizer ($11)—a single plump veal meatball is served in a tomato ragù with pecorino and herbed romano cheeses. Other enticing appetizers include rock shrimp arrabbiata ($13) and carciofi ($11), a small plate of long-stemmed baby artichokes couched in toasted garlic and herbed ciabatta bread crumbs, white wine and lemon. The six salad choices range from a Caesar ($9) to a broccoli rabe ($12); each can be topped with grilled chicken, shrimp or skirt steak. Lumaconi is a pasta standout; the snail-shaped noodles are served with red-leaf Swiss chard, ceci beans and crumbled sausage in a white wine and pecorino broth ($16). Entrées include costine (braised beef short ribs served over roasted, truffled, corn polenta; $24); polpettone (hot and sweet sausage meatloaf with gorgonzola and mashed potatoes; $18); and braciole (thinly pounded pork served with cheese tortellini; $20). There are at least a dozen traditional pizzas daily, all available in two sizes, plus three crispy pan pizzas.

Heads Up: All pastas and pizzas are available gluten free or whole wheat. The gnocchi, tagliatelle, fettucini and pappardelle are house made.

The Scoop: This is the latest entry from Pitchfork Restaurant Consultants, owners of Saluté Bistro in Montclair; Fin Raw Bar & Kitchen in Montclair and Summit; and the original Salugo in Verona. Many of the menu items will be familiar to Saluté diners—but at lower prices.