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Two of New Jersey’s most talked-about dining establishments are joining forces for an exclusive collaboration that promises to be memorable. This one-day-only event will see Casano’s Pizza Parlor and chef Robbie Felice’s beloved PastaRAMEN unite on November 3rd.
Casano’s Pizza Parlor, a Rutherford gem that caught the eye of Dave Portnoy’s “One Bite Pizza” series earlier this year, will host this exciting culinary mashup. The pizzeria, run by owner Dave Ligas, offers a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of a 1970s living room, paying homage to his grandmother’s home and cherished recipes.
This collaboration isn’t just about great food; it’s a meeting of minds between traditional Italian-American flavors and Japanese-Italian fusion cuisine. The joint venture will result in Japanese-inspired pizzas, blending Casano’s classic style with Felice’s innovative “Wafu” flair. This unique menu is sure to be as limited as it is intriguing, drawing food enthusiasts eager for a taste of something different.
Both eateries have attracted a star-studded clientele, including the likes of Adele, Halsey, and beauty mogul Bobbi Brown. Notable figures such as “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Melissa Gorga, “Breaking Bad” actor Aaron Paul, BMX rider Nigel Sylvester, and former New York Giants players Justin Tuck and Michael Strahan have also been spotted enjoying the vibrant dining experiences these establishments offer.
As anticipation builds, the upcoming collaboration has already stirred excitement among foodies who are keen to experience the creative synergy of these two acclaimed Jersey chefs. Social media buzz and word-of-mouth have made this event one of the most anticipated culinary happenings in the area.
PastaRAMEN is part of Montclair Hospitality Group, which also is behind Ani Ramen as well as celeb chef Masaharu Morimoto’s chophouse, MM.
“Iron Chef” star Morimoto also just launched a new restaurant, OEN, last week as a 12-seat omakase spot in Montclair, NJ. We hear the waitlist is already at 2,000 guests.
PastaRAMEN previously held a “secret” Manhattan pop-up restaurant hidden inside a Soho hair salon in 2023, and has also popped up in Las Vegas.
Portnoy gave Casano’s a 7.9 rating when he visited the spot and tried two different styles of pizza, including a New Haven style pie.
“Everyone loves pasta and ramen. They are two names that everyone can say. It’s basic, and screams what we do, so we ran with it,” the James Beard-nominated Felice previously told The Post of his innovative cuisine that has included menu items like cacio e pepe fritti, truffle porcini ramen and dry-aged Japanese A5 Wagyu.
He’s said that the seemingly disparate Italian and Japanese cuisines can have similar bases, like shiso, which combines basil and mint flavors.