Verana Cucina Italiana, Norwood, NJ:
A Restaurant Review

Verana Cucina Italiana, Norwood, NJ. A dining review

Verana Cucina Italiana
 530 Livingston St.
Norwood, NJ

A 2024 Best NJ Restaurant

Verana Cucina Italiana: Restaurant Highlights

Fare: Contemporary Regional Italian

Price: Expensive

Food Quality: Well-executed inspirational menu, using high-quality ingredients

Service: Friendly, welcoming, attentive

Ambiance/Decor: Upscale, cozy, charming, romantic with a NYC vibe

Overall Rating: 3 1/2 Stars -- in the category of Chef-Inspired Fine Dining

Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class

Noise Level: Moderate - Loud

Dress: Upscale Casual

Recommended For: Diners who enjoy upscale dining with a well-executed regional Italian menu.

Not Recommended For: Budget-conscious diners who enjoy a low-key BYOB traditional Italian, heavy red sauce menu served in huge portions.

Recommended dishes: When available, The Tagliata Di Manzo with porcini rubbed Snake River Farms 8oz. Wagyu flat iron, Robuchon style potatoes, Emiliana jus; The Salmaerino Alpino with arctic char, salsify, escarole, black rice, speck, tangerine vinaigrette; and The Bucatini con Vongole Calabrese with Manilla clams, guanciale, pomodorini conserva, bomba, bottarga breadcrumbs.

Liquor: Full bar service with a very good selection of Italian wines, and specialty cocktails.

Verana Cucina Italiana is one of the best Italian restaurants in Northern New Jersey. This is a popular restaurant for diners who enjoy a well-executed, scratch menu prepared with quality ingredients and creatively presented. The upscale, elegant ambiance has a NYC vibe and excellent hospitality that adds to the experience of a taste of Italy.

Verana Cucina Italiana is co-owned by Tommy Demaras and Chef Giuseppe Agostino.
Tommy Demaras is also a co-owner of Maiella, a high-end, upscale Italian restaurant Long Island City's waterfront, where Chef Agostino also serves as the executive chef, and where both continue to serve in those positions.

Chef Giuseppe Agostino has worked in some of the best kitchens in Italy and in NYC where he was a co-executive chef at Del Posto, a highly acclaimed Italian restaurant, prior to serving as Executive chef at Maiella.

Chef Agostino is focused on preparing dishes from all regions of Italy, depending on the season.

Their pasta, sauce, focaccia bread, and pastries, are all homemade ---from scratch.

The menu is prepared using high-quality ingredients, some of which are imported. As an example, their steaks are sourced from Snake River Farms in Idaho, pioneers of deeply marbled American Wagyu beef.

The upscale, elegant 65-seat dining room and lounge features stylish crystal chandeliers, hanging plants, a 10-seat marble-topped bar, polished wood floors, and long floor-to-ceiling dark curtains surrounding the windows.
The tables are set with crisp white tablecloths.

Throughout the restaurant, there is artwork that includes a wall adorned with a large hand-painted mural, and photographs of legendary celebrities including Sophia Loren pouring champagne into a glass, Roger Moore enjoying a cigarette and a cocktail, and Louie Armstrong slurping pasta from a big bowl.

The artwork also can be found in the unisex bathrooms where there are photos of Angelina Jolie, and Anthony Bourdain.

During the warmer months, there is dining on the outdoor patio.

Verana is open five days/week for dinner. Closed on Sunday and Monday.

Book early, as weekend times can be several weeks.

(Updated: December 2024)