Granata Salvatore

- 535 Central Ave, City of Orange, NJ 07050

For over forty years, the **Granata family** has set a high standard for authentic Italian dining and gracious hospitality in New Jersey, making their restaurant, officially known as **Granata Salvatore** (and affectionately called **Bella Italia Restaurant** by many customers), a beloved staple in the **City of Orange, NJ**, community. Rooted deeply in their Italian heritage, the Granata family, led by Salvatore Granata Sr. and Jr., has created a destination that perfectly embodies the spirit of traditional Italian comfort food and warm, welcoming service.

This is a true Italian restaurant dedicated to classic, time-honored recipes that evoke the feeling of a home-cooked meal. The menu is extensive, catering to both casual lunches and elegant dinners. It features an impressive array of antipasti, pastas, and traditional meat and fish entrees. For starters, you can indulge in sublime dishes like **Baked Clams Oreganata**, **Calamari Fritti**, and **Mushroom Marsala**. Sandwiches, perfect for a hearty lunch, include classics such as **Chicken Parmesan Sandwich**, **Meatball & Cheese Sandwich**, and the vegetarian-friendly **Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich**.

The pasta dishes are the heart of the menu, featuring classics like **Meat Lasagna**, **Baked Penne**, and **Manicotti**, often prepared with the restaurant's famous meat or Marinara sauce. For patrons seeking specialty dishes, the menu offers rich combinations such as **Lasagna & Beef Ravioli** and **Spaghetti & Cheese Ravioli**. The entree selection is equally robust, including customer favorites that have earned the restaurant high praise, such as the renowned **Chicken Savoy**, **Chicken Marsala**, and **Chicken Parmigiana**. Seafood options, like the **Salmon Fillet** and various linguine dishes with clams or mussels, ensure a well-rounded dining experience.

The dining experience at Granata Salvatore is designed to be elegant yet **Casual**, with an atmosphere often enhanced by instrumental music, creating a peaceful and calm ambiance. It is a venue where guests can feel “elegant for a few hours” without sacrificing the comfort of a friendly, neighborhood spot. This establishment is recognized as being **Family-friendly** and is particularly popular for **Lunch**, offering quick and satisfying meals, as well as being a perfect setting for a memorable **Dinner** or even a special date night.

Granata Salvatore is conveniently located in the **City of Orange, NJ**, at **535 Central Ave, City of Orange, NJ 07050, USA**. This address places it in a prominent and accessible part of Essex County, making it a viable dining option for people driving from North and South Jersey, and even those traveling from New York, as noted by its strong regional reputation over the years.

The location on Central Avenue benefits from being situated in a well-known commercial area. A key feature for planning a visit is the availability of **private parking**, a significant convenience in busy New Jersey locales, especially when hosting events. While the exact parking amenities are not fully detailed, the emphasis on its suitability for events and its long history suggests easy access is prioritized.

The restaurant offers comfortable **Seating** options for dine-in guests. Though detailed accessibility information is limited in the provided data, the overall commitment to customer service and family dining indicates a focus on accommodating all guests. The long-standing success of the restaurant suggests it serves as an accessible landmark within the City of Orange community.

The commitment of Granata Salvatore to gracious hospitality is evident in the range of services it provides, catering to a variety of customer needs, from a simple meal to large-scale events:

• **Dine-in Service**: Enjoying the full experience within the beautifully decorated, elegant, yet casual restaurant setting.
• **Takeout Service**: A convenient option for enjoying the authentic Italian comfort food at home.
• **Accepts Reservations**: Allows for easy planning and securing a table for both small dinners and larger group gatherings.
• **Catering Services**: The venue is highly regarded for its exquisite catering, both on-premise for banquets and off-premise, making it a go-to choice for parties, receptions, and special events.
• **Family Accommodations**: The restaurant is welcoming to children, providing **High chairs** and a dedicated **Kids' menu**, ensuring a comfortable dining experience for the entire family.
• **All-Day Dining**: The menu is available for both **Lunch** and **Dinner**, fitting various schedules throughout the day.
• **Special Occasions and Events**: Known for expertly hosting large events, including 90th birthday parties, wedding receptions, and communions, with a focus on top-tier service and personalized attention from the owner, Sal.

Granata Salvatore's long-standing reputation is built on a set of consistent and highly-praised highlights:

• **Authentic Italian Heritage**: The Granata family's Southern Italian roots ensure the culinary traditions are rich and the food is considered "authentic" by patrons.
• **Renowned Comfort Food**: The core offering is traditional Italian **Comfort food**, with portions often noted for being generous—"enough to eat for two days"—and the food is consistently described as "delicious and fresh."
• **Top-Tier Service and Hospitality**: A defining feature is the **warm hospitality** and **excellent service** from owner Sal and his staff, creating an experience where guests feel welcomed "as though into their own home." The service is often praised as "outstanding" and "top-tier."
• **Fast Service**: Highlighted for providing **Fast service**, ensuring that even during lunch or busy periods, the meal experience is efficient.
• **Elegant Yet Casual Ambiance**: The restaurant offers a unique blend of being both an elegant, peaceful setting—ideal for a date night or special occasion—while maintaining a **Casual** atmosphere accessible to locals.
• **Acclaimed Menu Items**: Specific dishes like **Baked Clams Oreganata**, **Chicken Savoy**, and the house **Meat Lasagna** are frequently cited by reviewers as "sublime" and "mouthwatering."
• **Award-Winning Recognition**: The establishment has been voted among **"New Jersey's 50 Greatest Italian Restaurants"** and received accolades from publications like the Star Ledger and Zagat Survey, underscoring its culinary excellence.

To experience the renowned hospitality and authentic Italian cuisine at Granata Salvatore, please use the following contact information:

• **Address**: 535 Central Ave, City of Orange, NJ 07050, USA
• **Phone**: (973) 678-5538
• **Mobile Phone (Direct)**: +1 973-678-5538

For New Jersey diners, choosing **Granata Salvatore** (Bella Italia Restaurant) means selecting an experience that transcends a typical meal. It is worth choosing for several compelling reasons rooted in tradition, quality, and personalized service.

Firstly, the **consistent quality** of the authentic Italian comfort food is undisputed. The Granata family's commitment to using rich culinary traditions has ensured that dishes like the lasagna and the calamari are "consistently delicious" over four decades. When you choose Granata Salvatore, you are choosing a proven track record of culinary excellence, backed by regional awards and enthusiastic local support.

Secondly, the restaurant is the perfect solution for both **everyday dining and life's biggest celebrations**. Its ability to deliver **Fast service** and delicious food for a midday lunch, yet transform into an elegant banquet hall for a wedding reception, makes it uniquely versatile. This is not just a place for a **Quick bite**; it's a venue where generations of families have created lasting memories, knowing that owner Sal will ensure every detail is "perfect."

Finally, the **gracious hospitality** makes all the difference. The hands-on involvement of the Granata family ensures a personal touch that is increasingly rare. Customers rave about the attentive service and the welcoming atmosphere that makes them feel like family. For a truly authentic, high-quality, and reliable Italian dining experience in the **City of Orange, NJ**, one where you are guaranteed to leave "happy and full," Granata Salvatore is the premier and most trusted choice.

Granata Salvatore

535 Central Ave, City of Orange, NJ 07050, USA