By DON STINE
If you are looking for some great Italian food then you might try the newly-opened Louie Linguine’s Kitchen at Luigi’s Tavern in Tinton Falls
Louie Dello, who has worked in many restaurants over the years, is the main chef and he has created a new menu featuring mainly Italian fare and pizzas.
“I know good food and I just want to keep on going,” he said.
Louie Linguine’s Kitchen is located in Luigi’s Tavern, at 5119 Asbury Ave. The tavern, which has been operating for approximately 60 years in the same location, has always had a separately-operated restaurant, with the last being Eddie’s Place Italian Restaurant, with head chef. Eddie Goldberg.
“They needed somebody to take over the kitchen and I see this as a good opportunity that also helps my catering business. It has always been two businesses under one roof here,” Dello said.
Dello said he has redecorated both the tavern and restaurant.
Some of the featured menu items include Italian nachos (with chips made out of lasagna sheets, topped with Bolognese sauce, white beans, mozzarella and provolone cheeses, topped with bruschetta; or an Italian eggroll with sausage, peppers, onions with mozzarella and provolone cheeses, wrapped up as an eggroll; and a special Italian grilled-cheese menu, with a variety of specialized grilled-cheese sandwiches.
And as for the rice balls?
“Well, they are just delicious,” Dello said.
Dello’s new restaurant opened about two weeks ago and is open seven days a week: Sunday through Wednesday from 11a.m. to 9 p.m and open until 10 p.m.on Thursday through Saturday.
“It’s just good food, fairly priced. Plus we do pick-up and delivery,” he said.
Dello is also planting a 50-foot-square garden on the property at his restaurant, where he will grow herbs and vegetables and use them in his dishes. He also has a wood smoker at both his restaurants and prepares specially-smoked meats and fish that are sometime offered as specials to the menu.
The owner of Louie Linguine’s Catering for about 30 years, Dello can also bring festival-type booths to almost any occasion and serve gourmet festival food, like zeppole, funnel cake, fried Oreos, sausage, peppers and onions, London broil sandwiches, gourmet grilled cheese, a pasta stand and more.
For more information e-mail louielinginecatering.com or visit his Facebook page.
Born in the Wanamassa section of Ocean Township, where he still lives, Dello has been cooking since he was 17 years old and in 1982 graduated from the Culinary Institute America when he was 19. He is also the head chef at Kim Marie’s Eat ‘n Drink Away at 1411 Kingsley St., Asbury Park.
His mother and father, Alba and Lou, owned Alba’s Luncheonette on Springwood Avenue in Asbury Park for many years. It was destroyed in the 1970 riots.
Also an avid deep-sea fisherman, Dello fishes the Atlantic Ocean in the summer and the Gulf of Mexico in the winter.
“In my time off, you can usually find me on a boat,” he said.
