Puglia New York: A Taste of Little Italy in Red Bank, NJ

Experience a taste of Little Italy in downtown Red Bank at Puglia of New York, located just blocks from the Red Bank Train Station, Two River Theater and Count Basie Theater. The legendary New York Italian restaurant offers delicious, authentic Italian fare. Whether you’re enjoying a small meal with friends, lunch date, or intimate family-style dinner, you’ll have a wonderful experience in the restaurant’s warm, welcoming ambiance and spacious dining areas.

In December 2013, Puglia of New York opened its doors in Red Bank, NJ carrying on a family legacy. Ben and Michael Mancuso, a third and fourth generation father-son-team, have continued their family’s tradition of serving fresh, homemade Italian cuisine in a hospitable atmosphere. Since 1919, their family has been established in the restaurant business, when Gregorio Garafolo came to America from Puglia, Italy and opened Puglia on Hester Street in Little Italy. Gregorio’s daughter, Mary (Garafolo) Mancuso, still oversees the original restaurant location where her father sprinkled sawdust on the floor 95 years ago.

Along with modern Italian dishes, Puglia of New York serves the old world traditional dishes such as Capuzello (sheep’s head), Tripe (lining of the young lamb stomach) and Pasta E Fagioli (pasta and beans). These authentic old-type foods are certainly hard to come by. Their extensive menu also features New York-style and Little Italy-style pizzas. All of Puglia’s dishes are made to order fresh with the finest ingredients. They import several Italian specialty pastas and vegetables and prepare many of their sauces and pizzas on-site with a special ingredient: New York water, which they haul down daily from Staten Island, NY. Now that’s a New York state of mind served up fresh on the Jersey Shore!

Puglia of New York features early bird and dining specials all week long. The early bird special is Tuesday – Thursday, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. with your choice of one appetizer, mixed green salad and one entrée, all for just $22.95.  Lobster lovers must visit the restaurant on Wednesday nights when they have their lobster dinner special for $26.95. On Thursday nights, Puglia takes you back to your roots with a Tripe and Capozzelli special. There’s no need to venture to Little Italy when you can get old fashioned Capuzella right in Red Bank. On Saturday nights, Puglia gives you the flavor of Manhattan with music and live entertainment by John Ganci. You’ll hear classical ballads from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin while you enjoy with your delicious dinner. And of course, on Sundays it’s all about Grandma’s homemade Sunday sauce, Gregorio’s Traditional Gravy, made with sausage, pig skin, meatballs and braciole and served over the pasta of your choice.

A party room is available for larger groups and special occasions. Delivery and catering are also available. Call ahead for reservations and bring a nice bottle of Italian red wine or Prosecco to compliment your culinary experience. Buon appetite! We are happy to be featuring a number of great menu specials and prix fix specialties from Puglia’s of Red Bank. Please click here to see the latest!

Location: 15 North Bridge Ave, Red Bank, NJ

What to wear:  Casual or formal

Visitors:  Families, locals, tourists

Hours: Tuesday- Thursday, 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Monday, closed

Website:  www.pugliaofredbank.com