RESTAURANT REVIEW
Where Italian Is Special Northvale’s Pasta E Passione makes dinner a splendid occasion, with fresh ingredients, thoughtful preparation and an impeccable sense of balance. Like most couples, my girlfriend and I have our go-to for the cuisine of Italy. It’s reliable, comforting and always ready with perfectly delicious chicken parm, a solid eggplant stack and pizza that hits the spot. But every so often we want something that feels a little more unusual—a meal that leans less red-sauce standby and more “let’s linger over this.” That’s what led us to Pasta E Passione, a brand-new Northvale eatery that’s been winning praise across online forums and social media alike. We thought it was time to experience the restaurant for ourselves. We scored a table there for a Friday dinner in late March. It was packed, so I congratulated myself for having made a reser vation. The dimly lit dining room ser ved as a perfect backdrop for the other couples, families and friend groups around us. The surrounding conversations were loud, as was the ’90s alt-rock music that played overhead, though neither was disruptive. Besides, we were focused on the menu! We started with a trio of shared appetizers. The first was zucchini flowers, which were delicately fried and stuffed with creamy mix of ricotta and mozzarella cheese. All that cheese makes it sounds like a heavy bite, but the morsels popped in your mouth and were truly light. Have you ever caught yourself pausing to appreciate just how good a dish is? This app will do it. The polipo alla griglia followed. The tender and beautifully charred Spanish octopus had a perfect balance of smokiness and brightness that kept us going back for “just one more bite” until—suddenly—it was gone. And then there was the Caesar salad, generously sized (always appreciated) and expertly dressed, with just the right hit of garlic and crunch to hold its own among the more elaborate starters. Things only got better for our main courses. I’d been convinced I’d order
PASTA E PASSIONE 153 Paris Ave., Northvale, 201.622.0441; pastaepassionenj.com BERGENMAG.COM
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the eight-ounce New York strip when I peeked at the online menu earlier in the day, but I quickly changed my mind when our ser ver explained the daily specials. I ended up ordering lobster fra diavolo from the specials list, and I was happy with my choice. The dish arrived looking like an event—and tasted like one too. The star was a half lobster, almost spilling off the plate because it was so large. Alongside it was a medley of clams and shrimp in a sauce that had a confident kick without overpowering the sweetness of the lobster. On any other day, the al dente pasta itself would’ve earned a spotlight, but the seafood stole the show. Across the table, my girlfriend was glowing as bright as her main dish, cacio e pepe. It proved that simplicity, when done right, is anything but boring. Silky, peppery and deeply satisfying (the mix of butter and cheese was to die for), it was the kind of dish that makes you reconsider everything you thought you knew about “just pasta.” We wrapped things up by splitting an affogato, a classic dessert with espresso poured over vanilla gelato. We chose the decaf option, and it felt like the perfect ending: cool, rich and just indulgent enough without tipping into too much. It was a little bitter, a little sweet—and gone far too quickly. What stood out most here, beyond the consistently excellent food, was the sense of balance. The portions were generous without being overwhelming, the flavors refined without feeling fussy and the overall experience hit that sweet spot between elevated and approachable. Pasta E Passione isn’t here to replace your neighborhood Italian standby. It’s for when you want to remind yourself just how good Italian dining can be when it tries a little harder. —Darius Amos
MAY 2026
4/13/26 3:13 PM