Osteria Crescendo Opens in Westwood NJ

It’s a great time to be hungry in Bergen County, NJ. New, delicious restaurants housed in beautiful spaces seem to be popping up with delightful regularity. This week is no exception as the hotly anticipated new Italian farm to table restaurant, Osteria Crescendo opens its doors in Westwood NJ. We scored reservations and we were not disappointed!

Located on Jefferson Avenue in the old Baci space, Osteria Crescendo is helmed by chef/partner Robbie Felice who, after time spent in kitchens around the US and the world, returned home in 2016 to open Viaggio Ristorante in Wayne, NJ serving “locally sourced ingredients to create traditional Italian fare with a modern touch”. You’ll find the same culinary philosophy at Osteria Crescendo with their “per la tavola (for the table)” dining options like the Bistecca Fiorentina, intended to be shared by up to four people and Italian “street fare” offered at the bar. 

Let's talk about that bar for a second, shall we? Make sure you arrive a few minutes before your reservation so you have time to pregame with an inventive cocktail or a selection from the impressive list of Italian wines, many offered by the glass. Then, settle into your seat at a table in the gorgeously appointed dining room – all soft grays, with black and white accents. Pssst! Make sure to take a peek into the open kitchen where you’ll likely see Chef Felice at work. 

So, what to order at Osteria Crescendo? The antipasti were tempting, but we skipped right to the Primi course. The Farfalle is a must-order, served with polpettini sugo (like Nana’s house made meatballs), Lacinato kale, and soffritto with plenty of Parmesano Reggiano over the top. You’re also going to want to try the Gnudi, gnocchi-like dumplings made with ricotta cheese and served with fiddlehead ferns over a base of pea pesto. Main courses were served “for the table” and favorites included the Scallops e Prosciutto, served over a quinoa base and the Involtini di Pollo, served bone in and sliced after an elaborate brining that leaves it bursting with flavor over buttery Ramp Alla Panna (can we say how much we love their use of seasonal ingredients?). If you still have room for dessert (we didn’t!) you’re going to have a hard time choosing which one is tops for your indulgence. It’s likely we would have gone with either the strawberry pavlova or the semifreddo for our sweet treat. 

The vibe at Osteria Crescendo is cool and upscale, the food is seasonal and fresh and the drinks are a welcome addition to the burgeoning Bergen County cocktail scene. Osteria Crescendo is the perfect for a dinner out with friends, a GNO, or a date night. So? What are you waiting for? Book the babysitter and go hungry!