Business & Tech

Authentic Italian Cuisine is 'Due' in Ridgewood

Chris Tarta plans on opening his second Italian restaurant in late spring, early summer.

Chris Tarta looks around Ridgewood and sees a lot of solid restaurants. But what he doesn't see is much in the way of authentic Italian fare. He plans to change that.

The restauranteur and executive chef of Bella Campania in Hillsdale is aiming for a late spring, early summer opening of his second restaurant, "Due," in the space that previously housed Blue Fish.

"It wasn't on my radar but the location and opportunity came to open a second restaurant in January," Tarta told Patch. "The opportunity seemed to make a lot of sense to me. Due, which means 'two' in Italian, is all about fresh, authentic Italian food and a serious focus on service."

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Pasta and fresh mozzarella will be made on premises. Proscuittos, cheeses and other meats will be imported, and he's working on obtaining local produce. Tarta's second restaurant will also feature a wood burning grill though it won't be an open kitchen like Bella Campania. 

The 1999 Johnson and Wales culinary school graduate is hard at work renovating the space. He envisions a modern 50-seat dining room with an ambient "bistro-y" feel. Due will be a BYOB.

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"I'm really excited. I've been doing this for 11 years and I believe in my food and product," said the Hawthorne native. "People will come back once they've tried it."

He's clearly enthused to make a mark in Ridgewood.

"I've always loved the downtown here," he said. "I like the people here, my family is from here. If I bring the right food – and I will – it's a good market."

Check out 'Due' Ridgewood on Facebook here.


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