A Romantic Evening at Catherine Lombardi
Located in downtown New Brunswick, Catherine Lombardi is an upscale Italian Restaurant perfect for a romantic evening out.
The history of Catherine Lombardi lives and breathes in the city of New Brunswick. Owner’s Mark Pascal and Francis Schott were two friends who met as college students at Rutgers University.
After working in other restaurants, they decided to strike out on their own and opened Stage Left in 1992 in their college town of New Brunswick. In 2006, they opened their second restaurant upstairs, Catherine Lombardi, as a tribute to Mark’s late grandmother.
Catherine Lombardi’s is special for many reasons, but I personally love how the restaurant honors the woman herself. The restaurant uses Catherine Lombardi’s recipes, which Mark Pascal grew up with having Sunday dinners at her home in Brooklyn.
When it comes to the design element and decor of the restaurant, it’s modeled after her dining room. Not only to do you feel comfortable in this environment, but there is no where in the restaurant where you aren’t seated in a corner, near a window, or by a fireplace.
And check out that Venetian lighting…
If you don’t have time for a full sit down dinner and want to hang by the bar…be prepared!
Catherine Lombardi’s has an incredible award winning wine list and nationally ranked cocktails.
Plus they have the best popcorn I’ve ever had (only served at the bar).
On to the food… (Warning: You will get hungry looking at these photos)
Catherine Lombardi always used the best and freshest ingredients, which is why the restaurant strives to do the same. The majority of their food is sourced locally and their chickens and meat are organic. Plus their tomatoes are Jersey Fresh! They are picked locally from Indyke Farms in Monroe, Baker Farms in East Brunswick, and Dreyer Farms in Cranford.
For starters, Catherine Lombardi offers your traditional Italian appetizers like clams casino,
cold antipasti, Italian cheeses, Hand-Sliced Prosciutto di Parma
and the best garlic bread I’ve ever had. (to name a few)
They also make a lot of their pasta in house, including this AMAZING spinach ravioli made with wild mushroom and goat cheese filling:
Their classic Lasagna with Meat Gravy, and their Garganelli, made with Truffle Cream, Prosciutto, Asparagus:
Plus my favorite, their Eggplant Parmigiana. (Also, to name a few) Delizioso!
They have plenty of meat & fish options including their popular Pork Osso Bucco and their red and black meatballs. There is truly something for everyone on their menu from salmon, to pasta, to steak.
And save room for dessert! I got to sample a few desserts including Mrs. Palmisano’s Cookie Plate, their chocolate lava cake, and zeppolis. Plus they make their own limoncello…which reminded me of my trip to Italy last year.
Catherine Lombardi is truly a place where they value quality over quantity, and yet you still go home full! It’s also the perfect place to go for a special occasion, a classy date night, or if you’re missing your Italian family’s home cooking! The food is incredible, the service in impeccable, and you can’t beat the atmosphere.
Additional Information on Catherine Lombardi:
Address: 3 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ
Phone #: (732) 296-9463
Find them on their Website, Facebook, and Instagram.
