The newest addition to the New Bridge Landing shopping center features 6,000 square feet of freshly prepared items, including several specialty items
RIVER EDGE -- Francesca Gourmet Foods is now open in the New Bridge Landing at River Edge shopping center. The 6,000-square-foot space features a vast array of prepared foods from around the world -- with a focus on classic Italian fare -- made fresh daily, along with a selection of artisanal products.
Owner Keith Alliots, who named the place after his young daughter, pays homage to his Italian-American roots. The vast array of food selections, along with a live mozzarella-making station and a rosticceria with carved meats, including prime rib, is likely to become the talk of the town.
There will also be a variety of salads (classic Caesar, baby spinach and feta and seafood salad, to name a few); soups (minestrone, chicken noodle and lobster bisque); starters (fresh mozzarella and tomato, Francesca bruschetta, and homemade meatballs); pastas (spinach lasagna, Tuscan baked ziti and classic spaghetti and meatballs); entrees (chicken parmigiana, eggplant towers, and roasted pork loin with goat cheese and Swiss chard); as well as a number of specialty items (olive oil-poached halibut, braised short rib, and bacon-wrapped scallops).
Francesca is sourcing chicken from Goffle Poultry Farm in Wycoff - including fresh carved turkey and chicken breasts - while their sausage hails from Esposito Sausage in Hell's Kitchen.
"We will strive to make Francesca Gourmet Foods a place the community can count on to deliver fresh and delicious food prepared with love -- a place one can drop by at anytime, whether for a quick bite on-the-go, to pick-up a delicious dinner for the family on your way home from work, or to assist with hosting that big holiday party," Alliotts said.
Patrons have the option of enjoying the freshly prepared products on site, with a 30-seat section complete with a farm-to-table feel.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. There are plans to launch a catering program in the coming weeks.
Francesca Gourmet Foods, 1051 Main St., River Edge. 201-678-1188.
Contact Bil Gelman at bkgelman@hotmail.com.
