One of the things I love most about my family is that no matter what we’re celebrating, food always seems to be at the center of it.
This time, the celebration brought us to downtown Ridgewood in Bergen County, where my cousin Bryan and his wife, Vicki, recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their family. They also completed a stunning remodel of their home, so Bryan invited all of the cousins over to meet the newest addition to the family and show off the renovations.
But before we toured the house, we had much more important business to attend to…
Dinner.
Bryan made reservations at Sola Osteria, one of Ridgewood’s newest Italian restaurants, owned by Michelin-starred chef Massimo Sola.
From the moment you walk through the doors, it’s clear that Sola Osteria isn’t just another neighborhood Italian restaurant. It’s a restaurant built on tradition, passion, and decades of culinary excellence.
Chef Massimo brings more than 40 years of international culinary experience to Ridgewood. After operating his own restaurant in Italy for 17 years, he earned his first Michelin Star in 2007. Today, he’s bringing that same level of excellence to New Jersey with handmade pasta, authentic Italian dishes, seasonal specialties, and hospitality that makes every guest feel like family.
Located on bustling Broad Street, with a convenient parking garage right next door, Sola Osteria couldn’t be easier to visit.
Our reservation was at 6:00 p.m., making us one of the first parties seated. We barely had time to settle in before Chef Massimo himself came over to welcome us. With his unmistakable Italian accent, he asked if anyone would be drinking.
Without missing a beat, I pointed toward the baby and joked, “Just make sure you check her ID first.”
He laughed, smiled, and replied in his thick Italian accent, “I like you.”
That simple interaction immediately made the evening feel warm, personal, and authentically Italian.
A Menu That Doesn’t Overwhelm
One of my favorite things about Sola Osteria’s menu is that it isn’t cluttered with endless choices. Instead, it’s carefully curated with just the right number of dishes, allowing every item to shine.
While they offer an excellent wine list for inspiration, Sola Osteria is BYOB, making it easy to bring along your favorite bottle.
Before we even ordered, our server surprised us with a complimentary gazpacho from the chef.
What a way to start the evening.
It was incredibly fresh, bright, and flavorful. Honestly, I think I committed a minor crime by using bread to soak up every last drop from the bowl. If this was any indication of what was to come, we knew we were in for something special.
Our server also explained one of the restaurant’s unique dining experiences—a chef-guided tasting menu where the kitchen creates courses based on your personal preferences. We decided to save that experience for another visit, but it’s definitely something we’ll be trying next time.
Sharing is Caring…Sometimes
Instead, we ordered several appetizers for the table so everyone could sample as much as possible.
We chose:
- Guazzetto – Prince Edward Island mussels, clams, and spicy indiavolata sauce
- Mediterraneo – Pan-seared octopus, shrimp, artichokes, pesto mayo, and fresh ricotta
- Bruschetta – Roasted bell peppers, onion jam, ricotta mousse, and mache salad
- Beet Salad – Asparagus, crumbled goat cheese, shallots, Taggiasca olives, and hydroponic greens
To say these appetizers disappeared quickly would be an understatement.
The Guazzetto’s spicy tomato broth was so incredible it practically demanded to be mopped up with bread. If no one had been looking, I might have licked the bowl clean.
The Mediterraneo exploded with flavor thanks to the pesto and perfectly cooked seafood.
The Bruschetta completely changed my expectations. Instead of simply piling toppings onto toasted bread, the bread itself became part of the dish, soaking up every incredible flavor.
Then there was the Beet Salad.
I honestly think it’s one of the best beet salads I’ve ever had.
Even Laila looked over at me and laughed, saying she’d never seen me eat a salad with that much enthusiasm.
Handmade Pasta Makes All the Difference
For my entrée, I ordered the Cod Fish—a perfectly cooked six-ounce merluzzo fillet served Palermitana-style with confit lemon and white wine sauce—I paired it with the Spaghettoni from Pastificio dei Campi in Gragnano with heirloom cherry tomatoes and basil.
Let’s just say…
I wasn’t sharing, and I didn’t care!
The cod was cooked exactly the way I like it—moist, flaky, and full of flavor.
The handmade pasta was simply phenomenal. There really is nothing like fresh pasta made by people who have spent decades perfecting their craft.
Laila chose the Tagliolini Neri, a black squid ink pasta with seafood in a rich lobster bisque.
She immediately pointed out that it’s rare to find this dish on restaurant menus. Her philosophy is simple: if you see it, order it.
She said it reminded her of the traditional seafood dishes her family enjoyed every Christmas Eve growing up.
Across the table, my cousin, Michele and her husband Chi ordered two incredible entrées and graciously let everyone sample them.
The Veal Ossobuco was served boneless with its rich marrow alongside an authentic Risotto Milanese. It was tender, flavorful, and absolutely outstanding.
The Branzino was another surprise. Instead of serving the fish whole tableside—as Laila usually orders elsewhere—it was beautifully filleted and grilled on a skewer with pioppini mushrooms and leeks. It made enjoying the delicate fish even easier while sacrificing none of its flavor.
At this point, every single dish that arrived at the table felt like another home run.
Saving Room for Dessert Was Worth It
Lately, I’ve developed a bit of an obsession with affogatos.
So when I spotted the Double Espresso Affogato on the dessert menu, my decision was made instantly.
It featured creamy hazelnut ice cream drowned in rich double espresso.
Wow.
I could have easily eaten three of them…but thankfully common sense won out after one.
Final Thoughts
Sola Osteria delivered one of the most memorable Italian dining experiences we’ve had in quite some time in North Jersey.
From Chef Massimo’s warm welcome to every beautifully executed dish, the restaurant perfectly balances Michelin-level technique with genuine hospitality. Nothing felt pretentious. Everything felt authentic.
It’s rare to visit a restaurant where every single course exceeds expectations, but that’s exactly what happened here.
We’ll absolutely be returning—not only to try the chef’s tasting experience, but to continue exploring the rest of this outstanding menu.
If the early crowds are any indication, Chef Massimo has created something truly special. I have no doubt Sola Osteria will quickly become one of Ridgewood’s premier dining destinations.
If you’re looking for exceptional Italian cuisine in North Jersey, put Sola Osteria at the top of your list.
Buon appetito!
To learn more about Sola Osteria or make a reservation, visit solaosteria.com
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