Home Essex CountyCaldwell Russillo Ristorante + Pizzeria: A Staple in West Caldwell For 20 Years

Russillo Ristorante + Pizzeria: A Staple in West Caldwell For 20 Years

by Diana Cooper
Diana Cooper
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Russillo, an Italian restaurant and pizzeria in the heart of West Caldwell, has been in operation for 20 years and continues to grow in popularity. The well-established eatery has become a hit on social media, attracting customers who live miles away. Located at 675 Bloomfield Avenue in West Caldwell, Russillo is known for its authentic Italian cuisine and homemade dishes. Read on to learn more about Russillo Ristorante + Pizzeria in West Caldwell, New Jersey.

russillo ristorante pizzeria

West Caldwell Hotspot

Russillo opened its doors in January of 2004. The current co-owner David Majumdar, began working for the original owners, Vincenzo Russillo and Chris Robinson, when he was just 17 years old. Chris remains a co-owner until this day since Mr. Russillo retired. They also have owned Caldwell Seafood Market + Cafe for about a decade.

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russillo indoor fine dining

Photo Credit: Russillo’s Facebook

“A major change over the years has been during COVID. It was very tough. We had a strong commercial, a big workforce in the area. COVID kind of wiped them out,” David explained to The Montclair Girl about the restaurant’s biggest challenge over the years. “Besides that, we underwent a renovation in 2020 and we’ve been pretty busy in our takeout, delivery, our caterings and our dining.”

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The co-owner said that to celebrate Russillo’s 20 years in business, the eatery plans on having a lot of promotions and celebrations towards the end of the summer.

About the Menu

The front of the house of the West Caldwell hotspot is where customers can order a fresh slice of pizza, or a couple of slices, to go, or can sit at the casual dining area and enjoy then and there. The back of the house, however, is where the more formal dining section of Russillo’s takes place. This section opens around 5PM and it is strongly recommended to make a reservation in advance since it gets busy and there are a little over 50 seats available.

russillo fish dish

Photo Credit: Russillo’s Facebook

When asked what sets Russillo apart from the other pizzerias and Italian restaurants in town, David told MG, “We have a very intricate menu. We have a lot of creative specials from various parts of Italy. We use a lot of different kinds of sauces — we’re just not a traditional red sauce or marinara sauce. We have a very, very good spicy vodka sauce infused with Calabrian chiles.”

All of the sauces and dishes are freshly made, and even the fish comes fresh from Hunts Point Produce Market every morning. The meats, including the New York strip, filet mignon, and pork chops, come from domestic chophouses. David also noted that the chefs, who are trained in-house, have been with Russillo for a minimum of 15 years and come from big-name places.

“We really pride ourselves in consistency, and I think that’s what keeps the customers coming back. I think we’re able to deliver the same level of quality cuisine that they’re looking for time and time again,” the owner noted.

russillo restaurant vodka dish

Photo Credit: Russillo’s Instagram

Some of the popular appetizers and entrees include filet mignon meatballs, fried calamari, crab cakes, chicken parm, chicken Francese, flounder, salmon, and veal scallopini. “We always also have phenomenal pizza sandwiches, wrap salads, all that stuff,” he added. “We have a stuffed artichoke that’s also like your grandmother made it. People come from all over to get it.”

Although it’s a very large menu, there is also a specialty menu that changes with the seasons. Per David, the seasonal menu is something new and will bring change to the menu to keep to the theme of the current season whether it be spring, summer, fall, or winter.

 

 

Check It Out

Russillo’s menu is available for takeout or delivery and the dining room is BYOB. “Everyone has gotten to know us. We’re very familiar with the town, we’re involved with the community, with the high school, the sports organizations, the theater,” David shared. “All the teachers come here, the cops, the mayor — they all like to dine with us.”

Despite being in the heart of West Caldwell for 20 years, David said that the restaurant has recently noticed a spike in followers on Instagram and TikTok, garnering attention from people in the surrounding cities and even NYC.

russillo spinach artichoke

Photo Credit: Russillo’s Facebook

“We’ve had a bigger, bigger social media presence. We’ve got customers from Princeton, Jersey City, Paramus, New York City. We’re getting customers that are driving like an hour away,” David raved. “So, it’s not only the people who are coming in who are usually regulars but now there’s so many new faces who are coming to try us.”

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With Russillo having now become a staple, David says that their plan is to “definitely” open another location. “Hopefully. We are keeping our fingers crossed,” he remarked.

Russillo is open Monday through Thursday from 10AM to 9PM, Friday and Saturday from 10AM to 9:30PM, and is closed on Sundays. For more information, visit the website.

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