Metro Cigar News Summer 1998: Nola's Ristorante & Cigar Cellar

Nola's Ristorante
& Cigar Cellar...
A cigar bar with tradition.

Restaurants come and go, especially those with a theme that may last for only a few months. Just check out any street in New York and you'll see the closed store-fronts that once were booming eateries.

With all those that have come and gone, it's a rarity to find a place that has been in the same family for three generations.

Nola's Ristorante, at 79 Kinderkamack Road in Emerson, New Jersey, is just such a place. Opened in 1949, when Cuban cigars and rum were still very legal in the United States, it has passed through only one family until today when Lou and Christine Napolitano have taken the reins as the third generation to provide an exquisite dining experience for their patrons.

The homey restaurant expanded its services in December with the opening of a cigar bar in its lower level and runs a number of cigar-related dinners and functions there throughout the year.

The Cigar Bar features a relaxed atmosphere with a bar tucked in by a brick wall on one side and open on the other. It seats eight at the bar while there is room for others at circular tables set around the room.

Nola's "Pop In" humidor carries a selection of La Gloria Cubana, AVO, Macanudo, Dunhill, Padron, Don Tomas, Zino and La Flor Dominicana, among other top drawer brands.

At the bar is a selection of liquor that includes single malt whiskeys, cognacs and port wines.

But whether it's upstairs or in the cigar bar, service and quality have become Nola's hallmark.

Aside from pasta, veal and fish, the restaurant is known for its daily specials and oversized portions. The restaurant features delicious items such as penné carbonara, farfalla alla vodka and tortellini Alfredo on its extensive pasta menu; scarpariello and an engaging country style chicken as well as several veal dishes.

Seafood choice range from linguine and clam sauce to grilled salmon fillet. And what would a good Italian restaurant be without pizza? Nola's offers eight varieties from traditional cheese to fiorentina with spinach, ricotta and mozzarella.

For lighter fare there's a selection of salads, appetizers and sandwiches. One of the draws for Nola's, aside from excellent food, is the price list. The top of the menu items are all under $10, making for an exceptionally inexpensive evening out, while at the same time sampling a delicious meal.

Nola's is open from 11:30 am to 3 pm for lunch Monday through Friday and from 4:30 pm to 10 pm for dinner. On Saturday dinner is from 4:30 pm to 11 pm and Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm. Happy Hour is celebrated Monday through Friday from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

The Cigar Bar is open concurrent with the daily dinner hours; on Saturday it opens at 5 pm and is closed on Sundays. It also opens for special sporting events. The bar is used for private catering on Sundays.

When dining at Nola's, ask for Lou or Christine, tell them you saw them mentioned in the Metro Cigar News and receive a FREE cappuccino or espresso.