dining
RISPOLI ’ SPASTRYSHOP HAWTHORNE
Rispoli ’ s Pastry Shop isn ’ t new — it ’ s been open since 1937 — but its location is . Rispoli ’ s has relocated to anew shop on Goffle Road . The family-owned Italian bakery is famous for its lobster tails and cannolis . Be sure to grab afew if you visit the new location . • 1103 Goffle Road , ( 973 ) 404-7342 , rispolisbakery . com
BURGER STATION CLIFTON
The name doesn ’ t say it all . Yes , Burger Station , a halal spot , offers burgers — patty melt , mushroom , Impossible and more — and makes its buns from scratch . But it also offers chicken dishes , sandwiches and shakes . • 1164 Broad St ., ( 973 ) 246-3698 , Facebook . com
ROMA COFFEE BAR & PIZZERIA , CLIFTON
Business partners Damir Vojnikovic and Biserko Trklja , natives of Bosnia , opened Roma Coffee Bar & Pizzeria , an Italian restaurant and coffee shop in Clifton — two months after they were ready to open . The reason ? They refused to let the public in until every dish on the menu was “ perfect ,” says Vojnikovic , a Clifton resident . “ Now you know what kind of restaurant it is .” The two previously owned restaurants in Greece and Yugoslavia .
The 11-table Roma Pizzeria , with eight more tables outdoors , is open daily from 8 a . m . “ We go from breakfast through dinner ,” Vojnikovic says . The menu is extensive , with many Italian dishes , including shrimp parmigiana , chicken Milanese and veal Marsala , and Bosnian dishes including schnitzel Vienna , made with veal or beef . There are pasta dishes galore , including penne vodka , spaghetti with meatballs and cheese ravioli .
And pizza , of course , Neapolitan-style . “ It ’ s the best in the county ,” Vojnikovic declares . Choices include tuna with mozzarella and kalamata olives ; Napoli with mushrooms , prosciutto and arugula ; and formaggi with four different cheeses .
The restaurant also offers salads , sandwiches and burgers , plus lattes , espressos , cappuccinos and fresh-squeezed juices . As for dessert ? Roma Coffee Bar & Pizzeria carries the pies and cakes of Bindi , a well-known Italian dessert supplier . • 312 Clifton Ave ., ( 201 ) 856-8338 , Facebook . com
GOFFLE CREAMERYICE CREAM SHOPPE , HAWTHORNE
Vinnie Penna , a corrections officer at the Passaic County jail , loves ice cream , reports his wife , Alyssa . He always thought it would be agood idea to open anice cream shop . And Alyssa had a shop — a makeup studio right across the street from the recently renovated Goffle Brook Park . So when she decided to close the studio , itwas ano-brainer toopen an ice cream parlor in its place .
To introduce the new eatery to the community , the couple , who live in Wayne , offered customers one-dollar cones of soft ice cream . “ We sold 800 cones that day ,” Alyssa says . “ It was wonderful .” Since then , Goffle Creamery has expanded its menu toinclude awider variety of premium hard ice cream flavors , gelato , Italian ice , milkshakes , banana splits , novelties such as mini Oreo sandwich packs and flying saucers . They also offer sugar-free and vegan options . Fall specials , cakes and even doggie ice cream will be available soon • 686 Goffle Road , ( 973 ) 304-4322 , Facebook . com ■
RISPOLI ’ S : INSTAGRAM . COM / RISPOLIPASTRYSHOP1937 ; ROMA : COURTESY OF DEBORAH CORTIGIANI ; GOFFLE CREAMERY : COURTESY OFGOFFLE CREAMERY ; BURGER STATION : COURTESY OF BURGER STATION
32 FALL 2021 WAYNE MAGAZINE