New Jersey, despite the bad rep it gets, has the best Italian food in the entire country. You could make a case for New York, but those restaurants are confined to NYC. Having been to a good number of Italian dining establishments in both states (and more), I can say that AMA Pizza in Hillsborough, New Jersey, might just top them all.
My family and I found out about AMA Pizza thanks to a taxi driver, who said it tasted “just like Italy.” We were skeptical, of course, but nevertheless, we decided to take a trip to this restaurant, wondering if it triggers some kind of delusion in all its customers. With this in mind, we walked inside, expectations high, and I was (maybe) cautious of the elements this place might possess.
Upon arrival, a valet was waiting for us in a rocky parking lot. When heading inside, the restaurant immediately greets you with a cramped, yet wide enough entrance, featuring a marble-themed bar full of activity. The main section of the restaurant is an indoor patio. This is where most people are seated, and is part of the restaurant’s “countryside” theme. Naturally, my family and I got seated, waiting to experience the taste of Italy…
Antipasto (appetizer): What is especially great about AMA Pizza is that you are immediately eating something. Something simple and perfected. That is exactly what AMA Pizza does with its bread & olive oil dipping. This often comes within a couple minutes of seating as a free appetizer. They also serve different variations of this bread (sometimes),including tomato, garlic, and onion variations, each also served with an olive oil dipping. They also make a great bruschette, with tomato, artichoke and cheese, and eggplant options. But beware, as they can be quite chunky, but are definitely worth a try.
Main courses: AMA Pizza serves pizzas, calzones, pastas, and secondi (protein-based foods). What left a quiet impression was how consistently good everything that I ordered actually was. Their Tres Colores pizza is great, but bear in mind that it can be quite thin. With this pizza, they split margherita, pesto, and parma pizzas into thirds (two pies each), essentially allowing you to try three pizzas with one order. The cost is $26.25, which is great considering the quality, especially by having multiple flavors satisfy your taste buds at once. Their Cacio e Pepe, however, might just be the best pasta I’ve ever had. For the price of $22.25, it is served as spaghetti with extra cheese and black pepper in a bowl you might have in your home kitchen. Regardless, it will still be more than satisfactory! But also quite filling, so make sure to save some room for dessert!
Dessert: This restaurant is not done with you yet… have some gelato or cake. Either way, they will impress. Some great options include their Torta Caprese, which is a flourless chocolate cake served with powdered sugar and a cherry on top (of course). The cake costs $10.00 and is worth every penny. For those who dislike cake for any reason, their gelato is impressive, with their chocolate gelato being a popular recommendation for an extra-sweet dessert.
Maybe not the fanciest or flashiest place, but with great food, beautiful location and environment, as well as kind waiters who provide great service, what more do you want!? So, go soon. Better yet, go today, or… just go right NOW! Stop what you’re doing and take a trip to the closest experience to Rome and Naples you’ll find in suburban New Jersey.
