It has been almost a decade since Ah’Pizz opened its first restaurant on North Willow Street in Montclai, NJr. So successful was the flagship location that five years ago, a second location was opened at 4 W. Main Street in Denville. Now a third Ah’Pizz restaurant has opened at 615 Frank E. Rogers Boulevard in Harrison. In addition to fabulous cuisine, the newest location in Harrison has a full bar, with a happy hour bar menu and live music every Friday and Saturday night.
The owners of Ah’Pizz, Michael and John LaMorte., have always taken pride in using the freshest and most authentic ingredients available. Most specialty items are either made in house, or imported directly from Italy. To recreate the experience of a pizza, just as one would find in Naples, their wood-fired ovens are brought to a temperature of 1,000 degrees. This allows their pizzas to be cooked in as little as 90 seconds! The mouthwatering selections are true to the Neapolitan tradition and are regularly honored with “Best Of” Awards throughout the area.
Some of the favorites include the Pizza Di Montclair, which has uses a refined porcini and truffle oil spread, Pecorino Sardo, grape tomatoes and wood-fired mushrooms. The result is even more spectacular than it sounds. The Pesto uses a pesto spread, smoked mozzarella di bufala and crumbled wood-fired sausage. The essence of the basil combines with the smokiness of the cheese and sausage to create a veritable symphony of flavors.
As delicious and authentic as the pizzas are, the menu contains so much more. As an example, for an appetizer, the Goat Cheese Fritters are filled with goat cheese and imported ham and seductively drizzled with balsamic glaze. For a starter at dinner, or as the main attraction for lunch, the Polpette Sliders (veal meatballs stuffed with fontina cheese topped with marinara) are a favorite of guests all day long. Since now is the season, make sure to order the Zucchini Flowers. Battered and stuffed with either prosciutto di Parma and ricotta, or fig goat cheese drizzled with truffle honey, they are in a word – remarkable.
The list of authentic dishes on the menu of Ah’Pizz is staggering, from the polenta to the pastas, you will not believe the creativity on offer. One suggestion is to arrive with a group and sample as many different selections as possible. The entrees are equally as appetizing and delicious and the specials are true to their name. For desserts, treats that are not to be missed include the Nutella Pizza and the Limoncello Mascarpone.
The three locations of Ah’Pizz are open seven days per week for lunch and dinner. The hours are Monday through Thursday, from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm; Friday and Saturday: 11:00 am to 11:00pm (in Harrison, the bar stays open until 2:00 am) and Sunday from noon until 9:00 pm. Visit their website at www.ahpizz.com to see the menu items and specials and enjoy the flavor of Italy without leaving New Jersey.
