Casa Dante Restaurant, Jersey City

Casa Dante Restaurant's menu reads like a master's class in Italian cuisine. Drawing from the traditions of Northern and Southern Italy, Casa Dante's chefs cook ziti, fettucini, and every other pasta found on the periodic table. They then add classic bolognese, clam sauce, or a vodka-based sauce with tomato and cheese. The chefs also branch out from pasta, preparing calamari and racks of lamb.

Once ready, this food travels to an upscale dining room, with round tables topped in white cloths and bottles of red and white wine. Live singers, guitar players, and other musicians add to the ambiance on select nights. Nearby, a bar serves specialty drinks, as well as a more casual tapas menu with small plates such as sicilian meatballs.