Chef Bruno LaMarca began his culinary career at a ski resort in the mountains of Abruzzo before traveling to Burlington County, where he spent the next few decades working in the pizzeria business. Though he briefly flirted with the idea of opening restaurants elsewhere, LaMarca ultimately decided to stick around, saying “I always wanted to stay local and give my friends, family and neighbors a nice restaurant.” So, he purchased a local ice-cream shop, remodeled it to look like a Tuscan villa, and opened Casamari Restaurant.

Today, Chef LaMarca cooks up homestyle Italian favorites such as lobster manicotti, veal saltimbocca, and Italian-style crab cakes filled with lump crab meat, zucchini, and fresh herbs. Since his restaurant is BYOB, diners can pair their dishes with a bottle of wine or really old grape juice from home.