Update: Cafe Anello Westwood has opened

Caffe Anello, the pastria and Italian restaurant that is apart of Sogno Coffee House in Westwood is opening in a few weeks. As they head to their eventual opening, the team (including co-owner and exective chef John Vitale) hosted a “Tuscan Sunset” fundraiser dinner (two seatings) at Sunset View Farm in Andover, NJ.

The dinner accomplished a number of things for those keeping track of Caffe Anello. First off, Sunset View Farm is the location of a farm plot where Chef Vitale is growing much of the produce being used for his dishes. That made the dinner a showcase for how Caffe Anello would employ a farm-to-table approach in many areas of their cuisine (more on this in our proper writeup when Caffe Anello opens).

Secondly, they donated all the food and proceeds of the dinner to the farm, a thoughtful gesture to support the community garden that is run throughout Sunset View Farm. Lastly, the night’s menu was also a small preview of some of the non “pasta” dishes that might be headed to Caffe Anello.

Tomatoes waiting to be chopped

Salad plated for service

There were definite Italian influences that night, but also a farm or rustic quality with seasonal vegetables plus the familiar Sogno crepes. Dinner began with a salad made with fresh vegetables from the farm including tomatoes, onions, basil and more.

Savory crepe with homemade mozzarella, prociutto, pesto

The second course was a Sogno Coffee House staple. A crepe with prosciutto, farm picked tomatoes, onions and pesto (regulars would recognize the “Broadway” from
Sogno’s menu). Accompanying the crepe was a small yellow tomato stuffed with goat cheese.

Things were heating up!

That’s a pig in a (roasting) box

Chef Vitale and his brother rustled up a longtime family recipe for the entree. With roasting in tow, the brothers smoked a full suckling pig for approximately 8 hours. Those who are familiar with smoking meats and BBQ know that temperature is key, with the brothers keeping a watchful eye on the pig, which was seasoned and roasted according to that family recipe and served with a homemade potato salad.

Roast pig and potato salad

There were two options for dessert, a sweet crepe (Sogno-style again) with nutella or a creme brulee with fresh blackberries.

Tuscan Sunset (Caffe Anello Preview) Fundraiser Dinner on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Sunset View Farm, Andover, NJ