Francesca Gourmet Foods, the specialty food market combining the “heart-warming comfort food of old world Italy, with the artisan flavors of a local farm and upscale kitchen”, has opened at the New Bridge Landing shopping center in River Edge. The market, named after owner Keith Alliot’s daughter, is serving homemade prepared foods and artisanal goods.

The deli will include fresh meats and classic sandwiches. Prepared food items feature their classic specialties: meatballs, chicken parm plus seasonal specialties rotated daily. The roticerria is a rotating carving station of meats like leg of lamb and brisket.

Keeping things local, Francesca is sourcing chicken from Goffle Poultry Farm in Wycoff, NJ – including fresh carved turkey and chicken breasts – while their sausage hails from across the river, coming from Esposito Sausage in Hells Kitchen, NYC.  Throw in custom salads and a market full of imported oils, vinegars, spreads, jarred specialties like roasted peppers, artichokes, and many cooking ingredients.

Helming the kitchen is Executive Chef Mike Matonti, who brings twenty years’ experience in the industry, having worked at many Bergen County restaurants including Café Panache and The Saddle River Inn, as well as at NYC’s Oceana, Lenox Room and Judson Grill. Matonti is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan. Francesca Gourmet Foods is open daily beginning at 10:00am.

Francesca Gourmet Foods 1051 Main Street, River Edge, NJ Website

[photo source: Francesca Gourmet Foods]