Gencarelli's Sticks With Family Recipes Over 30 Years

Popular dishes at Gencarelli's Ristorante & Pizzeria off Route 46 in the Pine Brook section of Montville include Chicken Dominick, Penne alla Gencarelli and "square pies"—pizzas baked in pans to give them a nice crunch, owner Guy Gencarelli said.

Gencarelli's parents opened the restaurant in 1982 and operated it 22 years before their kids took over. Many of the recipes have stayed the same.

"Basically, anything we gained from our parents we kept unchanged," Gencarelli said. They use quality ingredients and always make everything fresh, he said. The philosophy: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Gencarelli's Ristorante & Pizzeria
1 Hook Mountain Road, Pine Brook
973-575-6745

Gencarelli, a Little Falls resident, owns the 30-year-old establishment at 1 Hook Mountain Road with his sister, Julianna Coppola, and her husband, Michael Coppola, who live in Fairfield.

He said the restaurant draws regulars from Montville, Towaco and Pine Brook, as well as the Lake Hiawatha section of Parsippany, Fairfield and other towns. Gencarelli's also offers catering and delivery.

Chicken Dominick ($14) is topped with fresh mozzarella and prosciutto in a sherry wine mushroom cream sauce. Penne alla Gencarelli ($12) includes eggplant, fresh mozzarella, basil and Italian tomatoes. They also sell a variety of sandwiches and subs for $7 to $9.

There's indoor seating. They also operate Paesano's, a deli next door, and another .