Bensi, located at The Shoppes at North Brunswick at the intersection of Route 1 north and Route 130 south, serves up old-world charm in an eclectic setting.
PHOTOS BY SUSANNE MORELLI The interior of Bensi restaurant, located at The Shoppes at North Brunswick. The restaurant, which was founded by John Osso and Mario Bernardo several years ago in Calabria, Italy, uses the concept of “Always Fresh, All Ways Italian.” In 1983, they opened a small pizzeria in Tenafly.
Rick Osso, the vice president of operations and the co-founder of Bensi, began working in the restaurant industry at age 13, serving slices and taking phone orders at Rudy’s Pizzeria and Ristorante in Closter, which has been run by his father and uncle for more than 30 years.
Prior to working at Bensi’s, Osso worked with an internet/telecommunications and computer hardware company. In 2001, he decided to partner with his uncle, John Osso, who had four successful restaurants located in Tenafly, Hillside, North Arlington and River Vale operating under different names.
Bensi restaurant offers a variety of wine selections to complement any meal. After a year together, along with cofounders Mario Bernardo, Jorge Ramirez and Oscar Benitez, they opened three locations in Denville, Wayne and Hasbrouck Heights and converted their existing locations to Bensi. Today, the company has 19 locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The North Brunswick location, which opened in March 2008, is part owned and run by a general manager and a chef. Osso said he decided to open Bensi in town because “the demographics are great and all Bensi restaurants pride themselves on delicious, fresh Italian food, friendly service and owner management.”
He added, “What makes us different than other restaurants is cooking pasta to order, sautéing chicken, veal, fish in only 100-percent olive oil, making our own mozzarella, sauces, pizza dough, and always have an owner present at the restaurant helping to ensure all of our customers leave happy.”
Some of the popular menu items are Penne Bensi, chicken francese, Pizza Margarita and Warm Chocolate Lava Cake topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and raspberry sauce.
The specialties include penne vodka, pan-fried veal arugula and pan-crusted Chilean sea bass.
Although Bensi doesn’t serve up sugarfree meal options, it does offer a fatfree/ low-fat/dietary menu including grilled chicken, grilled salmon and steamed shrimp.
No reservations are required except for parties of six or more. Alcohol is provided. There is desk pick-up service, and catering, and party orders are available.
All major credit cards accepted. For more information, visit www.bensirestaurants. com or call 732-993-1300.