ANCHORED IN THE ART OF OLD-WORLD SERVICE, THIS GLAMOROUS ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE INVITES GUESTS TO SIP, SHARE, AND SAVOR EACH MOMENT BY DANIELLE KIRIAKOS

PHOTOS BY ALEX BARRETO

Long before diners first shared plates of prime beef carpaccio and pasta under Baccarat chandeliers or sipped perfect martinis at the marble bar, at least 50 iterations on tracing paper went into the design of Americano in Bayonne. Owner Lance Lucarelli took chalk and crayon to the concrete floor and drew the room out at full scale, envisioning an Italian steakhouse dining experience wrapped in old Hollywood glamour.

A third-generation builder by trade, Lucarelli made his name building high-rise residential projects across Bayonne and throughout the Gold Coast. As new residents moved in, he witnessed firsthand how the area changed over the years. The Gold Coast’s dining habits and tastes evolved as well, and Lucarelli took note of where people chose to eat, how long they lingered, and what the Gold Coast’s culinary scene was lacking. From that observation, Americano was born.

Lucarelli approached the concept as a patron himself, recognizing a gap in the area’s restaurant landscape for an authentic Italian steakhouse dining experience that reimagined the art of old-world hospitality through a modern, cosmopolitan lens. “I didn’t necessarily want to make a career out of it, but the Gold Coast culinary scene needed a truly excellent place to dine,” he said. “I wanted to create a restaurant that I would love dining in, one that treats guests amazingly well and delivers consistency. It’s all about old-world hospitality. At a truly great restaurant, the order of importance is: first the staff, then the food, followed by the lighting, the sound system, and the surroundings.”

When Americano opened in November 2023, Lucarelli found himself more involved than originally planned. He hand-selected a restaurant operator to handle the day-to-day operations, but in the days leading up to the grand opening, circumstances shifted: his operator suffered a stroke, and Lucarelli stepped in to ensure the restaurant opened as scheduled. He has remained hands-on ever since.

Lucarelli is equally candid about his relationship to the kitchen. He’s not a chef, but what he does have is an amazing palate, which he considers a gift from his father, who took Lucarelli to legendary restaurants in New York City and introduced him to the finest food and hospitality in the world.

At its core, the Americano experience is rooted in service. Drawing from European traditions, the staff encourages guests to laugh, linger, and allow the multisensory experience to unfold one scene – and course – at a time. Diners are given the freedom to settle in, converse, and order at their own pace, staying present with both the food and the room. “Hospitality is key,” Lucarelli said. “The space allows for it. A table can start with an appetizer, add a pasta or steak later, order another round, and stay without ever feeling rushed.”

This philosophy is reflected in the layout, with spaces that flow in symphony. Upon entering, guests are warmly greeted by a Maître d under the glow of a grand Baccarat chandelier. At the front, a Roman-style Barista Bar serves Italian staples like espresso, pastries, light sandwiches, Italian liqueurs, and more, while the adjacent lounge features a concert piano, velvet-wrapped seating in rich jewel tones, and black-and-white photos of Hollywood legends on the walls.

The lounge hosts jazz nights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and select Saturdays, starring fabled musicians like saxophonist Jerry Weldon and bassist Neal Caine, both marquee members of Harry Connick Jr.’s legendary jazz ensemble. While many guests sip cocktails here while awaiting their table, others opt to dine in the lounge itself, enjoying a front-row seat to the velvet-smooth melodies of saxophone, bass, and piano.

The main dining room unfolds as a grand, 254-seat gallery dressed in marble and crystal chandeliers. Plush, emerald-toned banquettes anchor the center of the room, while along the walls, elegant camel-colored booths are accented with underlit palms that cast dancing shadows across the ceiling. A large, marble-topped bar runs the length of the space, and tucked discreetly behind it rests Americano’s best-kept secret: the Love Lounge, an intimate nook where couples can love, talk, and laugh over cocktails and carbonara. (Serendipitously, Lucarelli’s initials are LTL.)

Even the restaurant’s name has a personal thread. Years ago, while flipping through an Assouline anniversary book for The Ocean Club in the Bahamas, Lucarelli came across a detail that resonated with him: James Bond’s first drink wasn’t a martini, but an Americano a classic cocktail made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda now a staple at the restaurant’s Barista Bar. Paired with the famous drink’s other origin story American GIs in Italy diluting espresso during World War II the name became a natural fit for what he set out to build.

Steak and pasta are the spine of the menu. Lucarelli counts about 14 pasta options, all made in-house, sauces included. A decadent pappardelle short rib is finished with slow-braised ragù, peas, and stracciatella. Spicy mezzi rigatoni vodka is enhanced with the delicate savory-sweetness of prosciutto. Bucatini cacio e pepe features bronze cut bucatini, Pecorino Romano DOP, fresh black pepper, and pink peppercorns, while gnocchi al tartufo is dressed in parmigiano cream with mushrooms, leeks, pine nuts, and truffle. Lasagna Bolognese and lobster fra diavolo over linguine round out the lineup, with many more options.

Then there are the off-menu offerings, including the owner’s personal favorite penne piselli, which he brings up with infectious enthusiasm. For groups, Lucarelli offers his signature suggestion: the 007, a 77-ounce porterhouse for the table, plus three or four pastas, portioned so that everyone gets a taste across the lineup. “It’s dining Americano style,” Lucarelli added.

When asked to share his most treasured accolade, Lucarelli didn’t hesitate. “Word of mouth,” he said proudly. “The reward is when guests, on their way out, express how much they enjoyed the food, the experience, the service, and the wonderful staff. At Americano, that’s what it is all about.”

Americano
959 Broadway, Bayonne
201.402.3599 / americanonj.com