Robbie Felice to open a high-end Italian sandwich shop in Montclair

Esther Davidowitz, NorthJersey.com
·2 min read

Chef Robbie Felice is set to open a high-end Italian sandwich shop in Montclair, right next door to Pasta Ramen, his two-month-old Wafu-Italian spot. Fatto con Amore, which means "made with love" in Italian, is scheduled to open in late June, early July.

Felice plans to offer sandwiches made with imported high-end Italian meats and artisan cheeses on custom-made breads as well as sell Italian oils, honey, cured meats and artisan cheeses at the shop, which is, he said, is very small. "Think of it as a salumeria," he said, that is, an authentic Italian deli, one with no seats indoors (the small space won't allow for seating) but with a few tables outside.

"Imagine the teeniest Eataly," he continued, "packed with great products and people."

Fatto con Amore is Robbie Felice's gourmet Italian sandwich shop to be, next door to his casual Japanese-Italian restaurant Pasta Ramen
Fatto con Amore is Robbie Felice's gourmet Italian sandwich shop to be, next door to his casual Japanese-Italian restaurant Pasta Ramen

Who is Robbie Felice?

Felice, a James Beard Rising Star Chef semifinalist, has partnered again with Luck Sarabhayavanija, founder and executive chairman of Ani Ramen, a mini-chain with restaurants in New Jersey and New York. Felice and Sarabhayavanija together launched Pasta Ramen, which started out as a by-invitation-only pop-up in Montclair, then traveled to New York, Miami, Seattle and Los Angeles. The brick-and-mortar Pasta Ramen on Fullerton Avenue is a much less-expensive, more casual version of the pop-up; it's also a BYOB.

Robbie Felice, the owner of Viaggio and Osteria Crescendo, and Luck Sarabhayavanija, the owner of Ani Ramen (not shown,) open Pasta Ramen. What began as a speakeasy style pop-up now has a brick and mortar home in Montclair, NJ. Robbie Felice poses for a photo in Pasta Ramen on Tuesday, Jan 17, 2023.
Robbie Felice, the owner of Viaggio and Osteria Crescendo, and Luck Sarabhayavanija, the owner of Ani Ramen (not shown,) open Pasta Ramen. What began as a speakeasy style pop-up now has a brick and mortar home in Montclair, NJ. Robbie Felice poses for a photo in Pasta Ramen on Tuesday, Jan 17, 2023.

Why a sandwich shop?

"I always wanted to have a sandwich shop," Felice said, adding that sandwiches saved his two award-winning Italian restaurants, Viaggio in Wayne and Osteria Crescendo in Westwood.

During the pandemic, Felice temporarily closed Osteria Crescendo, laid off nearly 50 employees, and turned Viaggio into a mini-market. He also cooked fried chicken sandwiches and put together classic Italian sandwiches for non-contact takeout.

What's next?

Fatto con Amore is just one of more projects Felice said he's planning.

"Stay tuned for more surprises," he said.

Fatto con Amore will be located at 4 S. Fullerton Ave.

More:Pasta Ramen in Montclair opens this week. Here's a sneak peek

More:Pasta Ramen's secret is out: Meet its chef, owners, plus the new restaurant's location

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Chef Robbie Felice to open Fatto con Amore eatery in Montclair NJ