Grato, part of Harvest Restaurant Group, perfects the art of seasonal Italian cuisine. Much like its next door neighbor, and sister restaurant, Tabor Road Tavern, Grato offers a space that’s warm and inviting while trendy enough to attract Morris County’s bold and beautiful crowd.
I recently had lunch at Grato and as the Italian name suggests, I was “grateful” for the wonderful meal I enjoyed.
Upon sitting at their tables, patrons are greeted by the warm staff with grilled Italian bread and olive oil-drizzled smooth ricotta cheese. The use of ricotta cheese in place of the usual butter is a hint of the fabulous food to come.
For starters, Grato offers a generous salumi plate ($14.95) for sharing that features some very nice options like prosciutto, salami, soppressata, pepperoni along with cannellini beans, olives and Italian cheeses. Another great choice for sharing is the bruschetta plate ($11.95) with a variety of toppings like chick pea and olive pesto, eggplant and ricotta, tomato and mozzarella and my favorite, the chicken liver and pancetta on perfectly grilled Italian bread.
Must-try entrée selections are the veal and ricotta meatballs with bucatini in light tomato sauce ($13.95), Grato’s Cioppino ($14.95), the roast chicken and goat cheese tortelloni in brodo and the delicious paninis.
The veal and ricotta meatballs with bucatini is stellar. The meatballs are perfectly tender, moist and flavorful. The light tomato sauce the meatballs simmer in is an ideal match to the rustic bucatini. The Grato Cioppino features fish and seafood with spicy sausage and is hearty yet light enough for lunch. The roast chicken and goat cheese tortelloni is a fabulous dish and the use of broth instead of the typical sauce is smart. There are seven paninis on the lunch menu ($9.95 – $10.95) and all versions are interesting and delicious. Some of our favorites are the prosciutto and mozzarella on ciabatta ($9.95) and the Grato Grande ($10.95) which is made using prosciutto, salami, ham and provolone. All the sandwiches are served with outstanding house-made Giardiniera, pickled vegetables.
The dinner menu at Grato features many of the lunch options but some additional items like the pork ossobucco ($19.95), the veal chop Milanese ($24.95) and the roasted tilapia and cockles ($19.95).
Grato offers a neat wine list focusing on Italian favorites, and more obscure, interesting options from all over Italy. The restaurant serves over 20 different wines by the glass and many affordable options by the bottle.
Grato is a great place for a romantic night out, a business lunch or any occasion in between. Try it, you’ll be “grateful” you did.
2230 State Route 10
Morris Plains, NJ 07950
973-267-4006
Lunch: Monday – Saturday: 11:30AM – 4PM and Sunday: 12PM – 4PM
Dinner: Monday – Thursday: 4PM – 10PM, Friday – Saturday: 4PM – 11PM and Sunday: 4PM – 9PM
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