Milano’s Italian Restaurant celebrates 10 years

HARDYSTON — Nestled in the rolling hills of Sussex County lies a tiny piece of Italy. Milano’s Italian Restaurant of Hardyston celebrated its 10th anniversary on Feb. 4.

After being underutilized for years, the site has become one of the most successful spots in the area.

“This is a great location in a resort area,” says Susan Cutter, Manager of Milano’s since its opening in 2005. “We have Crystal Springs, Minerals Hotel and Mountain Creek right by here. We had a phenomenal start, as there are not many restaurants in the area, let alone any offering upscale, authentic, homemade Italian food like this.”

Tony Asani, Owner and Chef at Milano’s, learned his art by working in upscale Italian restaurants all his life. His specialties include osso buco, a classic Milanese dish of braised veal shanks cooked all day and served with mashed potatoes, as well as Chilean sea bass.

Business is brisk on most days.

“A lot of regulars eat here, and sit at the same tables every time,” says Cutter, “but we also get a lot of traffic from the hotels. I’d say about 60 percent of our customers are local residents.”

Milano’s offers special holiday menus and is a venue for many wedding rehearsal dinners, showers and birthdays. For Valentine’s Day, heart-shaped desserts treated the palates of doe-eyed lovebirds.

Italian food has become a family calling for Asani, whose three children, Jimmy, Enis and Vlora, now join him in serving their clientele.

Of course, all of this success did not come without a lot of hard work and investment. The back room, which seats 80 guests, was completely remodeled two years ago and features floor-to-ceiling stone walls and mahogany ceilings. Remodeling in the front room, which seats 80 to 90 guests, will be completed by early summer.

Milano’s Italian Restaurant is located at 3673 Route 94 in Hardyston and is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 3 to 9:30 p.m., Saturdays from 1 to 10:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 9 p.m. Reservations are required for parties of six or more; otherwise, walk-ins only. Bring your own wine.