Raritan's Basilico Expands, To Open New Italian Café In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough couple Joe Trani and Kari LaSpisa, owners of the Italian restaurant Basilico in Raritan, announced they are expanding and opening a second location.

LaSpisa told Patch the second location will be coming to the Kingsbridge Shopping Center located at the corner of S Branch Road and Beekman Lane.

The new space will be a brunch and lunch spot with more seating that will be available in the evenings for private events.

"It's a brunch and lunch cafe with Italian flare," said LaSpisa.

LaSpisa is hoping to open by the end of September or beginning of October.

"Our menu will feature some of the unique items from our past brunches at the Raritan location and so much more, including fresh baked Italian pastries," said LaSpisa.

Menu items include fritatas, "definitely sandwiches", salads, grain bowls along with cappuccino and coffee drinks.

The fresh-baked Italian pastries will be baked on premise with ingredients imported from Italy.

The extra space at the new location will give the couple more space in the evenings for private events that will feature Basilico's menu. Catering will also be available.

The new location will also be BYOB.

LaSpisa and Trani opened Basilico at 46 W Somerset St. in Raritan in June 2021. They serve authentic, made-from-scratch Italian cuisine straight from Trani's roots. Read More: Hillsborough Couple Opens New Italian Restaurant In Raritan

Trani is from Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples, in Italy.

For more information on Cafe Basilico or to follow for opening updates, visit instagram.com/cafebasilico_hillsborough.

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