Maplewood II Makeover
Fabulous new look, same sensational food and some new delicacies at Joe Italiano’s Maplewood II in Mays Landing
By Frank Gabriel
|
Posted Sep. 12, 2013
Since
opening as a humble Hammonton tavern in 1945, the Maplewood name has
grown to become synonymous with elevated Italian cuisine, served along
with, to quote their own legendary roadside signage “The World’s Best
Spaghetti.”
Founded by Joe Italiano Sr., his son and namesake
took over the kitchen after returning from serving overseas in the
Korean War. Channeling family food traditions, the now-octogenarian Joe,
Jr. did more for the image of Italian-American cuisine locally than
anyone else we can imagine — including the creation of truly spectacular
white seafood sauces, virtually unheard of hereabouts.
His son,
third generation owner and operator Jim “Jimmy” Italiano, recently put
his own personal touch on this standard-bearer of southern New Jersey
restaurant brands, via a complete revision of Mays Landing’s Maplewood
II.
Founded by Joe Jr. in the early 1980s, Mays Landing’s
version was a little different than the original, housed in an older
building inherited from another restauranteur. After successfully
squeezing themselves into the cramped quarters for more than 30 years,
Jimmy pulled the trigger this past April on a long anticipated project
he labels “Like a rehab — almost.”
He goes on to say that it was
“a gigantic project just to get open, due to the age and condition of
the building.” All of which meant a brand new, much larger parking
facility, completely renovated interiors — including a sweet little bar
with seating for about a dozen — a stone-ringed hearth fireplace in the
dining room plus many new appliances for the kitchen.
Crucial
throughout this nearly six-month process was family friend and general
contractor Joe Continiso. Having helped the Italiano family in Hammonton
with a variety of small jobs, Jimmy Italiano asked him to take on this
massive one along with Philly-based interior decorator Jane Reynolds. A
longtime customer from when she used to work at Kessler Hospital,
according to Italiano, Reynolds helped select the soft wood tones that
now permeate throughout.
The third leg of Italiano’s team was
longtime Hammonton employee chef Jose Montalvo, brought in to provide
some updates to the bill of fare. Now don’t panic, all you veteran
Maplewood diners out there, you’ll still be able to enjoy classic pastas
like the eponymous Joe’s Special — shrimp, crab, mussels, clams and
scungilli in a choice of red or white sauce; their famous broccoli and
shrimp; or our personal crave, Uncle Nino’s special, laden with lobster,
shrimp, Dungeness crab and clams (pictured).
But you’ll also
encounter a few newer items, tested and perfected in the Hammonton
mothership. Among them will be veal arugula, cavatelli Franco tossed
with shrimp and crab in a garlic-and-chopped tomato basil sauce, classic
veal scallopine, and a retro Italian dish, tripe in tomato sauce.
Slated for re-launch Friday, Sept. 13, this new Maplewood has been a long time coming for the humble, soft-spoken Italiano.
“I felt like I went from being a project manager to getting back running a restaurant,” says Italiano.
Most members of his staff will return after the hiatus, ensuring a
continued level of service to match the brilliant cuisine. With seating
for about 100 between the now-spacious dining room and that
aforementioned bar —where patrons are free to order food as well,
formerly a well-kept secret — his expectations are huge for the
just-enhanced property, and he expects the same reaction from patrons.
“We
think our customers will be pleased at what we’ve done,” he says, “and
the quality of food and service will be remain high.”
Italiano
allows himself a tiny smile after nearly completing this lengthy ordeal.
With well over half-a-million bucks invested, it is indeed a long-term
venture. But for southern New Jersey’s first family of Italian
restauranteurs, nothing less would be acceptable, or expected.
“Tell your family we’re open and ready to roll,” says an enthusiastic Italiano. “We’re also waiting for you.”
Maplewood II
6125 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing
609 -625-1181
www.maplewood.me
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