Gia Giudice, a prominent figure from the reality television show *Next Gen NYC*, is venturing into the culinary world with the launch of her new Italian restaurant, Il Vero, located in Westwood, New Jersey. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Giudice expressed her excitement about continuing her family’s rich Italian heritage through this enterprise, which she has established in partnership with Maria Sausa.
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The concept behind Il Vero, which translates to “the truth” in Italian, is steeped in the values instilled in her by her family. Giudice highlighted the influence of her mother, Teresa Giudice, a well-known star of *The Real Housewives of New Jersey*, who helped shape the restaurant’s menu. Among the standout offerings is a beloved family recipe for “Joe’s Juicy Meatballs,” named after Teresa’s ex-husband.
Gia confidently stated, “When this opportunity arose, I thought there was no better way to carry on my family’s legacy.” She mentioned that the response to the restaurant has been exceptional, with diners eager to experience authentic Italian cuisine rooted in family tradition.
The restaurant’s opening has been remarkably well-received. After only two hours on OpenTable, Il Vero had booked 1,650 reservations, completely filling its schedule through October. “The overwhelming feeling of support was incredible,” commented Giudice, reflecting on the community’s enthusiasm for the new dining establishment.
Il Vero isn’t just about serving food; Giudice aims to create an immersive dining experience that goes beyond the typical restaurant atmosphere. She shared, “People always remark on the stunning interior design. We invested a lot of time into creating the perfect vibe.” This dedication to an aesthetically pleasing environment is accompanied by a multi-faceted dining layout—offering both formal dining and a more relaxed lounge experience.
An innovative aspect of Il Vero is the transformation of its atmosphere as the night progresses. The restaurant features a bar area that switches from a refined dinner setting to a lively lounge vibe, particularly during weekend evenings. “Once we see our later reservations settling in, the lights dim, the DJ arrives, and we transition into more of a club-like atmosphere,” Giudice explained.
However, this unique dining concept has also faced some scrutiny. Giudice has implemented a policy prohibiting children after 5 p.m. to maintain the desired adult-oriented ambience. Addressing concerns from critics, she took to TikTok stating, “While this might disappoint some, Westwood has several family-friendly options, and we wanted to create something different that adults could enjoy.”
As she embarks on this entrepreneurial journey, Giudice is learning valuable lessons about hospitality. She emphasized the importance of customer satisfaction, saying, “It’s all about making the customer happy. Every member of the team—from servers to kitchen staff—must be in sync to create a seamless experience.” Her commitment to excellence underlines the fast-paced nature of the restaurant industry.
The menu at Il Vero reflects both family traditions and contemporary tastes. Diners can expect a variety of authentic Italian dishes, with particular praises being directed at the meatballs and the carefully selected sauces and ingredients that embody the essence of traditional Italian cooking.
As Gia Giudice embarks on this new chapter of her life, she remains enthusiastic about sharing her familial culinary heritage with guests at Il Vero, ensuring they leave with lasting memories of delicious food and a warm atmosphere. Her rich Italian legacy not only continues but thrives in the heart of New Jersey, offering patrons a taste of her family’s history through each dish served.