Taking its name from a region in Italy, Apulia in Hoboken is a true find. I admit that I prefer lunch over dinner, the place being quieter, especially in the winter when you have no other choice than eating inside.

Menu wise, they offer pasta (not homemade) as well as succulent Neapolitan pizza that has a fantastic crust that is puffed up on the outside and very thin in the center, nicely charred and crispy. The margherita (made with Apulia tomatoes, fior di latte and basil) is simple but so good, but one of my favorite is the biancaneve that is made with mozzarella, Stracciatella, Ricotta, Garlic (we asked without) and olive oil.

For pasta, they have the classic cacio e pepe or amatriciana, but, for an elevated dish, they have tagliolini al tartuffo that is fresh tagliolini with lack summer truffle and olive oil. Superb!

Tagliolini al tartufo at Apulia in Hoboken, NJ

If you feel like having an appetizer, you can go for a salad like the arugula that had a nice amount of Parmesan (aged 24 months) or the octopus that is served with a potato salad (pulpo e patate). Comforting, they surely know how to cook the octopus that was steamed, not grilled.

Should mention the Italian sodas we had with our lunches there: aranciata (orange) and lemonata (lemon - too tart).

And the desserts that are homemade. My favorite is the tiramisu that is very creamy, but I also like the panna cotta that has a nice texture. I should mention the nutella calzone that I must try at some point!