Emma Wallace Fresh pizza, homemade pasta, and a glass of wine are already a winning combination. Add a cozy fireplace and warm hospitality, and you have Locale, Little Silver’s newest pizzeria. Located at 51 Oceanport Avenue, the Monmouth County restaurant serves traditional Italian cuisine with a welcoming, family-oriented approach that makes every guest feel at home. The business also recently opened a new Pizzeria & Market location in town, where guests can grab a quick slice and shop for artisanal products. Read on to learn more about our visit to Locale and its recently opened second location.
About Locale
Locale has always been a family affair, with siblings Giuseppe Ottaiano Jr., Tom Ottaiano, and Natalie Priore opening the pizzeria in 2024. The three had previously worked at their father’s Italian restaurant in Livingston before deciding to make their own mark in Little Silver with a family-oriented, upscale Italian dining experience.
Read More: Companies That Got Their Start at the Jersey Shore
They worked alongside business partners Matthew and Michael Kelly of Kelly Builders, who helped them break ground on the Ocean Avenue location. The construction firm is also the only business to hold a liquor consumption license, making Locale the only restaurant in Little Silver able to manufacture, sell, store, or serve alcoholic beverages.
The Vibe
Hospitality is a specialty at Locale, where owner Giuseppe makes a point of introducing himself and welcoming guests to his restaurant. The space combines a warm, inviting atmosphere with the refined feel of a fine-dining experience. Exposed brick encompasses the front, and the craftsman style continues inside, where stone and woodwork create a cozy environment. With the addition of a fireplace and family memorabilia decorating the space, guests can feel right at home. Locale also features a traditional pizza oven behind one of the two bars in the main dining area, where guests can watch as their pizzas cook into cheesy goodness.
The Menu
There is no shortage of Italian classics and specialties on Locale’s menu, featuring pizza, pasta, soup, and other homemade dishes. To start, guests can begin with classics like calamari, antipasti, or meatballs with ricotta. Giuseppe also brought out the Burrata Panzanella and Shrimp Arrabbiata for us to try. The Burrata Panzanella was a standout with its fresh ingredients and light, refreshing flavors. The Shrimp Arrabbiata offered a generous serving of shrimp in a slightly spicy tomato sauce served with crostini.
No story about Locale would be complete without mentioning its pizza. There is an option for every palate, with choices like the Hot Honey pie with pepperoni, hot honey, and basil or the Fig and Pig with baby arugula, fig jam, prosciutto, and extra virgin olive oil. Cheese lovers can go for the Quattro Formaggi topped with mozzarella, provolone, scamorza, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Beyond pizza and pasta, Locale’s entree menu features a range of Italian favorites. The Pan-Seared Chicken is served with vinegar peppers, fingerling potatoes, onions, and garlic in a pan sauce. The dish comes with two chicken breasts, making it a hearty option without too much heat. The Veal Chop Parm is another standout with its sizable bone-in cut topped with pomodoro, mozzarella, and basil oil. Its generous portion makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a filling meal.
Other notable entrees are the Nonna’s Chicken Parm for a taste of Italian comfort food and the Ribeye “My Way” paired with long hot peppers and a savory demi-glace.
Arguably the best part of any meal, dessert is the only way to end a good night out. The Affogato pairs vanilla gelato with espresso for a simple yet satisfying treat, while the Tartufo combines vanilla and chocolate ice cream for a rich, refreshing finish. Both pair well with a cup of black coffee to round out the meal.
Locale Pizzeria & Market
Only a short walk away from the restaurant is Locale’s Pizzeria & Market. It is located at 24 Ayers Lane across from the Little Silver train station and offers an entirely different experience from the main location.
The recently opened space serves as both a counter-service pizzeria and a shop where customers can find Italian specialty products. Unlike the restaurant, the pizzeria does not require reservations for guests looking to grab a slice or order other menu items. The market menu features many of the same Italian favorites as its sister location, with the addition of pizza by the slice, brick oven sandwiches, calzones, and strombolis.
See More: This Secret Omakase Spot in Ridgefield Is One of Bergen County’s Coolest Dining Experiences
The market also stocks products from Livoti’s Old World Market, giving customers the chance to pick up Italian specialty items to take home. Guests can also sit down and enjoy their food on-site.
Locale’s restaurant at 51 Oceanport Avenue is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 10 PM and is closed on Mondays. The Pizzeria & Market at 24 Ayers Lane is open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM for the market and 10 AM to 10 PM for the pizzeria.
Follow @thejerseyshoregirl_ on Instagram for the latest Jersey Shore updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 40+ events weekly to peruse.
