Where do you go for zucchini blossoms stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella or a crispy duck salad with escarole, chicory and muscato grape sauce? How about pasta chitarra fashioned from an authentic guitar-like contraption or a to-die-for chestnut torta with chocolate, both homemade by an Italian grandma?
The answer is Corso 98, of course. If you haven't been to this gem, you've been missing out. Consider it the sleeper to the publicity machine that is Fascino. Both restaurants are family run operations -- two brothers and their mom -- but Corso 98, with its exposed brick walls, high ceilings and beautifully crafted dishes inspired by the family's roots in Abruzzo, Italy, has a decidedly different appeal. The atmosphere was convivial this Saturday night and part of the credit has to be due to Elio Suriano (right), the charismatic, high-energy host who seems to know all his guests and has an uncanny ability to make them feel right at home in his five-star dining room. In the kitchen, his brother and co-owner chef Corradino Suriano sends out plates that have patrons craning their necks to see what the other table ordered.
We supped on incredible mushroom rissotto with truffle essence for an appetizer and the aforementioned duck salad. Then it was a pignoli-crusted crusted sea bass with caramelized root vegetables and a roasted tomato cream, and a portion of melt-in-your-mouth handmade gnocchi with smoked mozarella, arugula and tomatoes. Two dishes to try here, as evidenced by the many plates we watched come out, are a veal osso bucco, served on creamy polenta with wilted spinach, crispy artichokes and oven roasted tomatoes, or the gorgeous rack of lamb. For dessert, Corso 98 offers favorite desserts like tiramisu and creme brulee, as well as some incredible gelato flavors (marzipan with chocolate flakes and a Bailey's with chocolate covered coffee beans) but we opted for Mama Lucia's very own wheat pie and chestnut torta. 
Like they say -- Mama knows best. We ended up sitting over cappuccino and some complimentary liqueurs for almost an hour, chatting with Ross, a regular at the next table who's eaten all over NJ, but is particularly partial to Corso. Check it out -- you won't be disappointed. And of course, tell them Baristanet sent you. -- Liz George
Corso 98, 96-98 Walnut Street, Montclair - 973.746.0789
Had the most incredible meal here recently. The fish was so fresh and I loved their homemade pastas! We'll definitely be going back.