Upscale Italian Steakhouse Concept Approved By Morristown Board

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A restaurateur has unveiled plans for a brand-new upscale Italian steakhouse, which will take up a long-vacant space at Headquarters Plaza in Morristown.

On Jan. 25, restaurateur Joseph Cetrulo, whose Trinity Hospitality Group owns Stella Marina and Cubacan in Asbury Park and Sirena in Long Branch, went before the Morristown Planning Board seeking approval for Masseria, a new restaurant at Headquarters Plaza.

The Morristown Planning Board approved the new restaurant's application to modify an existing commercial or retail space adjacent to the mall area at the Headquarters Plaza Complex.

Planning Board Chairman Joe Stanley stated that he believed this new venture would serve as an asset to the town.

The proposed restaurant will seat approximately 200 guests, according to the application. There will also be around 60 outdoor seats, which will open seasonally. Parking will be accommodated with valet parking and 120 parking spaces in the existing parking garage under the Headquarters Plaza Complex.

According to the applicant, there will also be a private wine room, which will be separate from the main dining room.

This is not Cetrulo's first project in Morristown; up until 2010, Cetrulo was the chef and owner of the beloved Morristown restaurant, La Campagna. In 2010, brothers Benito and Sal Capello took over as owners until 2020, when the restaurant closed its doors permanently during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I have made the very difficult decision to permanently close the doors to La Campagna. The financial hardship I have faced these past four months has been great," Benito said.

According to reports, Cetrulo is hoping to open Masseria at Headquarters Plaza by the end of this summer.