Two acclaimed New Jersey eateries, PastaRAMEN and Casano’s Pizza Parlor, are joining forces for a one-day collaboration on November 3, 2025, featuring Japanese-inspired pizzas. This event brings together chef Robbie Felice’s innovative cuisine and Dave Ligas’s nostalgic pizza parlor in a unique culinary mashup.
The collaboration was announced recently and is set to take place at Casano’s Pizza Parlor in Rutherford, New Jersey. PastaRAMEN, known for its fusion of Italian and Japanese dishes, will work with Casano’s to create a limited menu of Japanese-inspired pizzas. This partnership highlights the growing trend of cross-cultural dining experiences in the region, drawing attention from food enthusiasts and local communities alike. The event promises to blend Casano’s old-school Italian-American vibes with Felice’s Wafu Japanese-Italian flair for a memorable experience.
Casano’s Pizza Parlor has developed a cult following, especially after being reviewed by Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports, who gave it a 7.9 rating for its New Haven-style pies. The restaurant’s decor is themed after the 1970s, inspired by owner Dave Ligas’s grandmother, and has attracted a star-studded clientele including Adele, Halsey, cosmetics mogul Bobbi Brown, and former New York Giants players Justin Tuck and Michael Strahan. This nostalgic setting provides a perfect backdrop for the collaboration, enhancing its appeal to both regulars and newcomers seeking a unique dining atmosphere.
Chef Robbie Felice, a James Beard Award nominee, is renowned for his creative dishes that seamlessly blend Italian and Japanese flavors, such as cacio e pepe fritti and truffle porcini ramen. His restaurant, PastaRAMEN, has previously hosted pop-up events in Manhattan and Las Vegas, demonstrating its broad appeal and innovative approach. Felice has explained that the seemingly disparate cuisines share common bases, like shiso, which combines basil and mint flavors, making the fusion natural and exciting for diners.
The collaboration is expected to draw significant crowds due to the buzz surrounding both establishments. Insiders describe the menu as limited and highly anticipated, with the mashup creating a buzzworthy event that could set a precedent for future partnerships in New Jersey’s vibrant food scene. The involvement of Montclair Hospitality Group, which owns PastaRAMEN and other ventures like Ani Ramen and Masaharu Morimoto’s chophouse, adds credibility and excitement to the occasion.
This event not only showcases the creativity of both chefs but also underscores the dynamic nature of New Jersey’s culinary landscape. It follows other successful initiatives, such as the recent launch of Morimoto’s OEN omakase spot in Montclair, which already has a waitlist of 2,000 guests. The collaboration reflects a broader trend of restaurants experimenting with cross-cultural concepts to engage food lovers and stay relevant in a competitive market.
Looking ahead, the success of this one-day event could inspire similar collaborations between local eateries, further cementing New Jersey’s reputation as a destination for innovative dining. For now, attendees can anticipate a unique experience on November 3, where they can savor the fusion of two distinct culinary worlds in a single, intimate setting. The event is likely to generate social media buzz and reviews, potentially influencing future food trends in the area.