A place for delicious food, great conversation and a commitment to community

By Sue Baldani

Gregory Kay and Ronnie Vojka, owners of Fabio’s Bistro on South Avenue in Fanwood, believe in more than just serving a good pizza or a plate of chicken parmesan. “Our recipes are made with love,” says Greg. “It’s a place where friends become family.”

In business for seven years, the casual, homey atmosphere makes it a fun place to hang out, eat delicious food, and have great conversations with family and friends. Or, walk in to pick up some take out and be greeted by a warm and friendly staff who will often greet you by name.

“I want to believe Fabio’s stands out because of the quality of food, the quantity of food and the people customers meet while dining here,” he says. “We use the finest of ingredients in all of our menu items, and take pride in our dishes so we won’t change our flavor. Our pizza is a big hit – we make several different styles. In 2023, we were voted #1 on the Slice app in the country which consisted of over 18,000 pizzerias.”

The amazing pizza varieties include the Thin Crust Brooklyn Square pie, a Broccoli, Zucchini and Mushroom pizza, a Margarita and Fresh Mozzarella, a Buffalo Chicken and a Taco pizza. There’s even a gluten-free option for those who desire.

For dinner, start off with some mouth-watering appetizers such as the fresh and flavorful Bruschetta, Sweet Mussels Marinara, Hot Fried Calamari, or Meat Rice Balls. Then, move on to the entrees which range from the traditional Fettuccine Alfredo and Chicken Marsala to an Italian Surf and Turf and Shrimp Oreganata. Meat lovers and vegetarians alike will find many things to love about the menu. And bring the kids – there’s a great children’s menu with all their favorites.

Of course, there are also salads, soups, hot and cold subs, wraps, calzones, stromboli, chicken fingers and so much more available. You’ll never be disappointed in the number of options.

Fabio’s is also a wonderful local place to hold small celebrations such as birthday parties, graduation celebrations, and anniversaries. “In the summer, we also have outdoor seating which enables us to have a few more guests,” says Greg. And, if you’re having a private party at home or a large event at a venue, Fabio’s Bistro can provide catering for those affairs too.

Feedback from customers has always been very positive, but if anyone does express a concern, Greg and Ronnie will do their best to make things right. “We take their input to heart because ultimately that’s what keeps us going,” says Greg. “What makes owning a business in Fanwood special is that Fanwood and Scotch Plains are really remarkable towns. They are smaller in size and families are involved in local events, organizations and town happenings. Everyone seems to know everyone.”

He and Ronnie also enjoy speaking and keeping in touch with the people who keep the towns operating, such as those in the town hall, local dignitaries, and mayors, and those who ensure the safety of the community like the police officials and officers, fire chiefs and firefighters, and EMTs.

“Everyone is always stopping in and checking on us,” says Greg. “Anytime we need anything, we know we’re a phone call away from assistance or direction. It doesn’t get better than that.”

The Bistro is also a big believer in giving back. “We try to be involved with the community as much as possible and support Scotch Plains/ Fanwood’s organizations, events and teams,” he says. “We know the hard work our local clubs, sport teams and organizations put in to make our town even better.

“We get approached by many and do as much as possible to make everyone happy. Since all of our customers are like family to us, we do all we can to help them out. We love doing for our community – our community is our family.”

He and Ronnie also help feed veterans on an ongoing basis. “Since they opened their doors, Fabio’s has provided ongoing support to these brave men and women, and because many of them experience food insecurity, it’s a lifeline and a safety net,” says veterans advocate, Steve Hackenberg. “Ronnie and Greg, and the customers who put their dollars into the donation jar, have made a tremendous impact in these veterans’ lives.”  

The owners are very excited for the future and have big plans in the works. “We’ve purchased the former Sheelen’s Crossing [located right across the street],” says Greg. “Because of the support from the community, we’ve outgrown our footprint at our current location. We have been planning this for some time and now it’s time to make it happen.” They hope to have the new location up and running by December 2024.

To revisit, discover and enjoy all that Fabio’s Bistro has to offer, go to FabiosBistroMenu.com, call (908) 274-2038 or order on the Slice app. Whether you dine in, take out, or have it delivered, you’ll be in for a real treat.

Buon appétito!

Written for Scotch Plains Lifestyle magazine in New Jersey.

Connecting through storytelling

By Sue Baldani

While Jill Fordyce loves being a lawyer, she always wanted to write a novel one day. On January 30, that goal was realized when her book, Belonging, was released.

What drew you to writing?

For me, story is the most powerful thing we have as far as understanding each other. To be able to create a story from things I’ve either observed or experienced and be able to put that out there just always felt really, really important to me.

Describe your style of writing.

I feel like I learned more about writing from listening to music and lyrics than I did from studying literature. When I was first writing this book, I wanted it to feel the way a favorite old song makes you feel, and for it to feel universal so people could connect their own experiences to it.

What inspired you to write Belonging?

My original inspiration for the book was this idea of a childhood friendship that was so deep that it kind of guided each of the parties throughout their lives, across distance and time, and even death. And, I wanted to tell that story from Jenny’s [the protagonist] point of view because it was also important for me to write a book that conveyed the experience of growing up in a home with an alcoholic mother in a very intimate and realistic way.

Since I have experienced alcoholism in my own family, when I recognize a young girl who has those same types of traits as the character – being very independent but also needing a type of nurturing she maybe did not receive as a child – I wanted to be able to speak to her through story and character.

How do you want people to feel when they read Belonging?

My biggest hope is that they feel less alone by really being immersed in Jenny’s life and finding her as somebody they can relate to. One of the themes of the book is forgiveness and this ability to forgive the alcoholic in your life and move forward with grace and peace in your own way. I hope that the book itself conveys a sense of warmth and hope.

You live in California, but bought a home in Leiper’s Fork in 2018. Why was that?

We just love it here – it’s so beautiful and peaceful. It also has accessibility to all the arts with the music and great literary communities nearby. I love the village and being close to downtown Franklin as well. It’s such a friendly place.

My next book, which I’m working on now, will actually take place in Middle Tennessee.

You can find Belonging at Barnes & Noble and wherever books are sold. Jill will also be at Bound Booksellers in Franklin on February 10^th from 1:00 pm to 2:00 p.m.

BarnesAndNoble.com/w/belonging-jill-fordyce/1143762745?ean=9798888451748

Written for Franklin Lifestyle magazine in Tennessee.

By Sue Baldani

A small group of volunteers is making a big difference in the lives of animals, and now you can help too. Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is holding its annual Tricky Tray on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Shackamaxon Country Club in Scotch Plains.

Attendees will enjoy a delicious brunch that includes an assortment of muffins, bagels and croissants, farm-fresh scrambled eggs, brioche French toast, and fruit platters, along with mimosas, coffee, tea, fruit juice, and hot chocolate in a lovely, upscale atmosphere. Ticket holders will also get to try their luck at winning some exciting prizes. And, to be entered into a Mystery Prize Raffle, just bring some cat food to donate.

Come out for a fun day with friends and family. You might leave with a basket full of goodies or a treasured item, but if nothing else, you’ll know you made a difference in an animal’s life.

Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are available through the mail and online. Please email bestfriendadoptnj@gmail.com to learn more.

Also, be sure to visit Best Friend’s cute little thrift store on East 2^nd Street that’s chock full of wonderful merchandise for shoppers of all ages. All funds raised are used to help the pets in their care with spaying and neutering, boarding, food and veterinary bills. The shop is also a drop off spot for much needed cat food, litter and dog food.

Thank you for your support!

BFDAAA.com

By Sue Baldani

When you walk into Prezzo Restaurant in Warren, which has been a staple in town since 2011, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled to a lovely Italian village. In fact, the restaurant is named after Prezzo, a small, picturesque town in Northern Italy. Once you taste the food, you’ll really feel like you’ve been transported there.

The experienced and talented chefs design and create authentic Tuscan dishes, and can bring joy to any palate. If someone has a dietary preference or restriction, such as gluten-free or vegetarian, they will gladly accommodate  those needs too.

Some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes include the Branzino Picante, Osso Bucco, and the Pappardelle with Short Ribs. The antipasti includes such delights as Balsamic Marinated Portobello, Clams Posillipo, Insalata Caprese and Calamari Fritti. Pasta dishes include Fusilli Puttanesca and Penne Arrabbiata, and the Caesar, Beet and Prezzo salads are full of freshness and flavor. There are also daily specials that showcase the different regions of Italy.

“Prezzo Restaurant uses fresh produce,” says its owner, Remi, who has an extensive restaurant background. “During the summer months, it’s grown locally, so the tomatoes, basil and everything else put into the dishes is very fresh. In the winter, we pay for the best in the market.” Its seafood, chicken, veal and beef are also of the highest quality.

The restaurant encompasses a large space, so tables are not crowded together and diners can enjoy a wonderful, quiet dinner with family and friends. “Beyond our main dining area, Prezzo Restaurant proudly offers an exclusive party room, catering to an array of celebrations, from delightful baby showers, vibrant birthday parties and elegant bridal rehearsals to intimate weddings and various social gatherings,” he says.

“Moreover, this versatile space transforms seamlessly for corporate luncheons, boasting amenities like flat-screen TVs ideal for impactful presentations during professional meetings.”

If a party is being held outside of the restaurant, Prezzo will also provide catering for both large and small affairs. Customers can pick up trays of food, or for larger events, it will provide the entire set up with steamer trays and servers. For those who want to enjoy a flavorful Italian dinner at home, the restaurant also offers takeout.

The building in which Prezzo Restaurant is located has undergone a major renovation over the past four years. “It was a huge disruption to business, and I want to thank our customers for a lot of support and patience,” says Remi. “But I’m happy to inform them that all the construction is now finished. The facelift of the building is really very nice and we now have plenty of parking.”

With its warm earthtones and tasteful artwork, and linen-covered tables with sparkling crystalware, diners love to linger and savor the experience, and are made to feel like a member of the family. As they like to say at Prezzo – Grazie e Benvenuto (Thanks and Welcome!)

For more information, go to PrezzoNJ.com or call 908-755-0032 to make your reservation.

Written for The Showcase Magazine in New Jersey.

An artist who brings his creations to life and celebrates the magic of coming together

By Sue Baldani

For Ricardo Roig, being creative is a way to make sense of the world and at the same time make it a more wonderful place to live. “Art really has the power to uplift and bring people together, and so not only do I do that authentically by being an artist, it’s just who I am,” he says. “It has always been a part of me.”

Growing up in Westfield, he loved to sketch people he knew, including his fellow students. In 2006, one of his professors introduced him to the technique of cutting shapes out of paper to create depth in his works. “Using that technique, I created The Room, and it unlocked something inside of me. It was like falling in love or into a new universe.”

Today, Ricardo is well-known for his hand-cut stencil-layered paintings. “I don’t define myself; I always find myself, but I can say that my style is modern, innovative and vibrant,” he says. “I didn’t want to be just another artist – I wanted to provide something new to the world so that it could inspire people in new ways. And I love doing it. It brings me to life and is a physical manifestation of my spirit.”

Many of his creations depict people and places from his hometown, like the Rialto theater, as well as other places he’s visited and people he’s met throughout his life. While his work The Room was his first love, another piece that has a special place in his heart is The Trumpeter. “In 2017, I created The Trumpeter after visiting Nick’s, a jazz club outside of Boston. While there, I could see this trumpeter blasting away and doing what he loved. When I created this piece, I developed color, but I also wanted people to hear and feel the instrument.”

Depicting this musician made him realize that as an artist, his style and talent will always evolve. “The Room was my first piece, but then every piece I’ve done since then has been an evolution of it.”

Now living in Scotch Plains with his wife, Michelle, and children, 5-year-old Ricardo and 2-1/2-year-old Matias, he was honored to be asked to do the artwork for the February cover of Scotch Plains Lifestyle magazine. “For this issue, I wanted to have a new piece that I was inspired to do specifically for my children’s hometown. I’m so proud and blessed to live and raise my kids here.”

His goal was to depict the image of downtown, and include places where he and his family spend time. Black Drop Coffee, where he stops regularly, is there, as is the steeple of the church where Ricardo attends daycare.

While many artists are solitary, Ricardo believes in the power of people coming together. “When you can come together, it’s just magic, and that’s what this cover is all about. The magic of people coming together and what they’re trying to do here.”

In addition to owning and running two galleries with his wife in Hoboken at the W Hotel and in Westfield, he’s also the artist-in-residence at Kean University. He’s excited to be holding a show there on January 25.

“I’m half Cuban and half Dominican, and I grew up with good values and I’m happy to share myself and my talent with others,” he says. “When you share your heart with the world, the world grows smaller as your heart grows bigger.”

Ricardo receives commissions for his talent from all over the country, and would love to make a special piece for your home or business. To see his unique and exceptional works of art, make an appointment to visit one of his galleries, and also check out his Instagram page.

“Allowing myself to put myself in other people’s shoes, sharing kindness, showing up for the moment, and being mindful – all of that goes into my art.”

RoigCollection.com

Written for Scotch Plains Lifestyle magazine in New Jersey.

A young woman overcoming adversity one card at a time

By Sue Baldani

“I hope my cards bring a little bit of happiness to each person that gets one,” says Janey Carter, founder of Paper by Janey. “I hope when people hear my story, I encourage them and show them that, no matter what, anything is possible!”

She definitely has proven that anything is indeed possible. In 2017, Janey was in a car accident that damaged her spinal cord, causing her to be partially paralyzed from the neck down. She was only 17 years old. Instead of sinking into despair, she found a way to bring joy not only to herself, but to others as well.

“What I love most about making cards is the opportunity to create something meaningful that will bring a smile to someone’s face,” she says.

It all started in 2020, when COVID shut down the world. Using watercolor paints, Janey decided to make Mother’s Day and other cards people could order online to spread some cheer. “I made little cards with Bible verses on them and I sold more than I expected,” she says. “People were excited to have a card made by me! So next I made Father’s Day cards and birthday cards. Things continued to be successful so I just kept going.”

Janey’s ideas are inspired from the world around her, and she also loves doing custom work to make other people’s ideas come to life on paper. In addition to cards, she makes invitations, announcements and anything else customers desire.

Subscription Boxes, which arrive every January, April, July, and October, are another fun offering. “Each one contains 20 cards (worth $60) for just $30 each time,” she says. “They’re a convenient way to keep a ready-to-use supply of cards on hand, making it easier to send cards whenever you need to.”

There’s also a bonus surprise included in each package such as bookmarks, coupons for her website, tags for presents and very unique plantable cards. “A plantable card is a greeting card made from biodegradable paper embedded with seeds,” says Janey. “They can be planted instead of discarded. The paper decomposes and the seeds grow.”

In addition to creating beautiful keepsakes, she also shares information and tips about living life with a spinal cord injury. “By sharing my own experiences, I aim to connect with others as they go through challenges as well,” she says. “Inspiring others to live their best lives despite challenges is important to me because I believe in the incredible strength that lies within each person.”

This is her way, she explains, of bringing positivity to the world. “When people embrace their resilience, they not only improve their own lives but also impact the lives of those they touch. Plus, seeing someone embrace their potential and find strength in adversity is incredibly fulfilling and, in turn, inspires me to continue supporting and uplifting others.”

What makes her cards so special, she explains, is the story behind them. “With time, perseverance, and a shift in perspective, I discovered ways to adapt, discovered new passions, and found alternative ways to contribute and make a difference in the world. And I think that is what people appreciate the most.”

While many of Janey’s cards can be found on her website, they’re also available in stores in over 18 states across the country, including Tennessee, New Jersey, Alabama, California, Texas and Wyoming.

To give your special someone a very special card this Valentine’s Day, go to PaperByJaney.com, and check out more of her lovely creations on the sites below.

Instagram: @PaperByJaney Instagram.com/PaperByJaney/ & @JaneyCarter_ Instagram.com/JaneyCarter_/
Facebook: Paper by Janey
YouTube: @JaneyCarter1036 Channel/UCVlbsg7C_DKyoIOKd_cWHwg
TikTok: @JaneyCarter Tiktok.com/@JaneyCarter

Written for Franklin Lifestyle magazine in Tennessee.