From Scratch — Restaurant in Ridgewood

Have you ever heard the phrase “the customer is always right”? Not at From Scratch. At From Scratch Roberto (the host) is always right! A week ago I called to place a reservation for tonight at 8pm and received confirmation from Roberto that 8pm was available and the reservation was made. While on the phone Roberto was very disrespectful and acted like he didn’t even care if we dined there or not. Already off to a bad start. He asked for a card to have on file in case we didn’t show up and I had to ask what the potential charge per person would be since he did not offer that information. It was $25 per person. Today me and my siblings who were supposed to go to dinner together showed up at from scratch at 8pm per our reservation timing. Roberto was very rude as is his nature and claimed that my reservation was at 6pm and told me to go eat somewhere else. Clearly Roberto needs to get his hearing checked because I most definitely asked for 8pm over the phone. He did not try to offer me anything for his mistake and didn’t even admit to his mistake he just told me I was wrong. On top of that, he charged my card for missing the 6pm reservation that I obviously missed because my real reservation was at 8pm and he would have let that charge stand had I not demanded my refund. Terrible customer service. Terrible Roberto. Heard he’s been just as rude to other customers as well. Don’t come here if you want to be treated with respect and potentially ripped off for missing a phantom reservation. This last part is strictly for Roberto. Roberto - please step down as host of this establishment and make a public announcment stating your resignation. The people deserve better. Ridgewood deserves better. Forfeit your host status and allow more capable hands to guide From Scratch’s reservation book. If I see your announcment in the Bergen Record I will consider dining at From Scratch in the future but only then.

Also updating this review because it doesn’t look like google will let me reply to the business owner. I agree the hearing aid part was uncalled for and I apologize. I have removed that from the review. HOWEVER, we were NEVER offered a gift card at any point in time to reconcile the misunderstanding on their part and had to ASK for a refund for the reservation they thought we missed. We did not leave quickly and tried to get something out of the host and were turned away and told to eat somewhere else because there were no tables for us. The fact that they lied in thier reply is what is appalling to me. I don’t want their gift card because I’m sure that was an empty...

My wife and I recently celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary at From Scratch, coinciding with the restaurant’s 10th anniversary, and it was an unforgettable evening that exceeded every expectation. From the moment we stepped into the warm, inviting space, the staff made us feel like honored guests, with a special nod to the milestone celebrations—both ours and theirs. The atmosphere buzzed with a joyful energy, perfectly balancing sophistication and comfort, as if the restaurant itself was toasting a decade of culinary excellence.

The four-course tasting menu was a masterclass in flavor and creativity, each dish showcasing the kitchen’s dedication to crafting everything from scratch. I began with the beef tartare, a delicate yet bold starter. It set the tone for what was to come: precision and passion in every bite.

My wife got the eggplant caponata for her first course, a vibrant dish that was both rustic and refined. It was a testament to how From Scratch elevates humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

The handmade raviolis were an absolute highlight, each delicate parcel bursting with a silky ricotta filling. The pasta was so tender it practically melted, a labor of love that spoke to the restaurant’s name and ethos. We couldn’t stop raving about the texture—perfectly al dente, yet impossibly light. The mint added a hint of freshness to the dish, that I was originally hesitant about, but I’m happy I gave it a go!

For the main courses, my wife got the lamb. Perfectly cooked to a rosy pink, it was fall-apart tender, and had a perfect crust on the outside. The dish was hearty yet elegant.

Equally stunning were the scallops, seared to golden perfection with a buttery, caramelized crust. They sat around a small bed of caviar with purple mashed potatoes. Each bite was a harmonious balance of sea and earth.

The meal concluded with a ricotta dessert that was nothing short of divine. The creamy, cloud-like ricotta mousse was paired with a coulis with ginger dough crumbs. It was the perfect sweet note to end the evening, light yet indulgent, with flavors that lingered long after the last spoonful.

From Scratch isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of craft, community, and unforgettable moments. For our anniversary, we couldn’t have chosen a better place to mark the occasion, and we’re already looking forward to returning to see what the next decade brings for this culinary gem. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a dining experience that’s as heartfelt as it...

Before writing this review I made sure to go to the restaurant twice in the span of a 3 week period to get this right.(in short…it was that good)

Here we go.

This is what a dining experience should be.

The recipes, ingredients, care, and love could be felt in the cuisine in its entirety.

The first experience was a pre-fix menu which I’m not certain is still offered but really hit the ball out of the park so to speak (10 out of 10) but for this experience I’ll reference my most recent visit.

My wife and I came to the village of Ridgewood on an ever so busy Saturday night. We entered this very quaint establishment. It’s a beautiful layout, open kitchen design, and immaculately clean. We were sat towards the end of the restaurant and luckily for me next to the kitchen to get a sneak of the magic.

Our meal started with arancini siciliani, the Sicilian rice balls. The flavor was very fitting and matched perfectly with the vinaigrette I believe it was placed on.

We then ordered the Pinsa Brie with mozzarella and smoked prosciutto…whoa! The texture of the dough, the quality of the mozzarella and dab of balsamic were perfectly placed. Wish I ordered two (but I’ll be back)

Our main came and I chose the fettuccine alla bolognese. Interesting thing was I was eyeing the kitchen and (assuming) saw the chef pull the fettuccine right before it arrived on my plate. The flavors were so hearty, seasoned to perfection, and pasta very fresh. It brought me right to a village in Italy.

For desserts I had the Nutella crumb cake and it was rich, appropriately flaky, and garnished perfectly on the plate.

This has been one of the best dining experiences I’ve had. You can get a sense that the chef, family, and workers are going above and beyond to craft what each diner is eating…and you can taste it in every bite.

This is a 5 out of 5 on here and a 10 out of 10 in my book. Looking forward to...