Love some extra sauce? That’s a no-can-do at new Italian restaurant Basilico, which opened June 1 in Raritan Borough. But it’s for a good reason. “All of our sauces are made to order,” said Kari LaSpisa, who co-owns the homey, bright restaurant alongside boyfriend of eight years Giuseppe (Joey) Trani. “We don’t have sauces sitting in vats.”

This philosophy of fresh, homemade eats extends to every item on the menu. It makes sense, considering Trani’s background. The Basilico chef spent 30 years living on the island of Ischia in Italy, while also going to culinary school and owning two restaurants there.