Chispa
Coffee · Ridgewood
About Chispa
En Chispa, te invitamos a disfrutar de una experiencia culinaria italiana contemporánea y elevada en un ambiente elegante y luminoso. Además de nuestros deliciosos platos, ofrecemos una selección de repostería clásica elaborada con cariño. Ubicados en Ridgewood, te esperamos para compartir la chispa...
En Chispa, te invitamos a disfrutar de una experiencia culinaria italiana contemporánea y elevada en un ambiente elegante y luminoso. Además de nuestros deliciosos platos, ofrecemos una selección de repostería clásica elaborada con cariño. Ubicados en Ridgewood, te esperamos para compartir la chispa de la buena comida y el buen café.
What Customers Say About Chispa
Chispa, also known as From Scratch, is a small, family-owned Italian restaurant loved for its authentic Roman cuisine and fresh, homemade pasta. Customers rave about the friendly service and dishes like the tiramisu and Nutella pie. It can get loud on Saturday nights.
Popular Dishes
Best For
Tip: Reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's small size. It's also BYOB, so bring your favorite wine.
Features
What to see nearby
Data from Wikidata
Explore the area around Chispa
Chispa is located in Ridgewood, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Parks & Gardens
- Graydon Park (A 811m) — park in the United States of America
- Veterans Memorial Field (A 825m) — park in the United States of America
Data from Wikidata
Frequently asked questions about Chispa
Chispa Ridgewood Reviews
My husband and I went to From Scratch for the first time and it was fantastic! Everything from the appetizers, pasta dishes to the dessert were top notch! The pasta is of high quality and very authentic. The service was excellent as well. Highly recommended.
The food here is phenomenal—authentic farm to table level freshness and the tiramisu’s are out of this world—only in Italy do they make them this way—made to order, not sitting and getting soggy. The portions are great and the quality is such that the prices are more than worth it. Wonderful family owned fantastic restaurant. I’ll be back.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a hidden gem in the cute town of Ridgewood! This small Italian restaurant is full of charm and heart. The pasta was made completely from scratch and tasted incredible—rich, authentic Italian flavors in every bite, clearly prepared with so much love and care. The dessert was absolutely out of this world and the perfect ending to an amazing meal. Cozy atmosphere, delicious food, and a truly memorable experience. Great service. Can’t wait to come back!
Food was absolutely delicious, the pasta was outstanding. Perfectly cooked and very flavorful. Overall really liked the place however its very small on on Saturday night extremely loud, some people feel the need to scream across the table, not the restaurants fault. Service was very good, but a little slow. Understandable in a small place when you have set seating times and everyone comes in at the same time. We will definitely go back
A small but lovely place owned and operated by Italians. Excellent food. I had the chicken special, friends had pasta, they said it was very good. Then got a tiramisu which - surprisingly - had a crunchy layer of lady fingers in it. It was different but excellent. The only surprise was right at the beginning when we heard that alcohol was 'bring your own'.... What?? An Italian place without red wine?? But we resolved it by walking over the corner to a wine store and bought a bottle of nice chianti. Not being local there, we didn't know....
It was our 1st time dining at From Scratch and we truly don't know how we never been here before. Everything from the service, the vibe and of course the food was fantastic. We sat at the counter because they were fully booked (not surprised) and it was an amazing experience. Giada, our server was extremely attentive and made us feel so welcomed. We also chatted with Fiona and Filippo and by the end of the evening we felt as is we were hanging out with friends. Ok now the food haha, we had the Eggplant Parmigiano, Rigatoni Carbonara w/ truffle, Pappardelle Ossobuco and the Nutella pie. EVERYTHING was delicious and very authentic Italian. Quality ingredients and cooked perfectly. As people who visit Italy often, we pride ourselves in finding and supporting authentic Italian restaurants. Dont hesitate to make a reservation. We will definitely be back soon!
From Scratch is always excellent, but if you get a chance to do a cooking class with Claudia it’s a game-changer. She was incredibly thorough explaining the history of carbonara and we went through all the steps to ensure a truly authentic experience. I can’t wait to take the lasagna and ravioli classes in the future. Our group had a blast and I’d highly recommend it whether its a casual dinner, or learning something new for your culinary repertoire. Graziemille!
Every dish I’ve tried here has been truly delicious, and you can really taste how fresh the ingredients are. It’s become my wife and I’s favorite spot. The staff and owners are so friendly and welcoming, making you feel right at home. We’ve celebrated Valentine’s Day here and also took a cooking class, and both experiences were unforgettable. I’m really happy we found this hidden gem and look forward to many more visits.
This is our favorite restaurant! The food is authentic Italian, and every dish delicious. The staff and owners are really friendly, making every visit a great experience. It’s a small, cozy place, and it’s BYOB, so don’t forget to bring your favorite drink. Make sure to call ahead and get a reservation, since it can fill up quickly. They also offer cooking classes, and I totally recommend trying one. Claudia is passionate about sharing her recipes, and she takes pride in teaching. It’s been over two years since we took the class, and we’re still making and loving those recipes at home. Would definitely recommend it for great food, friendly people, and a fun cooking experience!
Whether it’s going out with friends, on a date or to celebrate a night with family, From Scratch has always exceeded our expectations! If anyone in my life is looking for a dinner recommendation it’s always this spot - along with their Cacio e Pepe and Nutella Pie. You couldn’t go wrong ordering anything from here, and I always enjoy the new specials to change things up. Outside of the food the service is friendly, accommodating and always helpful. The pasta is truly delicious and I always leave happy and full. I look forward to our next visit in the near future!!
Wow, what an absolute amazing dinner. We were greated by Fillipo who was getting out table prepared for 6. Upon sitting Valentina gave us the daily specials and we took some time to read the menu and they opened our wine. We decided to order a bunch of appetizers and each an entree. The appetizers were amazing, so fresh and absolutely stunning to look at. The taste of each was even better. The entrees were equally as amazing as the appetizers. The food at From Scratch is so fresh. You won't find fresh pasta like this anywhere in the bergen county area. Give From Scratch a try. You won't want to go anywhere else for authentic Italian food.
Why travel all the way to Rome to taste authentic Roman cuisine when you can just come here for a wonderful Roman meal? The food is delicious, the service is great, and the atmosphere is wonderful. This is by far my favorite Italian restaurant in Bergen County. I highly recommend this family owned and operated restaurant.
Absolutely blown away by Just Scratch! This Italian restaurant takes “made from scratch” to a whole new level — every dish is prepared right in front of you, and the freshness is undeniable. From handmade pasta to perfectly balanced sauces, you can taste the quality and care in every bite. The service was equally impressive: warm, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about the food. It’s rare to find an Italian spot that feels this authentic and personal. Highly recommend for anyone who loves real, handmade Italian food done right.
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 is delicious!
Absolutely delicious. It's such a wonderful Italian restaurant. Delicate, well cooked, and rich in flavor dishes, from the appetizers, entrée and the desserts. I love that you can see the chefs cooking close to you. Well-organized restaurant. Suggestion: Please call in advance to reserve a table.
The dishes we ordered were good. The grilled octopus was great, potato soup (Chef's Choice Soup) was delicious and hearty, the carbonara tartufata was delicious although I'm used to a more creamy carbonara sauce which is my favorite. The special of the day - short ribs was on the salty side but flavorful. Ambiance is as expected for a tiny place in Ridgewood. We sat right by the tiny kitchen along the hallway which is fine as but nothing much to look at so there is really not much of an ambiance. There is a big counter in the middle of the restaurant that accommodates a small bar area. I don't think it's necessary. But most importantly, the service was great! I have read some of the unfavorable comments but this time, it was a positive experience for us so no complaints here. I hope they can sustain. I have recommended to my friends and family and we will sure come back. Date: 2/20/2021
On Saturday, March 7th, I dined at the restaurant with a reservation for 5:30 PM. We were the first table to be seated that evening. The food itself was excellent. For appetizers, my wife ordered the eggplant, while my son and I chose the soup. Although the server estimated the eggplant would take 12 minutes to prepare, it actually took 25 minutes to arrive at our table. While the server provided good service and was very apologetic, significant delays and problems originated from the kitchen. The main courses were particularly problematic. After an extended wait, only two out of the three entrées arrived, with one being served cold. The third entrée was brought to our table 15 minutes later. Throughout the experience, there was no manager on duty to offer updates or explanations regarding these delays. Although the server did his best, the lack of managerial presence and poor coordination in the kitchen resulted in a disappointing service experience, especially given the restaurant's pricing. The service quality did not meet expectations and was even less satisfactory than what one might expect at a fast-food establishment like McDonald's. Due to the absence of a manager and the subpar service, I would not recommend this restaurant
As a professional pastry chef with a deep appreciation for Italian desserts, I chose this restaurant with the expectation of tasting a true Napolitan treat. Unfortunately, the experience was far from what I anticipated. The dessert was hastily assembled at the counter with little to no care in presentation. I will be attaching a photo that clearly illustrates the lack of finesse in preparation. I was particularly surprised by the absence of the classic components that define a Napolitan dessert: • Where was the triple-baked puff pastry? • The two distinct layers of pastry cream? • The marbled glaze layer? Instead, what I received was a puff pastry sandwich with a symbolic amount of cream and fruit in between two somewhat softened sheets of pastry. While the puff pastry itself was acceptable in texture, the overall structure and flavor profile were a poor representation of the Italian dessert it claimed to be. To charge $14 for this minimal and uninspired composition was disappointing, especially for an establishment representing itself as an Italian restaurant. Quality, care, and authenticity should never be compromised—especially in a cuisine renowned for its precision and tradition. Thank you, nonetheless, for the fruit-filled puff pastry sandwich. But I sincerely hope future offerings better reflect the excellence and elegance of true Italian patisserie. I’m sharing both the menu image and the actual product I received in the photos.
Food: Bad. Guanciale was badly burned and hard as glass. The sauce was sour (probably from burned ingredient). Gritty and unpleasant carbonara. Lasagna was better but not something you want to have again. Service: a young man approached at the beginning but then was busy with anything but serving our table. A lady had to step in. However when I nicely mentioned that the carbonara wasn't good she was annoyed at me and arrogant in her answer. I am a nice person and somewhat shy. Why was I handled so rudely I don't understand. Edit: I have finished your dishes because I haven't had any food that day and was hungry. If you cooked your shoe and served it I would probably eat it. I didn't need your discount I wanted to be heard. I was disappointed with the quality of the food and you were arrogant and rude. And even now you assumed that the problem with the customer by default. You cannot even fathom that you might do something wrong. I tried to appeal to you before making it public. I can't believe that you couldn't care less about customers.
Sign in to leave a review
Sign inRemove ads and manage your menu
Explore Your Area
The Yard
Chick-fil-A
Shanon Taberna Irlandesa
Jalapeno's
Houlihan's - Paramus
Fig & Tomato
Starbucks
Capybara
TURVINO'S PIZZA
Bar Underdog
82 Photos
Explore Chispa's photos
About Chispa
How to get there
44 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Highlights
Services
Dining Options
Restaurant Info
Amenities
The Neighborhood
Location
44 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
📍 Explore the Neighborhood
Upcoming Events
park in the United States of America
park in the United States of America
Gaming
🎮 Earn Points While You Explore!
Play Find Me and redeem points for discounts at Chispa and other restaurants
Earn Points at Chispa!
Play Find Me and redeem rewards here
Earn extra points and redeem them for rewards at Chispa
🏆 Rewards at Chispa
10% Discount
At Chispa
Free Appetizer
On your next visit
VIP Table
Premium experience
to redeem rewards and earn points
📋 How Do Rewards Work?
Play Find Me
Every 100 score points = 1 reward point
Collect Points
Workers earn 2x points per game
Redeem Rewards
Discounts, free food and VIP experiences
Is it yours? Claim it FREE!
Remove ads and manage your menu