Night out in Wayne: Dinner at Aldo's, singer and trio in The Jazz Room

A Baby Arugula Salad with sliced pear, walnuts and crumbled gorgonzola cheese at Aldo's Cucina Ristorante Italiano in Wayne.

Three slices of crusty whole wheat in the bread basket proved to be addictive, especially when dipped in extra-virgin olive oil from an herb-filled dispenser on the table.

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne looks like most suburban four-lane roads lined with shopping centers, strip malls and gasoline stations. 

But on Saturday night, we found we didn't have to stray far off the beaten path to:

Enjoy a filling Italian-American dinner, an after-dinner coffee at Starbucks and an incredible jazz singer, Cecile McLorin Salvant, backed by a trio, in The Jazz Room at William Paterson University.

At Aldo's Cucina, a large a la carte salad and an entree averaged about $35 per person before the tip.

I would have been happy with my wonderful Baby Arugula Salad ($8.95) and an appetizer. My wife had a Caesar Salad (also $8.95).

I ordered my Filet of Sole broiled to avoid the butter in the Francese option, and asked for vegetables instead of pasta.

I got plenty of fish and vegetables, but potato sticks also showed up on my plate ($21.95).

My wife ordered a special of Rigatoni with Shrimp and Salmon in a sauce made spicy with hot green peppers ($25.95), and took home plenty of leftovers.

A plate of rosemary potatoes was served with her entree.

Broiled Filet of Sole.

Rosemary potatoes.

A special of Rigatoni with Shrimp and Salmon.

Dining rooms at Aldo's Cucina in Wayne, above and below.

Details

Aldo's Cucina Ristorante Italiano, 777 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne; 1-973-872-1842. BYO. 

Aldo's website: Founded in 1996

Starbucks, 1118 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne; 1-973-872-6406. There are two other Starbucks in Wayne, which covers 25 square miles.

The Jazz Room at William Paterson University presents a dozen concerts a year with both student and professional musicians.

WPU's Shea Center for the Performing Arts, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne; 1-973-720-2371.