Concept

Cotto is a chef-driven, modern Italian BYO restaurant rooted in tradition and guided by creativity. Our culinary identity is defined by a refined, innovative approach to Italian cooking, highlighting high-quality ingredients, regional influences, and unexpected pairings that push beyond the familiar while remaining grounded in classic Italian principles. The result is a dining experience that feels both timeless and original, honoring the past while looking confidently toward the future.

The name Cotto, Italian for “cooked”, reflects our appreciation for simplicity, intention, and the craft of preparation. We follow a traditional Italian approach to dining, beginning with an appetizer course, followed by pasta as a mid-course, then entrées and desserts. The menu features house-made pastas and thoughtful, ingredient-driven dishes that celebrate the depth and diversity of Italian cuisine. as a BYO restaurant, we invite guests to bring bottles that make the experience their own. 

Owners and Management

Cotto is the latest concept from Stirling Restaurant Group, known for its community-focused approach and successful hospitality ventures across New Jersey, including the Stirling Tavern and Dublin Pub in Morristown, as well as the iconic Stirling Hotel in Stirling.

The restaurant is the result of a collaboration between Owners John and Christy Baldassarre, Altin Zhuleku, Director of Operations for Stirling Restaurant Group, and Brandon Campney, the group’s Culinary Director. Together, they bring decades of industry experience and a shared passion for delivering high-quality, hospitality-driven dining experiences.

At the helm of Cotto’s kitchen is Executive Chef Jordan Petriello, who brings a refined, innovative, and contemporary approach to Italian cuisine. Most recently the Executive Chef at Il Nido in Marlboro where Joe Rogan touted he would fly across the country to eat his Italian dishes. Jordan’s impressive background includes work in several Michelin-starred NYC restaurants, including Rezdôra, and being part of the opening team at Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen in Morristown.