At age 31, Matthew Zappoli has already achieved more than most chefs do in their entire career. Born in Brooklyn and raised on the Jersey shore, he first began cooking with his mother, turning out the rustic family-style dishes emblematic of his Italian heritage.

At 13, he turned "professional," starting out in a neighborhood pizzeria and working his way into the kitchens of various Italian restaurants, steakhouses and banquet halls. As Zappoli's craft improved, cooking became a passion and he was motivated to make a career of it. Read More

More than 20 years ago, three Italian boys from the Jersey Shore met on the baseball diamond, intent on dominating their local little league division. Now, they are returning to their roots, intent on dominating the New Jersey restaurant scene. Celebrated chef Matthew Zappoli, brother Paul Zappoli, and lifelong friend Michael Cacciuttolo have opened Tre Amici, or "Three Friends," on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch.

The three graduates of Middletown High School North, after making their careers elsewhere, have come home to Monmouth County. Executive Chef Matthew Zappoli, a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, hails from the kitchens of some of America's most celebrated restaurateurs - including Charlie Palmer and Sami Ledeki. Zappoli's innovative menus have pleased the palates of audiences in Manhattan, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Sonoma wine country. He has trained at top Manhattan restaurants Lutèce and La Grenouille, and has been a featured guest chef at New York's famed James Beard House. His recipes have graced the menus of the likes of Aureole, Charlie Palmer's flagship Manhattan restaurant, and Las Vegas' acclaimed Aureole at Mandalay Bay, where Zappoli was Executive Sous Chef of the $11 million, 375-seat venue Read More

Funghi Ripieni $12
stuffed cremini mushrooms with fresh breadcrumbs, crabmeat, lemon parsley & parmesan

Frittura di Calamari $9
fried calamari with sweet or spicy marinara sauce

Spiedini di Famiglia $14
veal scaloppini, parmesan, parsley & marinara sauce Tre Amici family recipe;

Margherita $10
fresh mozzarella, basil & tomato

Parma $14
prosciutto, parmesan, & arugula pesto

Rigatoni con Salsiccia $19
sweet sausage, broccoli rabe, garlic parmesan & olive oil

Tilapia in Crosta di Basilico $23
herb crusted tilapia with escarole cannellini beans & sweet garlic sauce

Gnocchi Sorrentina $19
house made gnocchi with tomato sauce fresh basil & parmesan

Bruciato Pettini di Mare $26
seared sea scallops over bay scallop & asparagus risotto with a shellfish reduction sauce

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