Acclaimed 4-star chef to open an Italian restaurant in Ridgewood

Acclaimed chef Anthony Bucco, who has wowed critics and diners alike for his cooking at legendary New Jersey restaurants the Ryland Inn and Restaurant Latour, is set to open a contemporary Italian spot in Ridgewood later this year. Felina Restaurant and Bar will move into the stunning, large, old bank space that until this past summer had housed seafood restaurant Fish on Ridgewood Avenue.

Bucco, a father of three, said he left Restaurant Latour, the culinary heart of Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, after three years for the opportunity to continue to "capitalize on his past successes" and for the opportunity to partially own a restaurant. His business partners are restaurateur Frank and Jeanne Cretella of Landmark Hospitality, owners of among other New Jersey restaurants, the Ryland Inn.

EAT HERE: The best restaurants in North Jersey, according to Yelp

CHEEEEEESE: 6 great North Jersey cheese shops

COMING SOON! Most anticipated restaurant openings in North Jersey in 2018

Bucco, a Matawa resident, garnered a four-star review in New Jersey Monthly in 2012 for his cooking at the Ryland Inn when he was its executive chef (it was then the first four-star rating the magazine gave in nearly a decade). Bucco also received the New York Times’ highest rating (Excellent), AAA’s coveted Four Diamond Award, and four stars from The Star-Ledger for his work at Stage Left in New Brunswick, Uproot in Warren and the Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station. Bucco's new venture will not only be a restaurant that can accommodate around 70 diners but have an event space for parties of all types.

Asked why he decided to make this career change, Bucco answered, "For three reasons: Rigewood is an amazing restaurant town, the space is amazing, and there's amazing additional space." The restaurant will be casual, Bucco said. "I'm not looking to create a destination place but a restaurant with a comfortable environment where the menu is market-driven and people can come in a few times a week." And he added, the restaurant will feature "a nice bar." Felina's address: 54 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood,