NEW MILFORD — Until this summer, patrons of Lieto Italia Ristorante were able to enjoy a dinner of linguine alle vongole with tartufo for desert, and wine brought from home to complete the meal.

But no more. The eatery located on Main Street near River Road for the past 18 years has closed.

The restaurant's owner, Carlos Garcia, who also runs Tiramisu Restaurante in Elmwood Park, said that he sold the business a few weeks ago, but he declined to say why or give details of the sale.

Bergen County court records show that Parkway Asset Management, based in Hackensack, had settled a suit against Garcia in April to recover over $70,000 in back payments.

Now, there's a for-sale sign on the side of the building with real estate firm NAI James E. Hanson handling the listing. A representative for the firm declined to comment about the sale.

Some area residents were sorry to hear about the restaurant closing.

New Milford resident John Ivacic works as a crossing guard at Main Street and River Road, near the restaurant.

Ivacic has eaten at the restaurant over the years with his wife, and it was a favorite of his parents when they were alive. He said when he visited a few weeks ago, he saw the for-sale sign, but was told by an employee that the owner would be staying there and he assumed it would stay open.

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"I just came by one day, and noticed they would usually have the 'OPEN' sign in the window, but instead it's closed," Ivacic said.

Joe Verga didn't know that the place where the annual holiday party for the Bergenfield Lions Club was held is no longer in business.

"Hopefully, someone will take over between now and the end of the year," Verga said.

The website Loopnet shows the 4,500-square-foot site is equipped with a kitchen, walk-in freezer, refrigerator, fixtures, tables and chairs for 200, and a private party room. It has 25 parking spaces. The listing price is $825,000.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com