For Italian-Americans who were either born to immigrants, or have a Nonna and Nonno who traveled here with just the shirts on their backs, it's not easy to go out for Italian food. Regardless of where you go, it's just never better than what your family can make. Maybe that's why Flavia's Cucina Romana is the latest hot spot to hit Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park. Owner Flavia Peterno sees the restaurant as her family kitchen.

"My grandfather (Amedeo) was born in 1874, and he was the first one to open a restaurant in our family," Paterno said. "He had seven kids, and two of them followed in his footsteps ... I think I got my gene from my grandfather. He was the one who was coming to our house to cook, and he would kick everybody out of the kitchen."