The results of Patch’s inaugural Readers’ Choice poll are in, and the winner of “favorite Italian restaurant in Fort Lee” is Franco’s Metro, which garnered 59 percent of the vote and the most positive comments from readers.

As Patch reported in July, Franco and Antonietta Bazzarelli, the owners of Franco’s Metro, are from Calabria, Italy, albeit from different regions. Antonietta came to the U.S. in 1965, and Franco came over in 1968. A mutual friend introduced them when Franco arrived in the U.S.
They soon married and opened Main Pizza on Main Street, offering 35 seats and takeout, but the success of the business and the congested parking called for a bigger location.

When they found larger space in the just-being-developed strip mall, Plaza West, Franco’s Metro Restaurant Bar & Pizza was born. After four years, as business kept on booming, they got a liquor license and moved to an even bigger location in the same Plaza.

The restaurant located at 1475 Bergen Blvd. now has 22 tables and a number of booths, a full service bar and offers catering for all occasions.

Coming in second place in the poll was In Napoli, located at 116 Main St., which took in 26 percent of votes from readers.

Next week, Patch will be looking for the Readers’ Choice in day care. Poll begins Monday at 9 a.m.