The girls of the Garden State are as “thick as thieves” — well, most of them, at least.
The majority of the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast, plus significant others, gathered for what they called a “family dinner” Wednesday night at New York City’s Loulou restaurant
Melissa Gorga, Margaret Josephs, Rachel Fuda, Danielle Cabral and “friend of” the cast Jennifer Fessler were all there, but Teresa Giudice, Jennifer Aydin and Jackie Goldschnieder — another “friend of” the cast — were notably not asked to join, an insider exclusively tells Page Six.
“They weren’t invited,” the source said.
Unlike the “Real Housewives of Orange County” cast’s recent Christmas dinner — where adversaries like Gina Kirschenheiter and Shannon Beador broke bread during an “awkward” evening together — the gals of “RHONJ” didn’t want any bad vibes.
“The group is welcoming 2024 with only good energy,” the insider shared, noting that the night was “really fun, positive and joyous.”
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Perhaps making the get-together all the more lighthearted was the ladies’ disinterest in discussing the upcoming Season 14, which will see Cabral, 38 clashing with Aydin, 46, Josephs, 56, feuding with Goldschneider, 47, and Gorga, 44, largely ignoring sister-in-law and longtime nemesis Giudice, 51.
“The show was not mentioned one time,” the source told us. “The ladies all got along so well, laughing and chatting throughout the evening. Everyone really enjoyed each other’s company.”
Several cast members shared photos of their hangout via social media, including Gorga, who was the one to brand the group meal a “family dinner” in an Instagram Story post.
Dolores Catania — who, like Fessler, 53, maintains a neutral position among the women — and her boyfriend, Paul “Paulie” Connell, were invited but “couldn’t make it” to the dinner, the insider said.
However, her ex-husband, Frank Catania, came with fiancée Brittany Mattessich.
“The guys all sat together at one end of the table, while the ladies sat at the other for dinner,” the source said.
The men in attendance included Frank, 58, Joe Gorga, Joe Benigno, John Fuda, Nate Cabral and Jeff Fessler.
“Everyone was making toasts and welcoming the new year as a friend group,” the source said.
We’re told that, after dinner, the crew headed downstairs to watch a burlesque show before dancing together until the late night hours.
Though Giudice and Aydin didn’t score invites, they wouldn’t have been able to make it as they are currently vacationing together in the Bahamas. Goldschneider, for her part, kept herself busy Wednesday night by participating in a Tawkify Instagram Live conversation with fellow Bravolebrity Marysol Patton.
Despite the ongoing divisive nature of “RHONJ,” Melissa told Page Six last month that it felt “amazing” to film the show last year without any pressure to wage yet another onscreen battle with Giudice.
“I actually enjoyed this season a lot,” she explained.
Agreeing with Giudice’s previous comments about no longer wanting to reconcile, the “On Display” singer added, “The feeling is mutual.”
But Jennifer Fessler is still optimistic that peace is possible among the cast. The F.Major shoe designer told Page Six in December that she recently made an attempt to build a bridge across both sides.
“I sent out a text on Thanksgiving with everybody on it in my cast just because. I did it and it actually went over very nicely!” she said.
“Everybody said, ‘Happy Thanksgiving.’ So I’m taking steps here, and we can only hope things get better one day. One can try, right?”
Bravo has yet to announce a premiere date for “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” Season 14.
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