Browsing through wine stores and gourmet food markets is a hobby, so when I was invited for a tour of Gary’s new wine store and marketplace in Hillsborough, it didn’t take me a minute to put down my glass of wine and answer, “yes.”
A TRIP TO GARY’S WINE & MARKETPLACE
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, owned by Gary Fisch, began as a small wine shop in Madison in 1987, and has grown to one of the largest fine wine businesses in the United States, with $50-plus million in revenues. Fisch has stores in Wayne, Madison, Bernardsville and the newly opened Gary’s in Hillsborough, located at 601 Rt 206 (908-431-5515).
On my visit I tasted, I slurped and I didn’t spit out. Our group was served cheese, crackers and other snacks to accompany the wines we were sampling. There are 150-plus fresh-cut, imported and domestic cheeses, French and Italian charcuterie, olives nuts, wine accessories and gourmet gifts. I could move into Gary’s store and be very happy.
This is what impressed me:
A 2,200-bottle, glass-enclosed and temperature-controlled fine-wine room with the finest vintages, along with many hard-to-get, large-format bottles (magnums, 3 liters and 6 liters).
Over 250 imported and domestic beers, from premium German pilsners and Belgian ales to all-American lagers, as well as craft beers. They expect to have 600 varieties of beer this month.
Want whiskey? How about a choice of 400-plus whiskeys, including exclusive small-batch bourbons and single-malt scotches? Not enough choices yet? How about more than 200 vodkas and over 50 different tequilas?
The aisles are wide in this shopper-friendly store and the display of the Top Ten wines, which changes frequently, all picked by Gary and his staff, caught my eye. If you are in a rush, just grab one of these bottles, as these wines have been pre-approved. There are also ready made baskets that make a lovely gift. If you have time, tastings are held everyday and the store is open Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 9:30 PM; Friday and Saturday, 9 AM to 10 PM; and Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM.
Gary’s Wine and Marketplace are at the following locations:
1308 Rt 23 North, Wayne (973-633-3900)
121 Main Street, Madison (973-822-0200)
100 Morristown Road – Rt 202, Bernardsville (908-766-6699)
601 Rt 206, Hillsborough (908-431-5515)
Gary’s Wine and Marketplace, Hillsborough
Gary’s Top Ten Display
Photos courtesy of Rosie Saferstein
OTHER NJ OPENINGS
An ice cream store, Cranberry Junction, has opened at 640 Main Street, Hackensack (973-388-3183).
Euro Barbecue, 367 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair (973-509-1177); BYO.
Hiro Sushi, 555 Valley Brook Avenue, Lyndhurst (201-896-8088). Open Monday through Friday from 11:30 AM; from 4 PM on Saturday and Sunday; BYO.
Honshu Lounge, a sushi bar and Asian Fusion restaurant has moved from Montgomery Street to 95 Green Street, Jersey City (201-324-2788).
Gyros, pitas, wraps and wings are some of the menu items at the newly opened Juicy Platters, 370 West Pleasantview Avenue, Hackensack (201-880-7277).
Patsey’s, Italian American Bistro-Espresso Bar & Cafe has opened at 93 Franklin Street, Jersey City (201-798-9100). Open from 6 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Saturday, it offers breakfast items, pizzas, hot and cold sandwiches and pasta.
PJ Sweeney’s Irish Restaurant & Bar, 447 Brick Boulevard, Brick (732-202-6414). Open daily from 11 AM.
Red Koi Japanese & Chinese Restaurant, 3101 Revere Boulevard, Brigantine (609-266-0091).
Seven Sheep Coffee, offering coffee, teas and snacks has opened at 342 Seventh Street, Jersey City (201-918-6989).
Stosh’s, a craft beer bar, has opened at 18-15 Maple Avenue, Fair Lawn (201-797-1107).
CLOSINGS
Gola Indian Restaurant, Freehold
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].
Come by Saturday, Sept. 12, starting at 10 am for a Grand Opening celebration at the new Hillsborough Gary’s Wine & Marketplace. There will be a ribbon cutting with champagne, wine tastings and caviar, in-store giveaways, and gift bags for the first 100 guests!