A historical area in Barcelona that is close to the port and has a diverse community, restaurants and nightlife is known as El Raval. Now Barcelona meets Jersey City at the newly opened Raval, a tapas bar and restaurant that is also near a port, has a diverse community, restaurants and nightlife. We were invited to a family and friends dinner and were enthralled with the food, ambiance, service and eye-catching décor.
Michael Fiorianti, the executive chef, was part of the team that opened Ox (now closed), and part of the group behind Lucky 7 Tavern and Satis Bistro, all in Jersey City. He traveled to Barcelona last year to immerse himself in the food and culture, which he has aptly brought to Raval’s modern Spanish menu. The chef de cuisine Edward Radich, previously was a chef/owner of Ox and worked at Marco & Pepe in Jersey City, Anthony David’s in Hoboken and Four Seasons Hotel in New York.
The ambiance is impressive with a serpentine, hand-tiled mural bench at the entrance, a communal table on each floor, wood tables (each with a scorched logo or symbol from an area in Spain) high tops, charred wood walls, a red-tile bar wall, hand-painted Spanish floor tiles, vintage posters and artwork (including a mural and black and white photos), and red stairs leading to the downstairs dining room. Stunning lights reminded us of sea urchins. Be forewarned that the tables are so close together that Lowell asked if we were at a communal table.
Upstairs is noisy, but downstairs has a more intimate and quiet ambiance with a wine display room and tall, red upholstered banquets. This area, featuring specialty cocktails and entertainment, can be used as an event space and becomes a nightlife destination after dinner.
There are two full bars offering more than 80 Spanish wines from over 20 regions of Spain; house-made sangrias and Spanish ciders; and hand-crafted signature cocktails developed by mixologist Joe Donohue, who was named Ten Bartenders to Watch 2014 by Beverage Media.
Many of the tapas are served on small wooden plates. We started with an omelet of onion, garlic and chorizo served at room temperature; sautéed spinach with dried figs and toasted almonds, which was a tad too sweet for us; Spanish sausage, ham and cured meat; lamb meatballs with toasted pine nuts and a saffron tomato sauce that were terrific; and thin slices of Iberico ham.
Moving on to the medium size plates we shared: a crispy round of fried goat cheese with a roasted eggplant, grilled onions and peppers; tender Spanish octopus with fingerling potatoes, garlic and smoked paprika; and creamy wild mushroom croquettes held together with a béchamel sauce. All were distinguished because of the spicing, ingredients used and presentation.
We opted for one entrée to share, which was a cut of meat that we never had seen before and would order again in a minute: Secreto Iberico de Bellota, a Bellota pork secret steak (similar to skirt steak) a la plancha with salsa verde. The flavorful meat was seasoned with salt and served rare. Do try it, if you have a penchant for pork.
Also try the Crema Catalana for dessert. It is a visually stunning dish of orange and lime baked custard, topped with what looked like melted marshmallows dotted with caramelized sugar, but was actually vanilla-bean whipped cream.
Vegetarian options are available, as well as a five-course ($59) or seven-course ($85) Chef’s Tasting for up to eight people at a table with full table participation required.
Raval is open daily for dinner from 5 to 11 PM; Saturday & Sunday Brunch 11AM to 3 PM. The lounge is open Thursday through Saturday with DJ music from 10 PM to close. The bar is open from 4 PM, Monday through Friday and from 12 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Raval
136 Newark Avenue
Jersey City
201-209-1099
Fried goat cheese with a roasted eggplant, grilled onions and peppers.
Bellota pork secret steak with salsa verde.
Photos courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
OTHER NJ RESTAURANT OPENINGS
1000 Degrees Pizzeria, 2000 Marlton Pike W, Cherry Hill (609-442-5189).
Antik Authentic Greek Kitchen, 335 Fairfield Road, Fairfield (862-210-8527); BYO.
The Black Swine, an Italian Gastropub, has opened at 1142 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright (732-345-0700); BYO.
Bonchon Chicken, featuring Korean fried chicken, has opened at 15 Central Avenue, Midland Park (201-447-1016).
Bucket & Bay Craft Gelato, offering coffee, baked goods and gelato, has opened at 150 Bay Street, Jersey City (201-503-5588).
The owners of Tula, New Brunswick, which closed in August 2014, have opened City Café & Bar at 47 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick (732-640-1155). The restaurant is a spin off of a Spanish Taverna with menu items that include tapas, salads, entrees such as chicken paella churrasco and ropa vieja, sandwiches, flan and tres leche. Cocktails, wines and craft coffees are also offered.
From Scratch, fresh homemade everything, offering prepared food, meal delivery and catering has opened at 44 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, (201-857-5188).
Kava Restaurant and Lounge, a Mediterranean and tapas bar, has opened at 1998 Morris Avenue, Union (908-623-3333).
The fourth location of Mithaas, offering Indian fast food, chaat, mithai, desserts and beverages as well as North and South Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes has opened at 1357 Stelton Road, Piscataway; 732-640-1166.
Brian Held, owner of Brian’s in Lambertville, has opened a Mediterranean themed restaurant, NoLa By Brian, at Bridge and Main Streets, Stockton (609-460-4148). Cash only and BYO.
Pho 9 Vietnamese Kitchen, 1333 New Road, Plaza 9, Northfield (609-377-5051); BYO.
Sunburst Pie Company, a restaurant and café, has opened at150 Main Street, Manasquan (732-223-8296).
The Table Restaurant & Catering offering Caribbean and Southern cuisine has opened at 65B South Orange Avenue, South Orange (973-821-5556); BYO.
Tenderhill Restaurant, a farm-to-table restaurant with a garden in the back, has opened at 405 Rt 22 E, Whitehouse Station (908-823-0234); BYO.
The Turning Point, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch has opened at 3371 Rt 1, Mercer Mall, Princeton (609-454-5878).
Uncle Ralstons, 26 South Street, Freehold (732-462-7214), has opened offering Jamaican/Southern style cuisine. Open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM.
CLOSINGS
Applegate Farm, Hoboken
Monster Sushi, Summit
Red Mango, Summit
If you hear of a restaurant opening or closing e-mail me at [email protected].