MISHMISH, MONTCLAIR
Mishmish may sound like hodgepodge in English but in Hebrew and Arabic it means an apricot. According to executive chef/owner, Meny Vaknin of Mishmish, which will open in Montclair in a few weeks: “When I think about Mediterranean cuisine and childhood memories, I instantly think about dried fruits, used for hospitality in my parents house, and in any house I think in the Middle East! My favorite of them all is the Mishmish… apricot.” Vaknin plans on selling house-made Mishmish jam and the Safersteins’ cannot wait to taste it and his interesting and different Mediterranean themed menu. Some items include: marinated seasonal Italian beans with baby arugula, red onions and socca, a thin chickpea crepe; braised octopus with olives, parsley and tomatoes; smoked feta cheese with zaatar, lemon confit and eggplant; housemade “masbacha,” a warm hummus made with marinated chickpeas, pickled onions, and six-minute egg; and marinated, grilled lamb loin with pickled market vegetable and green tahini.
Chef Vaknin’s credentials are impressive. He studied at the French Culinary Institute, was executive chef at Grata and sous-chef for Daniel Boulud, both in New York City.
The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Mishmish
215 Glenridge Ave
Montclair
973-337-5648
BYO
OTHER OPENINGS
Blue Diamond Buffet offering Indaion fusion cuisine, has opened at 41 Rt 12, Flemington (908-968-4439).
Clarke’s Bar and Restaurant, 208 Washington St, Hoboken 201-876-8500
The Draught House Bar & Grill, with 40 beers on tap and 26 TV’s, has opened at 268 Rt 31, Washington (908-223-1226).
Fiamma Pizza, offering wood-fired pizza, antipasti, salads and pastas has opened at 32 Main St, Millburn (973-376-1110); BYO.
Paulie G’s Pizzeria and Bistro, 622 Rt 10 W, Hanover (973-585-7602).
Which Wich has opened its first New Jersey restaurant on Montclair State University’s campus at 1 Normal Ave, Montclair (973-655-3216).
CLOSINGS
Cafe 34 Bistro, Matawan
Four L’s, Hoboken
Hoboken Dhaba, Hoboken
The Old Canal Inn, Nutley is currently closed because of a fire that started in the kitchen.
Porto Restaurant & Bar, Belleville
Sapori Ristorante Italiano, Montclair
Taste, Randolph
RENAULT WINERY FILES FOR CHAPTER 11
Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City, which also owns a 50-room hotel, two restaurants and a golf course has filed for bankruptcy. They remain open and special promotions are available on their website.