OPENINGS
MOLOS RESTAURANT, WEEHAWKEN
We were so surprised and disappointed when Arthur’s Landing closed about two weeks before Valentine’s Day in 2009. In 2013, we were thrilled to hear that this gorgeous venue on the Hudson River with views of the New York skyline was going to reopen as a Greek restaurant. But, unfortunately, at the newly opened Molos, the views were more impressive than the food.
Our first omen was that we could not read the menu because the restaurant was so dark. My iPhone flashlight came in handy. The second omen was that ice-cold bread was brought with olives, fava-bean spread and spicy red-pepper dip when we were seated.
Starters were a sampler plate, which was quite tasty, with taramosalata (cod roe with onions); melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant); tzatziki (Greek yogurt with cucumbers and garlic); tyrokafteri (feta cheese and manouri cheese with pureed, roasted red peppers and Greek spices; skordalia (roasted beets with garlic mashed potatoes) and warm pita bread. The horiatiki salad was also acceptable with tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, olives and a red-wine vinaigrette. Spanakopita was made with a thick village-style phyllo and looked like a small round challah. The spinach, leeks, scallions, dill and feta fillings were sparse. Halibut baked with seasonal vegetables and wrapped in parchment paper was served hot and eaten without any complaints. Although fresh tasting, the black sea bass was served lukewarm. The Colorado rack of lamb was a substantial and appealing dish but the fat was not trimmed. It was also missing the accompaniment of sautéed wild greens. Not missing was a sweet potato and goat cheese mash which was at room temperature. Also, absent were the two a la carte sides that were never served to us, but were taken off the bill. Dessert was a disaster. The baklava was so hard we had to chop it apart with a knife to taste it. The Greek yogurt with honey tasted as if it was scooped out of a container, sprinkled with a few nuts and served with a variety of honey that no one at the table liked. Both desserts were left uneaten. We were past counting omens at this point.
Spinach pie.
The decor is lovely with a white-and-blue color scheme, carpeting that reminds you of waves, and, of course, that gorgeous view. The restaurant was empty when we arrived on a Friday night and barely a quarter full when we left. Not a good omen.
Rack of lamb.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
Molos Restaurant
1 Pershing Road
Weehawken
201- 223-1200
ANTHONY’S COAL FIRED PIZZA
Anthony’s Coal-Fired Pizza, featuring pizzas and Italian favorites, has opened at 31 Rt 208 N, Fair Lawn (201-796-2625). They are also located in Clifton, Edison and Ramsey.
Azteca, offering Mexican cuisine, has opened at 47 Park Ave, Rutherford (201-438-2111); BYO.
A new Italian option for dinner from 5 PM daily is Bella Rustica at 117 N Gaston Ave, Somerville (908-864-4500); BYO.
Casa de la Trova, offering Cuban food, has opened at 12-56 River Road, Fair Lawn (201-773-3174); BYO. Menu items include: Cuban tamal & ropa vieja; whole red snapper cooked in the pot with jumbo shrimp & mussels topped with homemade wine & vodka sauce; arros con pollo; pork cooked and served in the pot marinated with Spanish seasoning & rosemary with light beer; and flan.
Heritage Bistro Pub, with an extensive craft beer and southern-themed menu, has opened at 100 Brighton Ave, Long Branch (732-272-1598).
The newly opened Just Salad at 28 Willowbrook Blvd, West Belt Plaza, Wayne (201-338-5089) offers dishes like Immunity Bowl and Buffalo Kale Caesar, as well as custom salads and wraps, with mix and match ingredients. Seasonal dishes include Spring Booty Slimdown, The Ultimate Falafel, Thai-Tastic, and Cajun El Paso Grill, all which can be ordered as a salad or wrap. Calorie counts and a nutritional key are listed on the menu.
Indulge in everything chocolate at Max Brenner Chocolate Café, Garden State Plaza, Paramus (201-845-5500). The chocolate bar features pastries, fondue, milkshakes, varieties of hot chocolate and more. Opening tomorrow April 11.
Children 4 and under eat free at the newly opened, The Red Hen, a family restaurant at 1301 Kings Highway, Swedesboro (856-467-3058).
For those looking for Thai food in the Princeton area, Ricky’s Thai Restaurant has opened at the Village Shoppes at Montgomery, 1378 Rt 206, Skillman (609-285-2955); BYO.
Sofra, offering Turkish cuisine, has opened at 2 Ryan Road, Marlboro (732-677-3233); BYO.
Executive chef/owner John Schatz has reopened Union Park Restaurant, Macomber Hotel, 727 Beach Ave, Cape May, for the season. Reservations: (609-884–8811).
Almost everything is from Italy at the newly opened Verde Vita at 1212 Washington St, Hoboken, which sells fine food products including Italian pastries and coffee, as well as gorgeous Italian ceramic plates and serving pieces. (201-710-5827).
CLOSINGS
Biago Wood-fired Pizza in Red Bank has closed. Its Facebook page states: “We are sad to announce we will be temporarily closed until further notice. Come visit us & the same great pizza you learned to love at Mossuto’s Market & Cafe in Wall Township, NJ.”
Blue Water Seafood, Red Bank
Beacon Hill Tavern, a family-friendly restaurant in Summit closed March 31.
Los Caminos De Don Chucho, a Mexican restaurant at 1647 Rt 35 Oakhurst was destroyed in a fire. The restaurant was in the process of being renovated to become an Italian eatery.
MBM (My Beautiful Mind), which opened in March in Wayne, has closed. Its Facebook page states: “Due To Unforeseen Circumstances MBM Will No Longer Be Open. No Worries The Parties Will Be Moved To Pure In Parsippany.” Pure is located at 707 Rt 46 East, Parsippany (973-331-7873).
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