VILLALOBOS COMING TO MONTCLAIR IN JUNE.
Adam Rose previously executive chef at NICO Kitchen & Bar at NJPAC in Newark, Restaurant Passioné in Montclair and Bin 14 Trattoria & Wine Bar in Hoboken, will be the chef/owner of Villalobos, 6 South Fullerton Ave, Montclair. An opening is planed for June. The 1,800 square-foot space will feature an open kitchen, bar seating and dining area and a menu using traditional Mexican ingredients and recipes influenced by chef Rose’s experience and personal cooking style. In his words, the menu will include "dishes pulled from the heart of Mexico, especially from Oaxaca and Puebla—the birthplaces of corn, masa and tamales." Though BYO, guests may order from an exciting drink menu offering agua frescas, micheladas, Mexican sodas and slushies.
LITTLE SHEEP MONGOLIAN HOT POT
There is no wrong way to dip at Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot, known for fondue-style, do-it-yourself dining. This restaurant’s first NJ location is at 1737 Rt 27, Edison (626-333-9401). Diners create their own entrées, starting with a made-from-scratch soup base, which features up to 36 different herbs and spices, and comes in varying degrees of spiciness. Then a choice of delicately sliced meats (lamb, beef, pork and poultry), vegetables and noodles are put into the pot to cook. Favorites include the supreme lamb shoulder, house shrimp balls, baby bok choy and fresh, thick noodles. The restaurant has seating for up to 200 guests, private VIP rooms and a beverage bar which offers Asian-inspired teas and fresh juices.
OPENINGS
AllSpice Sushi, 490 E Main St, Denville (973-784-4918); BYO.
Blessing Chinese Restaurant, 528 Union Ave, Belleville (973-450-5382).
Byblos Restaurant, offering Lebanese cuisine, has opened at 81 1/2 McWhorter St, Newark, (973-589-3180); BYO and cash only.
Viennese coffee specialties and desserts are featured at the newly opened Café Vienna, 200 Nassau St, Princeton (609-924-5100).
Carbonazo Restaurant in Elizabeth has opened a second location offering Peruvian cuisine at 182A Smith St, Perth Amboy (732- 442-2133); BYO.
Want crepes? If you are in Hoboken, try recently opened Crepes & Things, 123 Washington St, Hoboken (201-656-0100).
Dre’s, previously known as Andre’s, has opened at 188 Spring St, Newton (973-300-4192), with chef/owner Andre de Waal at the helm. Dre’s, De Waal wrote, is “the casual version of Andre’s. Same dedication to quality food and service with a more casual spin.” Dre’s will have an all-American wine list with at least 20 labels less than $20 per bottle.
Chef Michael Ostros is no longer executive chef of Regina’s Steakhouse in Teaneck and has reopened Giulia’s Kitchen at 696 Anderson Ave, Cliffside Park (201-945-1680). Giulia’s closed in the fall of 2013 when the previous owner, Mattia Miradoli, died suddenly. The menu will feature small plates and comfort food.
La Dolce Vita, an Italian restaurant previously located in Wharton, has moved to 36 First Ave, Denville (973-625-0307); BYO.
Thank you to a reader for sending the following info and recommendation: LaLa’s Puerto Rican Kitchen food truck with a home base at 3854 Rte 9 South, Old Bridge (201-223-5252) posts their menu on Facebook. Some recent menu items were pernil, arroz con gandules, beef empanada, alcapurrias beef, maduros, tostones and coconut flan.
Burger lovers have another option with the opening of Mooyah Burger at 325 North Ave, Garwood (908-264-7106). This franchise features beef, turkey and veggie burgers and allows patrons to choose their bun, cheeses, and free toppings.
Ochun Restaurant, offering Cuban cuisine, has opened at 7812 Kennedy Boulevard, North Bergen (201-552-9933).
Sakae Sushi, 2727 Morris Ave, Union (908-688-8848); BYO.
Simply Jerk Jamaican Grill has opened at 891 Cranbury S River Road, South Brunswick 732-641-2420; BYO.
Terra, a new restaurant from Grand Cru owners, Steve and Lisa Sotland, has opened in the same spot at 36-40 North Van Brunt St, Englewood (201-568-3939). The restaurant now has two areas, a bar that serves a bar menu and dining room and a New-American menu with Latin influences under the direction of chef Jorge “Freddy” Silva, who was also the chef at Grand Cru.
Thai Lanna Restaurant, 1135 Easton Ave, Somerset (732-220-0202); BYO.
Urban Fire, serving authentic Neapolitan pizza and Italian street eats has opened at 6 Main St, Madison (973-845-6330); BYO.
CLOSINGS
Blackthorn Irish Restaurant and Pub, Parsippany
Fogo, Montclair
Grand Cru, Englewood. (See more info under restaurant openings)
Greek Delights, Montclair
The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant, Hoboken
*********
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].