Openings and Closings

Looking for a new restaurant to try? If you dine at any of these new spots or hear of a restaurant opening or closing, e-mail me at [email protected].

RESTAURANT LATOUR LAUNCHES BRUNCH
Now there is another reason to visit Restaurant Latour, Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg: Sunday brunch is now being served 11AM to 3 PM. Their new chef de Latour, Jean Paul Lourdes, who has worked with some of the top chefs in the world, including Pierre Gagnaire, Joel Robuchon, Seiji Yamamoto and Testsuya Wakuda, is offering a luxurious multi-course brunch. It includes freshly baked pastries such as pistachio madeleines, banana-walnut muffins, aged-cheddar scones and Manjari dark (64%) chocolate financiers, and a selection of various breads accompanied by an array of housemade preserves and spreads. A two-plate, Petite Tasting ($55) from a selection of small and large dishes, and the Grand Tasting ($75) with any three-plates are available. The small dishes feature fruits and grains, such as Sicilian blood oranges with saffron; wild berries cooked in sangria, and quinoa with Victorian pineapple and poppy seeds. Large dishes include organic scrambled eggs accompanied by Scottish smoked salmon, horseradish and crème fraiche; Dungeness crab omelet with peas and brie; Moroccan pancakes with tandoori apples; Swedish sandwich with slices of roast pork with fennel and harissa; and a 45-day, dry-aged New York Strip steak with creamed spinach. Fresh-squeezed juice combinations and housemade sodas are included in the price, as is certified-organic coffee from Ethiopia, Guatemala or Sumatra, which is ground and brewed to order and served in a French press to each guest. A special selection of champagne by the glass, including Krug Grand Cuvee and Ruinart Brut Rose, as well as brunch cocktails, such as a Bloody Mary or Mojito, can be enjoyed. Alcoholic beverages are additional. Reservations: 973-827-5996.

Restaurant Latour
Crystal Springs Resort
1 Wild Turkey Way
Hamburg
973-827-5996

CHAKRA, PARAMUS CELEBRATING TEN YEARS
Congratulations to chef/ partner Thomas Ciszak’s of Chakra (144 W. Rt 4, Paramus, 201-556-1530), on its 10th anniversary.

OPENINGS

“Fallin’ Off the Bone, Good!” is the motto at the newly opened Buccaneer Bay BBQ, a barbecue spot at 154 Terrill Road, Plainfield (908-755-4545). Menu items include: ribs, chicken, short ribs, brisket, pork, wings and sandwiches. Ice cream and Italian ices are also available.

La Gateaux Bakery & Café, 476 Main St, Metuchen (732-243-9339) has opened offering breakfast, cakes, and pastries.

Prime To Go, a Glatt Kosher takeout that is an offshoot of Prime Caterers, has opened at 176 South Van Brunt St, Englewood. They offer pick up and delivery options (201-871-0201).

Slider Street, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, has opened at 138 Park Ave, Hoboken (201-683-9444). The never frozen, handmade-daily-to-order burgers are 100% certified Angus beef and American Kobe beef. Only grade AA eggs are used in the breakfast sliders.

The second location of Xocolatz, Westfield, has opened at 398 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair (973-746-2553); BYO. The menu will be the same as the Westfield location with soups, salads, steak, chicken, fish, ribs, pasta, and burgers featured.

CLOSINGS

Giovanni’s in Berkeley Heights has closed. Word on the boards is that chef Michael Metzner has left to start his own restaurant.

La Sera in Wyckoff has closed. The building has been bought by George Kalivas, who previously owned Bistro 18 in Montclair. He plans on opening a BYO, modern-American bistro called The Plum and The Pear.

Noodlelicious, Edison

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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].

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