LOOKING AHEAD
PORTA, JERSEY CITY
Watch for the August opening of Porta at 135 Newark Ave, Jersey City, brought to you by the Smith Company, owners of the Monk Room in Newark, Porta, Pascal & Sabine, Brickwall, The Annex, and Goldie’s all in Asbury Park. The classic Neapolitan menu will feature pizzas, pasta, salads and small dishes. Thirsty? There will be four bars, two on the roof along with a bocce court. At a hard-hat visit, we were told that plans are for wooden communal tables, seating for 500 and that the centerpiece of the restaurant will be two Acunto ovens, hand-built in Naples. Mark Hinchliffe of Smith says about the ovens: "We haven’t chosen a color for them just yet. We will tile them shortly after we open. We like to get to ‘know’ the ovens a bit. They usually form personalities and that informs the colors and names we give them." The space, originally a pharmacy and then doctor’s offices, will have three floors.
Margherita pizza.
Photo courtesy of Brian Wrensen
OTHER OPENINGS
Aji Asian Grill offering Japanese cuisine, has opened at 82 Montgomery Ave, Long Branch (732-728-9888).
Bergen Brick Oven Bar & Grill, 290 Huyler St, South Hackensack (201-678-1010).
Eastern Chinese & Japanese Restaurant, 3 Mt Olive Road, Budd Lake (862-254-2110).
Holy Cow Sliders, 49A West Church St, Bergenfield (201-771-7222).
Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant, 510 Georges Road, North Brunswick (732-543-0280).
Michael Angelo’s Restaurant & Brick Oven Pizza, formerly located in Newark, has opened at 286 Rt 46 E, Comfort Inn, Fairfield (973-882-0001).
Sea Bright Fish Company, 1054 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright (732-933-4400); BYO.
Shanghai Restaurant, 493 Main St, Fort Lee (201-482-8079).
Stone Fire Grille, 226 Atlantic City Boulevard, Beachwood (732-341-1055)
CLOSINGS
12 West, Montclair
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