Rosie will be on vacation until mid-February—guest blogger Melody Kettle will post in her place.
Desi’s in North Caldwell
Red, reclaimed leather from the Russian Tea Room upholsters the banquets at Desi’s, the newly opened restaurant in North Caldwell. The floor, is made of reclaimed California wine barrels. And, in a way, Michael Desiderio, co-owner of Desi’s, has been reclaimed by New Jersey. “Restaurants tell a story,” says Desiderio “and this is a story. This is my little piece of New York in New Jersey.” It’s been a very long road back to Jersey for Desiderio. After 30-plus years in NYC fine dining, Desiderio, along with business partner Jimmy Faloni of Casabona Properties, has come home.
In 1992, after completion of the Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management Program at the New York Restaurant School (now the Art Institute), where he was named Student of the Year, Desiderio began as a extern at Tavern on the Green. A year later, he was appointed front-desk manager, and soon began directing union personnel. By 1994, he had been promoted to restaurant manager, supervising Tavern’s Crystal Room. Then, in 1996, Desiderio joined the reopening team of Windows on the World. In 1998, Desiderio began to work on the final design, construction, hiring and union negotiation for the reopening of the Russian Tea Room, as director of operations, and he then became assistant general manager. He moved onto that same position at The Rainbow Room in 2002. In 2004, he returned to Tavern on the Green as general manager, and, in 2006 was named president and COO. Desiderio lectures annually to restaurant operations students at Cornell University. He is the recipient of the New York State Restaurant Association Award.
Desi’s is the first property Desiderio has co-owned. The kitchen will be headed up by two New Jersey chefs in positions of equal influence and creation, Kenneth West (formerly of Pig & Prince) and Trevor Perkins (formerly of Upstairs and Marea). According to West, ”We will be making food focused on simple ingredients prepared elegantly.“
Pastry will be headed up by Tiffani Parascand, and the bar will be managed by beverage director, Matt Brown (formerly of Pig & Prince). According to Brown, Desi’s will be an “ever evolving bar that will present craft cocktails and artisans spirits in a fun and approachable way."
Other Openings.
Rails, 8 Whitehall Road, Towaco, 973-335-0006.
Jersey Pizza Co., 200 Hackensack St, Wood-Ridge, 201-728-8600.
TAKA opens their new space at 660 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, 732-775-1020.
Potatopia Opens Fourth Location
Potatopia, the all potato concept, just opened its fourth location in Jersey City at Newport Centre Mall (level 3 Dining Pavilion). This potato-centric concept launched in 2011, and offers a customizable menu featuring 10 different potato styles and premium toppings, which include oven-roasted chicken, marinated sirloin steak, spiced beef, BBQ pulled pork, smokehouse bacon, Cajun shrimp, vegetarian chili, a variety of vegetables and more. In addition to the toppings, Potatopia offers 14 different house-made sauces, which include roasted-pepper aioli, ranch aioli, chipotle aioli, truffle aioli, savory bacon aioli and more. Joining the other outposts in New York City’s West Village, Menlo Park Mall in Edison, and the Staten Island Mall, the newest location will operate during mall hours, seven days a week. 30 Mall Dr. West, Jersey City, Newport Centre Mall, Level 3, in the Dining Pavilion.
Babo Teahouse, Coming soon. 102 Walnut St, Montclair (973) 893-5221.