Tablespoon Café, offering new American cuisine, has opened at 21 N Union Cranford (908-276-1900); BYO. Menu items include caramelized brie salad, goat cheese ravioli, fish and shellfish stew, duck magret breast, pork loin, bistro steak & frites and apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 PM.
OTHER NJ RESTAURANT OPENINGS
Breakfast, lunch and snacks are offered at the newly opened 128 West State Café, 128 West State Street, Trenton (609-392-5900). Open Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 4 PM.
Amore Calandra’s Pizza & Catering, 322 Orange Road, Montclair, has opened offering pizza and Italian food (973-509-7000). Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Boon Thai Kitchen, 21 E Northfield Road, Livingston (973-994-7383); BYO.
Genji Ramen has opened at the Whole Foods Market, 905 River Road, Edgewater (201-941-4000) and at the Whole Foods Market, 113 Route 9 South, Marlboro (732-792-5900).
Giovanna’s Cafe in Ramsey has opened Giovanna’s Gourmet Take-Out at 8 Church Street, Ramsey, featuring daily specials, soups, pasta, entrees, desserts and much more. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 AM. (201-825-5837. Local delivery is available.
Istanblue, offering Mediterranean cuisine, has opened at 645 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge (201-262-4400); BYO. Menu items include: hummus, falafel, kebabs, casseroles, sandwiches and baklava. A buffet is offered at lunch from 11:30 AM to 3 PM. Open daily.
CLOSINGS
MEMOIRE IN RIDGEWOOD HAS CLOSED
Memoire in Ridgewood has closed. Executive chef/owner Thomas Finnelli wrote the following e-mail:
“This was probably one of the toughest decisions that I’ve ever had to make. I love the restaurant business and opening Mémoire was the realization of a childhood dream. It pains me to close it. But it comes down to risk versus reward. There is the obvious financial and emotional burden that comes with owning and operating a small business; but more importantly, there is a quality of life burden. I have a wife and two young children whom I love very dearly. As Executive Chef and Owner, it wasn’t uncommon to work 75 to 90 hours a week. In fact, it was often the norm. I have no problem working hard, but there has to be a balance. And I think working as an Executive Chef for a place that I don’t own will likely create the balance that I’m looking for.
We have so many wonderful guests that will be missed. They were not only huge supporters of our restaurant, but were like family to us. Thank you for your loyalty. It was a pleasure to serve you.
Maybe one of the hardest parts of closing the restaurant was saying goodbye to my team. Everyone on our team worked very hard. They were loyal and helped to make the restaurant the best that it could be. Especially Frank, our Maître d’, whom many of guests assumed was my partner because of his passion and love for hospitality. He treated the restaurant as his own and always went above and beyond to make our guests feel welcome.”
Chef Finnelli still owes and operates TAF Catering & Personal Chef Services, an off-premise catering business, and can be contacted for events and/or personal chef services at [email protected].
OTHER NJ CLOSINGS
Clinton Social, 700 Clinton Street, Hoboken, has closed for a redesign and will reopen in March under a new partnership (201-239-0063).
Cousin’s Pizza, 450 Livingston Street, Norwood, has closed indefinitely due to a fire (201-767-4300).
Natalie’s in Ridgewood, which was in business for 25 years at 16-18 S Broad Street, has closed. The space will be taken over by Due in Ridgewood which is under the direction of executive chef Adam Weiss in February.
Sicilia Café, 128 Broad Street, Red Bank, has closed. A new eatery is expected to open in the space in a few months.
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].