Opening
Shaka Kitchen, Morristown
Kiersten Gormeley—a champion from a 2021 episode of Food Network’s Chopped–and her sister Krista originally opened Shaka Kitchen in 2016 in Hoboken, with a second Hoboken location opening in 2018. The fast-casual poke and açaí bowl eatery is filled with health-conscious menu items made with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Many dishes can be vegan.
62 South Street
Kora Kai, Montclair
This new restaurant specializes in Thai street food-inspired dishes, with a focus on chicken and rice entrees, known as Khao Man Gai. Steamed, crispy, basil, and garlic are some of the chicken varieties, most served with ginger rice, soup and dipping sauces. There are a few beef and shrimp dishes, plus appetizers like chive pancakes and banana fritters.
38 Upper Montclair Plaza
Rani, Hamilton
Still in its soft opening phase, Rani–which means “queen” in Hindu–focuses on serving authentic Indian food in a regal environment. The restaurant’s interior is elegantly decorated with plenty of artwork, unique light fixtures, plants and colorful seating. The menu boasts a wide variety of meat and vegetarian options, including hoisin red pepper glazed pineapple, lamb and chicken kebab, butter chicken, jackfruit nihari, and naan, plus many desserts and drinks.
1039 Washington Boulevard
Haldi Fine Indian Cuisine, Mount Laurel
Authentic dishes and flavors from South India are served at this new Indian restaurant, which celebrated its grand opening this on Friday, April 19. Haldi serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian appetizers and entrees, chaat, tandoori, naan, rice, soups and desserts, plus a limited Indo-Chinese menu. Yogurt drinks and plenty of tea varieties are also available.
4180 Dearborn Circle
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Closed
O’LaLa Empanadas, Jersey City
After 10 years in operation, a beloved empanada shop shuttered this past week. O’LaLa Empanadas served authentic Puerto Rican cuisine and a wide variety of homemade empanadas (and even a few dessert empanadas). It was owned by Idalia Beteta and her family, and it was dedicated to her mother, who was nicknamed LaLa, and her empanada recipes. The establishment’s lease was up, and new owners are demolishing the building, forcing O’LaLa to shut down, according to an Instagram post.
Groovy Smoovies, Haddonfield
What once was a classic movie-themed smoothie and juice bar will soon become a brick-and-mortar cafe for a popular cookie design business. Groovy Smoovies opened in December 2020 and closed its doors this month; however, the business is moving its cinematic sips to its new shop in Florida. The Cookie Basket, a local bakery that bakes and designs personalized cookies, has been operating by pick-up only since shutting down its Deptford shop during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the Cookie Basket Cafe will sell cookies and coffee when it opens this summer.
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