Boulevard Seafood; Conlin’s Bakery & Café, Somerville
Scott Snyder, chef/owner of the notable New American restaurant Boulevard Five72 in Kenilworth, is about to open Boulevard Seafood Co., a restaurant and market, and Conlin’s, which he calls “a Panera concept with soups and salads, specializing in baguettes.” The establishments will occupy side-by-side storefronts and have open kitchens. 49-53 West Main Street.
Common Lot, Millburn
It’s hard to imagine a more international young couple than Ehren and Nadine Ryan. He’s the chef, an Aussie who has worked or lived in India, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Canada, Austria and England. She’s a certified cheese sommelier, tea expert, front-of-house specialist and native Austrian who has lived or traveled in Australia, Switzerland, South Africa, England, the Channel Islands, Thailand and Indonesia. They met in the Channel Islands, live in Chatham and are about to open their first restaurant, the ambitious but relaxed, globally influenced Common Lot. 27 Main Street; 973-467-0494.
Cooper House, Pennsauken
Expected to open in March in Cooper River Park, Cooper House will have a full bar with 22 taps, a fireplace and a modern American menu with strong local accents. “All of us are Jersey born and bred and raised on New Jersey foods and products,” says Kevin Meeker, who is leading the team with chef Tony Clark. “That will be reflected in the menu.” 5300 North Park Drive.
Essex Junction Craft Kitchen & Bar, Bloomfield
Elevated comfort food (with full bar and a host of craft beers) is the aim of this gastropub, which may be open by the time you read this. It will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, a happy hour and weekend brunch. The consulting chef is Doug Vincent, who worked at Windows on the World. People headed to the train station, steps away, or just happening by, will appreciate the pass-through window for breakfast (or any meal) to go. 90 Washington Street.
The Kitchen Step, Jersey City
Chef Ryan DePersio of Fascino in Montclair, Nico at NJPAC in Newark, and Battello on the Jersey City waterfront is opening a fourth restaurant in the small space formerly occupied by critical darling Thirty Acres. The seasonal, market-driven menu will be New American, which is to say eclectic. Snacks, small plates and large plates will range in price from $5 to $26, with people pleasers like mahi-mahi tacos and frisée salad with crispy duck confit. The place is named for the marble slab that once served as the kitchen step of the nearby Van Vorst mansion. 500 Jersey Avenue; 201-830-1909.
Surf BBQ, Rumson
Victor Rallo, star of Eat! Drink! Italy! and owner of Undici in Rumson and Birravino in Red Bank is about to open a new place that is—gasp!—not Italian. Surf BBQ will specialize in Southern-style, pit-smoked meats, American craft beer, American whiskey and cocktails, and American wine. Billy Durney, owner/pitmaster of Hometown Bar-B-Que in Red Hook, Brooklyn, is the consulting chef. For now, Surf BBQ will be open only for lunch Saturdays and Sundays. You order at the counter. As at the famous Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas, when the day’s supply of meat sells out, the place shuts down. Come back tomorrow. 132 East River Road; 732-530-6590.
The Rum Runner, Sea Bright
Hurricane Sandy dealt Tim McLoone’s Rum Runner a fatal blow. Its replacement, with full bar featuring plenty of rum, will focus, as before, on seafood, salads and sandwiches. McLoone has taken his name off the sign, but regulars who remember the piano upstairs will find one there again, and live performances along with it. 816 Ocean Avenue; 732-758-9500.