Restaurant Openings: 

The Goat by David Burke, Union Beach

Chef David Burke—whose restaurants include Morristown’s 1776, which just made the NJM Best New Restaurants list—is in the process of opening his seventh restaurant in the Garden State and his third in Monmouth County. His new concept, The Goat, is a casual American Bistro. The menu will include burgers, pizza, house-made pastas, seafood and dessert. The restaurant will have an extensive list of locally distilled spirits and craft beers. Set to open April 6, The Goat is taking reservations for Easter and Mother’s Day. Open Tuesday-Saturday at 4 pm.
1411 Highway 36 (Northbound), Union Beach; 732-254-5222

XO Taco & Bar, Dumont

Chef Benito Rivero, head of Casual Habana Cafe in Hackensack and New Milford, recently opened XO Taco & Bar, which offers an array of tacos, hot honey fried chicken, buffalo cauliflower and more. The bar includes tequila, frozen drinks, craft beers and wines. Open Wednesday-Sunday at 4 pm.
20 E Madison Avenue, Dumont; 201-385-2689

Terra e Mare, Jersey City

The restaurant and event space opened in late March with stunning views of New York City. Located in the Hudson House complex, Terra e Mare’s kitchen is headed by Chef David C. Felton. The menu ranges from celery root steak to strip steak, grilled octopus, poached prawns, bucatini with lobster and more. There is a spacious bar and a cocktail menu.
2 Chapel Avenue (Unit 2), Jersey City; 551-277-0588

Restaurant Closings:

Goodbeet, Bordentown and Ocean City

Ashley Coyne, owner of Goodbeet, announced in late March that two locations of her plant-based eatery would shut their doors. She opened in Bordentown in 2015 before opening in Ocean City in 2019 as a seasonal concept. Coyne announced on Facebook that staffing issues were the main reason for closing those. Goodbeet’s Westmont location is still operating. Coyne says she has plans to distribute her vegan meat items to retailers and local restaurants.
1 ½ Crosswicks Street, Bordentown
801 E 8th Street, Ocean City