Restaurant Openings:
Essie’s Restaurant & Lounge, Clementon
After a two-year delay due to renovations and the pandemic, husband and wife Mike and Cherie Gillespie have opened Essie’s. Executive Chef Arlene Reynolds is offering small plates, including hush puppies, fried alligator bites and chicken wings. Large plates include lobster tail, fried oyster salad and seafood gumbo. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 3 pm-1 am; dinner served until 10 pm.
1 Garfield Avenue, Clementon
Lakay Restaurant, West Orange
Opening in June with a Caribbean menu including Maïs et Hareng, fried pork and salads, Lakay also presents its signature Spaghetti Lakay (linguine primavera with choice of chicken, shrimp or vegetables). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday.
470 Valley Road, West Orange; 973-323-9393
Whose Coffee, Englewood
This Bergen County spot makes its regular and specialty coffee drinks with beans from a local roaster, Roast’d Coffee. Whose Coffee also offers sandwiches, bakery items, salads and more. Open daily.
41 Park Place, Englewood
7 Doors Down Ramen Co., Bloomfield
Executive Chef Lawrence Talis and Head Chef Luis Blasini are combining Peruvian flavors and Japanese techniques while serving more than just ramen. Their menu also offers ceviche, sashimi, bao buns and more. Guests can dine in, with reservations available online, or order take out. Currently open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday.
273 Glenwood Avenue, Bloomfield; 856-543-9480