Openings

Alfalfa, Jersey City

The fast-casual restaurant opened its second NJ location in Jersey City over the weekend. The menu features a variety of plant-friendly options, breakfast burritos and gluten-free donuts. Try one of their crafted salads, like the Buffalo Goddess, made with their Alfalfa mix and wild rice, topped with buffalo cauliflower, brussels sprouts, sweet potato, sunflower seeds, goat cheese and ranch dressing. Any salad can also be made into a wrap. For Alfalfa’s founders, opening up in Jersey City is particularly special, as the friends first met at the nearby St. Peter’s Preparatory School.
160 1st Street, Jersey City; 201-360-0700

Luigino’s, Montclair

Entering the Montclair restaurant scene (one of NJM‘s favorites!) with 40 years of notable experience, chef Luigino “Luigi” Tripodi, whose parents are from Italy, created a menu that he says resembles those of restaurants in his family’s home country. The lunch menu at Luigino’s features several salads, paninis and Roman-style pizzas, like the Roasted Lamb, topped with its namesake ingredient, lemon zest, ricotta, pickled red onions, olives and Calabrian chilies. Dinner guests can sample pasta dishes such as paccheri, tagliolini, stuffed gnocchi and cacio e pepe. Other menu items include short rib, veal chop and Neapolitan ratatouille.
173 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair; 973-352-1511

Nuovo Vesuvio, Lyndhurst

After a tragic fire reduced the beloved Vesuvio to ashes earlier this year, chef Arthur “Artie” Bucco has reopened his restaurant, fittingly renamed Nuovo Vesuvio. With a new look and promising menu items, Nuovo Vesuvio is ready to welcome longtime regulars and new patrons alike.
123 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst

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