Juniper Hill Opens in Clinton

After starting his career in 1992 as chef at the Frenchtown Inn, Josh DeChellis worked at celebrated restaurants in San Francisco and New York City, as well as at a Michelin-starred restaurant in France.

Now DeChellis, and his wife Jennifer, have come back to Hunterdon County to open their own place. Last month Juniper Hill Restaurant and Bar opened in a former bank, located at 73 Beaver Avenue in the Annandale section of Clinton Township.

DeChellis, who was born in Colombia, garnered acclaim while at Sumile, Jovia and La Fonda del Sol, both in the Big Apple. He later moved to Clinton Township, and began scouting sites for a restaurant of his own.

Juniper Hill, currently serves dinner only from Tuesday through Sunday, features ingredients sourced from local farms and waters.  Early menus showcase soft-shell crabs with Benton’s bacon; Barnegat sea scallops and John Dory; local asparagus and other spring crops from the Garden State.

For reservations and information, call 908-335-8905 or visit juniper-hill.com.

Newcomers:

• Punto Rosso, a gluten-free restaurant, featuring fresh pasta, has opened at 6 Park Street in Montclair. The Italian eatery is owned by Duke Carlino, who also operates La Riviera Trattoria in Clifton, and chef Ryan Vargo. Certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group, Punto Rosso’s kitchen is entirely gluten-free. BYO and open for dinner daily and lunch every day except Monday. 973-337-8323. puntorosso.com.
• Just in time for the crowds of summer, Luke’s Lobster is opening in Long Branch. The vision of Mainer Luke Holden, lobsterman and founder of the Luke’s Lobster Shacks, now in nine states and Washington DC, the Pier Village branch will serve the same lobster rolls, shrimp rolls, crab rolls, lobster bisque and clam chowder as its sibling shacks.  Scheduled to open Friday, May 26, this will be the first Luke’s at the Jersey Shore. Holden recently shuttered his brick-and-mortar location on Washington Street in Hoboken; he will, however, keep his mobile units in operation at Pier 13. 84 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch (in the former home of Red Mango). lukeslobster.com.
• There’s a wide range of sophisticated pastries at the new patisserie called Ciel, located at 273 Center Avenue in Westwood. Billed a dessert lounge” this newcomer offers both eat-in dessert plates and take-home sweets. Think hazelnut millefeuille and opera cake and homemade ice creams. Plus a variety of teas and coffees. Open daily. 201-497-8899. cieldessert.com.

Also open:
Donde Mi Ama,  427 Morris Avenue in Elizabeth. Colombian. Open daily for lunch and dinner. 908-737-8262.
La Terraza Bar-B-Q Pit, 519 River Drive in Garfield. Barbecue in the old Bar-B-Q Pit locale. New owner Michael Rojas has given this place a new name. BYO. 973-767-2138.

Coming later this spring or early summer:
Renegade Fondue, 2 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank. In the former home of Melting Pot in the Galleria shopping complex.
Tidal Poke, 335 Grove Street,Jersey City. Hawaiian and Japanese. 201-763-6467. tidalpoke.com.
Bovine Burgers, 78 West Railroad Avenue in Jamesburg. 732-656-1666. bovineburgers.com.
Hajime Japanese, 393 Davidson’s Mill Road in Monroe. 732-798-6244.