Openings
Rare Bird, Ramsey
A modern Italian steakhouse with a sushi program is now open at the Ramsey Country Club. Rare Bird, led by Michelin-starred chef Joey Sergentakis, offers lunch and dinner service, live music on Thursdays, and indoor and outdoor dining.
IXIM Taco, Hackensack
This new spot serves tapas and all-day brunch, offering a New American menu with a Latin twist. It will also host coffee tastings and karaoke nights.
A Touch Of Italy, Egg Harbor Township
In the spring of 2023, a fire ripped through this Atlantic County restaurant overnight. After structural rebuilding, inspections and delays, A Touch of Italy is back for 2026 with a new look.
Closings
16 Prospect Wine Bar & Bistro, Westfield
One of Westfield’s most popular restaurants for nearly 25 years unexpectedly closed on January 1. It featured small plates, drinks and entrées with eclectic ingredients and bold flavors, plus live music five nights a week.
Pinky Shrimp’s, Beach Haven
This beloved Long Beach Island staple closed its doors after 30 years of serving an ocean’s worth of seafood dishes and sides. The property has been sold to local owners, who plan to remodel the space into an Argentinian empanada spot slated to open next spring.
Ms. Heaven’s Wings, Woodbury
This award-winning soul-food joint unexpectedly announced the closure of its Woodbury location on January 4. Plans for a pre-Super Bowl reopening are reportedly in the works, though no official date has been announced.
Dining news
Jon Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul Kitchen pop-up inside the Ocean County Library in Toms River is set to close at the end of the month after nearly a year of operation.
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation was founded by the rock star and his wife, Dorothea Bongiovi, to combat food insecurity. Operating on a pay-what-you-can or volunteer-in-exchange model, the nonprofit has served over 230,000 meals across its Garden State locations.
The Toms River pop-up announced the closure in August, hoping for additional institutional support. As circumstances remain unchanged, it will close on January 30. “This closure will come at the height of Code Blue season, when individuals without shelter struggle for warmth and survival,” an online announcement read. “For now they can turn to JBJ Soul Kitchen as a resource to receive a hot meal during the day.”
