Dining news:
- Rutt’s Hut, the nearly 100-year-old Clifton hot dog institution famous for its deep-fried “Ripper,” is headed to Newark. The iconic stand will operate a kiosk inside Prudential Center during New Jersey Devils games this season, bringing its signature dogs and neon-yellow mustard relish from Route 21 to the arena. The Devils kick off their home schedule Thursday, October 1, against the Philadelphia Flyers.
- The Hainesville General Store in Sandyston, one of New Jersey’s few remaining, old-fashioned general stores, is up for sale. When the spot opened in 1883, it specialized in dry goods, farming equipment, fertilizer, and dairyman supplies, but now closely resembles a bakery and deli. According to NJ.com, the property was listed by Krumpfer Realty Group on Friday, September 4 and has yet to find a buyer.
- Rey Sol, the family-owned Colombian cafe in Morristown, is making a little more room for its growing crowd. The cafe has expanded into the neighboring storefront, adding more seating for customers to linger over its Colombian coffee, pastries, and other bites.
Openings:
Poppy Gluten-Free Bakery, Ridgewood
This new bakery is dedicated entirely to gluten-free baked goods, artisan breads, pastries, cakes, and cookies. It opened Sunday, September 20 in downtown Ridgewood.
Llama Sam, Hasbrouck Heights
Llama Sam in Hasbrouck Heights opened on Monday, September 21. This is the second Bergen County location of the Peruvian restaurant originally opened in Hackensack. The Llama Sam menu is a mix of traditional flavors and contemporary preparations and influences like Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei cooking (which stems from Japanese immigration to Peru starting in the late 19th-century).
Il Vero, Westwood
Gia Giudice, the eldest daughter of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice, and business partner Maria Sausa opened Il Vero, a Mediterranean-infused Italian spot in Westwood, on Tuesday, September 22. In an interview with New Jersey Monthly, Giudice says that dining at Il Vero is all about the experience. “You’re going to walk in and get dinner and fun cocktails, but we’re also leaning into the spectacle of it all,” she says. It is open for downstairs dining, an upstairs lounge, and a rooftop bar.
Aventura Restaurant & Lounge, Nutley
This new Nutley restaurant and lounge serves American cuisine with Latin and Asian influences. It’s the sister restaurant of MK Valencia in Ridgefield Park, a popular spot for cocktails, brunch, and happy hour. They held a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Nutley Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, September 22.
Closings:
Rockin’ Roots, Hillsdale
A Hillsdale plant-based café and juice bar created by chef Michael Merida, whose healthy food landed him on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay, is closing after seven years in business.
