Openings
New Jersey’s figurative restaurant pipeline is so stuffed with places “in the works,” “about to open” and “coming soon,” that Drano might be wise to develop a new product, lest we experience a unique kind of clog.
In all seriousness, we’ve been hearing about dozens of restaurants in the almost-ready-to-open stages of development. Two of those actually opened last week.
Spice Bazaar, an Indian BYO located at 114 Quimby Street in Westfield, is serving lunch and dinner daily. For info, 908-389-1888.
A new breakfast spot at 111 S. Chelsea Avenue in Atlantic City is the latest outpost of Gilchrist, a longtime restaurant staple with three locations, including its well-known flagship in Gardener’s Basin. It replaced the former Teplitzky’s in the Tropicana’s newly acquired Chelsea Tower (formerly the Chelsea Hotel). For more information, call 609-340-4000 or visit tropicana.net.
Coming soon:
Surf Taco is expanding its brand to the Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street. One of the original fast-casual chains, the popular place for those in their teens and 20s will serve its famous “coastal cuisine” in the Ivy ‘burg. Phone: 609-285-2680.
Also in Princeton, Fenwick Hospitality is bringing Two Sevens Eatery & Cantina to 277 Witherspoon Street. Its PR team offers no further information at this time.
Meanwhile, yet another franchise is setting its sights on New Jersey. New York-based Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, which boasts of being a “New York Pizza Concept,” plans five locales in our state: Hoboken, Jersey City, New Brunswick, Princeton and Newark. The Jersey owners are Premal and Leela Shanghvi.
Independent restaurants on the docket include:
* Endless Garden Cafe, 487 Valley Street in Maplewood.
* La Mesa, to be located in the old Little Maria locale at 7 South Washington Avenue in Bergenfield.
* Chen’s Yummy House, 148 Veteran’s Plaza in Dumont.
* Up Thai, 981 Tabor Road in Morris Plains.