17 Summer in Lodi Closes After Seven Years

Plus: New restaurants in the works in Magnolia, Jersey City and beyond.

Photo courtesy of Jenna Cuccia

CLOSED:

—When we interviewed 17 Summer co-owners Jenna and Joseph Cuccia in March, the siblings didn’t give any sense that their restaurant was anywhere near closing. In fact they’d just launched a monthly vegan tasting menu (they were freely creative with menu concepts and innovation). However, as of early this month, the restaurant announced its closure via Facebook and Instagram: “After seven wonderful years at 17 Summer Restaurant, we have decided to close our doors so that we can continue our passion and creativity in a new light.” The post goes on to say the siblings are “excited for the next chapter,” but doesn’t specify what that chapter might be. The restaurant was open for seven years, making its way onto our 30 Best New Restaurants list in 2016 and earning chef Joseph Cuccia a 2016 James Beard nomination. 17 Summer, 17 Summer Street, Lodi.

IN THE WORKS:

—By the end of next week, the long empty space at 510 South White Horse Pike in Magnolia will have come back to life as Laughing Fox Tavern, a multi-purpose restaurant/event space/banquet hall that also just so happens to be the new culinary home of chef Ross Scofield of the recently closed Farmacy in Palmyra. Menu teases on Instagram include sauce-lacquered Asian-style wings, pizzas, and a beautiful seafood stew with pearl couscous. (There are also a few standard cocktail shots from bartender Scott Streeter and a forthcoming custom Laughing Fox lager courtesy of Flying Fish Brewing.) Suffice to say the food will be polished but comfortable, much like the 16,000 square foot space—which will include specific family-friendly areas, a wine bar, and a stage for musicians. In fact they’re starting strong with entertainment: opening night includes a 7pm ‘80s Listening Party. The Laughing Fox Tavern, 510 South White Horse Pike, Magnolia; 856-454-5500

—A Portuguese café is opening soon in the former home of Korean barbecue/crepes spot Kraverie, which closed last summer after seven years in the space. From Michael Casalinho and family—the same team behind the Portuguese tapas-style Broa across the street—Eira will do breakfast and lunch hour service with the same Portuguese inspiration. The café’s Instagram doesn’t show much in the way of menu teases (there are the “Bolas de Berlim” mini doughnuts, a coconut milk-enriched Carrot Soup, and the recently posted dairy-free Chocolate Avocado Mousse), nor is there exact word on the opening date. But a post from September 7 seems to show some shelving/retail activity? While the menu will no doubt fill out with plenty of Portuguese pastry and savory options for the day, coffee lovers should stop by for “um café,” basically an Espresso and the most popular way drink in the (very) coffee-loving country itself. Eira, 24 Mercer Street, Jersey City; no phone yet.

NEW OWNERS:

—It’s new owners for an old spot. The Pop Shop in Collingswood is getting (sort of) new owners. After their 14 years of sharing ownership of the retro-style diner on Haddon Avenue, Bill Fisher and Connie Correia are selling the shop to Gary and Joanne Gardner, part-owners of the satellite Pop Shop in Medford. According to a fairly lengthy Facebook farewell (maybe they’ve earned it after 14 years), Correia will stay on in some capacity, doing marketing and events work for The Pop Shop. Fisher will open a catering company, among other projects, Fox and Fish Catering with his wife Jessica Floyd. As for the new owners, there’s no reason to expect the Gardners will do anything to muddy the success of The Pop Shop besides briefly closing for some renovations. (They reopen Friday, September 13.) The Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood; 856-869-0111

Read more Table Hopping articles.

By submitting comments you grant permission for all or part of those comments to appear in the print edition of New Jersey Monthly.

Required
Required not shown
Required not shown