Open:
—The official ribbon-cutting ceremony with Summit Mayor Nora Radest was yesterday, March 20. But lunch and dinner service at the Summit location of Ani Ramen House begins for the rest of us civilians on March 25. The funky, fast-casual ramen-slurper’s dream spot already has two locations in Montclair and Jersey City. Summit marks its third Garden State location, with design and interior murals coordinated with the same talent as the first locations (New Jersey native Rich Tu, of MTV and formerly Nike, is responsible for the artwork). The Summit location will also mark the second collaboration with Luigi’s Ice Cream, with a satellite Luigi’s actually operating inside the 2,000 square-foot space. There’s seating for 85. Ani Ramen House, 427 Springfield Avenue, Summit; 908-679-8157
—Orgreen Poke has been up and running for several weeks now and seems to be humming along happily. In the increasingly familiar poke fast-casual standard, you get your choice of protein (including veg options) on rice or greens, with some house specialties to choose from as well. Orgreen, 132 East Broad Street, Westfield; 908-264-8259
—Chef Teddy James has 17 years of experience to bring to the opening of A Taste of Royalty in East Orange—his hometown. The restaurant has officially opened but James seems to be looking for slightly more (or more solid) staff to keep the fires burning consistently. Give it a few weeks time to smooth out the kinks and James and co. should be churning out some creative fast-casual in no time. A Taste of Royalty, 8 Oak Street, East Orange; 973-433-9707
—Nicholas Anthony’s Family Kitchen in West Orange is a bit more settled into its own several weeks-old operation on Main Street. The cozy brick-walled Italian eatery does big bowls of generously sauced and protein-studded pastas with rotating specials (even a recent nod to St. Patrick’s lesser-known Italian side?). From what we can tell, a welcome addition to the neighborhood dining scene. Nicholas Anthony’s Family Kitchen, 450 Main Street, West Orange; 862-520-1252
In the Works:
—Winberie’s in Princeton closed down several weeks ago for renovations, with a promise to reopen sometime this month. (According to Yelp, March 20, 2019). The restaurant is part of a modest chain, but this location alone is a Princeton mainstay at this point, with over 35 years running. In theory, the promised “updated atmosphere that will provide a new experience for dining” shouldn’t disrupt their success streak. Winberie’s, 1 Palmer Square East, Princeton; 609-921-0700
—Camden will be getting a boost in its economy this Fall when (mostly) Philly-based chef restaurateur Michael Schulson opens two new restaurants on its waterfront. The latest restaurant additions to his already impressive, Philly-centric Schulson Collective restaurant group will be part of two major business headquarters also coming to the waterfront, along with jobs and some new housing development. No word on the concepts yet, but that should change sometime in the coming months. Schulson’s previous chef experience at places like Le Bec-Fin in Philadelphia and Peacock Alley at the Waldorf and Buddakan in New York indicate sophistication as a baseline. We’ll keep an eye on the projects if/as more details are teased out.