Open:
It’s not often that someone believes in their project so much they’ll actually fight antiquated laws to get it done, but for Christian Annese, that was the only route to opening the cidery of his dreams. A long-time beer lover, Annese had to shift his drinking habits after he was diagnosed with celiac disease just under a decade ago. Discovering the world of complex, dry, terroir-laced European ciders and dabbling in amateur cider-making himself, Annese decided to open his own commercial cidery, but he could do so only after helping change certain state laws that treated cider-making like wine-making (and would have required Annese open a “winery” with a few acres of land, among other stipulations). Annese worked from January 2014 to May 2017, when the laws were finally changed. And just over a year and a half later, on January 31 of this year, Armageddon Brewing opened its doors on Chestnut Avenue in Somerdale. Technically a microbrewery with a 50-seat tasting room, Armageddon will also be doing mead—a fermented honey drink, and likely the oldest alcoholic beverage in creation—but right now Annese’s tap list is all ciders, with a nice rainbow of fruit flavors beyond apple and a range of flavors that run the gamut from dry and even tannin-laced European styles to juicier (but non-sugar-bomb) New World ciders. Armageddon Brewing, 900 Chestnut Avenue, Somerdale; 856-599-5214
In the Works:
—Just in time for some last minute Valentine’s Day plans, The Boil is opening a location in Jersey City on February 14. The restaurant mini-chain has two other locations, both in Manhattan, and we’re guessing its Jersey City space on Erie Street might skew a bit larger with 120 seats, which will be divided among booths, bar, and tables, all of which is set up amidst restrained maritime décor. As for the menu, it either has a siren’s call for you or doesn’t: just like the New York locations, the Jersey City spot will do boiled, grilled, steamed and otherwise cleanly prepared and pile-ready seafood preparations with a Cajun, Creole slant. (You get to pick your seafood or a combination thereof, plus your sauce, and every basket comes with Cajun fries.) A modest raw bar and plenty of fun prepared appetizers should round things out (the Greenwich Village location does littleneck clams, crabmeat sliders, southern fried chicken wings, gumbo, etc.), as should a hefty beer list and cocktail menu. Assuming temps actually warm up, this could become your warm-weather go-to for a crawfish boil and a beer. The Boil, 8 Erie Street, Jersey City; no phone yet.
—Another opening just in time for an alternative but tummy-loving Valentine’s Day is coming on February 13. Food Network “Chopped” champion chef Timothy Witcher is bringing the Wing Kitchen to Glassboro. Witcher specializes in the perfectly fried chicken wing, but his menu expands to include things like chicken-fried buttermilk doughnuts, Beyond Meat tacos, and a fried chicken tender sandwich that on brioche bun that looks like it just might rival the Popeye’s craze. Meals are affordable, environs relaxed, and the menu itself subject to seasonal inflections, special sauces and other wonderful adjustments per chef Witcher’s inspiration. The Wing Kitchen, 114 High Street West, Glassboro; no phone yet.
Closed:
At just over a year old, Roots Café is closing down at its current space on Church Road in Maple Shade. Per a January 21 Facebook post, owners Rachelle and Kevin Johnson announced the closure as being only temporary as the duo seek out a new location (no exact word was given as reason for leaving the present space). Fans were noticeably bummed to hear the news on social media, but as of yet no assurance has been made as to a restaurant reopening date or location. Roots Café, 28 South Church Road, Maple Shade.