Bell + Gray Opens in Jersey City

Carrino Provisions in Jersey City, which closed a few weeks ago, will reopen Monday, October 12 as Bell + Gray.

Carrino Provisions in Jersey City, which closed a few weeks ago, will reopen Monday, October 12 as Bell + Gray. Chef Dale Talde, a partner in the venture and the executive chef of Talde Jersey City next door, will present a menu of American food—regional (like Southern fried chicken), universal (like burgers, fries, oysters on the half shell) and nouveau (like kale taco salad).

The name of the new restaurant is not random. The building it occupies, originally known as the Telco Building, dates to the mid-1800’s and contained the first New York/New Jersey telephone switching station. Bell, then, is the guy who invented the telephone. What’s less well known is that Elisha Gray also invented a telephone, but Bell beat him to the patent. The name Bell + Gray honors both men.

A rear, reservations-only dining room will have its own bar, and a massive outdoor courtyard will have items such as house-made black linguini with Jonah crab, garlic fonduta and jalapenos, or mussels steamed with coconut milk and lemongrass. A wine cellar is available for private functions and weekly events such as music performances.

The bar program is led by John Bush with an unintimidating wine list, cocktails—classic and creative—and beer that focuses on local breweries, but includes Guinness and Tecate. David Massoni will handle service. Decor was created by the Kitchen Cousins, Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri, who are partners in this project. Bell + Gray, 8 Erie Street, Jersey City (973-988-2836)

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