After almost a decade of operation on Kings Highway in Haddonfield, the British Chip Shop announced it will be closing its doors for good on December 23. The brainchild of British expat (and, interestingly, aspiring neuroscientist) Gary Coleman and his wife Denise, the shop became rapidly beloved in Haddonfield and beyond. (Our reviewer said the fish and chips were better than what he’d tasted in England.) Coleman, who also co-runs the nearby English Gardener Gift Shop with his wife, noticed a dearth of not only fish and chips in the area but a lack of British staples like Bangers & Mash, the full British breakfast, Welsh Rarebit and more. The restaurant has remained very popular—its Facebook announcement was met with (polite) public outcry—and no major issues have been noted beyond Coleman’s strain of running two businesses. Mourners, eat while you can: the Chip Shop will keep doing business, including holiday events, through December 23. The British Chip Shop, 146 Kings Highway, Haddonfiled; 856-354-0204
Openings:
—Prior to opening White Rooster, Patty Caneda had been making her grandmother’s empanadas for the Toms River community. But her second restaurant, which opened this past August, showcases a much fuller range of her Cuban culinary roots. Caneda’s White Rooster is actually Toms River’s first-ever Cuban restaurant (complete with a cigar patio). And while the menu has a traditional backbone, there are international influences and often a more refined take on classics. Caneda’s White Rooster, 781 Fischer Boulevard, Tom’s River; 732-929-282
—Fast-casual dumpling spot the Dumpling Den opened on Main Street in Fort Lee with an easy, affordable dim sum-style menu of emphasizing Shanghainese soup dumplings among Chinese staples like braised baby bok choy, chive dumplings, pork belly soup, etc. Dumpling Den, 249 Main Street, Fort Lee; 201-482-0905
In the Works:
—Part of a two year-old transformation project for a section of Market Street in Camden, both Signatures 315 restaurant and the affiliated Camden Arts Yard beer garden are slated to open this fall. (There will also be a Marino’s Kitchen franchise at 309 Market Street.) Planning an development of the area has been in the works since Camden-area developer Damon Pennington first announced his vision for a “restaurant row” in 2016. Food Network chef Aaron McCargo Jr. (from “Big Daddy’s House”) is designing the menu for both Signatures 315 and Camden Arts Yard beer garden (which was formerly a pop-up, and will be the city’s first permanent beer garden, with a funky arts-driven visual theme). Camden Arts Yard, 315-317 Market Street, Camden; 856-514-1311
—Fans of fresh, flavor-packed Indian food from Downtown Dhaba formerly of Westwood Avenue can relax. The “For Rent” sign in their window is only there because the restaurant is moving its halal meats, housemade spices, and veg-friendly menu down the road. Apologies on the restaurant homepage suggest a slight delay, but it should be a matter of weeks, if not days. Meanwhile, the restaurant encourages diners to head to their sister restaurant, Nirvana Indian Kitchen at 29 W. Allendale Avenue, for a fix. Downtown Dhaba, 266 Center Avenue, Westwood; no phone yet.