Cranford Couple Subtract 100 Steps

Four years ago, Andrea and Jim Carbine, whose seminal restaurant, A Toute Heure, had brought refreshingly modern American food to Cranford, decided to open a second place just 100 steps down Centennial Avenue. Though 100 Steps Supper Club & Raw Bar found a loyal following, it took a toll on its founders.

On Tuesday, the Carbines announced on Facebook that they are selling 100 Steps to a pair of industry veterans but will continue to run A Toute Heure (French for “at all hours”).

“We finally found someone who wanted to continue what we built,” the Carbines wrote on Facebook. “Jack Tagmouti will be the new owner going into this week. He is a former manager of the Frog and the Peach in New Brunswick, and someone who we hope, and believe, understands the amazing alchemy that we’ve created here. To help him, he’s brought with him a very talented chef, Joe Beninato, formerly of the the Frog and the Peach and Ursino. Both gentlemen are ready to embrace what we’ve created here and hopefully find their own spin on it.”

The Carbines built the casual 100 Steps around shareable plates and a raw bar, with live music sometimes on tap. It served a couple of staples from the mothership, most notably A Toute Heure’s signature mussel pots.

Andrea, a former James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef/Mid-Atlantic, addressed the obvious question in the Facebook post:

“So why? Why now?” she wrote. “Because Jim and Andrea want to be Jim and Andrea. We love what we have accomplished here at OHS [their abbreviation for 100 Steps], we love these amazing crews, and we love the enthusiasm that all of you have finally brought to the door. But, we want to find time to try and be Jim and Andrea, and running two spots, across seven days, made that nearly impossible.”

Opening soon:

Michael Symon, an Iron Chef, James Beard Award winner and TV celebrity, will open his newest restaurant, Angeline, on Saturday, May 6, at the Borgata in Atlantic City.

Billed as “inspired Italian, classically crafted,” the Sicilian-influenced cuisine will indeed include red-sauce dishes. Family recipes will be featured, including some from his mother, Angeline.

Symon promises a “thoughtful wine program” and “bold mixology.”

Angelina at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, 1 Borgata Way, 609-317-1000 theborgata.com

 

Ani Ramen House’s long-awaited branch in Jersey City has a newly scheduled opening date of Monday, April 24.

Unlike the original in Montclair, Ani Ramen JC will have a full bar with a beverage program designed by New York City-based mixologist Kenta Goto, owner of Bar GOTO.

Ani Ramen JC is owned by Eleven Hospitality. The space, designed by Pixel Experience, features a wall mural created by New Jersey native Rich Tu. The chef is Julian Valencia.

Ani Ramen JC, 218 Newark Avenue, 201-876-1211 aniramen.com

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