The Humble Toast Opens in Teaneck

—“Traditional Jewish deli flavors, with a modern twist” is how The Humble Toast describes itself on its website. Certified kosher by the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County, the menu gets twisty pretty quickly, including some international flavors (shishito peppers, salmon poke bowl, elote-style Mexican street corn). But there’s a bedrock of Jewish deli tradition here, too, with sandwiches presumably packed with house-cured pastrami or corned beef, a classic French dip with horseradish aioli, cinnamon-spiced Challah bread pudding, even chopped egg salad (with optional beef “bakon”). The Humble Toast, 1383 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck; 201-897-3080

—With his own experience in Shore restaurants and family members in the industry, 24 year-old Endrit “Andrew” Bodi is defying his relative youth with his first shot at ownership with Verona in Haddonfield. The restaurant (his first) officially opens November 1, seats 120 on two floors, and is named for the romantic Italian setting of Romeo & Juliet. In the former home of Little Tuna on Kings Highway, the restaurant will alternate between Sicilian cuisine in the warmer months and a heartier Piemontese menu in winter. Chef Artur Haxhiu has three and a half decades in the industry, much of it in Europe, and intends to prioritize authenticity above all. Verona Restaurant, 141 Kings Highway, Haddonfield; 851-446-2126

—Westfield Station Café is open on the corner building at 339 South Avenue, every day from 6 AM to 4 PM. The Mediterranean-inflected diner style menu is heavy on breakfast options (though the Kosheri in the “Mediterranean Corner” section looks worth a try). The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, definitely a family-style weekend spot. Westfield Station Café, 339 South Ave, Westfield; 908-232-2869

*Just in time for the holiday season, Cranford Hotel Restaurant & Pub has reopened after renovations. 1 South Union Avenue, Cranford; 908-276-2121

In the Works:

—Triumph Brewing Co. Restaurant & Brewery is adding a new location in Red Bank (the first opened in Princeton in 1995). The Red Bank spot will feature Triumph beers as well as a menu of modern American gastropub fare (note to self: there will be a suckling pig carving station). They hope to open next week. Triumph Brewing Co. Restaurant & Brewery, 1 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank; 732-852-7300

—Technique is a small French-American bistro coming to the space of the former home of Caffe Anello in Westwood. Chef Ross Goldflam worked previously in corporate cafes and catering out of White Plains, but the French Culinary Institute grad is bringing French technique to the fore with modern accents on traditional Gallic dishes (think Pate de Campagne, garlicky Escargot, venerable Coq au Vin, etc.). Technique, 425-429 Broadway, Westwood; no phone yet.

—Nettie’s, a “new Italian restaurant” is set to open in Tinton Falls in early November. They are currently hiring front of house staff. Nettie’s, 5119 Asbury Avenue, Tinton Falls; 732-922-9799

—Five borough food cart kings the Halal Guys are opening their second brick-and-mortar outpost in New Jersey at this 18,000 square foot New Brunswick complex that also includes a Frutta Bowls and BurgerIM. The Halal Guys, 37 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick; no phone yet.