Another high-profile restaurant is set to open in Jersey City, this one inside a night-time, hot spot in the Powerhouse Arts District.
Beat Street, a 100-seat restaurant, bar, lounge and performance space, is scheduled to open June 22 inside Transmission, the sprawling “nightlife brand” in the historic A&P warehouse at the intersection of Bay and Provost streets.
The concept comes from entrepreneur and real estate developer Howard Brunner; nightlife impresario KC Macias; and chef Darryl Harmon.
Beat Street is in homage to the 1984 classic hip-hop movie of the same name that touted break-dancing, deejaying and graffiti art. All three art forms are incorporated into the décor, menu and ambience. So think street art, street food and street music.
The restaurant has three distinct spaces: a 15-seat bar serving craft beers, wines and artisan cocktails; a lounge area with a grand piano decorated in mid-century style; and a small-bites menu. There will also be outdoor seating.
Chef Harmon has consulted for restaurant groups in New York and cooked at Water Works in Philadelphia. He grew up in South Jersey farm country and has incorporated both his Native American heritage and Cumberland County roots into the menu that will include Native Bison Tostadas, Reverse Seared Tomahawk Steak and Sous Vide Lobster Mac & Cheez-it.
On opening day, Thursday, June 22, Beat Street will offer a “Pay What You Want” fund-raiser with all proceeds from the evening benefiting The Sharing Place Food Pantry at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Beat Street, 150 Bay Street, Jersey City. Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 11 pm. For more information, visit beatstreetjerseycity.com.
Now open:
Kimchi Smoke House II, 345 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair. The long-awaited grand opening of the spinoff of the popular spot in Westwood is taking place now through Sunday, June 18. Lunch and dinner menus spotlight chef-owner Robert Austin Cho’s classics: Cholander Fries (crispy fries loaded with pulled pork, bourbon chipotle sauce, smoked kimchi, cheddar cheese, scallions), Bad as Texas Brisket (12-hour smoked Creekstone brisket) and bourbon vanilla pudding with Captain Crunch. New additions to the menu include Korean Redneck Tacos 2.0 with a housemade salsa verde. BYO. kimchismoke.com.
Coming soon:
Reyla, 603 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park. An Eastern-Mediterranean restaurant from the folks at Barrio Costero, a New Jersey Monthly Best New Restaurant pick. The foods of Lebanon, Turkey and Israel will be presented by chef Rob Santello.
The Halal Guys Gyro and Chicken, 4 Teterboro Landing Drive, Teterboro (in the new retail and restaurant complex across from the airport). The latest New Jersey brick-and-mortar expansion of the NYC street cart legend is scheduled to have its grand opening Saturday, June 17. 347-527-1505. thehalalguys.com.