Noodle Shop & Bar Opens in Newark

Plus: Other openings and closings in Wildwood, Jersey City, Moorestown and more.

The Noodle Shop & Bar in Newark is a relative baby in the restaurant world, just coming out of a soft open on June 8th, but already it seems worth looking into—and not just because it’s centrally located near the Prudential Center, Newark Penn Station and the Lite Rail.

Beyond an easy location, the real draw is a concise but quirky ramen menu. Veggie, chicken and beef bone broth as well as noodles from Carlstadt’s own Sun Noodle are the backdrop to offerings like the Catera, with pickled ginger and marinated beef; the Cassandra with Chashu pork; and the Veggie Green, with sauteed mushroom, roasted red peppers and spinach. Probably a safe bet to try the David, since it’s named after head chef David Vargas, with a creamy bone broth, crispy chicken drumette, an egg and fresh cilantro.

If you’re stopping in to check out the lengthy-but-not-local beer list or cocktail menu, or (maybe better) the short but thoughtful Sake list, fortify your stomach with bar snacks like sea salt-flecked edamame, pork buns or ponzu-glazed wings. And then, presumably, hop the train home.

Noodle Shop & Bar, 218 Market Street, Newark; 973-440-2000

Other Openings:

*Family- and dog-friendly PigDog Beach Bar opened this Saturday, June 16, at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood. There’s upmarket bar fare with an emphasis on barbecue, but if you’re brave, try their namesake, the foot-long all beef Pig Dog topped with smoked pulled pork, melted Monterey Jack, and pickled jalapenos. Craft cocktails and local beer round out the “not-for-your-beach-body” menu.

*Sweetberry Bowls opened its seventh location in the state in downtown Jersey City on Saturday June 16th (other Jersey locations include Pompton Lakes, Montclair, and Glen Rock). On offer are the chain’s health-conscious breakfast-style bowls with acai, pitaya, coconut, and green bases and toppings, fresh smoothies made to order, and lunchtime salads. 179 Newark Avenue, Jersey City; 551-225-3015

*Cozy Cafe & Grill is open, featuring Mediterranean fare like falafel, gyro, fish, and kebabs for lunch and dinner. 176 Kinderkamack Road, Emerson; 201-563-9687

Closings:

*Al Dente in Piscataway should be closing in two weeks. Head Chef Carlo Orrico is looking for a possible new space in Montclair.

*Catelli Duo is the latest casualty as the Moorestown Mall undergoes a transformation, closing only three weeks after the embattled neighboring Distrito restaurant from Jose Garces also closed its doors.

*Romano’s Macaroni Grill on Route 23 in Wayne had been open for 22 years.

Read more Table Hopping articles.

By submitting comments you grant permission for all or part of those comments to appear in the print edition of New Jersey Monthly.

Required
Required not shown
Required not shown