“We’re getting close,” says James Wang, chef-owner of Phorage on the Hudson, the Thai-Vietnamese restaurant taking shape on the Hudson River in Edgewater. “”It’s probably about a month out.”
“Phorage”?
The key to the name is the first syllable, the classic Vietnamese beef and noodle soup called pho (but pronounced fuh). So a name that looks like it should be pronounced “forage” may actually be pronounced furage. We’ll know soon enough.
Meanwhile, Wang, who also owns Lemongrass in Morris Plains, says his new spot “right on the water will have an industrial feel” and offer outdoor seating. “Diners will be able to see the boats passing by and look across at Manhattan. It’s pretty different from Lemongrass, where we look out at the highway.”
Phorage will be located at 725 River Road in Edgewater. There’s no phone number yet, but the website is phoragenj.com.
Phorage, a BYO, is located a stone’s throw from Mitsuwa, the Japanese mega-market on River Road that happens to stock a wide range of sakes, including some very fine ones. If you like sake with your Thai and Vietnamese food, the one-two punch of market and restaurant could be irresistible.
Recently opened:
Antique Bar & Bakery, 122 Willow Avenue, Hoboken. For more than 100 years, Antique Bakery made bread in a 30-ton coal-fired oven. Favorite son Frank Sinatra was such a fan of the bread that he had loaves couriered to him worldwide. Reopened earlier this month by chef Paul Gerard and his partner Joe Castelo, a filmmaker, the restaurant-bar-bakery serves dishes re-imagined in the coal-fired oven as well as craft cocktails and pastries from Ashton Warren. Classic movies are shown on an old projector screen. Gerard will divide his time between this new venture and his popular bar, eatery and performance space, Ethyl’s, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. 201-683-7029. antiquebarbakery.com.
Mari’s Kitchen, 20 Plauderville Avenue, Garfield. There’s limited dine-in seating at this Puerto Rican restaurant that focuses on take-out and offers free delivery to the surrounding area. Daily lunch specials. BYO. Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. 973-928-4477. mariskitchengarfield.com
Angelo’s Greek Tavern, 350 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell. In the storefront formerly occupied by Skara Estiatorio comes this restaurant serving classic Greek fare, says owner-chef Angelo Bushi. BYO. Open daily for lunch and dinner. 973-228-0628. angelosgreektavern.com.
Recently closed:
Park & Orchard, the East Rutherford dining destination that closed in 2015 after a nearly 40-year run and that reopened under new ownership in April 2016, has once again folded.
Griffin’s Bar & Grill, 44 East Madison Avenue in Cresskill. Owned and operated for 11 years by its chef, Peter Dulligan, the locally loved spot was known for its upscale bar food, including a Kobe beef burger.