Last fall, Westwood got lucky. Chef Robert Austin Cho—whose Korean-influenced Kimchi Smoke barbecue joint had become a sensation in a small space in Bergenfield—closed there and opened a larger place in Westwood.
Now Kimchi Smoke is actually expanding. Sometime next month it will open a new restaurant in Montclair. Table Hopping will keep you posted on pop-up dinners and other particulars.
How was Montclair chosen? Cho posted on Instagram, asking his followers where the next location should be. Responses included Westfield, Edison, Hoboken, Montclair, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Hackensack—even Connecticut.
Cho scouted, and found a suitable space at 345 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair’s main drag, just a few doors west of the DePersio family’s long-running Italian BYO, Fascino.
Cho is optimistic he will receive a warm welcome. Kimchi Smoke’s station had long lines at the Montclair Food and Wine Festival in January. And popular chef Timothy Culvert, formerly of Park and Orchard in East Rutherford, who has been working at Kimchi Smoke in Westwood, will be in the Montclair kitchen.
Other Openings:
Huddle House, 539 Main Street, East Orange. All-American fare served daily, 6 am to midnight. 973-672-2301 huddlehouse.com
Anthony Franco’s Pizza, 2036 Hudson Street, Fort Lee. 201-944-1440 afpizza.com
Koro Koro Rice Ball Cafe, 201 Washington Avenue, Hoboken. Japanese-inspired rice bowls, salads, cooked dishes and soups (no sushi). Open noon to 10 pm, Monday through Saturday, and noon to 7 pm, Sunday. 201-222-5426 korokorocafe.com