RESTAURANT OPENINGS:

Waffle It & Co., Jersey City

Specializing in Belgian waffles, this business began in Jersey City’s District Kitchen Market. Earlier this month, it opened its first storefront in Hamilton Square. The eatery also serves breakfast sandwiches, sweet and savory crepes, soups, pasta and more.
210 Hudson Street, Jersey City; 201-788-7613

SunPress Restaurant, Audubon

The Latin American-inspired SunPress has opened. The restaurant serves a fusion of Costa Rican, Mexican and Cuban flavors. Dishes include Cruz Cabana (chicken tinga, sweet plantain, Swiss cheese, pickles and ancho-chipotle drizzle), Rincón Burrito (rice, hot Cheetos, beans, shredded cheese, cherry peppers), shrimp ceviche, fresh Key lime pie and more. The restaurant currently offers indoor dining, takeout and catering.
115 West Merchant Street, Audubon; 856-544-9355

Maria’s Brunch, Metuchen

Serving breakfast and lunch daily, this spot opened last month. It offers midday meals for every craving, including omelets, pancakes, sandwiches and salads. Highlights include pumpkin pancakes (filled with raisins and walnuts; served with cinnamon-rum syrup), the chicken salad and bacon club sandwich, a pizza burger, and an Athenian sampler of spinach pie, Greek salad, grilled chicken, tzatziki sauce and toasted pita.
140 Durham Avenue, Metuchen; 732-243-9050

RESTAURANT CLOSINGS:

Touch the Heart, Hoboken

Touch the Heart, which opened in 2020, was a BYO dim sum restaurant. The owner of a vegan burger place in Manhattan, called Jerrell’s Betr Brgr, offered to buy the lease from the Touch the Heart team, resulting in the restaurant’s closure. Hoboken will become Jerrell’s second storefront of plant-based burgers, fries and shakes.
324 Washington Street, Hoboken