February 2019: 28 Hottest New Restaurants

February 2019: Hottest New Restaurants

Our 28 Hottest Restaurants issue runs the culinary gamut from fine dining to fast casual with many globally inspired ports of call in between. You can also read about high-energy chef/restaurateur Jamie Knott’s harrowing path to success, as well as the piscine passions of Jersey fishmonger Mark Drabich. Dig in!

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Hottest New Restaurants

The 28 Best New Restaurants 2019

For rewarding food, atmosphere, variety and value, these new restaurants have earned enthusiastic followings.

Unchained at Last Aims to End Child and Forced Marriages

Fraidy Reiss fled a forced marriage after 12 years of abuse. Now she’s helping hundreds of other victims escape their bonds.

Chef Jamie Knott: Mr. Flat Out, Full On

Jamie Knott was always driven—to escape childhood wounds and to pursue his passions. But to become a major chef and restaurateur he had to beat the bottle, and that took years.

Veteran administrator Eileen Shafer takes on the challenge of leading Paterson's troubled schools out of the dark days of state control.

Paterson Superintendent Eileen Shafer is a New Kind of Leader

A veteran administrator takes on the challenge of leading Paterson’s troubled schools out of the dark days of state control.

A Conversation With Charlamagne Tha God

Charlamagne Tha God, radio-show personality on “The Breakfast Club,” talks about his new book “Shook One,” his therapist and living in New Jersey.

Jonathan Miles wrote his latest novel, "Anatomy of a Miracle," in the solitude of the primitive shed he built from old shipping pallets on his property in the Delaware River town of Milford.

Getting to Know Novelist Jonathan Miles

Novelist Jonathan Miles on writing in a shack, his friend Elizabeth Gilbert, and Hunterdon County’s solitude. His new novel is “Anatomy of a Miracle.”

Singer-Songwriter Jared Dylan Finds His Home Away From Home

Jared Dylan, an emerging singer and songwriter from Montville, wanted to travel somewhere to amp up his creativity. He chose Ireland. Read on to find out what he’s been working on.

“City of Champions” Honors Garfield Football Star Benny Babula

Benny Babula was the best football player in Garfield history. Writer Hank Gola’s new book “City of Champions” details a 1939 game in which Babula led Garfield High School to victory.

Addiction-Recovery App Provides Access to Treatment

Brian Mcalister has witnessed substance abuse from both sides: as an addict for 20 years, and now, 28 years sober. He also created an app that offers recovery tools.

Freezin’ for a Reason: Special Olympics NJ Polar Bear Plunge

Fearless swimmers gear up for their annual Seaside Heights Polar Bear Plunge in support of Special Olympics New Jersey. This year’s event is on February 23.

At Porch & Proper, Two Stephen Starr Veterans Find a Porch of Their Own

Casey and Jason Simkins, veterans of the Stephen Starr restaurant group, have finally achieved their dream of opening their own restaurant.

Montclair Social Club is a Sophisticated Standout

A large and long-vacant comedy club has been transformed into Montclair’s newest hot spot.

At White Birch in Flanders, a Chef Unveils His Upscale Side

Sam Freund, known for cofounding a funky sandwich joint, opens a stunning restaurant on the very spot where his parents once dated.

Mark Drabich Answers to ‘Fishmonger,’ Proudly

Mark Drabich, a human boom box, celebrates the 30th anniversary of Metropolitan, his primo seafood market in Lebanon, by talking it up big time.

Meet the New Brut IPAs

A year ago, brut IPAs were barely on anyone’s radar. Now they’re in the spotlight.

Robust Italian Favorites at Aunt Butchie’s of Brooklyn

An offshoot of a venerable and beloved bakery in Brooklyn, this bustling restaurant offers a large selection of Italian favorites.

Going Whole Hog at Whole Hog Cafe

The dozens of barbecue trophies at Whole Hog Cafe in Cherry Hill reflect the accomplishments of the original in Little Rock, Arkansas, and maybe its two NJ outposts as well.

South Street Social Joins Morristown’s Craft Beer Bar Scene

The owners of Sona Thirteen redesigned and reopened the place as South Street Social to become worthy exemplars of Morristown’s booming craft beer scene.

Sparkling Sensations: Jamie Kole, Maplewood Jewelry Designer

Maplewood artist Jamie Kole’s aesthetic is at once modern and vintage. Her five-plus jewelry collections are perfect for layering.

Of Blooms & Bliss: Colly Flowers in Morristown

After a short course at the Flower School of New York, Kori Gervasio launched Colly Flowers, a floral design shop in Morristown.

Flirty & Fragrant

Romance your senses by spritzing yourself (and your home!) with these fresh, fun picks.

It’s Personal: Scents With Your Signature

Get a whiff of these fragrance renegades that produce unique profiles.

Total Transformation: Designer Turns Garage into a Dining Room

A designer turns her garage into a dining room with houseplants and paintings. She also pairs a modern table with chairs from the late 1800s.

Not Your Average Germ: New Jersey Considers a State Microbe

Does New Jersey need an official microbe? When it’s as beneficial a bug as Streptomyces griseus, why not?

Camden Revisited: A New Approach to Policing

In May 2013, Camden disbanded its 141-year-old municipal police department and replaced it with a force run by the county. Fast-forward almost six years. Camden County Police Chief J. Scott Thomson says the situation is improving.