BURG: Burgers + Taps Opens in Newark's Military Park

by Melody Kettle


It's the moment downtown Newark has been waiting for!  BURG, the hip, casual, burger-centric restaurant from celebrated Chef/Restaurateur Chris Siversen of Maritime Parc fame, opens its doors today, providing the finishing touch on the park's stunning multi-million dollar revitalization, courtesy of Biederman Redevelopment Ventures. 

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Avenue Le Club: St. Tropez-in-NJ

by Melody Kettle


 

John Johnson is out of this world!  Well, he's really from Neptune, NJ -- but his cuisine is out of this world. 

Chef Johnson took over the post as executive chef at Avenue Le Club in January.  His dishes are as beautiful as the expansive dining room. Billed as "San Tropez-in-NJ," a wall of windows looks out on the Atlantic, while, inside, white banquets, warm lighting, a fireplace, and perfect service create a seductive contemporary dining experience.  

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Ramen, Gelato, Toys, & More: Babo Teahouse Opens in Montclair

by Melody Kettle


On Monday, Babo Teahouse opened it's doors on Walnut Street in Montclair. This is the second location for Babo, following their first location in Jersey City.

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Rapid Fire: Franco Robazetti of Zeppelin Hall

by Melody Kettle


Chef Franco Robazetti is a native of Venezuela of Italian and Spanish descent. His interest in gastronomy started at a very young age when both sides of his family used to sit around the dining table at the family farm and argue the relative merits of each cuisine. He figured the best way to bring about familial peace was to meld the two cuisines together and have fun doing it, sFranco is a graduate from the Cordon Bleu Program in Caracas and has also completed Master baker Certification at the French Culinary Institute in New York. 

 

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Laurel & Sage: Opens Tomorrow in Former CulinAriane Space

by Melody Kettle


I still haven't adjusted. Driving past the corner of Walnut & Pine visions of tuna flowers and corn-meal crusted oysters flash before my hungry eyes. Excuse the post-mortem, but the absence of the CulinAriane awning at 33 Walnut St. is something of a foodie tragedy. But, to everything - particularly the Montclair food scene - there is a season.  And, now, we turn to embrace Chef Shawn Paul Dalziel, the new chef/owner of Laurel & Sage, located at - you guessed it - 33 Walnut Street in Montclair. 

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Rapid Fire: Thomas Ciszak of Chakra & Blue Morel

by Melody Kettle


Thomas Ciszak is one of the Northeast’s most acclaimed chefs. Born in Germany and trained at top schools and restaurants in his home country, Chef Ciszak came to the United States in 1994.  His work grew noticed and he gained great popularity first at The Manor in West Orange, then at Tavern on the Green in Manhattan. From there, he joined The Fireman Hospitality Group as opening Executive Chef at Shelly's New York. 

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