Chef Zod ArifaiThere’s good news and bad news. Bad news first: the acclaimed Bloomfield Avenue restaurant, Blu, along with its sister property, Next Door, home of New Jersey’s best burger, will be closed for the next two months. 

The good news: The sleek restaurant, daryl, located at The Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick has been re-imagined and will reopen on Sunday, December 11. 

So what relevance does this have to Blu, Next Door, and Montclair? Zod Arifai, the self-taught, “Wizard of Zod,” and chef/owner of Blu and Next Door will be the new executive chef and partner at daryl.  

New American with world influence will be the theme at the sleek, newly envisioned, daryl. Highlights from Chef Arifai’s menu include Duck Meat Balls with Yogurt + Apricot, Fettuccine with Lobster, Pumpkin + Almonds, and Mahi with Baby Bok Choy, Pineapple + Jalapeño. An extensive selection of steaks and sides will be in the offering.   

In addition to the stellar menu, the libations deserve a lauding as well; seasonal cocktails,  artisanal beers, a choice of 56 wines by the glass, 100 wines under $50 (50 red wines and 50 white wines), as well as a Reserve List of three hundred additional bottles. 

The casual Wine Tasting Room will feature the Enomatic Wine Preservation System, dispensing 2-, 4-, and 6-ounce pours. The dining room at daryl has been expanded and will seat 70, and soon, a new 640-square foot private dining room featuring 3 tables of 16 seats will be available for larger parties.

Back to Montclair! When will Blu and Next Door reopen? In approximately two months. But, according to chef and owner Zod Arifai, “I would like to open sooner as this is a bit sad for me.” 

daryl will serve lunch Tuesday through Friday, and dinner nightly, and also offer a small plate bar menu on Friday and Saturday nights. For reservations, call 732-253-7780 or go to darylwinebar.com.

302 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ. 08901
Phone: (732) 253-7780