Come get your game on at the Cedar Ridge Cafe & Bakery on Thursday Evenings from 5 to 9 pm. A variety of board games are available to feed your competitive spirit. While you’re contemplating your next move, enjoy yummy vegan shareable snacks such as Mozzarella “Teese” Sticks, (K)not Dogs, Loaded Fries, Fried Artichoke Hearts, Buffalo Cauliflower — beer batter-dipped and fried in Buffalo sauce with a side of Ranch dressing! — Buffalo Jackfruit Dip, Bar Pizza Pie, and Veggie & Teese Quesadilla. Plus there are sweet options like Fried Donuts, Cinnamon Rolls and Cookies.
And if that isn’t enough, there’s free bottomless baskets of popcorn!
Food-lovers are spoiled for choice in South Orange’s downtown district, and for one night only, the numerous options can be savored for one small price. Hosted by the South Orange Village Center Alliance (SOVCA), the Taste of South Orange Food Stroll & Pub Crawl is back with more than one dozen participating eateries and taverns. On Sunday, April 28th from 4 pm to 7 pm, the annual family-friendly event, now in its fourth year, will showcase the diverse restaurants and unique retailers in town while live musicians perform throughout the Village Center. Wristbands are currently available for advance purchase online and at Kitchen a la Mode, Sparkhouse Toys, and (starting April 13) at General Store’s Pop-up Kid Shop on Springfield Avenue in Maplewood. Hundreds will gather downtown to stroll and sample delectable bites and beverages inside of each participating establishment, while retailers will be offering great discounts and promotions.
Taste of South Orange attendees can eat their way around the Village by purchasing a wristband in advance or at the event. Advance purchase wristbands are $20 (adults), $15 (Seton Hall students), $5 (kids ages 3 to 8) and children 2 and under are free. Tickets are an additional $5 on the day of the event and can be purchased at the event’s two stations on the corner of Sloan Street and South Orange Avenue and on the corner of South Orange Ave and Prospect Street. Beverages and pub crawl drinks are cash bar and not covered by the entrance fee.
As part of the event’s give back mission, 20% of all ticket sales will be donated to Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND), which works to alleviate hunger by providing fresh and healthy food, funds, volunteers and a collaborative forum for its member pantries. During Taste of South Orange, MEND’s green bean bus will be parked by Spiotta Park to accept the following donations: hot and cold cereals; shelf-stable milk; peanut butter; pasta and sauce; canned tuna or chicken in water; low- or no-salt canned vegetables; canned fruit in juice; 1 lb. bags of rice; and canned or dried beans.
Purchase wristbands online here. The South Orange Food Stroll & Pub Crawl is generously sponsored by Natalie Farrell of Weichert Realtors. For more event information, visit sovillagecenter.org or call 973.763.6899. Track the latest news by following @SOVillageCenter on Facebook and Instagram and using #TasteofSouthOrange.
About South Orange Village Center Alliance
The South Orange Village Center Alliance (SOVCA) is a non-profit that is dedicated to making downtown South Orange a vibrant place to live, work and play through events, beautification and advocacy for the downtown business district. SOVCA’s mission is to strengthen the vitality of the downtown business district by supporting existing businesses and attracting new ones to improve the Village’s retail mix; raising funds for improvement and public art projects; producing events that complement existing stores and services; maintaining a clean, safe, and pedestrian-friendly downtown; and helping our governing body manage new development while preserving the attractive architectural legacy of the downtown area. The organization is run by an Executive Director and a volunteer board of directors made up of property owners, business owners, residents and other stakeholders. The organization produces key downtown events, including Taste of South Orange Food Stroll, Downtown After Sundown, Under Cover Music Fest, PlayDay, the Farmers Market and more. For more information, visit sovillagecenter.org.
Photo courtesy of Steven Brier, via SOMA Lounge NJ
A top chef, well-trained crew and a slew of local owners, patrons and supporters will be on hand to greet the greater Maplewood community when Pickett’s Village Bar opens its doors to the public in early May.
The new bar and restaurant, headlined by chef Richard Krug, will be in friends-and-family-only previews in late April, with plans to open May 3. The former O’Reilly’s has been fully renovated, with a state-of-the-art kitchen and of-the-moment-yet-classic decor.
Krug, a CIA graduate, made his reputation at establishments from New York’s Oyster Bar to Lorena’s in Maplewood and Restaurant K at Orange Lawn Tennis Club in South Orange.
Pickett’s was in the works last summer when Jim Pickett suddenly passed away at the age of 53. His wife Heidi and friends have carried on to realize Jim’s dream.
Village Green will follow up this story with more details on Pickett’s as opening day approaches. Meanwhile, follow the progress on Instagram @pickettsvillagebar or like them on Facebook here.
After a week of soft opening “friends and family” nights and building buzz, Pickett’s Village Bar is opening its doors to the public on Friday, May 3.
Village Green visited on Wednesday night and found Pickett’s promise of “modern comfort food in a fresh, inviting and casual setting” to be right on the money.
Although we couldn’t enjoy all 24 beers on tap, 16 wines by the glass and the list of cocktails in one night, we made a dent — enjoying the delicious branzino, burgers and bar pies at the stainless steel bar top in surprisingly cozy and stylish chairs under skylights and catching up on all the games on six screens over the bar (more are spread throughout the space).
Finding parking wasn’t a problem. Pickett’s is located at 2208 Millburn Avenue — across the street from DCH Millburn Audi in the old O’Reilly’s location — and aims to offer “a night-out, date-night, meet-for-a-drink, dinner-with-the-family, catch-the-game kind of place that’s also a hub for live music and al fresco dining and drinking.” Yes, there’s a deck out back with surprising and lovely views of the Maplewood Country Club Golf Course.
Pickett’s Village Bar is owned by a handful of local residents, including Doug and Beth Sasfai, Brinton Brosius and Ashlee Anthony, and Heidi Hovland. Heidi’s husband Jim Pickett was an original partner with Doug, but passed away unexpectedly last July. In a release announcing the opening date, the Pickett’s team wrote, “We honor his memory and the way he lived his life in our intention for Pickett’s: with heartfelt appreciation for how connecting over a drink or a meal brings us closer together and how these connections make life, and all of us in it, better.”
The Pickett’s house team is led by Chef Rich Krug, with Jose Marquez running the kitchen and Nick Ciccione serving as General Manager — all veterans of Orange Lawn Club. Food includes bar pies, “the wings,” a chicken sandwich, short rib/brisket blend burger, that delicious branzino, roasted cauliflower and more — with plans to rotate local farm-fresh and seasonal items through the menu.
To do justice to the drink selections, here’s more information direct from the Pickett’s team:
We like to say we are food-focused and drink-obsessed – as illustrated by the most robust beer list in town, with 24 taps representing a full spectrum of styles and offerings, from micro to macro, West coast to East, and styles ranging from high-hop to deep malt. A quarter of our tap handles represent local NJ craft brewers, and an expanded Beer Board rotates an additional 20+ specialty beers, ranging from single barrels to sours to off-the-beaten-path IPAs.
Our list of 16 carefully curated wines by the glass balances romance and intrigue, brightness and depth, with a mix of popular labels alongside less familiar varietals and boutique wineries. We believe that the mark of a great bar is impeccable attention to classic cocktails – with confidence to bend the rules. Seasonal mules, white peach sangria, a selection of mojitos. Our rotating cocktail menu means our talented bar staff will be shaking up something special every night of the week.
Pickett’s Village Bar, 2208 Millburn Avenue, Maplewood, NJ
Mozzarella at 396 Valley Street in South Orange is set to open on Monday, May 13 — according to a sign in the window.
Locals have been watching the transformation of the space, which has gone from rundown, crowded storefronts to a modern painted brick facade with an elegantly finished interior.
Menu details were available through Priya Chawla at Buy-Rite liquors next door; she has copies of the printed menu that she’s handing out to customers (see photos below).
The menu states that hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. It also provides this testimonial: “Our restaurant celebrates the harmony of traditional Italian cuisine with the evolving palate of Nuevo. We take a lot of pride in serving Local and organic ingredients, all natural free range chicken and Angus meats. Chef Tre Ghoshal introduces a deep love and respect for sourcing the best ingredients and transforming them into delicious and exquisite dishes. At Mozzarella we hope our ambience provides the prefect setting for an unforgettable meal. We hope your enjoy.”
The menu offers small plates, salads, sandwiches, entrees (vegtable risotta, grilled salmon, lemon pepper shrimp), and specialty pizzas (buffalo, bianco, pesto, cheesesteak), pastas, sides and desserts (see menu below). Prices for the entrees run from $18-$22.
Village President Sheena Collum with village trustees and SOVCA staff at the South Orange Farmers Market
28th Annual South Orange Farmers Market
Please join us on Wednesday, June 5 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM as we kick off the market season. All of your favorite farmers and vendors will be at the market. Stop by to pick up your fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, freshly baked breads, nuts, meats, seafood, pickles, olives, homemade ice cream, apple cider and so much more. Vendors will be listed on the South Orange Village Center Alliance website here.MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED.
When: JUN 5, 2019 to OCT 30, 2019, 2 – 7 PM
Where: Sloan Street Parking Lot 9, 12-40 Sloan St, South Orange, NJ
The first market day of the 2019 Maplewood Farmers Market season is June 3. Come see us every Monday until November 18th from 2pm to 7pm. Rain or Shine! Alstede Farms & Stony Hill Farms will be offering a variety of fresh produce all season long.
The newly renovated dining room at David Burke at Orange Lawn. Photo: Front of House.
After facing extinction just a few short years ago, the Orange Lawn Tennis Club continues its recent revival with the opening of David Burke at Orange Lawn.
The new restaurant — which is now officially open after some testing over the last month — is not only available to members of OLTC but is also open to the public every day except Sundays and Mondays when it is closed. Members of the public can dine at David Burke at Orange Lawn by enrolling in the dining club program (see more below).
Chef David Burke is a James Beard awarded chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America who also studied at École Lenôtre Pastry School in Plaisir, France. Burke has worked with legendary chefs including Pierre Troisgros, George Blanc, Marc Meneau, Daniel Boulud, Charlie Palmer and Waldy Malouf. At the age of 26, he received Three Stars from the New York Times at the River Café and was chosen by his peers to represent the USA at The International Culinary Competition and won France’s coveted Meilleurs Ouvriers de France Diplôme d’Honneur — the only American to ever achieve this honor. And the list goes on.
Chef David Burke. Photo: Front of House.
From Park Avenue Café to Davidburke & Donatella, the David Burke Townhouse, David Burke at Bloomingdale’s, David Burke Tavern (NYC), VENTANAS Restaurant and Lounge (Fort Lee, NJ), Drifthouse by David Burke (Sea Bright, NJ) and other restaurants in NYC and across the country, David Burke has literally put his stamp on fine dining in America. And now he’s doing it in South Orange, NJ.
A recent visit revealed the attention that Burke brings to his inventive but satisfying food — from lobster dumplings, scallops and octopus, pastrami smoked salmon, veal picatta to tea and honey roasted duck to eye-popping desserts such as green donuts served in tennis sleeves, creamsicle crème brulee and cheesecake lollipop tree. The restaurant features modern American fare with Italian influences, as well as a wide selection of wines and a bar serving specialty cocktails such as a rye-based Advantage Lillet and more. Staff were on their toes — if anything went amiss, it was immediately corrected and amends were made.
Crab & Pretzel Raft Cake. Photo: Front of House.
The building and club itself showed obvious improvements throughout. New finishes and furniture inside charmed, as did radio flier wagons outside sporting herbs and greens used by the kitchen.
The opening of the new restaurant comes more than a year after Bruce Schonbraun and a group of investors purchased the club and pledged to keep it open as a club in its entirety rather than develop the lower third of the property as housing — as has been approved by the Township. “We are totally focused on one and one thing only, that being to restore Orange Lawn as the ‘best in class’ family tennis and social club,” said Schonbraun.
Schonbraun clearly sees Burke as part of the resurgence. “Chef Burke’s unparalleled creativity and extraordinary talent will create an exciting dining and entertainment experience that the surrounding community will truly treasure, and won’t find elsewhere in the Essex County area,” said Schonbraun via a press release. “Our historic club is once again making history.”
Green donuts in tennis sleeves. Photo: Front of House.
Can of Donuts — doughnuts in a tennis sleeveAnd while the club continues to seek members to enjoy its tennis facilities and swimming pool (which, by the way, provides good eats from Burke via the 40 Love Pub as well as a specially-curated craft beer selection), you don’t have to join to eat at David Burke at Orange Lawn.
The restaurant can be enjoyed by enrolling in their dining club program which entails a nominal, one-time fee ($10) on the first visit followed by a welcome package and a 10% discount at select David Burke properties around the country. Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling 973-552-2280 EXT. 318.
“Founded in 1880, Orange Lawn Tennis Club has recently undergone an extensive renovation program dramatically enhancing the club grounds, buildings and activities at the club. The storied clubhouse, while maintaining its historic feel, will have a newly decorated and modernized dining room, a gorgeous banquet space that can accommodate up to 225 guests, as well as a sports bar lounge. Sitting on 16 acres, Orange Lawn Tennis Club has 20 tennis courts (14 Clay Courts, and 6 Grass Courts), 5 Paddle Courts, Aquatics Center, Summer Camp, a variety of fun programmed sporting activities throughout the summer, and the poolside 40 Love Pub to enjoy al fresco dining. Orange Lawn is a unique social club, with year-round offerings – providing exquisite meals and entertainment for families and friends to enjoy.”
On June 21, 2019, the Millburn Green Team, in collaboration with the South Orange and Maplewood green teams, will launch the second Greener To-Go weekend to help residents reduce plastic and Styrofoam consumption by putting more sustainable take-out options into the hands of local restaurants.
Residents are asked to order take-out from one of the participating restaurants on the weekend of June 21 through June 23, 2019. The restaurants participating are Cactus Charly, St. James’s Gate, the Maple Leaf Diner, La Strada Nuova, Gian Marco Trattoria, Pita On Essex and Miti Miti. Depending on the food order, the customer will get their take-out food in some of the Greener To-Go food containers along with a bright green reusable bag they can keep (while supplies last). By participating, community members will show restaurateurs that sustainability is a factor in their purchasing.
This is the second Greener To-Go weekend campaign; the successful launch of the first Greener To-Go weekend took place in January 2019 and in a survey of those participants 85 percent said that it is important to them to get “green” or more sustainable packaging options when they order take-out food. Ninety-three percent of responders confirmed that they are willing to pay more for take-out food packaging that is more environmentally friendly.
“Take-out food provides a good test case and opportunity to reduce our ecological footprint,” said Walter Clarke, South Orange Village Trustee and a member of the joint green team committee. “We hope this weekend will raise awareness of the plastic and Styrofoam waste problem and help all three towns in reducing plastic pollution.”
Maple Leaf Diner, 165 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Gian Marco Trattoria, 301 Millburn Avenue, Millburn, NJ 07041
Pita On Essex, 182 Essex Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
La Strada Nuova, 355 Millburn Avenue, Millburn, NJ 07041
Miti Miti, 10 Sloan Street, South Orange, NJ, 07079
“As we started researching take-out packaging for this project, we learned that no material is perfect, and all will impact the environment in different ways, but some are better than others,” said Ellen Ingber, co-chair of the Millburn Green Team. She explained, “We want to reduce plastic and Styrofoam consumption by providing more sustainable take-out options to local restaurants. We could all supply our own reusable containers for take-out, but the next best solution is for restaurants to switch to more ecofriendly packaging.” Working together, the three Essex County towns hope to maximize outreach to residents for their volunteer led efforts.
The most common food to-go container used today is made of Styrofoam. The environmental burden is so high that its use for food packaging has been banned in more than one hundred cities in the United States. Styrofoam is not biodegradable, lasts in landfills for centuries and takes up more space than paper. The use of plastics is not recommended either as their actual recycling rates are low. For more information on the project and the to-go packaging provided to the three restaurants, visit the website: https://www.greenertogo.org/
The Greener To-Go project was made possible through a Sustainable Jersey grant funded by the PSEG Foundation that Millburn Township received in 2018.
The wait is almost over. Luna Stella, the new restaurant owned by Max Kian and operated by Humberto Campos is scheduled to do a soft launch for friends and family during the week of June 17, and will be open to the public June 25.
Luna Stella was known as Altopiano in its planning stages. But Kian changed his mind. “I wanted to name it after my grandchildren, Luna and Stella,” he said.
Humberto Campos, celebrated chef and owner of the famed Lorena’s, has signed on to operate Luna Stella. “This is going to have a different feel from Lorena’s,” said Campos. “Lorena’s is small, romantic and quiet. Luna Stella will be more family-oriented. We see it as rustic Italian food with a casual ambience.”
“We will make our pasta from scratch,” says Campos. And the other ingredients will focus on high-quality local foods and beverages. Luna Stella intends to highlight the local beers, as well as LaFrieda meats and Gargiulo produce. Campos plans to have robust vegan, gluten free and dairy free menus.
The building, which formerly housed Highland Place, has been completely gutted and redesigned. While Highland Place had an overall dark and cozy feel, Luna Stella is open and bright, with tall ceilings and five skylights.
Luna Stella has a large bar, an open kitchen so everyone can see the chefs preparing food, and a private dining room with seating for about 50 people. And speaking of chefs, Campos says he will be concentrating his attention on Luna Stella for the near term, with his wife and brother-in-law taking on larger roles at Lorena’s. “It’s just across the street,” Campos says. “I may go back and forth.”
Target price points for food will be $25-30 for lunch and $40-45 for dinner. Watch here for a link to the menu when available.
It’s turning out to be a diner’s delight in Maplewood and South Orange with all the new and announced restaurants. The latest to join the fray is ChiKpea which purports to supply “Maplewood’s Missing Cuisine!” — Mediterranean fare.
After delaying a scheduled June 17 opening due to a gas line issue, ChiKpea greeted customers for the first time on Friday, June 21.
ChiKpea t is open 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily (but CLOSED MONDAYS) at 175 Maplewood Avenue — the former Abril Cocina location.
So far, the reviews are good. Posted one instagram (chikpea_maplewood) follower: “I just had a delicious chicken over rice platter with 3 sides!! So flavorful and filling. Just what this town needed! Best of luck.”
Check out the menu board below (photo courtesy of Maddie Haines):
If you are one of the many who thought SOMA needed a nice butcher shop, your wish was granted. N&K Prime Market offers many cuts of fresh meat, as well as smoked meats and deli selections. They have an entire wall with dried, smoked sausages. And there’s a bonus. Because this butcher shop is also a Polish gourmet market, you’ll find traditional kielbasa, cold cuts, and handmade pierogi.
At lunchtime, you see customers lining up for the hot take-out meal, priced at a very reasonable $7.99. The weekly menu hasn’t been set yet, but for now Monday’s selection is juicy ribs with meat so tender it almost melts in your mouth. It comes with generous sides, including mashed potatoes and pierogi. “And we always serve fresh, green vegetables with our meals,” said co-owner Teddy Niedzielski. “We try to make sure our meals are healthy as well as delicious.”
The line of customers in the store confirms the “delicious” part. And the chatter in both English and Polish leads you to believe these gourmet foods are authentic, too.
Cousins Niedzielskiand Ariusz “Aries” Kornacki opened N&K Prime Market Place two weeks ago at 1899 Springfield Avenue, in the former Piast meats location, and customers crowded in as soon as the doors first opened.
“This business runs in our family,” said Niedzielski. “My grandfather and father were butchers, and my cousin and I both love doing this.”
Niedzielski and Kornacki both worked at Piast Polish Gourmet Market for years before deciding they had enough knowledge and experience to start their own business.
The experience paid off because the store offers a long glass display case showcasing gorgeous, thick cuts of beef, pork and chicken. The meats look like they have been cut and arranged by a food stylist. There are fresh sausages and marinated meats ready to throw on the grill or in the oven.
“My favorite thing in the store are the pork chops,” said Niedzielski. “Pork chops are tricky because they can dry out, but ours are mouthwatering.”
They should have a hot food menu by the end of the month, but you won’t go wrong if you wander in and try whatever today’s selection is. Even if it’s not pork chop day, it’s bound to be pyszne. That’s Polish for “tasty.”
From the Robert J. Miller Oysterfest for Melanoma Awareness Committee:
Each September over the last five years, there have been “Get Naked in the ‘Wood” lawn signs throughout Maplewood and South Orange yards and have made many curious. This clever slogan promotes the annual Robert J. Miller Oysterfest for Melanoma Awareness that drew 2000 neighbors to the Woodland last year to support an important cause and enjoy a fun community event for all ages. This event was designed to raise funds for cancer research and awareness, but more importantly “give back” by providing financial support to families facing an unexpected medical crises.
Bob Miller was a long time Maplewood resident who lived in the heart of town with his wife Grace and their four daughters. A world-class architect, who also focused on beautifully renovating local historic homes, he was also a dedicated father, seeing his girls off to school and coaching lacrosse. At age 45 he was diagnosed with melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Despite a courageous two-year battle, Bob passed away in March 2014. In 2015, Grace along with devoted friends and community leaders organized the inaugural charity event, Robert J. Miller Oysterfest to celebrate Bob’s life, raise funds for melanoma research and provide skin cancer screenings. This is a venue to give people a chance to see a dermatologist and take advantage of a quick and convenient screening at a fun, social event.
“This event is therapy for me and the girls because it honors Bob while also raising awareness about melanoma,” said Grace. “Through prevention and early diagnosis, our real hope is that we spare others the pain of this disease. The fact that we gather in the center of Maplewood is a bonus.”
The Miller Family
There will be loads of children’s activities until 5 p.m. including fairy hair, henna tattoo artists, face painters, magic show, a photo booth and life-size games. This event will include an array of food trucks, scrumptious food choices ranging from oysters and lobster rolls to tacos, hot dogs and asian foods. The entertainment is bands Brian Kirk & the Jirks, and 80s Nite band.
This year, in the VIP tent, we are featuring foods from our newest local restaurants like Town Hall Deli, Millburn Deli, Sprout, Mitti Mitti, Jackie & Sons, Cornbread, Village Trattoria, the Able Baker, Gigi Cupcakes, and coffee from Starbucks. Also in the VIP tent is open bar, wine tasting, and “All Day Rose” wine bar.
Most importantly, there will be free, on-site melanoma skin screenings from 1 to 5 p.m.
None of this would be possible without the support from our partnership with the Township of Maplewood, and loyal sponsors including: St. James Gate, Keller Williams Midtown Direct, JMF Properties, The Lions Club, Maplewood Rotary Club, Far Brook School, Schwartz Design Showroom, The Able Baker, Bistro D’Azur, Village Trattoria, Baker Street Yoga, Arturo’s, Millburn Orthodontics, Tom Conway Architect, MNET Mortgage, Maplewood Lacrosse Girls + Boys, Anthony Garubo, Jerry Rose Floral, Guaranteed Rate and Village Green NJ, to name just a few. The Robert J. Miller Oysterfest is also made possible through the hard work of the following committee members: John Meade, Grace Miller, Ellen & Donald Davenport, Amy Jo & Pat Curran, Carol V. Fardin, Danielle Medeiros, Karen Semian, Adam Sparrey and Tom Varbero, and many volunteers that day.
We can’t wait to see everyone on Saturday, September 14th from 1 to 9 at The Woodland, in Maplewood. BUY your tickets today! (Price increase day of event.), General admission: $25 ($35 at door), VIP tickets: $125 ($140 at door). Youth & Teen *under 17, $10. bobmilleroysterfest.com.
Maplewood residents Charles Maggio and Jennifer Klein are hosting the second semiannual Maplewood Record Fair on Sunday, November 24th. Around 30 vendors from New Jersey and beyond will sell items that are music, art, movie, and collectibles related. Patrons will find an eclectic assortment of vinyl records, CDs, 78s, cassettes, music paraphernalia, collectibles, vintage clothing, comics, books, and more! Maplewood’s Cedar Ridge Cafe & Bakery will be serving vegan and vegetarian food.
Charles Maggio and Jennifer Klein bring many collective years of experience in record collecting and music to the event and are excited to share their love of music, collectibles, and vegetarian food with the community. This is a family friendly event held at the Woodland twice a year, in May and November. Interested vendors or those interested in more information are encouraged to get in touch.
If you are the type of person who will travel to dine at a fabulous new restaurant, good news awaits. The Order Cafe just opened in the location of the former Falafally Yours in South Orange. So you don’t have to go far to find a mouthwatering meal.
The Order Cafe’s owners, Ronald, Samantha, and Sheldon Pinto
The Order Cafe starts the day off as a specialty coffee shop, offering Birch Coffee roasts. “We chose Birch because of its outstanding flavor. It’s also local,” says Samantha Pinto, co-owner of The Order Cafe.
There is plenty of food to go along with your gourmet coffee, too. Smashing Avocados on Fresh Sourdough Bread is a customer breakfast favorite already. “Our bread comes fresh daily from Balthazar Bakery,” notes Samantha. And in case it sounds like it might take too long to grab and go on the way to the train, fast and easy dishes are available to be taken with you, or you can sit and enjoy your meal there.
The Order Cafe specialty: Portuguese Indian foods
Lunch and dinner menus vary by season and take advantage of available in-season ingredients. “It’s important to us that we offer fresh, healthy and delicious options, so we change our menu as needed,” says Pinto.
The Order Cafe is a family business, with Ronald Pinto (Samantha’s father) and Sheldon Pinto (Samantha’s brother) operating as the rest of the team.
“We are all big foodies,” explains Samantha. “My father worked for the United Nations. He traveled all over the world and brought back his favorite recipes to cook at home. We use many of these recipes at The Order Cafe.” Ronald is originally from Goa, India, a former Portuguese colony. And though his heritage informs some staple dishes on the menu like rice and lentils, and beef kabobs, the overall menu changes seasonally and does not necessarily focus on Indian cuisine.
Gourmet roasts featuring Birch Coffee
The Order Cafe seems primed to do well with not only serious foodies but also the casual work-from-home crowd. “We have good wifi, counter service, and lots of outlets,” says Samantha.
And so far, reviews on food and service are promising. Says one customer on FaceBook, “[g]ood latte and super friendly folk.” So grab your gourmet friends and family and make your way over to The Order Cafe before it gets crowded with out of towners.
The Order Cafe 50 West South Orange Avenue South Orange, NJ 07079 Phone: 973-313-1333 theordernj.com
Join us for a free cultural event at the ¡HOLA! Latin Dance Fiesta 2019 and fundraiser hosted by Somos SOMA Latinos on Saturday, September 28 at The Woodland from 3:30pm-7pm. This event will be our official second annual community celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
This year we are featuring what is at the heart of our Latino culture: music, dancing, and the warmth of family. In addition there will be entertainment (Free Salsa Lessons!) and delicious Latin food for the whole family to enjoy.
SOMA Cross-Cultural Works, the non-profit organization behind the highly successful Diwali Fest NJ and Year of the Dog at Lunar Fest NJ 2018, is proud to partner once again with Somos SOMA Latinos for what will be another ¡HOLA! celebration and an amazing opportunity to create an exciting multicultural event for our community.
We will also be partnering with First Friends of NJ and NY, whose mission is to uphold the inherent dignity and humanity of detained immigrants and asylum seekers. Proceeds earned from this event will be donated to this organization and great cause. Donations are being accepted on Venmo @Soma-CCW, subject #HOLA2019.
Local business sponsors including Sacks Orthodontics, Venezuelan Artisan Ware, and Keller Williams have expressed excitement for the opportunity to support and help our community celebrate this important event that will encourage and promote cultural diversity and education.
Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in our community. Just a few years ago there were only a handful of Latinos in SOMA. Now Latinos make up about 8 percent of the school district’s population.
This event will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity of SOMA residents and to give back to an amazing cause. Please do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the culture, food, and activities we have prepared. Event details can also be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/2333352890106379/
Maplewood Village’s dynamic Baker Street will see a new business opening this October —Green Point Juicery, offering organic, vegan, cold pressed juices, smoothies, organic coffees, and snacks to SOMA folks with a thirst for good health.
“We want to be the healthiest [juicebar] cafe in New Jersey,” said location owner Sandy Ayesh. “I’m devoting my life to keeping the highest standards for Green Point Juicery.”
Green Point Juicery began in Montclair as the brainchild of Eugene Onishkevich. It was so popular that he opened another in Verona, and is now working with Ayesh to open the Maplewood location.
Maplewood’s Green Point Juicery shares a space with Greens Indoor Golf, where Conscious Fork formerly operated.
But Ayesh’s renovations are bringing a new look. The space is a little cozier with tables set up along the wall and more intimate lighting. And close inspection shows that every wood table top is made from large slabs of maple trees. Ayesh traveled hundreds of miles to find just the right tables for our community. “I wanted to make sure we had maple wood for Maplewood,” she said.
The space doesn’t allow for the giant and expensive cold press machinery, so the juices are pressed in the Morristown location early each morning and brought to Baker Street. “You will never have juice that was pressed the day before. We know it’s important to get our juices into our customers’ hands quickly,” said Ayesh.
But why all the fuss over cold pressed juices? “It’s healthier, and more nutrient dense than other methods like HPP [high pressure processing]. Our method strengthens your immune system and doesn’t kill the vitamins,” said Ayesh.
Green Point Juicery will be dairy and soy free, using fresh made nut milks in their products. Aside from the usual fare of juices and made to order smoothies, they will offer immune booster shots with ingredients like ginger, lemon, turmeric, and wheatgrass.
They offer booster shots in their smoothies and juices, including more novel ingredients like CBD oil. “CBD oil is great post workout, and can help you relax. It has a lot of medicinal properties,” said Ayesh.
And if you are interested in slimming down or getting rid of toxins, Green Point Juicery offers a multi day juice cleanse with a variety of juices you can pick up in store and take home.
But whatever menu items you choose, you can be sure it will be fresh, good for you, and delicious.
“We are really happy to be opening in Maplewood,” said Ayesh. “The people are upscale, interested in quality, and also very welcoming.”
The Seton Village Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival is returning October 18th, 2019 for its sixth year on Irvington Avenue. The festival will feature over 15 food trucks, including favorites Thai Elephant, Empanada Guy, Amanda’s Bananas and Glazed and Confused.
For adults over the age of 21, The Gaslight Brewery and Restaurant will be providing a beer garden with a variety of New Jersey beer, ciders and wines for purchase*. A live music stage will feature local bands Marry the Sea and The Deadful Greats.
This year’s event is sure to be another great one, so bring your family and friends and come hungry!
This event is produced by the Village of South Orange and made possible by our generous sponsors Seton Hall University, South Orange Performing Arts Center and the Gaslight Brewery.
Please visit our Facebook Event page and join us on Irvington Avenue for another year of great food and drink!
*A valid ID must be presented to enter beer garden
Maplewood, NJ. – Sip suds under the stars with friends while you support public art at the Springfield Avenue Maplewood (SAM) Craft Beer Tasting. In its third year, the event will feature numerous craft beers, ciders, local restaurants, and music. It will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 7-10 p.m. in the parking lot of the Wine Barrel Maplewood, 1886 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ.
During this year’s event attendees will be able to sample many craft beers and ciders, including featured selections from some of the Garden State’s favorite breweries SOMA Brewing Co., Four City Brewing Company, Brix City Brewing, Wet Ticket Brewing, Cape May Brewing Company, and Icarus Brewing. Tasty foods such as cheeses, sweets and savory fare will be available for purchase from Springfield Avenue establishments N&K Prime Marketplace, Smokehouse BBQ and the General Store Cooperative Marketplace and Café (featuring Three Daughters Baking Co and the Maplewood Wheel House). DJ Jen Jones will provide music.
Proceeds from the Craft Beer Tasting will go toward the Springfield Avenue Partnership Public Art Initiative, which is working to bring art and visual interest to SAM. Artist Vitaly Umansky is currently installing the fourth mural of this initiative at Maplewood Fire Station Two, located at 249 Boyden Avenue. In the coming months, a fifth mural will be installed at the Hilton Branch of the Maplewood Library on Springfield Avenue.
This mural at the corners of Springfield Ave/Boyden/Boyden Parkway by Vitaly Umansky is mural #4 of the SAM public art initiative.
Tickets for the SAM Craft Beer Tasting are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. To purchase tickets online visit www.springfieldavenue.com/craft-beer-tasting. Guests must be 21 older to attend, and valid identification will be required to enter. Allison Ziefert Real Estate Group and CKO Kickboxing Maplewood are this year’s event sponsors.
Follow the Springfield Avenue Partnership on Facebook (@SpringfieldAveMaplewood) and Instagram (@springfieldave) for the latest SAM news and events. To learn more about the Springfield Avenue Public Art Initiative, please visit www.springfieldavenue.com/public-art.
Baker Street Market owner’s Maggie Marotta and Amie Ruditz
If you haven’t been over to Baker Street in Maplewood lately, you will be pleasantly surprised to see it teeming with activity this fall. Along with anchor stores like Baker Street Yoga and A Paper Hat, new stores are arriving. Baker Street Market is one of those new stores, and it’s opening in the former location of Truly Yours at 96 Baker Street.
Conceived of as a gourmet food store and a bit more, Baker Street Market is the brainchild of Maggie Marotta and Amie Ruditz.
“Baker Street Market will sell delicious imported foods as well as a thoughtful selection of fresh foods, including breads from several bakeries, and a broad range of cheeses,” says Ruditz. “We will also offer daily sandwiches,” adds Marotta.
Ruditz and Marotta are both SOMA residents who met through their kids’ preschool. Ruditz had already been in the food world for 15 years, importing specialty wines, olive oils and vinegars for high end chefs. Ruditz also runs culinary retreats for chefs. Marotta and Ruditz both hoped to open their own business, and now work together to create Baker Street Market.
“We are focusing on foods that are traditionally European and wholesome, with simple ingredients,” says Marotta. “High quality is important to us, but we want to make sure our products are accessible, too. And it’s very important to us to be part of the community and find our fresh ingredients as locally as possible.”
Among those high quality foods, you’ll find meat from local farms, as well as pasta from Italy, and bottled sauces. Eventually you may find fresh pasta, sauce and meatballs. “We are working out some of the details now,” says Ruditz.
So stay tuned, because Baker Street Market has a lot of fun plans. To start, they will offer samplings and fun, quirky items that will make customers smile. Like pickles on a stick. And we don’t want to spoil any surprises, but this may become the place to shop on your way home from the Maplewood train station. “We want to provide different foods to make people’s lives easier,” says Marotta.
“We really want the community to come into our store and feel joy,” says Ruditz. And a market where you can find gourmet foods for dinner on your way home from the train? Definitely joy inspiring.
Baker Street Market 96 Baker Street Maplewood, NJ 07040 bakerstmarket@gmail.com
Website and Phone: TBD
