Drag brunches in North Jersey + new restaurants to try

Rebecca King, NorthJersey.com
·2 min read
Harmonica Sunbeam hosts drag bingo at The Vanguard in Harrison.
Harmonica Sunbeam hosts drag bingo at The Vanguard in Harrison.

Hi, friends!

Happy Pride Month! You can find drag brunches and performances in North Jersey all year long, if you know where to look. But, since so many restaurants and bars are celebrating Pride, the amount of drag performances in our area has, naturally, shot up!

I included every drag show I could find through June in this roundup. Get tickets/reservations now, as these shows tend to sell out!

Pride Month: Drag performances and brunches in North Jersey during Pride Month

Openings

Kinya Ramen Sushi Bar, West Orange

Kinya Ramen's signature bowl comes with 24-K gold on top.
Kinya Ramen's signature bowl comes with 24-K gold on top.

Kinya is situated in a strip mall, but once you step inside, you'll be transported to Tokyo. The ramen and sushi restaurant is dark with bright neon lights, a long sushi bar and booths built into little huts along the wall. And their ramen is golden — literally, the signature Kinya Ramen is topped with 24-karat gold leaf. Certain sushi dishes and cocktails are also flecked with gold. $$$. 495 Prospect Ave., Suite 20, West Orange; 862-520-1616, kinya.us.

More new: Gold-flecked ramen, vegan donuts, kosher Peruvian and more: 6 new restaurants in North Jersey

Papi Chicken, Englewood

Papi Chicken is a kosher restaurant in Englewood that offers Peruvian rotisserie chicken
Papi Chicken is a kosher restaurant in Englewood that offers Peruvian rotisserie chicken

Papi Chicken, a fast-casual kosher Peruvian spot on East Palisade Avenue in Englewood, slings pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken cooked on an open fire), fried chicken, Israeli salad, black Angus burgers, schnitzel sandwiches, Portuguese burritos, beef rice bowls and even pizza (non-dairy, of course). $. 52 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood; 201-408-4886, papichickennj.com.

Jackie Smalls, Wayne

Chicken kabob at recently opened Jackie Smalls in Wayne
Chicken kabob at recently opened Jackie Smalls in Wayne

Jackie Smalls is the sister restaurant of Jackie Grillette in Montclair and Little Falls and Jackie & Son in South Orange. Jackie Smalls takes their top-sellers from each restaurant to serve at this new breakfast and lunch spot. $. 584 Valley Road, Wayne; 973-706-5589, jackiesmalls.com.

For subscribers: A Brazilian steakhouse, a charming bistro and Latin fusion: 10 new restaurants to try now

News bites

Ricotta gnocchi at Fascino and Batello
Ricotta gnocchi at Fascino and Batello

Esther has created a list of the 15 dishes that define North Jersey dining. The chonut from Kimchi Smoke in Westwood, a ripper from Rutt's Hut in Clifton and the ricotta gnocchi from Fascino in Montclair are all on the list, plus more.

How many have you had?: The 15 dishes you must have to be a certifiable North Jersey food lover

Andre’ deWaal poses for a photo at Andre's Lakeside Dining in Sparta, NJ on Thursday May 26, 2022.
Andre’ deWaal poses for a photo at Andre's Lakeside Dining in Sparta, NJ on Thursday May 26, 2022.

This week, Esther also the story of André deWaal, chef and co-owner of Andre's Lakeside Dining in Sparta, who had been struggling with alcohol addiction for years.

More: Acclaimed chef Andre deWaal knows the high cost of working in restaurants: alcoholism

That's it from me! Until we meet again, here's where to find more dining news:

NorthJersey.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Cost key:

  • $ Affordable (can get a filling meal for under $15 per person)

  • $$ Average (can get a filling meal for $15 to $25 per person)

  • $$$ Pricey (can get a filling meal for $30 to $40)

  • $$$$ Treat yours

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Drag brunches, iconic North Jersey dishes & more