Late-night pizza craving? Artichoke Basille's Pizza to open first Central NJ location soon
No one loves gargantuan slices, funky flavors and late-night eats quite like college students, city dwellers and tired office employees.
Which is why New Brunswick residents will be glad to know that a New York-born pizza chain offering just that is coming to 104 Easton Ave. at the former home of Jimmy’s Pizza and Grill.
Artichoke Basille's Pizza, which originally opened in the East Village in 2008, is known for its signature artichoke pizza and for staying open late. It will join the Hub City dining scene in early 2023. It's the chain's first Central Jersey location and the third owned by franchisees and Colonia residents Premal and Leela Shanghvi, who also own locations in Jersey City and Hoboken.
The New Brunswick restaurant will likely be open until about 3 a.m. and, like the chain's other locations, will offer thick-crust, 22-inch pies in a variety of offbeat styles.
Besides artichoke pie with artichoke hearts, spinach, cream sauce, mozzarella and Pecorino Romano cheese, there's a crab pie, with crab sauce, mozzarella and surimi (minced fish paste) stuffing. The vodka pie has tomato, vodka and cream sauce, and a mix of Italian cheeses.
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The sauce is homemade at each restaurant location.
“We thought that Artichoke is the coolest pizzeria in New York, so why not have it in New Jersey?” said Premal Shanghvi, who graduated with both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Rutgers University. “New Brunswick has students, great nightlife, it’s in between two hospitals, has a train station and new development. With all of these things combined, it seemed like the ideal fit.”
The 1,000-square-foot restaurant will follow the style of the chain’s 19 other nationwide locations with tin ceilings, mosaic floors, cherry wood finishes and antique chandeliers. A few nods to Rutgers University, such as hanging jerseys on the walls, will also be present. Primarily a takeout restaurant, it will have 10 or 12 bar stools, although alcohol will not be served.
Shanghvi's background is in commercial real estate, while his wife has worked in commercial kitchens. They hope to open their fourth Artichoke Basille's Pizza location in Princeton in the next two years.
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“She always wanted to open a restaurant, so we worked together to find the perfect fit for us,” he said.
Go: Opening early 2023; 104 Easton Ave., New Brunswick; artichokepizza.com.
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com or @JIntersimone
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Late night pizza in New Brunswick: Artichoke Basille's coming soon
