The now-closed Fireplace is on its way to becoming a Chick-fil-A

Hi, friends!

Sometimes I don't write about food. Sometimes, I write about ways to not be bored this summer! And, honestly, I very often forget to take my own advice. It's so easy to stay in or go to the same old places on the weekends.

But, I'm going to make an effort to get out and discover new (at least to me) corners of New Jersey. If you'd like to join me, check out my guide to summertime activities below.

Antidote to boredom: Best things to do this summer in North Jersey, including free attractions

Openings

Chic Sugar, Paramus

Chic Sugar, a boutique bakery and cafe in Englewood, has opened a mall kiosk in Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus.

Unlike the Englewood shop, custom cakes are not offered at the mall (among Chic Sugar's custom cake clients are Jay Z and Nicki Minaj), but the kiosk will sell cake jars, cupcakes, cape pops, muffins, macarons and coffee. $. Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus; 201-402-3336, chicsugars.com.

For subscribers: A low-cal grill bar, global kitchen and a cool gastropub: New restaurants to try now

Hamilton Mercado, Paterson

Owner Carlos Montoya wanted to bring the foods he has learned about traveling throughout the world to his Paterson restaurant Hamilton Mercado, a global kitchen located on the first floor of the city's The Art Factory, an event venue in Paterson. The 30-seat BYOB offers, among other dishes, borek escargots, chicken tagine laced with rose petals, cloves, apricots and figs, salmon tartar and duck rillette.

The desserts, including a chocolate pot de creme and a fruit tart, are homemade. The gelati are procured from a local ice cream shop. $$. 70 Spruce St., Paterson; 973-710-847, hamiltonmercadokitchen.com.

Food Baby, East Rutherford

Food Baby specializes in vegan potato donuts. They come in three options — all heart-shaped. The first is a classic potato dough that’s soft on the outside and inside and topped with frosting. The second is a glazed old fashioned with crispy ridges on the outside and a soft inside. The third is made with layered yeast potato dough, always rolled in sugar, always frosted and sometimes filled. They use mostly organic ingredients and no dyes. All the color in their frostings come from teas, fruits and vegetables.

Food Baby posts where you can find one of their pop-ups every week on social media. You can also order donuts online and pick up at the kitchen space they rent from Steph’s Baking Boutique in East Rutherford. $$. For more information go to foodbabynj.com.

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

News bites

When The Fireplace, a beloved family-friendly institution on Route 17 in Paramus, permanently closed last year, it was rumored that Chick-fil-A will replace the 65-year-old restaurant. On June 22, the borough's Planning Board is scheduled to take up the national fast-food's application for site approval.

A new Chick-fil-A?: Chick-fil-A is that much closer to replacing The Fireplace in Paramus

Superstar rapper Megan Thee Stallion and her boyfriend Pardi, a rapper and Grammy-nominated songwriter, dined at Oceanos Oyster Bar & Grill in Fair Lawn last week. They snuck in and had a private dinner in the restaurant's wine room.

Celeb spotting: Superstar rappers Megan Thee Stallion and Pardi sneak in for private dinner in Fair Lawn

We do a lot of food roundups around here. This latest one is all about summer foods. So you never have to question where to eat or what to do this summer, bookmark this page and refer to it throughout the season!

Summer food guide: The best restaurants in North Jersey for hot dogs, pizza, ice cream and more

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: Celeb spottings, a new Chick-fil-A and more!