Open container laws are coming to New Jersey & more
Hi, friends!
Need something to watch this weekend? Our very own Leo Sawadogo, co-owner and head brewer of Montclair Brewery, was on the 9th episode of season 3 of Moonshiners: Master Distillers on DiscoveryPlus. I'll certainly be watching and hope to chat with Leo soon to get the inside scoop about his time on the show.
In the meantime, here's the news!
Openings
Cafecito, Paterson
Latin café Cafecito has moved from Prospect Park in Paterson to Park Street. The new location is much larger, said owner Daniel Cabrera, and has a private room on the second floor that can host banquets and celebrations.
The original Cafecito opened in 2014. Expect your typical café fare — Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwiches, ($5.99), Nutella pancakes ($6.99), turkey avocado sandwiches ($9.99) — with some Latin standards like pork mofongo ($14.99), fried green plantains ($4.99) and empanadas (price varies). $. 27 Park Ave., Paterson; 973-782-6975, cafecitonj.square.site.
From beignets to kebabs to sushi rolls: 6 new restaurants in North Jersey to try in 2022
Ai Sakae Asian Cuisine, Morris Plains
Not sure if you're in the mood for Thai, Japanese or Chinese food? Ai Sakae makes it easy for you: the restaurant offers all three cuisines. Popular dishes include pad Thai, sushi rolls especially the Mountain Roll, (shrimp tempura and avocado with spicy crab on top) and hibachi dinners. $$. 970B Tabor Road, Morris Plains; 973-998-8818, aisakae.com/index.html.
News bites
I profiled the Silk City Community Fridge, a refrigerator on Main Street in Paterson that’s open to the public. Anyone can donate food, and anyone can take meals free of charge, no questions asked. It's run by Black Lives Matter Paterson.
Take what you need: Community fridge founded by Black Lives Matter Paterson helps feed homeless people
A bill was passed that allows towns to designate the entire municipality or a section of it, such as a park or a few blocks of a downtown, as an “open container area," a pocket where people over 21 can carry and drink open containers of alcoholic beverages.
Open container: NJ towns are now allowed to designate open container areas
Yelp released its top 100 restaurants of 2022, and a Palisades Park gem has made the list. ShabuRo, a shabu-shabu restaurant with ultra-fresh ingredients, is Yelp's No. 24 best restaurant in the nation in 2022.
Shabu-shabu: ShabuRo in Palisades Park recognized in 'Top 100 restaurants' by Yelp
Eat This, Not That! just named the "Best Restaurant Tasting Experiences in Every State." The NJ choice is Elements, a small fine-dine restaurant in Princeton. Our own food editor Esther agrees! $$$$.
More: Food site names the 'best tasting experience' in NJ and, for once, our food editor agrees
Some drama went down at Tio Taco + Tequila regarding a rogue manager posting an insane policy for employees. The owner explains to Jenna Intersimone...
More: Tio Taco + Tequila restaurant owner says review policy that went viral is bogus
That's it from me! Until we meet again, here's where to find more dining news:
NorthJersey.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Cost key:
$ Affordable (can get a filling meal for under $15 per person)
$$ Average (can get a filling meal for $15 to $25 per person)
$$$ Pricey (can get a filling meal for $30 to $40)
$$$$ Treat yourself (can get a filling meal for $50+ per person)
Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please subscribe today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.
Email: kingr@northjersey.com
Twitter: @rebeccakingnj
Instagram: @northjerseyeats
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Open container areas, sushi & more!
