The basics:
Several new eateries around New Jersey have recently opened their doors – or will begin welcoming diners this fall.
Openings include a second outpost of Meximodo Cocina Mexicana & Tequila Bar; a “vegetable-forward” restaurant with rotating menus; and a rooftop spot in Montclair offering dinner, cocktails and sweeping views.
Meximodo Cocina Mexicana & Tequila Bar
Meximodo is scheduled to open at Veris Residential’s Haus25, a mixed-used development in downtown Jersey City. The trendy restaurant and bar will offer “a deeply genuine, regionally inspired menu of traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine.” Items will include chipotle baby back ribs, crab tostada, cauliflower al pastor, and corn & poblano rigatoni.
The Le Malt Hospitality Group-owned concept debuted two years ago in Metuchen. In July 2024, Guinness World Record designated it as the bar-restaurant with the most varieties of agave spirits commercially available in the world. Like its sister restaurant, the upcoming spot in Jersey City will boast a large library of tequilas, mezcals and other agave spirits, according to Le Malt.
The Hudson County lineup will range from offerings distilled by major international producers to those near-impossible-to-find, family-owned artisanal brands to which Meximodo has exclusive access, owners said. The team also noted they anticipate Jersey City’s agave library to earn recognition as a record-breaker as well.
In addition to the bar and dining room, the 8,000-square-foot eatery will have a Mexican garden-inspired lounge and dining room with New York City skyline views for private events. It will also feature an outdoor terrace for guests to enjoy in warmer months.
Meximodo has plans to open next year in downtown Marlboro as well as at mixed-used development District 15Fifteen in Parsippany.
Sam’s Table
Located at 377 Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair, Sam’s Table features “vegetable-forward modern American cuisine” made from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
The BYOB, 26-seat spot held a grand opening Sept. 4. The eatery offers a $92 five-course chef’s tasting menu on Fridays and Saturdays as well as an a la carte menu of small and large plates on Thursdays and Sundays.
Sam Stymest developed and owns the concept. The Montclair native’s background includes positions at Craft Bar in New York City and Ceraldi on Cape Cod.
The Culinary Arts Institute at Hudson County Community College graduate also worked at well-known local establishments like Upstairs, Fascino and Corso 98, as well as a former workplace café at Google’s offices in Manhattan.
After the pandemic temporarily shut down the full-service restaurant industry, Symest pivoted to offering pop-ups of curated tasting menus for small groups of diners at unique spaces in the New Jersey-New York area. At Sam’s Table, he hopes to continue that “hospitable community experience.”
Sam’s Table is open Thursday to Sunday, 5–10 p.m. Wines are available for order for delivery to the restaurant from nearby Amanti Vino.
In Montclair, it takes over space left vacant after Iberian bistro Tasca closed its doors earlier this year.
The Splendid Rooftop
Located at The MC Hotel on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, The Splendid Rooftop opened Aug. 6. The eatery holds distinction as the only rooftop establishment in town offering both indoor and outdoor space.
Formerly known as Alto Rooftop, the renovated, 3,000-square-foot, all-season area aims to serve as “the ideal destination for power lunches, happy hour, refined dinners for two and upscale game day gatherings.”
The opening comes a few months after The MC Hotel announced Stout NYC Hospitality as its new exclusive food and beverage partner.
Since then, Stout has been busy upgrading the rooftop destination’s design, food and beverage offerings. The group is now focusing on rebranding and renovating Allegory Restaurant & Bar. The option offers lobby-level dining space at the hotel.
In addition to a robust cocktail program and a curated selection of craft beers and premium pours, The Splendid Rooftop serves shareable small plates, sliders, pinsa pizza and dessert.
It is open Wednesday and Thursday, 3 p.m. to midnight; Friday, noon to 1 a.m.; Saturday, noon to 1 a.m.; and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. Guests at The Splendid Rooftop must be 21 and up after 7 p.m., excluding Sundays.
Prior to opening in Montclair, Stout rolled out The Splendid concept this summer in Midtown Manhattan.
The MC Hotel opened in Montclair in 2019, marking the city’s first full-service hotel in 80 years. See more from the debut here.
Commenting on the launches in Manhattan and Montclair, Stout Chief Operations Officer Percy Rodriguez commented on the launches in Manhattan and Montclair. “With The Splendid, we wanted to create a dining experience that strikes the balance between sophistication and approachability – an elevated evolution of our previous concepts,” he said.
“From meticulously crafted cocktails to seasonally inspired menus, The Splendid locations bring together exceptional cuisine and the energy of live sports, allowing guests to enjoy their favorite game without ever compromising on quality, all within a stylish and welcoming setting,” Rodriguez added.
For Stout, The MC Hotel marks its first foray into New Jersey. The firm’s 16 other restaurants and bars are all located across New York City.
Café Bonjour
After signing a lease for a 1,124-square-foot space at Rochelle Park Shopping Center in Rochelle Park, Café Bonjour will open soon, according to the property’s leasing and management agent Azarian Realty Co.
This marks the first location for the quick-service concept. Along with a variety of hot and specialty drinks including coffee and teas, Café Bonjour will sell grab-and-go items like pastries, toast, sandwiches, pancakes and desserts.
At the 6,333-square-foot shopping center, Café Bonjour is taking space formerly occupied by Dunkin’. It joins a tenant mix that includes Ted’s Deli, Maguro Sushi, Moe’s Pizzeria & Pasta, Black Onyx Tattoo and Your CBD Store.