Summer is here and bringing with it a slew of new restaurants.
Soak in the sun on an outdoor patio overlooking a golf course. Cool off with a brew from a restaurant that has more than 100 craft beers on draft. Slurp four differentfrozen margaritas in a flight.
These dining experiences and more await at these North Jersey restaurants, now open or opening soon.
ESO Artisanal Pasta, Morristown
ESO Artisanal Pasta was started by three friends, Ayinde Sankofa,Joel Camarillo-Diaz andIsaiah Findley-Pinnock, all of whom worked at Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen in Morristown. When they first opened in 2020,they were fielding online orders and working out of the Artist Baker in Morristown.
Now, they've opened their own storefront on Elm Street. Head pasta-maker Sankofa trained undertwo different Michelin starred chefs, Kevin Sippel at Jockey Hollow (who received his Michelin while working at Alto in NYC) and Andrea Larossa at Ristorante Larossa in Italy.
So, when you try Eso's yolk-yellow tagliatelle ($9 to $27), striking purple beet bucatini ($18), or adorably curled trottole ($16 to $24), know that they were made by expert hands. ESO is not a restaurant, rather a store where you can buy pasta,sauces andNeapolitan pizzas to make at home. ESO now also serves small portions of Italian desserts made by chef Kristina Sankofa.
Go: 92A Elm St.,Morristown;201-520-1546,esoartisanalpasta.com.
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Lasagna Loca, North Bergen
You've heard of a personal pan pizza, but how about a personal tray lasagna? Lasagna Loca is based on that simple yet innovative idea: offer customers their own mini tray of fresh lasagna. Each lasagna comes layered with ricotta, parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella and homemade tomato and basil sauce. You choose the protein inside -- shrimp, chicken or beef ($12 to $13.50). For vegetarians, eggplant and spinach lasagnas are available.
Go:4305 Bergen Turnpike, North Bergen;201-713-8974,lasagnaloca.com.
Rispoli's Pastry Shop, Hawthorne
Rispoli's Pastry Shop isn't new -- it's been open since 1937 -- but its location is. Rispoli's has relocated to a new shop on Goffle Road.
The family-owned Italian bakeryis famous for its lobster tails and cannolis. Be sure to grab a few if you visit the new location.
Go:1103 Goffle Road,Hawthorne;973-404-7342,rispolisbakery.com.
Sweetgreen, Hackensack
The popularchain Sweetgreen is openinga new location at the Shops at Riverside in Hackensack on June 29. Sweetgreen, which aims to be carbon neutral by the end of 2027,specializes in salads and grain bowls in an effort to offer healthy fast-food options. The new location seats 62 customers — 40 indoors and 22 outdoors.
Go:390 Hackensack Ave. Space 169, Hackensack;201-597-0016,sweetgreen.com.
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The Cookie Connect, Morristown and Hoboken
Massive cookies and loaded shakes made by The Cookie Connect will soon be available in Morristown and Hoboken. Ali Hajihaidari and Andrew Zerquera, the owners of The Cookie Connect, which has locations in Bloomfield and Ridgewood, are set to open two new stores in August.
Expect cookieflavors such as S’mores (chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, marshmallow fluff topping and chocolate drizzle), Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip and Apple Pie (a cinnamon infused snickerdoodle with apple pie filling and caramel drizzle,$3.50per cookie).
The Cookie Connect also has soft serve ice cream ($7.75), cereal shakes ($8.75) and cookie cups ($9.75). For the shakes and cookie cups, customers can choose their preferred cereal infusion from a list that includes Fruity Pebbles, Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms and more. That cereal then gets blended into the ice cream and sprinkled on top, along with whipped cream and different drizzle sauces. The cookie cup is finished off with pieces of warm cookie.
Go: 88 South St., Morristown; no number. 305 1st Street, Hoboken; no number,thecookieconnect.com.
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The Rock 1925, West Orange
The Rock 1925 is a new American bistro-style restaurant on the property of Rock Spring Golf Club in West Orange. The name is a callback to the year thegolf club, which wasdesigned by famed golf architect Seth Raynor,was founded. The club, previously private, is now open to the public, asis the restaurant.
"For the menu, we went with the top hitters from some of our restaurants in the city," said Alap Vora, the managing partner of RBG Hospitality Group, which operates The Rock 1925. "We also did small tastings with the community to see what worked."
Those heavy hitters include cajun salmon ($19), braised short ribs ($28), classic burgers ($13) and lump crab cakes ($14).Wine, beer and fresh co*cktails flow from threebars, including a sports bar that has wall-to-wall televisions. There's also a game room, a patio that sits about 200 people, a lounge and an event space.
The restaurant, which has a view of the New York City skyline, will also host piano and jazz nights.
Go: 90 Rock Spring Road, West Orange;973-500-1925,therock1925.com.
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Tio Taco + Tequila Bar, Clifton
Tio Taco + Tequila Bar will open next to its sister restaurant Tommy's Tavern + Tap near the end of July. Owner Tommy Bonfiglio has created a small yet rapidly expandingempire of Tommy's Tavern + Taps, with one in Staten Island and five in New Jersey. Tio Taco + Tequila Bar is his second concept. There are two already open in Edison and Marlboro.
For eats, Tio has tacos, guacamole, burritos, empanadas, tortas, enchiladas and more. Tio also has dozens of tequilas behind the bar, which you can try on the rocks, neat or mixed into a co*cktail. The opening date is currently set for July 28. Head to the website for updates.
Go: The Promenade Shops, Clifton;tiotacotequila.com.
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Yard House, Wayne
The long-anticipated Wayne Yard Houseopened on June 28. The chain restaurant has an eclectic menu and vast selection of craft beers from IPAs to ales to sours to stouts. The Wayne location will have130 beers on tap and serve more than100 dishes, including poke nachos laden with fresh fish ($13.99), 1/2 pound burgers, pizzas, carne asada tacos ($5.79) and 8-ounce pepper-crusted filet ($30.99).
Yard House is situation in a 10,885-square-foot space under the Dave & Buster's in the northwest wing's ground floor of Willowbrook Mall. It has seating for 364 people with a 31-seat bar. The space also includes an outdoor patio.
Go: 320 Willowbrook Mall, Wayne;973-339-5128,yardhouse.com.
The Gaur, North Bergen
The Gaur bears the name of a species ofbeefy Indian bison, hence the logo of thehorned beast. But it's also the last name of the owners, brothers Rohit and Raj Gaur.The Gaur opened in April andis located within the Wyndham Garden Hotel.
The Gaur offers small plates of classic bar food such as wings ($12), burger sliders ($12) and chips and guacamole ($12). Rohit said they also offer specials like burgers laced with 24-karat gold leaf. The Gaurhas its own chai-infusedwhiskey, as well,which you can get by the glass (it's also used to make the house sauce).
For co*cktails, expect all the old favorites: highballs ($12), mules ($12) and margaritas ($12), along with some specialties like Hennessy Guava ($16). co*cktails infused with CBD are also available.
The bar features a modern aesthetic with quirky light features,retro touches and plenty of greenery. Look out for framed photos of celebrates raised in North Jersey.
Go:1706 Paterson Plank Road, North Bergen;718-674-5265,gaurclub.com.
Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, pleasesubscribe todayand sign up forourNorth Jersey Eats newsletter.
Email:kingr@northjersey.com
Twitter:@rebeccakingnj
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