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Restaurant Industry

NJ Restaurant Fined $168K For Failing To Pay Workers In Overtime NJ Restaurant Fined $168K For Failing To Pay Workers In Overtime
NJ Restaurant Fined $168K For Failing To Pay Workers In Overtime A New Jersey restaurant owes more than $168,000 after failing to pay employees for overtime labor, federal officials said. According to the U.S. Department of Labor,  Swahili Village Bar and Grill in Newark willfully failed to pay 84 servers, cooks, and bussers overtime pay when they worked more than 40 hours in a workweek, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. “Restaurant industry workers too often fall victim to employers who shortchange their wages and deprive them of their hard-earned wages,” said Wage and Hour District Director Paula Ruffin in Mountainside, New J…
'And That Is Long Enough:' Family Announces Plans To Sell NJ Restaurant After 75 Years 'And That Is Long Enough:' Family Announces Plans To Sell NJ Restaurant After 75 Years
'And That Is Long Enough:' Family Announces Plans To Sell NJ Restaurant After 75 Years A Sussex County restaurant is celebrating its 75th year in business — "and that is long enough," the owners said. The owners of the Walpack Inn, located in Walpack Township, are working toward selling the restaurant as they work toward retirement. We are taking reservations for Father’s Day, Sunday June 19th! Visit www.walpackinn.com/reservations to book your table... Posted by The Walpack Inn on Sunday, June 12, 2022 In a statement posted to Facebook, Jim Heigis, his wife, Lee, and their daughters Lara and Jenny said:  "We would like to thank our many friends and l…
Popular Restaurateur Opening Bergen County Tequila Bar With 'Modern Twist' Popular Restaurateur Opening Bergen County Tequila Bar With 'Modern Twist'
Popular Restaurateur Opening Bergen County Tequila Bar With 'Modern Twist' A North Jersey restauranteur is expanding his empire with a tequila bar in Englewood. Ariel Espejo is opening Mexcal Tequila Bar at 24 N Van Brunt St. in the city sometime in February. Espejo, who runs Bent Hospitality with his partner, Michele Bittan, also runs Vida Garden, El Tango, Hidden Garden in Englewood and Tengo Steak in Moonachie.  Mexcal Tequila Bar will offer almost 80 different kinds of tequila, along with Mexican cuisine like tacos, enchiladas while a DJ will be on hand during the weekend. Espejo felt Englewood was missing an establishment like Mexcal. "It's a convenient loca…
North Jersey Vegan Kosher 'Kind Of Chinese' Eatery Spotlighted On New Show North Jersey Vegan Kosher 'Kind Of Chinese' Eatery Spotlighted On New Show
North Jersey Vegan Kosher 'Kind Of Chinese' Eatery Spotlighted On New Show An acclaimed Bergen County restaurant known for its new take on old favorites is being spotlighted on a new show. Fat Choy, a kosher vegan, also "kind of Chinese" restaurant at 52 E Palisade Ave. in Englewood is profiled on "Schmoozing and Cruising," streaming on ChaiFlicks, which celebrates the best in kosher cuisine.  The episode, hosted by CW Silverburg, premiered on Thursday, Dec. 14. ChaiFlicks describes itself as the leading streaming service for Jewish storytelling. Fat Choy was recently named one of the best restaurants in America by the New York Times. Pete Wells raved about the r…
Popular Bergen County Cafe Relocates After 20 Years: 'I Wasn't Ready To Be Done' Popular Bergen County Cafe Relocates After 20 Years: 'I Wasn't Ready To Be Done'
Popular Bergen County Cafe Relocates After 20 Years: 'I Wasn't Ready To Be Done' Exactly 20 years ago, Gail Corbo bought Country Cafe. Well, back then it was called Franklin Lakes Deli. It was on Pulis Avenue in Franklin Lakes, and Corbo had been working there since her teens. "It had a hometown feel," Corbo, of Mahwah, tells Daily Voice. "The nice part for me was that when I was working there in high school, I had people bringing their kids in, and then those people started bringing their kids in." Corbo says, "It was a fun little spot in Franklin Lakes that a lot of kids grew up on." And so, when Country Cafe lost its lease in July 2023, Corbo was heartbroken. Sayin…
Architect That Makes Jersey Shore Dream Homes Come True Opens Shiny New HQ Architect That Makes Jersey Shore Dream Homes Come True Opens Shiny New HQ
Architect That Makes Jersey Shore Dream Homes Come True Opens Shiny New HQ Ship Bottom has new neighbors, and soon lots more as a home-building and architectural firm has opened its new headquarters in the area. Walters is putting the finishing touches on the newly-built Ship Bottom location which it moved into over this summer. The headquarters will eventually include a realty office and restaurant. The two-story, 5,000-square-foot building at 701 Central Ave. houses two divisions of the development firm: Walters Homes, including a sales and design center, and Walters Architecture.  A grand opening is planned for next spring, a spokeswoman said on Friday, Sept.…
Popular North Jersey Burger Joint Hits The Streets With Food Truck Popular North Jersey Burger Joint Hits The Streets With Food Truck
Popular North Jersey Burger Joint Hits The Streets With Food Truck One of North Jersey's most popular burger joints just got itself a sweet set of wheels. Steve's Burgers, which first opened in Garfield in 2009, announced on Instagram that the restaurant is rolling out a food truck: Steve'z on Wheelz. Owner Stephen Chrisomalis said the move is a partnership with Zilpa Rizzo, of Zilpa's Desserts. Zilpa's products are sold at Steve's. View this post on Instagram A post shared by STEVE’Z ON WHEELZ (@stevezonwheelz) In addition to its burgers that draw customers from across the country, Steve'z will have a sma…
27 NJ Boston Market Stores Issued Stop-Work Orders By Labor Department 27 NJ Boston Market Stores Issued Stop-Work Orders By Labor Department
27 NJ Boston Market Stores Issued Stop-Work Orders By Labor Department Boston Market stores across New Jersey owe its workers thousands of dollars in back wages, and the state's labor department is taking action. The NJDOL issued 27 stop-work orders to Boston Market locations throughout the state on Monday, Aug. 14 saying the rotisserie chicken franchise owes more than $600,000 in back wages to 314 employees. The investigation began after the NJDOL received a complaint from an employee at a restaurant in Hamilton last November. Since then, almost three dozen people have come forward, naming several other locations. Citations were issued for unpaid/late pa…
NJ Italian Restaurant Owner, 75, Faces Prison For Pocketing $500,000 In State Sales Taxes NJ Italian Restaurant Owner, 75, Faces Prison For Pocketing $500,000 In State Sales Taxes
NJ Italian Restaurant Owner, 75, Faces Prison For Pocketing $500,000 In State Sales Taxes The 75-year-old owner-operator of a New Jersey Italian restaurant faces up to three years in prison after admitting he stiffed the state out of nearly a half-million dollars in sales taxes over a period of nearly seven years. John Garofalo Sr. of Union Township – who owns Mario’s Tutto Bene restaurant in the township -- paid the outstanding $496,374.99 to the state as part of a plea deal that he hopes will get him leniency, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. His assistants will recommend that Superior Court Judge Sherry L. Wilson send Garofalo to state prison for three years …
It's Taco Time In Bergen County It's Taco Time In Bergen County
It's Taco Time In Bergen County Elias Itzep was driving around Bergen County craving some Mexican food and he couldn't find any. So he decided to take matters into his own hands. Itzep, who lives in Englewood Cliffs, recently opened Taco Time, a fast casual Mexican restaurant in Norwood. Itzep has more than 20 years of experience in the food industry and said he plans on serving up classic Mexican specialties like tacos, burritos, fajitas and tostadas. Itzep hails from Mexico and it's where most of his family is from. He said it's very important to be able to connect people with the food from his homeland.  "We're u…
Akai Lounge Teams Up With Blue Moon Café In Bergen County Akai Lounge Teams Up With Blue Moon Café In Bergen County
Akai Lounge Teams Up With Blue Moon Café In Bergen County Fans of Mexican food and Japanese restaurant have their ultimate dream concept in Bergen County. The owners of Akai Lounge, which has locations in Englewood, Westfield and Westchester County, NY, have purchased the Blue Moon Café, a Mexican restaurant that has been an institution in Englewood for 27 years. James Du and Lillian Pien, who purchased Blue Moon, plan on keeping the restaurant open, while also combining it with Akai Lounge, creating two restaurants in one, with one room serving Japanese food and the other serving Mexican food.  While Blue Moon remains open, the Akai Lounge …
Hard Work Pays Off For Bergen Brothers Expanding 'Mob Pizzeria & Burgers' Hard Work Pays Off For Bergen Brothers Expanding 'Mob Pizzeria & Burgers'
Hard Work Pays Off For Bergen Brothers Expanding 'Mob Pizzeria & Burgers' A pair of Bergen County brothers are expanding their award-winning mob-themed pizzeria and burger restaurant. Waldy, 29, and Kevin Salinas, 25, who own "Mob Pizzeria & Burgers" on Hackensack Street in Wood-Ridge, are opening their second location Main Street in Hackensack sometime in March. The brothers' parents moved their family to Hackensack from El Salvador when they were young. Kevin and Waldy both graduated from Hackensack High School, and went on to work in the restaurant industry right after graduation: Waldy in the kitchen at Oak Ale House in Maywood, and Kevin down the street…
Restaurateur Brings New Life To Old North Jersey Restaurant Restaurateur Brings New Life To Old North Jersey Restaurant
Restaurateur Brings New Life To Old North Jersey Restaurant A local restaurateur has sold his own eatery to bring new life to an old bar and grill in Ringwood, as first reported by NorthJersey.com. Shil "Sam" Patel — who sold Cupsaw Market — is reviving Sam's Bar & Grill, which has been closed since 2018. Located at 15 Greenwood Lake Tpke., Sam's will have New York City chef John Schafer in the kitchen, according to NorthJersey.com.  Schafer worked at BLT Steak and BLT Prime, and will be cooking up wings, steaks, burgers and more — along with Indian dishes, an homage to Patel's heritage. Click here for more from NorthJersey.com or here to…
Rooftop Opens At Felina In Ridgewood Rooftop Opens At Felina In Ridgewood
Rooftop Opens At Felina In Ridgewood The rooftop has opened at Felina in Ridgewood after nearly 3.5 years. La Terrazza has its own food and drinks menu and is located on top of the Italian restaurant on East Ridgewood Avenue, initially run by four-star chef Anthony Bucco. Bucco left the restaurant during COVID-19, at which point Flavia Amaral and chef Carlos Valdez, both of Let's Meat in River Vale, took over. La Terrazza seats 85 guests, has a kitchen with a pizza oven, rosé bar, cocktails, and can be transformed into an event space. Felina/Terrazza, 54 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood.
'Jersey Gyros' Owner Dreamt Of Opening Shop Since Visiting Uncle's In Greece — So He Did 'Jersey Gyros' Owner Dreamt Of Opening Shop Since Visiting Uncle's In Greece — So He Did
'Jersey Gyros' Owner Dreamt Of Opening Shop Since Visiting Uncle's In Greece — So He Did Opening his own gyro shop has been on Mike Tolos' mind ever since he visited his uncle's spot in Greece as a kid. It was a hole-in-the-wall type place in Thessaloniki, and as soon as Tolos walked in, he was hit with the aroma of pork and chicken roasting on the skewers. What he enjoyed most about visiting the shop, though, was seeing the love that his uncle put into it, because he felt the same passion himself. "My uncle did it from love," said Tolos, 39, of Cliffside Park. "The dedication that he has fell on me." Tolos signed the lease for Jersey Gyros on Main Street in Lodi last March.…
Young Restaurateur Upgrades Bergen County Steakhouse Young Restaurateur Upgrades Bergen County Steakhouse
Young Restaurateur Upgrades Bergen County Steakhouse A young restaurateur is making big changes to one of his Bergen County restaurants. Tango Steak in Moonachie is an expanded version of El Tango Argentina Grill, BoozyBurbs reports.  Ariel Espejo opened the restaurant when he was just 23 years old. The menu boasts Spanish delicacies such as: Grilled octopus, quinoa, pesto, cauliflower purée, parsnip chips Oven baked chicken stuffed with spinach & cheese served over a tomato ratatouille Skirt steak, LTO, egg, ham, muenster cheese on a baguette, with provenzal French Fries and more. View this post on Instagram …
'Don't Be a Douchebag': Texts From North Jersey Restaurant To Customer Go Viral 'Don't Be a Douchebag': Texts From North Jersey Restaurant To Customer Go Viral
'Don't Be a Douchebag': Texts From North Jersey Restaurant To Customer Go Viral Antagonistic messages between a North Jersey restaurant and a customer checking the status of his food have gone viral. Montclair's Joe Stephen reached out to Get Stuffed in Union to see where his Uber Eats delivery was earlier this month, when the owner quickly became antagonistic, according to text messages and a report by NJ Advance Media. Stephen tells the restaurant it's been more than 45 minutes that he's been waiting. "Bumper to bumper everywhere and flooding everywhere," the restaurant says. "Getting driver info and it's not due yet — would you like us to ask somebody to jump into …
Caesars Atlantic City Adding Luxury Hotel & Restaurant Caesars Atlantic City Adding Luxury Hotel & Restaurant
Caesars Atlantic City Adding Luxury Hotel & Restaurant Caesars resort and casino in Atlantic City will soon be home to a luxury Nobu hotel and restaurant. The expansion comes as part of a $400 million investment into the resort. Renowned for its gourmet offerings, Nobu, which has 17 eateries throughout the U.S., was launched by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro and film producer Meir Teper. "Our relationship with Nobu has been an unparalleled success in Las Vegas, and as we continue to invest there and in New Orleans and Atlantic City, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to deepen and expand that relationship," …
'American Dream Come True': Dr. Oz Surprises NJ Restaurateur With $10,000 'American Dream Come True': Dr. Oz Surprises NJ Restaurateur With $10,000
'American Dream Come True': Dr. Oz Surprises NJ Restaurateur With $10,000 Faith, hope and patience is what Morris County restaurateur Mickey Chopra says inspired him to help others during the pandemic, even though he was struggling. Everything came full circle for Chopra last week, when Dr. Oz surprised him with $10,000 for the launch of his new series, "Surprise Restaurant Rescue." "I may be born in India but here, right here is where you see America," said Chopra, who owns I2I Italian and Indian Fusion and Vinnie's Pizza and Ristorante in Boonton. "I wasn't going to let the pandemic shatter my American Dream."  Chopra moved to the U.S. from India at just …
'America's Hottest Start-Ups': Magazine Says These NJ Eateries Are The Next Big Thing 'America's Hottest Start-Ups': Magazine Says These NJ Eateries Are The Next Big Thing
'America's Hottest Start-Ups': Magazine Says These NJ Eateries Are The Next Big Thing Some of the best up-and-coming eateries are right here in North Jersey, according to a list compiled by one website. "QSR Magazine" named several local joints among the 40 best startups in America. The restaurants on the list have less than 40 locations and survived the COVID-19 pandemic.  All are "primed for success," the magazine says. The Salad House: Sandwiches, soups, toasts, small plates and more are on the menu at the Salad House -- which, of course, has big customizable salads. Locations in Millburn, Morristown, Westfield, Livingston, Montclair and soon Englewood. Wings Over…
Shore Bar, JC Lounge Among NJ Bizzes Facing COVID-Related Liquor License Suspensions Shore Bar, JC Lounge Among NJ Bizzes Facing COVID-Related Liquor License Suspensions
Shore Bar, JC Lounge Among NJ Bizzes Facing Covid-related Liquor License Suspensions ON THE ROCKS: A dozen New Jersey bars and restaurants could have their liquor licenses temporarily suspended for what state authorities said are violations of Gov. Murphy’s COVID shutdown orders. Although most of the suspensions being sought by the ABC are for less than a month – including three for 10 days – a Jersey Shore bar and grill is looking at a possible 66-day suspension while pouring at a downtown Jersey City nightspot could stop for nearly three months. SEE LIST BELOW (with links to violation notices) New Jersey’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is asking a judge for the …
Cuomo Suspends Indoor NYC Dining Again, Enclosures Included Cuomo Suspends Indoor NYC Dining Again, Enclosures Included
Cuomo Suspends Indoor NYC Dining Again, Enclosures Included Enjoy this weekend if you’re going out to eat in New York City: Indoor dining ends there for an indefinite period -- again -- on Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday. A month-long increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York City made the move necessary, he said. The shutdown cripples the city hospitality industry during the year’s biggest holiday season. Both the New York Restaurant Association and the New York City Hospitality Alliance have said accused the governor of unfairly limiting indoor dining at city restaurants while favoring those elsewhere. Restaurants in the city …
Zinburger Permanently Closing All But 3 NJ Locations Zinburger Permanently Closing All But 3 NJ Locations
Zinburger Permanently Closing All But 3 NJ Locations Wine and burger restaurant Zinburger is permanently closing all but three of its New Jersey locations. Locations in Edison, Jersey City, Morris Plains, Cherry Hill and Paramus restaurants have permanently closed due to financial struggles amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Clifton, Marlboro and Bridgewater locations will stay open, officials announced on the chain’s website. The Marlboro and Bridgewater restaurants have yet to reopen following the COVID-19 outbreak; however, the Clifton location is currently filling both pickup and delivery orders, the announcement said. “The COVID-19…
These Bergen County Restaurants Have Special Family Deals These Bergen County Restaurants Have Special Family Deals
These Bergen County Restaurants Have Special Family Deals Takeout and delivery are your options when it comes to New Jersey restaurants for the next several weeks. Many places are offering special deals as the state works to stop the spread of coronavirus. Here are some local businesses offering special deals who you can support during this time (email clevine@dailyvoice.com with restaurant tips). Click here for a list of restaurants in Union, Essex, Somerset, Passaic, Morris and Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon counties. Taverna Mykonos, Elmwood Park: 10 percent off all pick-ups and delivery orders plus free dessert. Salumi Kitchen, Lodi: Fou…
Restaurant Owner Shuts Montclair, North Arlington Eateries Restaurant Owner Shuts Montclair, North Arlington Eateries
Restaurant Owner Shuts Montclair, North Arlington Eateries A North Jersey restaurateur is closing eateries in Montclair and North Arlington. Juan Placencia closed Somos in North Arlington and Costanera in Montclair will shutter in late February, NorthJersey.com reports. Placencia had transformed the 6,000 square foot North Arlington space into an event venue -- opening its doors in 2018.  The upcoming closing of Costanera has led to the family’s "consensus" to get out of the restaurant business. Placencia’s wife, who also helped out at the restaurants, will return to school and study cosmetology, the article says. Click here for more from N…