FOOD THEAROUNDWARDS PART

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Destination Newark Staff Talk About Some Of Their Favorite Culinary Experiences

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit Marcus Samuelsson’s new restaurant in the Hahne & Co building, Marcus B&P. Marcus B&P was named for the Swedish concept of “back pocket”—a place to hang out with family and friends. And that’s exactly why I went. I thought the restaurant’s Sunday jazz brunch would be the perfect setting for catching up with good friends and eating good food.

This intimate little lounge serves up delicious West Indian food and good times. Stop in for lunch and come back for the popular Happy Hour. Stay for dinner or even later for the music and vibes. This family-owned establishment stays involved in the community, supporting local events and even hosting post-event brunches.

NON - TRADITIONAL PICK

Blueberry Café Juice Bar and Vegan Grille

547 Central Avenue

973-732-1711 | iloveblueberrycafe.com

With a mission to promote healthy eating in urban communities, Blueberry Café serves fresh smoothies, soups, salads, herbal teas and more. Try the fried zucchini patties or the mushroom pie when you need a snack. Blueberry Café also provides vegan meal planning as a service.

I was not disappointed. A small to mid-sized space with rustic trappings, a visit to B&P is a sensory feast. The tall bar covered/topped with white tile is one of the first things that catches your attention. You’ll also notice the eclectic art that covers the walls in the dining room. One of my favorite features was the collection of LP covers that adorned the walls in one of the bathrooms.

On Sundays, hungry patrons are welcomed by a couple of jazz musicians set up in an intimate space at the front of the restaurant. They set the mood and create a sophisticated atmosphere with music that is both a focal point as well as ambience.

The food—Southern soul food with a sophisticated twist—is as artfully arranged as it is delicious. I had the shrimp and grits, and the cornbread is worth fighting over. On our table was also several plates of chicken and waffles and a personal pizza.

A gathering of friends is always a good time. But it becomes a great time with warm, attentive service; comfortable surroundings; delicious food; and an atmosphere accentuated by the stylings of live jazz musicians. A return visit is definitely in order. —Sonja Mack

Traditional Pick

Hobby’s Delicatessen and Restaurant

32 Branford Place

(973) 623-0410 | hobbysdeli.com

The Brummer family has run this Old-World Jewish deli since the 1960s. Offering top quality Eastern European delicacies, Hobby’s still pickles its own corned beef and all of its soups are homemade. The deli caters food for occasions large and small, including sandwich and dessert platters, hot buffets and appetizers, and breakfast buffets.

NON - TRADITIONAL PICK

Favorite Traditional Pick

The Halal Guys Gyro and Chicken

72 Halsey Street

(973) 877-3759 | halseystnewarknj.thehalalguys.com

Starting out with a food truck in New York City, The Halal Guys grew their business into a franchise that has expanded throughout the U.S. and internationally. In Newark, they serve Middle Eastern/Mediterranean style cuisine. Their specialty is the combo platter, a combination of chicken and gyro.

Luigi’s Italian Restaurant

561 Bloomfield Avenue

(973) 481-9696 | luigisitaliantradition.com

This family-owned Italian restaurant is open seven days a week and hosts intimate gatherings as well as large parties of up to 45 people. With fresh pasta and homemade sauces, Luigi’s serves everything from small plates to family-sized meals. The restaurant’s authentic Italian experience goes beyond food with its décor and ambience, and its catering menu is just as robust as its in-restaurant menu.

NON - TRADITIONAL PICK

El Criollo

99 Broadway

(973) 485-5333 | facebook.com/EL.CRIOLLO.RESTAURANT/

With the large influx of Latinos in the north ward since the early 1900s, its hard to believe that a Spanish cuisine restaurant would classify as non-traditional. But El Criollo, which opened in 1986 is a full-service Latin American Restaurant. Popular on the menu is the veal meatballs and the mariscos (shellfish/seafood). Customers can sit down and eat, get take-out, and have food catered. Just as much a gathering place as a restaurant, El Criollo has a popular happy hour and is a lounge and a sports bar.

Traditional Pick

South Ward

PUBLISHER’CHOICE

PUBLISHER’S TRADITIONAL PICK

For just down home good food, good company and general comfort, I pick Vonda’s Kitchen. We featured Vonda’s last summer so I wanted to be original but the truth is I have probably patronized Vonda’s more than any other sit down restaurant in the City.

The fish and grits is always a win. And when I have a big appetite the mac ‘n’ cheese and collard greens are tasty sides too. The chef is always pleasant. And on good days I may even get to have a sighting of the owner, Vonda McPherson. Go see and taste for yourself! Vonda’s Kitchen, 183 W. Kinney St., www.vondaskitchennj.com.

Bragman’s Delicatessen and Restaurant

393 Hawthorne Avenue

(973) 375-9868 | bragmansdeli.com

Family-owned since the 1950s, Bragman’s deli is known for its oversized hot and cold sandwiches made with extra meat served between two slices of Jewish rye bread. It has also been praised for its brisket and roast beef in gravy. The deli’s catering menu includes regular sandwich platters as well as smaller tea sandwich platters, and its combination sandwiches are served with homemade Russian dressing and coleslaw.

NON - TRADITIONAL PICK

Kings Family Restaurant and Catering

557 Clinton Avenue

973-396-2963 | kingsfamilyrestaurant.net

327 Lyons Avenue

973-926-2177 | kingsrestaurant1.com

Kings opened in the early 1990s as a neighborhood restaurant and now boasts two locations in the South ward and has a robust catering division. A Halal restaurant specializing in Southern food like fish and grits, meatloaf and baked mac and cheese, Kings prides itself on providing big portions at an affordable price. Come for breakfast, which is served all day, as well as lunch and dinner.

PUBLISHER’S NON-TRADITIONAL PICK

My Non-traditional pick would be Carmen’s restaurants. Most of you reading probably don’t know where this is unless you work in City Hall. And since I frequent Newark City Hall a lot, I’m a big fan. I’ve been ordering takeout lunch from Carmen’s for more than a decade.

This quant office-building café is downtown’s best kept secret. Or I should say, one of City Hall’s best kept secrets since no one advertises that it is down there on the basement level. But City Hall is open to the public, so if you are ever up for a BLT or some grilled chicken with rice and beans that actually has some flavor, try Carmen’s restaurant at City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark NJ (Basement level).. Sakina Cole