Research Firm Presents Results of BID Survey

Firm highlights challenges and opportunities for businesses in Springfield.

What will the future of Springfield business look like? On Monday, Jan. 14, Springfield business owners and residents packed the Joe Pepe Training room at the Fire Department Headquarters in hopes of getting an answer to that question. Mark Lohbauer from the JGSC Group research firm presented the results of the extensive marketing survey undertaken by the firm at the direction of Springfield's Business Improvement District last year. The survey and other studies undertaken by JGSC created a snapshot of Springfield’s shopping districts, the spending characteristics of people in and around the Township and how township businesses related to shopping in other towns. With that data, the group drew conclusions and made recommendations about the…

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Photo: Ribbon Cutting at Johnny Napkins

Officials and local notables gather at grand opening of route 22 eatery.

This week, Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady and other prominent Springfield figures welcomed a new restaurant to the township. Johnny Napkins, the restaurant attached to Hotel 304 West, has been offering their distinctive mix of made-to-order burgers and other menu items long enough to, among other things, win Springfield Patch's readers' poll for best burger. But Wednesday, Oct. 3 marked their grand opening to the public, complete with a cermonial ribbon cutting by Springfield officials and high profile members of the business community, including Michael Scalera, chairman of Springfield's Business Improvement District and Scott Seidel, co-chair of the Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce. 

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Local Restaurant Owners Want a Seat at the Bar

Prices have not been set for liquor license sales, but local restaurateurs are ready to start the bidding.

Patrons of Ponte Vecchio, the restaurant located in New Providence's Murray Hill Inn, don’t have to travel any further than the inn’s front desk for a bottle of wine to go with dinner. Bill Boyle, owner of Boyle Hotels and Best Western PLUS Murray Hill Inn and Suites, said the inn does have a retail wine license arrangement through Amalthea Cellars, which is a certified New Jersey winery that has won international competitions. While that relationship has worked out well for the inn, Boyle said he would like to expand it by purchasing a liquor license. “We have very much enjoyed that relationship [with Amalthea Cellars]. But to have a license that would allow us to offer our guests a wider array of wine, beer, whatever, that’s obviously a …

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A Town in 'Dire Straits' is Ready for a Change

With the approved referendum that could bring liquor licenses to the borough with council's approval, many business owners would welcome the historic change in New Providence.

During the day, downtown New Providence is a vibrant scene, with local residents busy eating lunch or dinner, shopping for groceries, picking up a few things at CVS, or popping into one of the retail shops to buy some Christmas gifts. But as the sun sets, it's easier to see several “for rent” and “available” signs in open downtown storefronts.  To Bill Ferdinand, co-owner of Ferdinand Jewelers, the empty shopping scene after 5 p.m. is indicative of a town he says is in “dire straits.” He wants to see it thrive and believes that residents, municipal and business leaders have made a decision that will lead to its revitalization. As President of the Downtown Improvement District, Ferdinand is dedicated to fighting for New Providence residents…

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Local Flavor

The Five Minute Tidbit: A Perfect Pair

Patch visited Pairings Palate + Plate in Cranford to talk about market driven food, home made pasta and Julia Child.

Vincent Clyne and Carol Murphy Clyne are partners in more ways than one.  High school sweethearts who ran a catering business for 20 years, they recently jumped into the restaurant business. Pairings Palate + Plate; globally inspired contemporary cooking is a labor of love with Carol at the helm in the kitchen. But, these two have even more on their plate than their restaurant and its piled high with ambition. Patch: You've both been in the food business for a long time.  How did you end up opening a restaurant? Carol: We opened last February after we sold our catering business, which we had for 20 years.  But before that we went to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Me for food, Vincent for wine in Napa Valley. The CIA invited us to…

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Noon Eats

Baked Ziti at Antonio Mozzarella Factory

Choices abound at this Italian deli, and if you eat in-house, you might just forget that it's winter

The sunroom at Antonio Mozzarella Factory is perhaps one of the best places to enjoy a meal on a subfreezing winter afternoon. Snow may cover the ground outside, but sunlight pours into this room from three sides, bringing light, warmth and a reminder of the seasons to come. Several weeks ago, when I listed five of my favorite meals in downtown Springfield, a reader reminded me of Antonio Mozzarella Factory. While a stone's throw from the downtown, I omitted it from the list because of its awkward location on Springfield Avenue, near the Union and Millburn borders. The reader stated that the long menu can often be a problem, as it offers so many options. “One of the best lunches in town is definitely Antonio Mozzarella Factory,” the reader…

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Noon Eats

Simple, Authentic Tacos from Picante

Morris Avenue establishment offers a real taste of Mexico

From Tinga in Millburn to Tito's in Summit, from Taco Bell on Morris Avenue to Chipotle Mexican Grill on Route 22, we have our share of wannabe Mexican food joints. But hidden behind some multicolored curtains right in our own downtown, we also have the real thing—Picante Taste of Mexico. Diego Rivera prints and colorful pottery adorning the walls, Mexican music piped through the speakers and a menu void of chalupas, salmon burritos or BBQ tacos were good signs that Picante was authentic. Sure enough, as I chatted with the owner, I learned that he was a native of Acupulco. He has worked in American restaurants for years, but for the last three years, he is a resaturant owner. Having worked over commercial deep friers, he said he has no …

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NoonEats: Deli Sandwiches from Food King

The store may be a downer, but don't underestimate the friendly deli counter

I get depressed every time I go into Food King. Maybe I am spoiled by bright, spacious and modern grocery stores like King's in Short Hills and Whole Foods and Super Stop and Shop in Union. Perhaps it's the store's dim lighting or the feeling that little has changed in the store in decades. It's not an uplifting shopping experience. But the Morris Avenue location is convenient for me, and so on occasion I run in for a few groceries on my lunch hour. Last week, I tried the deli—and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't see sandwich selections or prices posted, so after a too-quick glance under the glass counter, I asked for ham and swiss. Given a choice of rye or roll, I went with the rye, with lettuce, tomato and mustard as well. Stocking all…

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NoonEats: Polla a la Brasa at Kiara

Skip the reheated chicken at this Peruvian restaurant and order a full entree, preferably in the evening

Home to Andean mountains that tower 20,000 feet over surrounding valleys and a stretch of Pacific coastline, Peru is a land of geographic and culinary diversity. Several varieties of corn, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes have roots in this South American country, as does quinoa, the high-protein grain that has become a favorite of health nuts in recent years. Present-day Peruvian cuisine is influenced by Spain, evident from browsing the menu at Kiara on Morris Avenue. Such dishes as seafood with fried rice, and steak and eggs are reminiscent of the many Iberian restaurants in the area, but some items on the menu, such as mashed potato with chopped fried meat, and corn pie stuffed with pork, are distinctly Peruvian. All of these …

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Springfield's Taste Of The Town

The Holiday Inn hosts a fundraising evening of restaurant sampling.

Tonight, from 6 to 9 p.m., the best of Springfield's restaurants will gather at the Holiday Inn on Rte. 22. For a $35 entry fee, you can sample from a large variety of Springfield restaurants and support the community, as the proceeds benefit Springfield PTAs, PTSO and Rotary Club Community Projects. Over 30 restaurants from Springfield and surrounding towns are taking part in the event. Participating restaurants include Mclynn's, Outback Steakhouse, Raagini, Picante The Taste Of Mexico, the Wine Library, Pinho's Bakery, Mosaico, T.G.I. Fridays, the Olive Garden and the  Holiday Inn's own Happy Sombrero.                                                       This is the tenth anniversary of the event, and will include gift baskets/tricky …

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