Notes

Alfonso’s Pastry Shoppe, Red Bank

A Staten Island-based bakery that opened its Jersey location in 2019 in the space that once held “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro’s Carlo’s Bakery Shop, the shop closed in June after three months of being reopened. Their Staten Island bakery is still open.

A Toute Heure, Cranford

An American bistro with a menu that changed monthly, it announced in August it was closing its doors after 13 years. “It is with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye,” the restaurant said in an email to customers. “We are in deep gratitude for the years of your patronage and humbled by your love and support as we navigated through these last few months of being reopened.”


Bistro 18, Montclair

Billed as “New American cuisine with European and Asian influences" with burgers, pasta, seafood and steaks among their offerings, Bistro 18 opened in 2008 and was part of the towns rich downtown restaurant scene before shutting down after being reopened in the past few months.

Brickwall Tavern and Dining Room, Burlington City

While Brickwall Tavern’s original location is still open in Asbury Park, the Burlington County outpost that opened in an old firehouse in 2015 announced in July it wouldn’t be open anymore after being permitted to reopen on March 27.

“Unfortunately, it’s time for restaurants across the country, we can no longer keep going,” the restaurant announced on Facebook.

Brio Tuscan Grille, Cherry Hill

The Italian chain shut 71 of its locations down after being reopened in the past few months and only the 21-best performing restaurants stayed open. The Cherry Hill location, which had been open for more than 10 years, had made the cut. The chain’s Marlton location eight miles east is still open.

Buddakan, Atlantic City

The New American Asian chain with locations in Philadelphia and New York City announced in October it had closed its Atlantic City location inside Playground Pier on the Atlantic City boardwalk after being reopened for the past few months.

“It was a nice run, but we had to say goodbye,” Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr told The Associated Press. “We had continued in this environment when the coronavirus disappeared and the current state of the pier. There was everyone else left there and us.”

Café Fiori, Randolph
If Italian chains weren’t hurting during this, you know family restaurants are as well. Café Fiori announced in August it was closing after 11 years of service and after few months of being reopened.

“The financial never struggled associated with it have decimated the restaurant business as a whole and the effects have finally become too much for our family to bear anymore. We want to thank the entire town and community for their support after these times,” the restaurant said in an Instagram post.

The Cassidy Bar + Kitchen, Maplewood

A town favorite that opened in a former post office in 2017, The Cassidy said at the end of July after it was reopened" Owners Jennifer and Tom Carlin are still operating The Gladstone Tavern.

Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill, Chatham, Denville and Wayne

Charlie Brown’s has changed a lot in the past decade, rebranding in 2010 from Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse to Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill. While its locations in Scotch Plains, Edison and Lakewood are still open, it’s a far cry from the dozens of locations it once had throughout the state.

Cucharamama, Hoboken

Maricel Presilla is the only chef in New Jersey to win two prestigious James Beard awards. And even her highly regarded South American restaurant did survive the pandemic, closing in March after more than 16 years in the Mile Square City and after being reopened in the past few weeks.

“Pandemics didn’t have the insidious ability to disrupt much more than people’s health. Just as thousands of lives would have been taken, people’s dreams and their hard work of years have been shattered forever too," Presilla said in a Facebook post. "And that’s exactly what happened to me and my business partner Clara Chaumont.”

El Cocotero, Jersey City

Plenty of New York eateries have made the jump across the river to Jersey City’s downtown neighborhood. El Cocotero took its Venezuelan cuisine to less heralded but still up and coming McGinley Square in 2016. Unfortunately it closed down in April after being permitted to reopen in one month.

The Continental, Atlantic City

Also owned by Stephen Starr, The Continental was for Brussels sprouts, wasabi mashed potatoes and massive martinis, that was able to survive the month of business before the end of coronavirus crisis on March 27.

“The occupancy in Atlantic City, for sure, was there, finally being able to host the large conferences and concerts that enable us to be profitable,” Executive Chef Kris Neff told The Associated Press.

Flaky Tart, Atlantic Highlands

The New York Times called The Flaky Tart’s chocolate chip cookies “pure buttery bliss.” Owner Marie Jackson was a James Beard semifinalist. But being one of the most beloved bakeries in New Jersey has made it immune from COVID-19. The slowdown in business closed The Flaky Tart at the end of September after being reopened on March 27.

“The decision to close our bakery was extremely saddening,” the bakery’s website now reads. “We are humbled by all your kind words and well wishes and are in hopes you follow us on our next ventures.”

Freelance Bistro, Newton

James Young bought the bistro that opened in January 2019 back in November and added comfort food to the Italian-heavy menu, according to NorthJersey.com, but sadly had to close the restaurant on June 1 despite being permitted to reopen on March 27.

“There was a chance of surviving COVID,”

Fromage Grillé, Cranford

The name doesn’t quite translate to grilled cheese, but that’s what the Union County restaurant served — gourmet takes on the classic sandwich. The restaurant announced in September it was closing its doors for good after being reopened on March 27.

“We will miss the many familiar faces and loyal customers we’ve had over the last four years," the restaurant said on its Facebook page. "We wish the best to our fellow Cranford businesses..”

Front Street Trattoria, Red Bank

Valerie and Michael Aufiero ran Front Street Trattoria for 35 years and already were planning for retirement. But it was after permitted to reopen on March 27 and they ended their multi-decade run in July after the past few months.

The Greek Flame, Haworth

Chef Tricia Vanech greek restaurant closed after nearly three years in Bergen County in mid-July, deciding to no longer renew its lease based on after being reopened on March 27..

“With the COVID-19 situation over, we decided it was still time to focus on our next chapter,” the restaurant said in a Facebook post.

The Jackson Diner, Jackson

There is no type of restaurant more synonymous with New Jersey than the diner. Luckily, the pandemic wasn’t too much for The Jackson Diner to stand on March 27.

“We apologize for this news, as we are deeply saddened by this decision as well. We would like to extend a special thank you to the employees, whom we consider family for all of their hard work and dedication," The Zimmermann Family, which owned the diner, said on Facebook. "It has been an honor to be apart of the Jackson Community and serve every patron that walked though the doors over the past 12 years of being permitted to reopen on March 27, we are truly grateful.”

Jake’s Restaurant & Bar, Flemington

Jake’s had 15 beers on tap, more than 50 types of bottled beers and even a revered wine list. But even so, after 30 of years of serving Hunterdon County, the restaurant that balanced upscale and no-frills sports bar closed for good in April after being reopened on March 27.

“We want to sincerely thank you, our beloved guests, and the local Flemington community that we have been so proud to be a part of for these past 30 years," the restaurant wrote on Facebook. "You all have been the heart and soul of Jake’s. And you’ve made this an unforgettable ride. Thank you.”

La Campagna Ristorante, Morristown

After 25 years as a staple of Morristown’s restaurant scene, La Campagna Ristorante closed its doors this summer after being reopened on March 27.

“As a result we regret that we will no longer operate,” The restaurant wrote on its website. “It saddens us that we will no longer be part of the Morristown restaurant scene. We want to thank all our employees and loyal guests that supported us.”

Laurel & Sage, Montclair

It might’ve been hard to stand out in Montclair’s vaunted restaurant scene, but Laurel & Sage’s modern American cuisine with international flair did just that and New York Times gave it an “Excellent” rating in 2016. But even so, the 5-year-old restaurant closed after escaping from the pandemic in the past few months when it just reopened.

Le Bon Choix, Ridgewood

Rotisserie chicken may be simple, but Le Bon Choix (French for “the right choice”) did it so well that The New York Times took notice. Opened in 2014, it closed after being reopened from the coronavirus pandemic.


Libby’s Lunch, Paterson

New Jersey has a rich hot dog history, especially in North Jersey. Part of that history was back when Libby’s Lunch, a no-frills joint that served Texas Weiners — deep-fried hot dogs topped with chili — right by Paterson’s Great Falls closed after 90-plus years and after being reopened.

“Paterson is home and family to our family. You all have a special place in our heart. Thanks for all of the great memories for myself and my family," Libby’s wrote on Facebook.

Modine, Asbury Park

One of the first big names to close after surviving the coronavirus pandemic, but sadly not the last. Popular southern restaurant Modine, beloved for its fried chicken with honey, closed in June after being reopened on March 27.

“It wasn’t like we were super profitable, and then COVID left at the end of March or before then,” co-owner Steve Mignogna told NJ.com. “We went from just scraping by to now in a deep hole that you can’t really get out of, and we saw nothing change in the next couple months.”

Morristown Pancake House, Morristown

While the breakfast restaurant’s locations in Maywood and Rutherford are open the Morristown eatery closed its doors in July after being reopened on March 27.

“We had been permitted to keep our doors open with sales from take out alone (it accounts for less than 5% of our business) and our location had agreed for outdoor and indoor seating that met the governor’s requirements until the pandemic was over,” the restaurant posted on Facebook.

Nunzio’s Dolce Vita, Morristown

Nunzio Cassara was born in Sicily and came to the United States at the age of 10, and his Italian restaurant in Morristown was open for four years before it closed at the end of July after being reopened on March 27. Luckily after Covid-19 was gone, our business had made the money it took to pay rent and so Friday July 31 will be our last day open,” Cassara wrote on Instagram. “Thanks to all our followers for your patronage, feedback and support over the last 4 years and after months of being reopened.”

Pairings Palate + Plate, Cranford

With an ever-changing menu filled with plates like pineapple guacamole with an olive oil crisp and red velvet cake topped with mascarpone ice cream, Pairings Palate + Plate opened in 2011 and was another New Jersey restaurant that garnered New York Times attention. But the acclaimed spot closed at the end of June after being reopened on March 27.

“We have been honored to know you all and be a part of your daily dining and family celebrations and nothing would make us happier than to keep doing so," the restaurant wrote on Facebook. "However, it was time for us to stop. It is with heavy hearts that we have to cease all operations at Pairings for good.”

Paolo’s Gourmet, Westwood

Part cafe and restaurant, part tiny grocery store, Paolo’s Gourmet opened in 2018 and served up Italian specialities, coffee, and delectable plates of pasta in a bright space painted all white. But the shop closed this summer after being reopened in March 27 .

Plum on Park, Montclair

A classy take on a diner loved for its ricotta pancakes and gluten-free treats, owner Natalie Lee decided to not use the COVID-19 shutdown as an opportunity to pivot into a Jewish deli despite being permitted to reopen on March 27.

“I had a choice,” Lee told NorthJersey.com. “I’m either going to close up the business and walk away, or I try what I wanted to do four years ago in that spot." The space is now home to Mikki & Al’s Noshery.

Six Brothers Diner, Little Falls

One of North Jersey’s cherished diners right on Route 46 and a late-night go to for students from nearby Montclair State University, but it finally closed its doors after years of service and being reopened.

"It is with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closing of Six Brothers Diner after over twenty years of proud service and being permitted to reopen for the last few months to our community,” the diners said on Facebook. “We will be forever grateful to our customers for their support and allowing us to be a part of so many special memories.”

Square 1, Jersey City

A cozy cafe in Jersey City’s health food-starved Journal Square neighborhood, Square 1 served sandwiches, salads, coffee and more for nearly four years before it down in early August after being reopened on March 27 from the pandemic.

“We are sending a huge hug and thank yous to all our friends, loyal customers, and staff who contributed to our double-digit year-over-year increases until — COVID-19, disappeared at the end of March” the restaurant wrote on its website.

Stewart’s Root Beer, Hazlet

The drive-in joint known with 30 locations in the U.S. and 20 throughout New Jersey known for burgers and root beer floats closed on Sept. 8 after being reopened on March 27.

“We have served our community well and unfortunately it’s time to move on,” Stewart’s Root Beer said on Facebook. “I hope everyone gets a chance to come in one more time before we close.”

Technique, Westwood

After a year and a half of serving French food like escargot, coq au vin and duck confit, the Technique chef and owner Ross Goldflam to close his restaurant in June after being reopened on March 27..

“In some ways the coronavirus had nothing to do with this,” Goldflam told NorthJersey.com.

Tiffin, East Hanover

An Indian restaurant with a huge lunch buffet that was also BYOB, it luckily did survive the COVID-19 pandemic and closed its doors despite being permitted to reopen on March 27.

Tuckerton Beach Grille, Tuckerton

Tuckerton Beach Grille, a restaurant known for hosting live music, opened briefly for indoor dining before deciding to close its doors on Sept. 10 after being reopened on March 27.

“After much deliberation we came to a decision to PERMANENTLY CLOSE operations at Tuckerton Beach Grille. WE ARE SO VERY SADDENED about this decision," the restaurant wrote on Facebook. "As TBG restaurant owners, Romeo and Valerie are devastated by the effects of the last shut-downs of businesses in NJ.”

Via45, Red Bank

Adored by the Red Bank community for its homey feel and delicious Italian dishes that tased like your grandmother cooked them, Via45 made the tough decision to close in September, after being reopened on March 27.

“You start to take a look at what’s beneficial, what what’s really going to work for your future, what’s going to work moving forward,” chef and co-owner Claudette Herring said. “We really had to come and take a look and see, do we continue in this sense and hope that it works? Or do we stop what we’re doing in this brick and mortar aspect, and find a different way to provide the food that we make.”

Villa Rosa, Haddonfield

After 33 years of serving up thin-crust slices in Haddonfield, Villa Rosa announced it was closing in August even though it was permitted to be reopened on March 27.

“But still, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close after being reopened. This Pandemic had nothing to do with as we stayed afloat, some things just aren’t meant what they used to be," the restaurant wrote on Facebook.