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New restaurants are joining New Jersey’s diverse culinary scene, including a Mexican fusion spot inside of a turn-of-the-century train station as well as an authentic Indian eatery in downtown Red Bank.
Maize Cocina & Cocktails
Located at the historic Westfield Train Station, Mexican fusion restaurant and bar Maize Cocina & Cocktails is scheduled to open Oct. 15.
The menu includes a Mexican pizza with masa crust, chilaquiles onion soup, octopus al pastor with pineapple purée, Bloody Maria shrimp cocktail, black garlic mochiko chicken taco, bavette steak & masa frites and concha pate au choux.
The cocktail lineup features drinks made with herbs, fruits and spices completed with fresh ingredients from the restaurant’s garden.
Jesa Henneberry is co-owner at the upcoming restaurant. The chef’s whose background includes serving as a creative consultant at plant-based Mexican restaurant Jajaja in New York City. Also a Food Network “Chopped” champion, Henneberry’s experience includes working at Heritage Grand Bakery and Urbanspace food halls, as well as bakery chain Le Pain Quotidien.
Her partner is Kamal Arora, chief executive officer of Edison-based Arora Hospitality Group. After founding Moghul Express and Moghul Catering, Arora has been involved in ventures like Mithaas, Urban Spice and Papa Pancho.
Isaias Lira leads the kitchen, a chef whose background includes prestigious eateries such as Alta, Cosme, Bouley, Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare and Roberta’s.
Westfield’s ‘renaissance’
At the 132-year-old train station, historic preservation was a top priority in the creation of Maize. Throughout the project, the restaurant’s team collaborated closely with the Westfield Historic Preservation Commission and the town’s historic preservation officer.
In order to ensure the restoration of the building was consistent with its origins, Henneberry and Arora made a significant private investment, the restaurant said.
Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle commented, “The opening of Maize is a prime example of a public/private partnership that provided a tremendous opportunity to repurpose an underutilized and deteriorating iconic town asset and drive downtown economic development.”
“In return for granting a concessionaires liquor license only available for municipal owned properties, Jesa and Kamal thoughtfully and extensively restored this historic building that will deliver tremendous benefits to the community,” the mayor stated. “Maize will serve as the anchor of a reimagined north side town square and play a vital role in the ongoing renaissance we are experiencing in Downtown Westfield. We are thrilled to partner with Jesa and Kamal, who see the value of a long-term investment in our community.”
Under the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control permit, Maize is only responsible for an annual fee of $2,500.
The restaurant can accommodate 100 guests in its 3,050-square-foot space. It plans to add outdoor seating next spring.
Maize Cocina & Cocktails will operate:
- Tuesday and Wednesday, 5-10 p.m.;
- Thursday through Saturday, 5-11 p.m.
- Sunday 5-9 p.m.
Additional hours will come soon.
Agra Indian Masala
Managed by a Nirmala Yerakala, a mother of three who moved from India to New Jersey in 2004, Agra Indian Masala in Red Bank serves up authentic Indian cuisine.
The family-run restaurant at 30 Monmouth St. serves a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Dishes include seafood, chicken, lamb and goat across its entrees, sides and appetizers. Salmon tikka masala, lamb curry, chicken biryani, naan and mango lassi are among highlights.
Agra Indian Masala also offers a lunch special Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The deal includes a vegetarian meal for $15.95 or a non-vegetarian meal ($19.95).
Dream come true
For Yerkala, running Agra Indian Masala is a dream come true. Over the past 20 years, she went from being a stay-at-home mom to working various retail and customer service jobs — all while imagining what it would be like to open her own restaurant.
While working as a restaurant manager in 2018, she met Sharif Ji and Om Bahadur Ji. Now chefs at Agra Indian Masala, the pair partnered with her in opening the business.
Since its grand opening this summer, managing partner Yerakala said, “We were received so well by Red Bank locals. Our customers have truly become our fans, spreading the news by word of mouth and helping us get the lay of the land since we’re new to the town.”
“Their support and enthusiasm for our restaurant have been incredibly heartwarming, and we are excited to continue sharing our authentic Indian food with such a welcoming community,” she said.
The 46-seat restaurant offers dining in or take-out.
Hours of operation are:
- Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.