Nuevo Latino cuisine is the centerpiece of the Mamajuana Café at the Meadowlands, which opened recently at 875 Route 3 East Service Road, Secaucus, New Jersey.
Occupying the former La Estrella del Caribe, this New Jersey outpost was fashioned by the same management team behind the popular Mamajuana Café restaurants in New York City, Florida, and the Dominican Republic. The 200-seat restaurant/lounge offers a new and inviting environment for relaxing with dinner, nightlife, and brunch (lunch will launch in February 2013). This location will also serve as the designated provider of room service meals – including lunch, dinner, and brunch – to the neighboring Hilton Garden Hotel.
Menus created by Corporate Chef Ricardo Cardona, well known to New Yorkers from his work at Mamajuana’s New York City locations, as well as Sofrito, Hudson River Café, and Sazon, will offer diners vibrant interpretations of Nuevo Latino fare, a fusion of Caribbean, South American, and Spanish cuisines. Drawing from his own personal culinary history and extensive travels abroad, he has created a menu that offers guests a broad selection, a reflection of the contemporary Latin dining scene, yet highlighting classic Spanish techniques and influences.
The varied menu offers a panorama of modern and traditional Latin flavors. Signature dishes include: Spanish Salad, pistachios, blue cheese, grapes, sherry vinaigrette; Churrasco Cocas, skirt steak, roasted mushroom, chimichurri; Shrimp Ecuadoriano Ceviche, fiery tomato citrus sauce, avocado; Mamajuana Paella, saffron rice, chorizo, pulpo, calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels, and lobster with green peas and roasted red peppers; and Puerquito, slow-roasted pork with onion escabeche, served with pigeon pea rice.
A crafted selection of cocktails based on Latin spirits will be the focal point of Mamajuana Café’s bar, overseen by Beverage Director Carlos Saint-Hilaire. Guests will enjoy such libations as El Conquistador, Johnnie Walker Black, lime juice, simple syrup; Mamajuana Mojito, Hispaniola Mamajuana, Bacardi Superior, muddled lime, fresh mint, simple syrup, club soda; Jack Punch “El Original,” Jack Daniel’s, muddled strawberries, peach liquor, grenadine, fruit juices; and Anacaona, Grey Goose Cherry Noir, passion fruit juice, simple syrup, fresh lime juice. Mr. Saint-Hilaire has also created a wine list of Latin American, North American, and Spanish wines, all chosen to pair harmoniously with Mamajuana’s menu.
The restaurant’s design is ideal for small or large groups, with a long bar, intimate tables with dramatic upholstered banquettes, or communal tables that are comfortable for groups, mingling or seated. Dark wood floors, stone & tile and red accents create the feeling of a secluded Spanish Colonial outpost.
Hours of Operation: Dinner/Bar: Sunday – Thursday, 5:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.; Friday, 5:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.; Saturday, 5:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.; Brunch: Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Lunch: Launching February 2013.
For more information, or to make reservations, please call (201) 558-1200 or consult the restaurant’s website: www.mamajuana-cafe.com.
Bon Appétit!
TAD
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