Bloomfield Restaurant Owners Will Open 2 New Eateries In Town

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — If you’re a fan of The Brookdale in Bloomfield, there’s some good news on the horizon: the restaurant and bar’s owners plan to open two new eateries in town.

The group behind The Brookdale at 1099 Broad Street – which opened in 2020 – has become known for its massive, one-pound mozzarella stick, among many other menu items. Now, they’re setting their sights on opening a pair of new businesses just two doors down the street.

The first, Fanny's Restaurant & Bar, will serve regional Italian cuisine with contemporary flair. Meanwhile, Ladyfingers Bakery & Bar, will be a modern bakery that turns into a craft cocktail and tasting bar in the evening.

“Our 5 LC Group has bonded and become family over the past three years,” chef and owner Jonathan Kavourakis said. “Now we're ready for expansion.”

According to Kavourakis, opening The Brookdale has been an “amazing experience,” and the restaurant has seen “extraordinary” support from hungry customers in Bloomfield, Montclair and other nearby towns in Essex County.

“We’ve been talking about opening an Italian restaurant since the day we opened The Brookdale, and where and when,” Kavourakis said. “When the opportunity arose to open next door with enough space to open a bakery, we had to jump on it.”

“We're big on family and community and there's nothing I love more than eating and cooking Italian food,” Kavourakis added.

Here are some details about both new enterprises, according to a news release:

Fanny's Restaurant & Bar

Named in honor of partners Joey Cinque and Anthony Cinque's Italian nonna, Fanny's will be a hybrid: think sophisticated regional Italian restaurant with classic Jersey red-sauce touches, featuring elevated, approachable classics.

Here’s what to expect:

“Seasonal Housemade Pastas; sharable appetizers including an assortment of Arancini, warm made-to-order Mozzarella and Meatballs w/Crispy Polenta Cakes & Long Hot Vinaigrette. Entrées include Cauliflower Scarpariello, Roasted 1/2 Chicken Marsala and Blueberry Steak, a Florentine classic featuring a gorgeous ribeye w/savory blueberry compote. Plus, classic desserts from Ladyfingers.”

Cocktails and wine will be “front and center,” spokespeople said.

“Our vision for the cocktail program is to stick with traditional and classic favorites while offering our own twists on them,” partner Joey Cinque said.

“We'll be focusing on martinis, Negronis and spritzes,” Cinque said. “Expect a well-curated wine list featuring Italian varietals and impressive-by-the-glass offerings.”

“Wine service is very important to us,” Cinque added. “We want guests to enjoy whatever they select, whether it's a well-crafted cocktail or glass of Prosecco.”

The bar will have seating for eight, the dining room holds up to 120, and – like The Brookdale – Fanny's will have an outdoor patio in front, and a back seating area shielded from the parking lot.

Ladyfingers Bakery & Bar

The brainchild of pastry chef/owners (and “BFFs”) Samara Sulin and Lauren Kavourakis, Ladyfingers Bakery & Bar will be a saucy, “spicy,” fun take on the modern bakery, featuring the kinds of treats diners have come to know at The Brookdale ... along with new creations.

Ladyfingers will serve wine, cocktails and dessert drinks, so it's “the perfect venue for girls' nights out, date nights and celebrations,” spokespeople said.

“From custom cakes to cocktails, the goal of our decadent dessert bar is to offer a little piece of happiness for everyone,” Kavourakis said.

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