NJ's Top 5: Our Most Popular Facebook Stories This Week

From gluten-free Italian food to a local ex-prosecutor's pursuit of Congress, check out the stories New Jersey Patch readers were sharing, reading and commenting on for the week of May 8.

Montclair's Punto Rosso Restaurant Offers Gluten-Free Italian Food

Looking for authentic Italian food in Montclair prepared by a certified Gluten Free chef? Then Punto Rosso, recently opened at 6 Park Street, may be about to expand your dining options. According to a news release from the restaurant, it's the "first authentic Italian food in Montclair that's prepared by a certified gluten-free chef." The restaurant also features a full menu of small-batch, freshly prepared meals based on original family recipes.

Mermaids Are Back This Summer in Keansburg

Yes, they do exist! Swim with a live mermaid at Runaway Rapids this summer! Beginning Monday, June 26 Runaway Rapids will have live Mermaids swimming with their guests every Monday during the 2017 season. Mermaids will be swimming at Runaway Rapids from 10 a.m. to noon. The mermaids will also be there on three Sundays in June. Those Sunday dates are June 3, June 10 and June 17.

Montclair Woman, Ex-Prosecutor To Challenge Frelinghuysen For Congress

U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen has a new challenger in New Jersey a former Navy pilot, ex-federal prosecutor and a mother of four. Montclair resident Mikie Sherrill announced her campaign for U.S. Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District, a slot that Frelinghuysen has dominated for decades. The 11th district includes several Essex County towns: Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Montclair, North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange.

Parsippany House Party So Big Cops From 12 Jurisdictions Needed To Break It Up: Police

A Parsippany house party got so big it took police officers from 12 different jurisdictions to break it up, Parsippany police said in a statement. Parsippany police were called to a South Beverwyck Road and Edgewood Court house party for a noise complaint Saturday night. Adam Gill, 21, from Oak Ridge, was told by police the more than 400 party goers needed to leave the home. While police were talking to Gill, fights began to break out on the back deck.

Dog-Themed Ice Cream Shop Opening In Morristown

A dog themed and dog-friendly ice cream parlor will have its grand opening in Morristown Thursday, May 11. Beenie's Ice Cream will serve a variety of deserts, including ice cream, gelato, sorbet, Italian ice and more. Named after the owner's dog, the shop will have dog-themed decorations and water bowls outside for pups to take a drink from.

Photo credit: Gordon Ramsay Submissions via Flickr