Local Treats, New Eats At Westfield Garden State Plaza This Spring

PARAMUS, NJ — New restaurants are springing up at Westfield Garden State Plaza, including two local bakeries and some national chains that offer steak, seafood, and fresh seasonal dishes.

Englewood-based Chic Sugars opened this week, and Tonnie's Minis of Newark will set up shop May 1, according to a news release from Westfield Garden State Plaza.

Chic Sugars was featured on Food Network's Winner Cake All. Cupcakes, breakfast pastries, gourmet cookies, macarons, cake jars, and much more come out of the Chic Sugars kitchen.

Tonnie's Minis sells cookies, cupcakes, brownies, pies, cakes, and more — some mini, some regular-sized.

The spotlight on local businesses is part of a partnership between the mall and the New Jersey Small Business Development Center at Ramapo College, according to the news release from the Plaza.

The new program is designed to give small businesses a boost by putting them in the mall alongside national chains, GSPlaza said.

The mall held an informational meeting about the program in February that attracted 150 people, NorthJersey.com reported.

Two national brands are also cooking up something at the Plaza.

Seasons 52, a self-described "wine-bar & grill," opens April 29. This restaurant offers seasonal soups, salads, flatbreads, and entrees.

Steak and seafood chain Eddie V's opens May 19. The restaurant announced it would be coming to GSPlaza earlier this year.

Eddie V's menu includes seafood and shellfish dishes, as well as several cuts of steak and savory sides.

Darden Restaurants is the parent company of both Eddie V's and Seasons 52 . Other Darden brands include The Capital Grille, LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, and Bahama Breeze.