Broad Street Shuffle: Natalie's Opens New Latino Bistro, Shifts Restaurant

It's OK if the shifting restaurants on Broad Street confuse you—Natalie Trent is used to it.

Within the last month, the Ridgewood restaurateur closed her bakery/Italian restaurant, relocated her other restaurant (to a former Ridgewood eatery) and opened a Latino/Cuban cafe at the site of the bakery.

But Trent is all smiles when customers ask just what is what anymore. She says it's because she's "very happy. I've had nothing but positive, good comments. People are saying 'Oh, my God!' it's great."

For those scoring at home:

• Natalie's Cafe (24 S. Broad St.) and Natalie's Bakery & Pasta House
(17 S. Broad St.) are closed.
• Combining Italian food with the cafe's menu, Natalie's (16 S. Broad St.) opened earlier this month in the former Marra's, which closed in April.
• Natalie's Bistro Latino (17 S. Broad St.) opened yesterday at the former pasta house.

Although a bit confusing, it's perfectly logical and beneficial for Trent and her co-owner husband, Frank.

"I always had my eye on Marra's and thought that someday that would be the perfect location," she said.

Her former setup had two similar restaurants across the street from each other and in small venues. When she had the chance, she combined their missions and overtook the larger former Marra's.

"My customers wanted to host parties and catered events, and we really couldn't do it before," she said.

Unable to get someone to take over her lease at 17 S. Broad St., Trent decided to give Ridgewood what it lacked—a quality Hispanic/Cuban bistro. 

Continuing her well-established business was one thing for Trent, but the Hispanic venture had her "a little petrified," she said.

"With Italian food I can do that with my eyes closed... Opening this up was scary," she said. Trent hired an expert staff and when it debuted yesterday, "I thought 'Wow, this is really going to work.'"

Trent's leap of faith paid off as her opening, which was unadvertised, saw a packed house.

"People were really excited, and we had a lot of activity," she said.

The only thing gone from her repertoire is a daily commercial baking operation. However, dessert is featured at Natalie's, and Trent will offer baked goods made to order.

Each restaurant has outside seating—with the familiar Natalie's sidewalk banners at 16 S. Broad St.—and also offers BYOB dining. At the Latino bistro, it features sangria, too, Trent said.

A Ridgewood feature since 1993 (when she opened up where The Stable is now), Natalie's is "thrilled" where she's settled in.

Natalie's (16 S. Broad St.) is open seven days a week. Mon. to Fri. 11am to 9pm; Sat. to Sun. 11am to 10pm.

Natalie's Bistro Latino (17 S. Broad St.) is open Tues. to Sun. Weekdays 11am to 9pm; Weekends 11am to 10pm.