NJ Italian Restaurant Owner, 75, Faces Prison For Pocketing $500,000 In State Sales Taxes NJ Italian Restaurant Owner, 75, Faces Prison For Pocketing $500,000 In State Sales Taxes
NJ Italian Restaurant Owner, 75, Faces Prison For Pocketing $500,000 In State Sales Taxes The 75-year-old owner-operator of a New Jersey Italian restaurant faces up to three years in prison after admitting he stiffed the state out of nearly a half-million dollars in sales taxes over a period of nearly seven years. John Garofalo Sr. of Union Township – who owns Mario’s Tutto Bene restaurant in the township -- paid the outstanding $496,374.99 to the state as part of a plea deal that he hopes will get him leniency, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. His assistants will recommend that Superior Court Judge Sherry L. Wilson send Garofalo to state prison for three years …
With 1,152 Avocados A Day, Guac Time Opens First CT Location In Norwalk With 1,152 Avocados A Day, Guac Time Opens First CT Location In Norwalk
With 1,152 Avocados A Day, Guac Time Opens First CT Location In Norwalk With a name like Guac Time, you’d expect the growing chain of restaurants would go through a lot of avocados. It does.  Up to 1,152 avocados a day are used at all six restaurants — including the latest (and first) in Connecticut in Norwalk.  That number will go up to 1,344 when the seventh Guac Time opens in Queens in the fall. Five of the six current eateries are either in New York City or on Long Island. Guac Time is the brainchild of a Stratford couple, Harmeet and Subodh Marwaha, and their two New York-based partners Akash Marwaha and Manny Singh. View this post …
It's Taco Time In Northern Valley It's Taco Time In Northern Valley
It's Taco Time In Northern Valley Elias Itzep was driving around Bergen County craving some Mexican food and he couldn't find any. So he decided to take matters into his own hands. Itzep, who lives in Englewood Cliffs, recently opened Taco Time, a fast casual Mexican restaurant in Norwood. Itzep has more than 20 years of experience in the food industry and said he plans on serving up classic Mexican specialties like tacos, burritos, fajitas and tostadas. Itzep hails from Mexico and it's where most of his family is from. He said it's very important to be able to connect people with the food from his homeland.  "We're u…
Akai Lounge Teams Up With Blue Moon In Englewood Akai Lounge Teams Up With Blue Moon In Englewood
Akai Lounge Teams Up With Blue Moon In Englewood Fans of Mexican food and Japanese restaurant have their ultimate dream concept in Bergen County. The owners of Akai Lounge, which has locations in Englewood, Westfield and Westchester County, NY, have purchased the Blue Moon Café, a Mexican restaurant that has been an institution in Englewood for 27 years. James Du and Lillian Pien, who purchased Blue Moon, plan on keeping the restaurant open, while also combining it with Akai Lounge, creating two restaurants in one, with one room serving Japanese food and the other serving Mexican food.  While Blue Moon remains open, the Akai Lounge …
Five Longtime Friends Are Making Speakeasy Cool Again In Bergen County Five Longtime Friends Are Making Speakeasy Cool Again In Bergen County
Five Longtime Friends Are Making Speakeasy Cool Again In Bergen County A group of longtime friends and Bergen County natives are teaming up to make the speakeasy cool again.  The Roosevelt, at 356 Paterson Ave. in East Rutherford, is named in honor of President Franklin Roosevelt, whose administration oversaw the repeal of prohibition. In keeping with the old school vibes, the speakeasy requires patrons to go through a special door into a room that looks like a library. The restaurant is a labor of love from five Bergen County natives, who combined have more than 75 years of experience feeding the community. Their portfolio includes Redd's Restaurant & Bi…
Hard Work Pays Off For Bergen Brothers Expanding 'Mob Pizzeria & Burgers' Hard Work Pays Off For Bergen Brothers Expanding 'Mob Pizzeria & Burgers'
Hard Work Pays Off For Bergen Brothers Expanding 'Mob Pizzeria & Burgers' A pair of Bergen County brothers are expanding their award-winning mob-themed pizzeria and burger restaurant. Waldy, 29, and Kevin Salinas, 25, who own "Mob Pizzeria & Burgers" on Hackensack Street in Wood-Ridge, are opening their second location Main Street in Hackensack sometime in March. The brothers' parents moved their family to Hackensack from El Salvador when they were young. Kevin and Waldy both graduated from Hackensack High School, and went on to work in the restaurant industry right after graduation: Waldy in the kitchen at Oak Ale House in Maywood, and Kevin down the street…
Hawthorne Bar Temporarily Closes After Owner Dies Hawthorne Bar Temporarily Closes After Owner Dies
Hawthorne Bar Temporarily Closes After Owner Dies A bar in Northern Westchester is temporarily closed as it processes the loss of its owner.  Unionville Tavern, located in Hawthorne at 415 Commerce St., announced that it would close for a period of time after its owner, Gordon Krueger of Ossining, died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 13 at the age of 78.  Krueger, also affectionately known as "Gordo," died at home with his wife, Candice, at his side, the bar announced in a post on social media.  According to his obituary, Krueger was in the restaurant business for more than 50 years, and also owned establishments such …
Dry January? Sip On These Boston-Based Mocktails Dry January? Sip On These Boston-Based Mocktails
Dry January? Sip On These Boston-Based Mocktails These Boston spots offer mocktails aplenty so you won't have to dampen your dry January plans just to stay social.  Whether you are sober all year round, or just taking some time away from the booze, the trend of ditching the drink in January means non-alcoholic options have become increasingly prevalent. These Boston picks are sure to quench your thirst without any next-day headaches, courtesy of Yelp. Banyan Bar + Refuge Tiki Rock Sumiao Hunan Kitchen View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sumiao Hunan Kitchen (@sumiaohunan) The Ti…
He Was Told His Business Would Fail, Now He's 27 Years Into Success With MD Store On The Way He Was Told His Business Would Fail, Now He's 27 Years Into Success With MD Store On The Way
He Was Told His Business Would Fail, Now He's 27 Years Into Success With MD Store On The Way A popular chicken restaurant whose founder in college was told his concept wouldn't work is in his 27th year of business and opening his first Maryland location this month. Raising Cane's is coming to Towsontown Boulevard in Towson, with a grand opening event slated for Jan. 12. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Raising Cane's (@raisingcanes) Anyone who attends between 8 and 9 a.m. can enter for a chance to become one of 20 to win free meals for a year. The restaurant was founded by Todd Graves, who got the lowest grade in his co…
'Best Boss Ever': Hull Restaurant Owner Surprises Staff With Trip To Disney 'Best Boss Ever': Hull Restaurant Owner Surprises Staff With Trip To Disney
'Best Boss Ever': Hull Restaurant Owner Surprises Staff With Trip To Disney If you were to ask the staff at TOAST restaurant in Hull how they feel about their boss, they would say she really knows how to make them feel special. "She is always there for you and if you’re having a bad day," hostess Stevie Ryan told Daily Voice about owner Jessica Travis. "She always makes sure you are okay before she even thinks about herself and would do anything in the world for us."  That includes giving her staff an unforgettable trip to the most magical place on earth: Disney World. Travis said the trip was her way of giving back to her staff who have become incredibly close ov…
No Tipping: Just Burgers, Fries, And Livable Wage At New North Shore Eatery No Tipping: Just Burgers, Fries, And Livable Wage At New North Shore Eatery
No Tipping: Just Burgers, Fries, And Livable Wage At New North Shore Eatery A new restaurant promises to not just take care of their customers, but also their staff, resulting in a different approach to dining that means customers are not expected to tip.  The Cormorant is located on Merrimac Street in Newburyport in the building where permanently-closed Mama Dukes operated. The new spot is having its soft launch on Friday, Dec. 30 and its grand opening weekend on Saturday, Dec. 31 and Sunday, January 1, according to the restaurant's instagram and a Boston's Wicked North Shore Facebook post.  To get ready for the big launch, new owners Kristen and Katie have been…
Regulars Bid Adieu To Turnpike Cafe In Canton After 55 Years Of Service Regulars Bid Adieu To Turnpike Cafe In Canton After 55 Years Of Service
Regulars Bid Adieu To Turnpike Cafe In Canton After 55 Years Of Service Loyal customers flocked to a roadside regular's paradise for one last time before they closed their doors for good.  Turnpike Cafe, located at 958 Turnpike Street in Canton, officially closed on Friday, Dec. 23 after more than 55 years in business.  The Brodigan family, who was the most recent group to manage the eatery, shared the news of Turnpike's closure on Facebook earlier this month. "Since April of 2012, our family has enjoyed being part of the community and we thank you all for making Turnpike a regular spot for dinner, drinks, and gatherings," their Facebook post read.  "We, like…