Smashing Opening for Son Cubano at The Shops at Riverwalk

Son Cubano restaurant celebrated its opening at The Shops at Riverwalk in West New York and promises more exciting events to come, including a New Year’s Eve celebration.

Pictured at Grand Opening Celebration for Son Cubano Restaruant Edward Duran, Claudia Caraballo, Alex Duran, Diana Gouchee and Kevin Gouchee    

Bergen/Hudson County, NJ, 22 December 2010 – After months of anticipation, the highly awaited opening of Son Cubano at The Shops at Riverwalk was a smashing success this past week.  The Duran-Gouchee family was able to bring the sweet sounds and flavors of the Caribbean to its latest restaurant venture in West New York.

Upon arrival at the opening, guests marveled at the fine décor of Son Cubano.  The spacious restaurant had dramatic lighting with sparkling chandeliers and candlelit tables that added to the alluring atmosphere.  The colorful paintings hanging on the walls were a representation of Cuban culture and tradition.  While the group, El Gallito del Son, provided musical entertainment for the evening that kept the guests dancing, comfortable tables and booths invited people to enjoy the variety of drinks and food while soaking in the festive atmosphere.

The glamorous evening was a true celebration of Cuban culture and, above all, culinary delights.  The focus of Son Cubano is to bring delectable Cuban dishes to its public and the opening delivered nothing but exquisite plates.  Hors d’oeuvres were handed out during the evening and kept guests satisfied with their bold Latin flavors and seasonings.  Guests spent the night devouring a plethora of drinks and dishes ranging from scrumptious empanadas de rabo encendido to lobster ceviche and croquetas de bacalao (cod croquettes).  Drinks were another huge crowd-pleaser as the bar was abuzz all night with guests enjoying a long list of drinks, especially the classic Cuban cocktail, the mojito.       

Son Cubano at The Shops at Riverwalk is off to a busy start with its successful opening and plans to continue with upcoming events like its New Year’s Eve celebration.  The restaurant plans to ring in the New Year with a prix fixe menu and open bar or guests can come and enjoy a cash bar.  Call 201.624.1150 to find out more information about the festivities, to make a reservation or to get a gift certificate that can be enjoyed at any time of the year.  If the opening is any indication, the New Year’s Eve event will be a celebration to remember.

The post Son Cubano – New Restaurant Opens in West New York, New Jersey first appeared on River View Observer.

 River View Observer  Restaurant Views:

Hendrickson’s Restaurant features Old World Charm in the 21st Century

by Sally Deering  

  A step inside Hendrickson’s in Bayonne is like a step back in time with its dark-wood, low-lighting and in the back dining room wooden booths upholstered in dark green leather and photographs of Bayonne history on the walls. It has the feeling of a Bavarian ale house from back in the day, hearty portions of steak and chops, but Henrickson’s has kept in step with times by offering Italian, Mexican and All-American family fare. They even have a children’s menu!

Hendrickson’s history goes back to 1884 when Charles Hendrickson decided to bring “A bit of Old Europe” to Bayonne and opened a saloon on Broadway, which was Avenue “D” back then on the corner of Maple Street, which later became 31st Street. According to his daughter, Florence, Hendrickson “bought the building from a man named Wolf. There was a small drug store across the street and a little church on Avenue ‘C’ and the rest was dirt roads and fields.”

It’s more than 100 years since Hendrickson opened his saloon in Bayonne and in 1981, Randy Capriola took over the restaurant, (he had a partner, but later became sole owner,) and after Capriola’s passing 8 years ago, his wife Angela Capriola took over running the business with manager Susan Lapinski of Bayonne, who had been working at the restaurant since 1983. Together, Capriola and Lapinski have maintained the restaurant’s Old World charm while they  continue to update the menu.

And what a menu!  A sampling of appetizers includes Beef Tips or Shrimp in Garlic Sauce ($9.95,) the Ultimate Nacho Platter ($8.95,) Fried Calamari ($10.95) and Potato Skins ($7.50) with a choice of Chili & Cheese, Cheese, Bacon and Scallions, or The Works for just a few cents more.

There are salads, soups, pastas and specialty sandwiches like the French Dip ($9.25,) Portabella Philly ($8.95) and the Crab Cake Sandwich ($8.95.)

For entrees, diners may want to try Henrickson’s New York Shell Steak (12 oz: $17.95; 16 oz: $21,) the Prime Rib ($21,) Steak Murphy ($19.95) or the house special, Hendrickson’s Famous Sliced Steak Sandwich ($11.95) with onion rings, fries and cole slaw.

Hendrickson’s is also known for its burgers, hand-packed to order ($7.95.)

“Nothing here is pre-made, frozen or micro-waved,” Angela Capriola says. “It takes longer to cook than ‘fast-food’ because the dish is only prepared when the person orders it.”

The menu also offers seafood and chicken dishes and Sizzling Chicken or Steak Fajitas ($12.95, $14.95.) And very few restaurants have Sauerbraten on the menu. That’s right! Hendrickson’s serves Sauerbraten, a tender eye round of beef marinated and slowly roasted, served with German-style Potato Pancakes, Red Cabbage and Apple Sauce ($16.95.)

There are daily specials, a full bar and wine menu. Hendrickson’s also caters holiday parties, receptions, christenings, showers and corporate events upstairs in their banquet hall which can seat up to 100 people. And in the downstairs dining room, Capriola and Lapinski have seen several engagements take place during dinner hour.

“Joanne and Julio got engaged in ‘B-3,'” Lapinski says, referring to a section in the dining room.

As with many neighborhood restaurants, business is about serving the needs of your faithful regulars and bringing in new customers who eventually become regulars. Music always helps and on weekends, Bob Dokus plays the piano and leads sing-alongs with the customers.

“We love our regulars and we’re lucky to be seeing new faces,” Capriola says. “Over the past few years, we’ve made lots of new friends. We truly get to know our customers. If we don’t see them for awhile, we’ll call them up and ask ‘are you okay?'”

“That’s a thing about Bayonne,” Lapinski says. “You can be a little more personal with your regulars.”

Hendrickson’s Restaurant
671 Broadway
Bayonne
201-437-4955

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