Chef Tom Valenti Photo: John Bessler
Renowned New York-New Jersey chef Tom Valenti—who most recently served as the executive chef of the now shuttered Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen in Morristown—passed away suddenly last week after a brief illness. He was 67.
Valenti was best known for elevated comfort food—particularly the beloved lamb shank at his restaurant Ouest on Manhattan’s Upper West Side—as well as for his philanthropic work as a cofounder of the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund following September 11.
“I equated feeding people with happiness, so of course I became a chef,” Valenti told New Jersey Monthly in 2023, reflecting on a career rooted in comfort and care. His move from Manhattan to rural Sussex County nearly 20 years ago marked a personal turning point as he sought what he described as a “radically saner lifestyle.” The relocation reshaped his approach to health and wellness. “I’m at home in the country,” he told us.
NJM had spotlighted that very home a decade earlier—a charming, cobbled-together residence anchored by a circa-1840 barn—and offered a glimpse into the quieter life Valenti built, even as he remained a defining figure in the New York-New Jersey dining scene.
“We’ve lost a great friend and one of NY & NJ’s most notable chefs,” Jersey celebrity chef David Burke wrote in a Facebook tribute to Valenti. “’Shanks A Lot’ for the best lamb shank in America,” he added.
Openings:
F.M. Kirby Carriage House, Millburn
Nestled beside Paper Mill Playhouse, the newly renovated F.M. Kirby Carriage House marks a fresh chapter for the storied campus. Its recent $8.5 million revival reimagines a restaurant long reserved exclusively as a dining amenity for theatergoers. The Carriage House will open to non-ticketholders for the first time in its history in May, with limited reservations.
The menu will remain in conversation with performances. For the current show, 1776: The Musical, that means a three-course prix fixe rooted in Colonial American fare: hearth-roasted oysters, venison sausage and George Washington’s cherry pie. The menu for Paper Mill’s next production, West Side Story, has yet to be announced.
Sabore’s Latinos by Chef Fredy, Morristown
Now open in Morris County, this vibrant, authentic Latin restaurant brings a full-day dining experience to the local scene—serving everything from breakfast to late-night bites. The menu reads like a tour through Latin America: Salvadoran pupusas arrive warm and griddled, their soft corn tortillas stuffed with melty cheese and savory meats, while Honduran baleadas layer creamy beans, tangy sour cream, and crumbled cheese into a flour tortilla. Heartier plates like churrasco—charred, Latin-style meat—and Colombia’s bandeja paisa, a generous spread of meats and sides, anchor the lunch and dinner menus. For something more casual, small plates like wings and tacos round things out, making it just as easy to stop in for a quick bite as it is to settle in for a full, flavor-packed meal.
Saprize Saprize, Parsipanny
Since its March 29 grand opening, this halal spot has been blending bold Eastern flavors with Western, trend-forward flair. The hot chicken “smackwiches” are a standout choice, while Mediterranean rice platters deliver hearty, well-spiced comfort. Don’t skip the dirty fries, piled with melted cheese, hot chicken, house sauces, seasonings, and pickles. A strong new addition to the North Jersey food scene.
JINYA Ramen Bar, Hackensack
This popular, fast-growing North American chain, known for its authentic, customizable Japanese ramen with broths simmered for over 20 hours, is opening a new North Jersey location on April 15. Alongside its bowls and small bites, the restaurant will feature a full bar with liquor and beer—offering craft selections from New Jersey breweries like Bolero Snort Brewery, Brix City Brewing, Ghost Hawk Brewing Company, and Kane Brewing Company.
7 Brew, Egg Harbor Township
Between April 13 and 17, the newest 7 Brew in the state will celebrate its opening week in Egg Harbor Township by offering free small drinks (limit one per person) during “community hours” from 8-9 am, noon-1 pm and 5-6 pm. This drive-through only outpost will serve coffee, “Seven Energy” drinks, smoothies, teas, and shakes. Existing Garden State locations are open for business in Clementon, Rio Grande, Sicklerville, Toms River, and Turnersville.
Closings:
Rustic Mill Diner & Pancake House, Cranford
This Cranford diner unexpectedly shuttered its doors this week. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner since the 1970s—with a steady rotation of classic diner specials—the spot had been a go-to for decades. The current owners (who purchased the Rustic Mill in 2018) have not confirmed whether the closure is temporary or permanent, though its listing on Google Business Profile is marked as permanently closed.
Plus: An Amalfi Coast-inspired spot arrives in Montclair, while two dining destinations set their sights on New Brunswick’s HELIX district.
His organization’s JBJ Soul Kitchen has provided hundreds of thousands of pay-it-forward meals at its community restaurants throughout the state.
