casserole 2Chef Johnny Arango, 48, of Rahway, plans to soon move up the Garden State Parkway and become a Bloomfield resident. Preceding his arrival in the township is his Casserole Bistro, a 32-seat charming BYOB eatery which opened in mid-November at 377 Broad Street near the corner of Broad and James streets. The spot was the former home of Pepper Mexican Grill.

Arango has quite a 25-year resume, having previously toiled in the kitchens of Arthur’s Landing and Spirito Grill, both in Weehawken, as well as the Hackensack Golf Club, Elizabeth’s Michelino’s, and Central Blue Restaurant & Lounge in Clark. His wife Daisy runs the front of the house and also prepares fresh salads and desserts.

casserole

The Colombian born Arango’s cuisine seems perfect for a township where the central and southern ends have certainly become a melting pot the past 20 years. Diners enjoy soft jazz music as New American, Italian, Mexican and Spanish dishes inhabit a menu that stretches upwards as high as $30 for an entrée while as well offering affordable small plates from $5 to $15.

Signature dishes from the small plates (tapas) menu include onion soup dumplings topped with melted cheese, and buffalo chicken meatballs atop blue cheese dressing side-by-side with campari tomatoes, both for $8, and a $13 trio of seared sesame tuna, spicy tuna tartar, both accompanied by a ponzu tuna.

As for entrees, Arango’s braised short ribs ($24.00) and Chilean sea bass ($29.00) are often ordered, but lovers of traditional Italian cuisine will welcome options of pastas, and chicken, shrimp and veal ala francese, marsala, parmigiana, picatta or saltimbocca. If visiting for lunch, all of the before-mentioned are available in addition to a small choice of paninis, wraps, and Mexican specialties like fajitas, quesadillas and more.

An official grand opening celebration is being planned for early in 2014.

casserole 3Casserole Bistro, 377 Broad Street, Bloomfield, 973-566-0190

Hours: Mon – Fri:11 AM to 10 PM; Sat: 3 PM to 10 PM; Sun: 3 PM to 9 PM. Reservations available via Open Table

One reply on “Casserole Bistro: A Melting Pot Of Cuisines In Bloomfield”

  1. Another “new” restaurant in BLOOMFIELD
    El Matador Mexican Deli & Restaurant
    258 Montgomery Street
    Bloomfield, New Jersey 07003

    Phone (973) 748-1707
    Email elmatadormexicandeli@gmail.com
    Website https://www.elmatadormexicandeli.com
    FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/elmatadormexicandeli/info

    Description
    El Matador Mexican Deli in Bloomfield, New Jersey, is a Mexican restaurant offering 100% authentic Mexican cuisine and home-style cooking. All of our food is fresh and never comes out of a can. Our Chef was born and raised in Puebla, Mexico an has more than 50 years of experience cooking authentic Mexican dishes. El Matador Mexican Deli is customer-oriented, and we pride ourselves on customer service. All of our customers love the authentic Mexican food and always give good feedback. We get many repeat customers because of the delicious, fresh food that we make.

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