A new restaurant from a Top Chef finalist has officially launched in one of Jersey City’s fastest growing neighborhoods as the historically named Horseshoe Kitchen + Bar is open for business.
Situated at 839 Jersey Avenue on the ground floor of the Cast Iron Lofts property, the restaurant’s space had served as home to Jersey Social for about half a decade. That endeavor closed down earlier this year, but the same ownership team behind Brewshot sought to bring in a new concept.
Horseshoe Kitchen + Bar brought in Top Chef finalist and author Chris Scott for the endeavor, who is the mastermind behind Harlem’s Butterfunk Biscuit Co. The restaurant also sought to lean into the history of the area which now may go by SoHo West but was once called The Horseshoe.
The meaning of the neighborhood’s name varies depending on who you ask, but many claim its moniker came from the shape of the gerrymandered second ward. The areas at the north and south of Downtown Jersey City were carved out for political purposes, creating a figurative horseshoe shape around wealthier areas.
Horseshoe Kitchen + Bar looks to pay homage to the international community that built Jersey City with a fusion menu with notable South Asian influences. Guests at the restaurant can enjoy upon arrival a complimentary pani puri, a popular Indian street food made from a deep-fried hollow breaded shell filled with a broth of diced potato, onion, peas and chickpea.
Small plates at the restaurant include black bean and dal croquettes or fried calamari with gochugong, black beans and scallions. The eclectic mains on the restaurant’s menu span from Calcutta street noodles with seasonal vegetables, a chicken biryani dish, or a fish taco nachos plate.
A smash burger or crispy fish sandwich with Louisiana-style coleslaw can also be found at Horseshoe Kitchen + Bar, which sports a full wine, beer, and cocktail list. Highlights include a tamarind margarita, a cherry ferry that blends brandy, cointreau, and cherry and pineapple juices, or a Carrot and Stick with Drumshanbo orange gin, Burrow’s Ginger Intense, orange, carrot, pineapple, and honey.
Horseshoe Kitchen + Bar just launched their website and is currently open from Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Their hours Friday through Sunday start at noon until 11 p.m. close.
The restaurant can be followed on Instagram at the handle @thehorseshoejc.
