A recently shuttered taco spot won’t be vacant for long as an experienced hospitality team and a local business owner look to have a contemporary American restaurant called Maxwell Alley launch in the coming months.
The endeavor comes courtesy CoolVines Founder Mark Censits, who has acquired the assets and lease for the recently closed Gringo’s at 12 Coles Street.
The restaurant is named for the block-long alley on which it sits, which was named after one of Jersey City’s first industrial businesses. A garage that once housed Maxwell Rope Walk in the 1800s is now being renovated by Rockaway Beach-based Sometimes Metalworks is spearheading the renovation, which has already begun.
Other members of the Maxwell Alley team include Chef Alex Tronstad, who has headed the Kitchen at Rivertown Lodge in Hudson, New York for the last five years. Her focus is centered on a seasonally rotating menu made from locally sourced proteins and produce prepared with influences from a wide range of global cuisines.
Matt Colvin will run the beverage program at the new restaurant, following the launch of Lawrence Park cocktail bar just about five years ago. That business, also in Hudson and co-owned by his wife Margie Sobotor, raised Colvin’s profile after their science-driven creations were featured in publications like The Times Union, Punch, and Imbibe.
“We are excited to expand on CoolVines’ offering to Jersey City’s residents with a restaurant that delivers a full array of world-class food, cocktails, wine, and hospitality,” says owner Mark Censits. “Our goal is to serve the neighborhood as a regular go-to, whether for a casual weeknight meal, a drink and snack at the bar, or a very special night out with your favorite people.”
The concept of Maxwell Alley is “an ever-changing, seasonally inspired menu of locally sourced ingredients, incorporating flavor and technique influences from cuisines around the globe.” The restaurant will offer dinner and full bar service six days a week plus a weekend brunch service.
During weekday mornings, a CoolVines offshoot dubbed Butler Café will operate a morning food service inside Maxwell Alley. And while the new restaurant will operate independently from CoolVines, the Maxwell Alley will leverage CoolVines’ talented curation team to put together a wine list for the restaurant befitting the high-caliber kitchen and bar programs.
Censits says the bar is high for what the team hopes Maxwell Alley will become, as they hope to become one of Downtown’s premier dining destinations.
“Along with Jersey City’s other stellar venues like Razza, Corto, Jane Doe and others, our goal is nothing less than to elevate the epicurean experience available in Jersey City to the level of our neighboring city across the river,” says Censits.
Maxwell Alley hopes to have their doors open sometime early next year. Those interested can follow them on Instagram for renovation updates and more at the handle @maxwell_alley_jc.
