Ashford Simpson
Mélange Caterers takes on the Restaurant Biz in Jersey City
The Neighborhood
Soul Flavors, a newbie restaurant in Jersey City, lies on a lovely tree-lined street in this up and coming area. The block would easily fit into Soho or Williamsburg Brooklyn in New York City, where you would find a mix of eclectic restaurants and artist haunts, but from the moment you step into the door of the Soul Flavors Restaurant located at 354 Grove Street in Jersey City, New Jersey, you will know that no matter where you are, you have surely arrived someplace special.
The Décor
The décor is wonderful with a style mix of old world Spanish and art deco. Simple, clean, airy and modern with beautifully tiled floors, artwork on the walls featuring local artists, cable lighting and a lovely tiled and modern powder room that any homeowner, let alone restaurateur, would die for.
The Food
There is something for everyone's palate here. You can count on silence at the table because the focus will surely be on the food. The appetizers include dishes like Aunt Nita's Cod Fish Cakes and Cuban Chicken Brochettes Served with Roasted Garlic Aioli & Red Pepper Coulis--and this is just for starters folks.
There are entrees like Braised Oxtails in Port Wine- Served with Scotch Bonnet Polenta, Orange Ginger Glazed Slow Cooked Pork Ribs. However, my personal favorite was the Curried Crab Cake Garnished with a Ginger Carrot and Cabbage Slaw served on a bed of lettuce. Not only was the taste wonderful, the presentation was amazing as well.
Do not make the mistake of ordering only diet soda or water here because the beverages are a delicious experience all by themselves. You must try the homemade lemonade and ginger beer.
Last, but certainly not least, if you find room for dessert you will know that it is not an afterthought here. On the menu are items like Carrot Cake, Lemon Pound Cake, Ms. Vicky's Bourbon Glazed Bread Pudding and the Sweet Potato Cheesecake. But once again, I have to mention my personal favorite (can you tell I had a good time eating here?). The warm peach cobbler with a crusty pastry top sprinkled with just a hint of cinnamon sugar served in individual ceramic cups reveals the same clean style coupled with amazing tastes that permeate throughout at Soul Flavors.
The Staff
The staff is professional, yet warm and friendly, attentive from the moment of your arrival. There is warmth exuded from everyone here as though they were welcoming you into their own homes.
The Minds Behind the Masterpiece
The presentation of the meals, the flavors, and the décor, all let you know you are dealing with true culinary artists with a history in delighting the palate as well as the eye, and with good reason. While Soul Flavors is a newbie in the restaurant game, the management is no stranger to creating culinary delights.
Soul Flavors is owned by husband and wife team Wayne and Jill Lyons. Wayne is half of the dynamic duo known as Mélange Caterers, a catering company with 18 years under its belt. Wayne Lyons and Shawn Santana teamed up 15 years ago in Hollis Queens and well, the rest is history. Their client list reads like a who's who including artists like Kanye West, Spike Lee, Ashford and Simpson and the list goes on. In their own 15 minutes of fame, they also appeared on an NBC cooking segment and a Discovery Channel show called The Party Planner. While movie and video production make up the bulk of their experience, their signature style is one of elegance and panache which they definitely bring to Soul Flavors.
The food is truly a soulful mélange of flavors, no pun intended here, that will surprise and please you at every turn. Even if you do not frequent the Jersey City area, I suggest you do go out of your way to experience Soul Flavors. It is a trek worth making and one you do not want to miss.
Soul Flavors is conveniently located in Jersey City at 354 Grove Street, just one block from the Path train and a few blocks from the Holland Tunnel. They open from Tuesday through Saturday at 12 noon—last order to the kitchen is at 9:30 pm, Sunday Brunch begins at 12 noon—last order to the kitchen is at 4:30 pm (closed Mondays). Please visit Soul Flavors online at http://www.soulflavors.com They can be reached at (201) 217-3004. For your catering needs, please visit [http://www.melangecaterers.com], or call them at (201) 217-3004
Gayle Santana is an inspirational/motivational freelance writer available for hire. Please contact her at gayle@pvsnetwork.com
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