High Rise Fare: Marrone's 160 in HackensackBERGEN.COM
Posted: Thursday February 23, 2012, 10:51 AM
By JOYCE VENEZIA SUSS of The Record
The dining room of Marrone’s 160 in Hackensack.Johnny Marrone normally works the front of the house at his new restaurant in Hackensack, a place he and his wife, Mary, describe as "casually elegant." But it's not unusual for Johnny to don an apron and head into the kitchen to make homemade Italian sausage with his chef.
Johnny is comfortable in the restaurant business; he owns the popular Johnny's on The Green, on the East Orange Golf Course in Short Hills. But his new restaurant, Marrone's 160, is larger and has a more expansive menu, he says.
"We were always looking to make a step forward," Johnny says, "and we happened to find this spot that was available in a nice location, in a highly populated area."
Marrone's 160, at 160 Prospect St., is unusual in that it is situated in a high-rise apartment building, one of a line of such buildings on Prospect Street, a short walk from Hackensack University Medical Center.
"We're a five-minute walking distance from 16,000 residents," says Mary Marrone, noting that Marrone's Gourmet Pantry off the building's main lobby serves prepared food for takeout to accommodate the neighborhood, particularly apartment residents and local employees.
The large space was formerly home to The Restaurant, which closed after a fire. The Marrones gutted it, closed off the soaring ceiling in the center, and embellished the interior with custom woodwork. Walls and fabrics are in warm colors – champagne, cream and gold, accented with crystal chandeliers.
"I started out wanting a Tuscan feel, but went European with a French flair," says Mary, who supervised the interior decorating.
A curving staircase leads to a second-floor dining room for private parties, and the restaurant has two bars and a large lounge area with a baby grand piano. Live entertainment is offered Wednesday through Saturday nights, and dining guests often gravitate to a black granite center floor for impromptu dancing, Mary says. A pianist entertains during Sunday brunch.
"On Friday nights, the dance floor is always packed," Johnny says, and proudly adds that business has grown since the doors opened mostly through word of mouth from happy customers.
Marrone's 160 offers a variety of menus, including lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch and a popular "Twilight Menu" served from 4 to 6 p.m. that features four courses for $19.95 plus tax and gratuity.
Dinner entrées include fusilli Brindisi, with shrimp, shiitake mushrooms and asparagus in a garlic cream sauce; scallops Positano, with asparagus, plum tomatoes, black olives, capers, and a sherry garlic and oil sauce served over risotto; and mustard-crusted New Zealand rack of lamb.
In addition, Johnny says the bar menu has been popular, with items such as raw oysters, Kobe sliders, an "Italian-style hot dog," small plates, pizzas and burgers.
Executive chef David Emmett has worked for more than 40 years in the culinary industry in northern New Jersey, most recently at Portobello in Oakland. But some house specialties are from the Marrones' family recipes, including the homemade Italian sausage from Mary's father.
The Marrones are most delighted when their restaurant is filled with a wide range of guests.
"At Sunday brunch we have full families who come with their children, and we have lots of people who come for our fine food and live entertainment," Johnny says.
The upstairs banquet room, which holds 140 people, has already become a popular venue, he says.
"We have had christenings, small weddings, holiday and office parties, sweet 16 parties, even a 100th birthday party," he says.
The Marrones are looking forward to warmer weather, when two terraces off the upstairs party room will open for guests, as well as a patio they built outside the Gourmet Pantry.
Starters is a first look at recently opened restaurants. It is meant to be a descriptive glimpse, not a critical review. Send suggestions for Starters to sherrill@northjersey.com.
Marrone's 160
* 160 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, 201-880-8750, marrones160.com
* Cuisine: Continental with an Italian flair; entrées $16.95 to $36.95
* Days/hours: Lunch: noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Dinner: 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Sunday brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* Credit cards: All major
* Wine/liquor: Full bars, wine list
* Parking: Valet
