New Pinoy-owned restobar in NJ boasts of luscious food, cozy setting


JERSEY CITY — Discover this city’s newly-opened bar and restaurant, the only one in the Greenville-Lafayette section near Liberty State Park.

And it’s proudly Filipino-owned.

M Lounge boasts a rustic menu of international cuisine (primarily Italian, Spanish and Asian) in an elegant but casual setting for family and friends looking for some bonding or relaxation.

“I have personally hand-picked the food in our menu that you just can’t find in places for casual dining,” notes M Lounge owner and executive chef Lourdes (Chef Malou) Lozada, a San Pablo, Laguna, native who has acquired an extensive kitchen experience after completing her nearly three-year culinary arts course at the Art Institute of New York City.
 
Clockwise from top left: Lourdes (Chef Malou) Lozada with M Lounge investors Drs. Ramon and Ching Legarda. With them is Filipino Reporter’s Albert Ignacio. Photo byFilipino Reporter
“One of the secrets is that we use the best and expensive ingredients,” she confides. “The cheese we use, for example, are not your regular cheese.”

M Lounge is banking on its chicken saltimbocca, baby back ribs, grilled hanger steak, angus beef burger, beef osso buco, baked salmon, and shrimp scampi — “all cooked to perfection,” according to those who have tried them.

Even the appetizers, all from Chef Malou’s recipes, are hard to resist — particularly M Lounge’s tasty chicken wings that would “make you come back again and again,” says the Filipino Reporter’s Albert Ignacio, who was at the soft opening late May.

The bar, another major attraction, is reminiscent of a modern Manhattan bar with vintage styling. It has a decent selection of drinks, reasonably priced, that can go along with Chef Malou’s succulent fare.

“Our bartender is one of the best in town,” Chef Malou notes. “He knows his stuff... you can ask him for a refreshing twist on ordinary cocktail.”

Dream come true

M Lounge is a “dream come true” for Chef Malou, who originally thought of opening a Starbucks-style cafe, but got more than she bargained form.

“I was just so lucky to have met investors who are willing to take a risk because they believe in my culinary skills and determination,” Chef Malou confides to the Reporter. “Everything I have is at stake here that’s why there’s no room for failure here.”

Among her investors are Drs. Ramon and Ching Legarda, two of the most influential figures in the Filipino-American entertainment scene being longtime concert promoters under Group Ole.

Chef Malou’s husband Rey, a systems engineer, is “super supportive,” along with their children, who add manpower.

“We have an experienced and well-trained staff, half of them Filipinos,” Chef Malou shares.

Happy hours
 
M Lounge Bar and its pride — ace bartender Dorian Alvarez. Photo by Filipino Reporter
M Lounge has began spicing up dining and drinking experience with happy hours and nightly entertainment: Mondays are games night, Tuesdays Karaoke night; Wednesdays ladies night; Thursdays live bands, Fridays Latin night, Saturdays DJ night, and Sundays are brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“MJ Lounge is very close to Liberty State Park that’s why people who go to the park for summer picnics and tours can always drop by to drink and unwind,” Chef Malou says.

“The Fourth of July is coming and we’re preparing for a larger crowd. We’re putting up outdoor tables and chairs for al fresco dining.”

M Lounge is located at 339 Communipaw Avenue (corner Whiton Street) near the Liberty State Park Light Rail Station.

Open hours are M-Th: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Fri-Sat: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sundays: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For directions, call 201.433.3192. — Filipino Reporter

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