STOCKTON, NJ – 618 Hospitality Group founder Nick Liberato brings a New York-style Delicatessen along with a traditional Jewish deli to Stockton, New Jersey. Located at Stockton Market (19 Bridge Street), the restaurant will officially open on Saturday, June 19, 2021.
An ode to Co-Founder Mike Dalewitz's childhood, where his family-owned and managed some iconic establishments, the restaurant was conceived as an acknowledgment of the Borscht Belt region of New York's Catskills Mountains focused on bringing families together through food, entertainment, and traditional Jewish culture during the 1920s through the early 1990s.
Nick Liberato and Co-Founders Mike Dalewitz & Steve Lau unveil New York-style Jewish Deli
At The Borscht Belt, diners will find unique design elements and imagery that re-create a Dirty Dancing and Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The vibe honors the region's rich history, alongside a menu chock full of favorited Jewish-American Deli staples.
"The Borscht Belt Delicatessen represents everything my family, along with many other Jewish families, loved about their summers in The Catskills: community, family, celebrations, entertainment, and unbeatable NY-style Jewish cuisine," begins Mike Dalewitz, Co-Founder and Chairman of 618 Hospitality and The Borscht Belt. "Our idea with The Borscht Belt is to resurrect those memories while paying homage to both Jewish culture and all the iconic New York delis and bagel shops we've always loved."
Key menu offerings will include various platters with fresh lox, meats, spreads, daily fresh bagels, baked goods, pickles, Bubby Bell's Matzo Ball soup, Borscht Beet salad, and piled-high pastrami sandwiches fresh from their custom-built pastrami machine made in New York.
"Food can be a source of comfort, connection, happiness, and when done right – can even transport you back in time," begins Nick Liberato, Executive Chef of The Borscht Belt. "I am so excited to provide this community with some of my favorite 'old-school' delicatessen and appetizing favorites and introduce my own contemporary ways of enjoying this cuisine inspired by my cultural experiences and travels."
Additionally, The Borscht Belt is proud to partner with numerous high-quality local New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York City-based specialty purveyors to bring additional premier offerings to the Deli. Coffee will be poured fresh daily through an exclusive partnership with award-winning Paper Plane Coffee, a 5th generation Colombian family-owned coffee company. Guests can also enjoy fresh bagels courtesy of NYC's famous Ess-a-Bagel, Streit's Matzos, Junior's cheesecake, Oneg Bakery, and Seed + Mill Halva.
"Ess-a-Bagel is thrilled to bring our authentic New York bagel to The Borscht Belt Delicatessen and to be part of this new venture with Chef Nick Liberato and Mike Dalewitz," shares Melanie Frost, Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer, Ess-a-Bagel.
