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Wine OR Wine & Food

Tags:   Wine   Food  

Newark, NJ - An exciting new arrival to New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark:  the all-new, "Italian Without Borders" NICO Kitchen + Bar. 

Replacing the former Theater Square Grill, NICO will present food that is as fresh, inspired, and well-executed as the artistry that graces the NJPAC stages.

The NICO Kitchen + Bar concept -- contemporary, high energy, and market-driven -- comes from renowned Chef Ryan DePersio of Fascino and Bar Cara fame (Montclair/Bloomfield, NJ).

He is unveiling an appealing, on-trend, sharedplates dinner menu and a focused, eclectic lunch menu (think tapas with Contemporary American

and Italian leanings).   

NICO will also offer a sophisticated, enjoyable Happy Hour with crafted cocktails and specially priced "bites."

A value-priced, three-course, more traditional prix-fixe menu will also be offered on performance nights and matinees, designed to come out of the kitchen quickly 

so guests can make their curtain ~ if they arrive at least 90 minutes prior to the start of a performance.    

With Chef de Cuisine Adam Rose in the kitchen, and business

partner (and brother) Anthony DePersio consulting on service, Chef DePersio will deliver a dining experience at NICO Kitchen + Bar akin to his other acclaimed restaurants.  

Incidentally, "NICO" is a nickname for his 6 year-old son, Nicholas!

Highlights from Chef DePersio's soulful new menus include new plates as well as Fascino and Bar Cara favorites (see sidebar).

Guests will savor 21 wines by the glass, original seasonal and classic cocktails, and artisanal beers.

In keeping with the spectacular theatrics of the NJPAC space, handsome new design updates are planned for NICO Kitchen + Bar.  They include new booth seating and a community table for 12, dramatic pendulum lamps, and theatrical panels on pulleys that create intimate (or grand) dining spaces. The private dining rooms at NICO will accommodate events both business and social for up to 240 guests.

NICO will serve lunch Monday through Friday and dinner nightly except Sunday.