From buttery croissants to court bouillon chicken, Box Cafe is a new neighborhood eatery serving up French-inspired dishes. Husband and wife team Linda and Sean Kerly opened the restaurant last month at 115 Palisade Avenue.
The idea for Box Cafe came from the Kerly’s desire to live, work, and play in the same neighborhood they’ve resided in for almost 23 years.
“I absolutely love Jersey City,” says Linda. “My husband and I have talked about wanting to open a small cafe for a long time.” So when Mane Source Barbershop closed its doors, the Kerlys jumped on the opportunity. Turning a former barber shop to a cozy cafe is not for the faint of heart, but Linda was able to design and decorate the space on her own.
“I love creating cozy inviting spaces,” says Linda. “If you came to our home, you would see it has the same feel and design.” In spite of the pandemic, which further complicated matters, the Kerlys managed to create a space where locals can enjoy home cooked meals and pastries.
Box Cafe Jersey City Menu
A quick glance at Box Cafe’s menu and you’ll spot many French-inspired dishes. “Cooking is absolutely a passion for my husband,” says Linda. Sean, who is part French, developed an interest in cooking since he was nine years old. Today, his approach to cooking is focusing on the quality of the food while keeping things simple, local, and consistent. In fact, the basil used in Box Cafe’s sandwiches will soon be grown from a plot in the community garden at nearby Sgt. Anthony Park.
Meanwhile, Linda is in charge of all of the baking. Currently, the Box Cafe’s pastry menu includes slices of dark or milk chocolate cake, cookies, shortbread, and croissants.
The next step will be to set up an outdoor area in the yard for Jersey City outdoor dining once the weather is warmer. Otherwise, diners can opt for pickup or limited indoor dining. Diners will also be happy to know that Box Cafe is BYOB.
“So far, it’s been exactly what we set out to do and seeing people enjoying the space and food is wonderful,” says Linda.
You can follow the Box Cafe via Instagram for updates.
Best new local spot! Such friendly owners and mouth watering food with so many flavors. I’ve had two of their sandwiches and some of their homemade baked goods so far. He’s an excellent chef and she’s a phenomenal baker! I’m really happy that this new addition has come to our neighborhood. I’ll be frequenting often!
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