New Restaurant 'Grange' Opening in Westwood Next Month

A new eatery led by a pair of established Bergen County restaurateurs is planning to open in downtown Westwood next month.

Grange, which is setting up shop in Mezza's original location on Westwood Avenue, will be the effort of proprietor Brian Powell, who opened and managed Chakra in Paramus, and chef Christine Nunn, formerly of the award-winning Picnic in Fair Lawn.

Nunn will be preparing a menu which offers "a modern take on classic American dishes, simple yet elegant, with a twist of French technique or a surprising ingredient or two."

The restaurant's interior is currently undergoing renovations. When they're done, it will seat 40 and feature reclaimed barn wood on the floors and ceilings, as well as 150-year-old hemlock beams across the ceiling and a wood-burning stove, according to Powell. 

“The idea was to create a restaurant that is come-as-you-are-casual, but still provides a fine dining experience,” Powell said. “Grange offers sophisticated cuisine that is accessible and a bit playful, and service that is knowledgeable and attentive without being stuffy.”

Powell also provided a preview of two dishes Grange will be serving:

• “A ‘Que From Summer” — applewood smoked Berkshire pork tenderloin, stone fruit and scotch bonnet barbecue sauce, corn spoon bread, sautéed swiss chard.
• “Goffle Farm Spatchcock Chicken” — buttermilk smashed potatoes, ramps, thyme compound butter, market selection of veggies.

Grange is scheduled to open in mid-April at 31 Westwood Avenue.

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