Eden Gourmet's 'Above' Restaurant Opens

"Above," Eden Gourmet's long-awaited restaurant, opened to the public Tuesday night. The restaurant, which seats 150 people in and around the main dining area, replaces the Eden Gourmet Cafe. The two separate outside dining areas—facing the upcoming Vose Avenue condos and the train station—will also seat 150 at tables with Hoegaarden umbrellas. The third floor dining area for private parties seats a maximum of 48.

Eden's cafe closed in June to make way for necessary renovation for the restaurant. It's been replaced with the restaurant's bar area, which has been set up so that patrons seated at the bar will face the windows overlooking South Orange Avenue. The kitchen is still visible from that room, though the brick oven area is now encased in frosted glass.

Main dishes on Above's menu range from $14 (burger) to $28 (sirloin steak; lamb). It also includes savory sides, cold plates and numerous desserts. The restaurant has been open to private events, including a Jersey Animal Coalition Fundraiser in July.  The restaurant plans a grand opening in October.