The Anchor Restaurant Now Open

The Anchor Restaurant on Watchung Avenue officially opened its doors Friday afternoon.

Those that reminisce over the Peruvian delicacies from El Norteño Restaurant that shuttered last year, are in luck.

El Norteno's owner is back with a new restaurant and a full bar.

Julio Cesar Palomino told Patch he was able to get a liquor license to open up his new restaurant called El Ancla in Spanish.

"A bar within a restaurant is better, people like to drink," he told Patch in Spanish. Palomino said business was good with El Norteño but his customers would leave to drink elsewhere.

He said he's hopeful The Anchor will take off. "I put all of my effort here, my 20-year savings," said Palomino, a 20-year resident of West Orange and a father of two.

The restaurant sits on 290 Watchung Avenue and serves Peruvian and seafood.

A full bar lines the back wall as bachata, salsa and pop music emanate from the speakers. Guests can feast on traditional Peruvian food and enjoy rotisserie chicken on weekends.

Palomino said everyone is welcome at his restaurant. "There's a lot of variety in Peruvian food," he said. "People from other countries can like it too."

The Anchor is open 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. everyday. The restaurant will host a DJ every weekend and karaoke nights on Thursdays.