A globally-inspired Mexican fusion restaurant will soon open in New Jersey

2-minute read

Lovers of guacamole, stunning dinner venues and craft cocktails are about to have a new place to dunk chips and take sips, because Maize Cocina & Cocktails — a highly-anticipated Mexican fusion restaurant — is coming to Westfield.

Taking over the historic town train station, the globally-inspired spot is set to open its doors on Tuesday.

And, as a self-proclaimed taco aficionado (aren’t we all?), I already have a reservation.

“Maize Cocina & Cocktails will transport diners through a Mexican fusion menu that showcases dishes inspired by Mexico’s rich culinary traditions, melded with diverse worldly influences,” the restaurant’s PR team said. It’s “to offer guests a truly unique and unforgettable dining experience.”

Colloquially, that means Mexican classic dishes are about to meet New American grub in a contemporary, cross-cultural mash-up.

(So, you’re going to want to book your table, too).

A contemporary Mexican restaurant in historic digs

Maize Cocina & Cocktails will be located at 301 N Ave. West in the now-renovated Westfield train station. Boasting a gorgeous 100-seat dining room, the restaurant has an aesthetic to match its anticipated cuisine — and a full list of specialty cocktails.

Some menu items to be served at the upcoming concept include a Mexican Bar Pie (featuring a masa crust, charred vegetables and queso Oaxaca), Bavette Steak (with poblano butter, masa fries and chimichurri rojo) and Black Garlic Mochiko Tacos with hot honey salsa macha. Chilaquiles are advertised as innovative, while Octopus Pastor will be plated with pineapple purée and achiote-roasted plantains. Each promises to exemplify the team’s aforementioned hybrid culinary genre goal.

Behind Maize’s distinct creations is chef Jesa Henneberry, a New York City culinary consultant who helped launch acclaimed plant-based Mexican restaurant Jajaja, Heritage Grand Bakery in Bryant Park and more. Earlier in her career, she was crowned a champion of Food Network’s “Chopped” and has spent 14 years as a “sought-after” personal chef.

“Creating unique yet approachable cuisine and culinary experiences is what Chef Jesa does best,” the PR team said. “And she’s thrilled to be doing that now in New Jersey at Maize Cocina & Cocktails.”

She, alongside co-owner Kamal Arora and chef de cuisine Isaias Lira (Atla, Cosme, Bouley), will soon welcome guests into the new concept.

Maize Cocina & Cocktails will be located at 301 N Ave. West in Westfield. To learn more about the restaurant, visit maizewestfield.com.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can’t find her in Jersey’s best restaurants, she’s probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.