Pinstripes Opens 16th Location With Italian-American Cuisine
Pinstripes Inc., the best-in-class dining and entertainment concept, opened the doors of its first New Jersey location at Westfield Garden State Plaza, its 16th location nationwide. Officially open to the public, Pinstripes invites the community to enjoy a blend of chef driven Italian-American cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and a modern “spin” on bowling and bocce. To celebrate its grand opening, Pinstripes will be offering guests who make an advanced reservation and visit Pinstripes Feb. 16 -23, free lunches served 11 a.m. -3 p.m. and 50 percent off dinner 5 p.m. – close.
The opening is just off the heels of Pinstripes going public on Dec. 29, where the company raised more than $70 million in gross proceeds to support its growth, which includes plans to open in Orlando, Coral Gables and Walnut Creek by Q2 calendar 2024.
Last night, Pinstripes Paramus welcomed guests, partners and city dignitaries to its VIP grand opening party, the first of many events that the gaming, entertainment and event venue will host in its inaugural year. The celebration featured live entertainment, culinary highlights from its Italian-American menu, handcrafted cocktails, photo-worthy ice sculptures, bowling, bocce and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting with Pinstripes’ founder Dale Schwartz and Mayor Christopher DiPiazza.
Occupying 30,221 square feet of dining and gaming across two floors, Pinstripes Paramus’ ground-floor is home to a 107-seat bistro serving an extensive chef-driven menu with flavorful seasonal entrées, curated wine list, local beers and craft cocktails. Restaurant-style seating provides flexibility for guests to enjoy their meals at booths, tables surrounding the bar, or in front of big-screen TVs airing major sporting events on the expansive 137-seat, 2,044-square-foot patio. Pinstripes expects to host a high volume of private corporate and social events – with the target of 1,000 events within its first year of operation – making it a true social hub for the greater community.
“Pinstripes combines sophisticated fun with chef-driven cuisine to ensure everyone will find something they love. We’re excited to be the “home away from home” where guests can celebrate life while enjoying delicious food, entertainment and socializing.” said Dale Schwartz, Pinstripes Founder & CEO.
“We are proud to bring the first New Jersey Pinstripes location to the vibrant and lively destination at Garden State Plaza and look forward to adding our magic to the community.”
Pinstripes Paramus’ elevated menu of made-from-scratch recipes, conceptualized by Chief Culinary Officer Cesar Gutierrez and Executive Chef Douglas Geraghty, features house-made Italian-American classics, including rotating seasonal specialties prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Menu highlights include wood-fired pizzas and flatbreads, delectable sandwiches, and show-stopping chef entrées, making it a menu that has something for everyone. Guests are then invited to indulge in luxe desserts that will ensure a sweet ending to a sweeter experience!
Pinstripes Paramus is offering its famous Pintastic Weekend Brunch Buffet every Saturday and Sunday featuring sweet and savory culinary delights, including a signature waffle station; a made-to-order omelet station; a carving station featuring prime cuts with an assortment of dippables. On both days, guests can also enjoy bottomless mimosas and Aperol spritzes.
Pinstripes’ delicious plates pair perfectly with its thoughtfully selected wine list, craft beer selection and handcrafted cocktails. Guests can sip on Italian spins on classic cocktails, like margaritas and martinis, with fresh flavors and carefully curated ingredients.
Pinstripes Paramus is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Happy hour is available Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For those looking to extend Pinstripes’ culinary experience to other destinations, pick-up, delivery and catering is also available.
With the opening of the Paramus location, Pinstripes has brought an estimated 130 new jobs to the area. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/3vuip0j.
Founded in Chicago in 2007, Pinstripes’ best-in-class venues offer a combination of made-from-scratch dining, bowling and bocce and flexible private event space. From its full-service Italian-American food and beverage menu to its gaming array of bowling and bocce, Pinstripes offers multigenerational activities seven days a week. Its elegant and spacious 25,000- to 38,0000-square-foot venues can accommodate groups of 20 to 1,500 people for private events, parties and celebrations. To learn more, visit www.http://www.pinstripes.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram.
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Kroger to Lower Prices After Albertsons Merger
The Kroger Co. has shared additional insights about how the company lowered prices in previous mergers, bolstering its commitment to bring more consumers across America lower prices and more choices following its proposed merger with Albertsons Cos.
“We believe the way to be America’s best grocer is to provide great value by consistently lowering prices and offering more choices. When we do this, more customers shop with us and buy more groceries, which allows us to reinvest in even lower prices, a better shopping experience, and higher wages,” said Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO of Kroger. “We know this model works because we’ve been doing it successfully for many years, and this is exactly what this merger will bring customers – lower prices and more fresh, affordable choices.”
This strategy is not new to Kroger. The retailer has invested to lower prices consistently since 2003, resulting in $5 billion in customer savings and providing more affordable products to families across America. Kroger offered an analysis that puts this significant investment into clearer context and includes additional details. Specifically, it demonstrates Kroger:
- Consistently lowered prices and improved the customer experience during previous mergers: Kroger invested more than $125 million to lower prices at Harris Teeter after its merger in 2014 and more than $100 million to lower prices at Roundy’s after its merger in 2016. Additionally, Kroger invested $2.5 million and $2.4 million in capital per Harris Teeter and Roundy’s store, respectively, to enhance the customer experience in the three years following each merger.
- Reduced profits to ensure groceries remained affordable for families across America: Kroger’s ongoing work to lower prices in the last 20 years reduced its gross margin by 5%. Meanwhile, Amazon, Ahold Delhaize, Walmart and Dollar General have increased gross margins by 22 percent, 4 percent, 1 percent and 2 percent, respectively, during the same time period.
- Made clear, consistent commitments to lower prices and improve the customer experience post-merger: Kroger will invest $500 million to lower prices following the merger with Albertsons starting day one following the transaction close. Kroger will also invest $1.3 billion to improve Albertsons’ stores following the merger, all to better serve customers.
- Will become more competitive and able to invest even more to support customers and over 700,000 associates by combining with Albertsons. Kroger’s merger with Albertsons will allow it to attract and retain more customers by lowering prices, creating a more seamless and personalized experience and expanding its selection of fresh, affordable food. By doing so, Kroger expects to grow revenues and drive additional investments in pricing and store improvements as well as wages and benefits.
To learn more about the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons Cos visit here.
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F&B@Sea Sets 2024 Conference Program in Miami
F&B@Sea, the one-of-a-kind experience for the cruise food and beverage ecosystem, has unveiled details of its 2024 conference program. The conference beckons industry pioneers and cruise lines to converge at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center in Miami from April 10-11 to explore the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of cruise F&B.
The conference sessions promise a deep dive into evolving consumer trends, the burgeoning demand for local sourcing, and the profound impact on F&B preferences aboard cruise ships, all while addressing the growing necessity for sustainable practices within the industry.
Kicking off with the State of the Industry Keynote: Navigating the Cruise F&B Supply Chain, on 10 April from noon to 1 p.m., attendees will delve into the intricate dynamics of cruise F&B supply chains. The keynote will spotlight discussions on sustainable sourcing, F&B supply/demand dynamics, and the evolving landscape of local procurement in global destinations.
Following the keynote, attendees can expect enlightening sessions on Local Flavors, Global Appeal and The Evolution of Specialty Restaurants on Board. These sessions will explore authentic cultural food experiences, immersive dining concepts, and the rise of local culinary options—three of the top trends forecast to dominate the period of 2024/25, as outlined in the latest Cruise F&B Trends Report.
A highlight of the program includes a groundbreaking cruise Supplier Workshop: Conscious Trends Shaping Cruise F&B Supply & Demand, curated in partnership with the Plant Based Food Association. Scheduled for April 11 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., this workshop is designed to empower current suppliers, and new entrants to the cruise sector alike, in meeting the escalating demand for sustainable practices, products, and supply within cruise F&B operations.
“We are thrilled to unveil our 2024 conference program, which promises to be a transformative event for the cruise industry,” said Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise. “This conference represents a unique opportunity for industry leaders to come together, share insights, and chart the course for a more sustainable and innovative future in cruise F&B.”
View the full program here.
After successfully launching in March 2023, F&B@Sea returns with more vendors, more produce, and more variety with over 100 F&B suppliers taking part at the live marketplace. Attendees can also expect a host of new features and immersive brand activations alongside the inaugural F&B@Sea Awards on April 11. F&B@Sea will run alongside the world’s largest cruise conference & exhibition, Seatrade Cruise Global (April 10-11, Miami Beach Convention Center) with shuttle buses running regularly between the two events.
For more information on F&B@Sea or to register, visit www.seatradecruiseevents.com/fnbsea
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