The main drag of Jersey City’s northernmost neighborhood recently celebrated the grand opening of a new eatery inspired by the Philippines, as Island Central is open for business.
Situated at 329 Central Avenue, the restaurant recently welcomed Mayor Steve Fulop and other dignitaries for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ownership group behind Island Central includes Sheryll Petilos, who also owns Filipino Grocery at 530 Newark Avenue and Friend’s Corner Tea & Snack Bar in Highland, New York.
Island Central is her first proper restaurant in Jersey City, and she has teamed up with locals and co-owners Fely Tatloghari and Ian Monsale on the endeavor. Some early favorites on the menu include a Kare-Kare, a traditional Filipino peanut stew with tender oxtail, eggplant, string beans, and bok choy.
Both chicken and pork Adobo are accounted for at Island Central, as are a variety of noodle dishes. The restaurant’s Lechon Kawali dish, made up of crispy deep-fried pork bell with liver sauce, has also won them praises.
Island Central also serves a collection of milkshakes and juices for those in more of a hurry and sports a dessert menu that includes halo halo, a Filipino shaved ice made with a mix of sweetened fruits, beans, jellies, and leche flan topped with ice cream.
The restaurant’s hours span from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm daily, with an early Sunday close at 7 p.m. Island Central has online ordering available through their website and can be followed on Instagram at the account handle @islandcentral.nj.
