It’s a sad day in Hoboken when a local business closes its doors for good. Just in this week: we’re saying goodbye to Zafra, a colorful Cuban-Latin fare restaurant located at 301 Willow Avenue. Sources have confirmed that the restaurant is officially closed, and although the Google listing hasn’t officially listed the restaurant as closed, Zafra’s website is no longer in existence.
Rest assured, however, the masterminds behind Zafra still have their restaurant Cucharamama open, so if you’re in need of a quick Latin food fix, you’re in luck. This local spot for Latin fare will be missed. Read on for all about the recently-closed Zafra Kitchen in Hoboken.
About the Chef
Cuban chef Maricel Presilla set up shop in this cozy residential corner spot in 2000, with many accolades to follow. {She’s also known for the ever-popular Cucharamama, located within a few blocks of each other — and equally delicious.} The L-shaped patio at Zafra previously housed big red umbrellas and colorful tablecloths, ideal for an Instagrammable shot if that was your thing. And of course, delicious food — including rice, beans, papa rellenas, and more.
The menu at Zafra, based on Chef Presilla’s trips throughout Latin America, was pan-Latin and was so tasty that Zafra had even been featured in the WSJ and New York Times {rated as excellent!} as well as honored by Zagat on a yearly basis. Presilla was also invited to the White House in 2009 to cook for a Latin American gala in which Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She told the NYTimes that Justice Sotomayor “had my pasteles and she said they were like her mother’s.” ‘Nuff said.
Other Closures
This is not the first closure chef Presilla has seen in the last year. Ultramarino’s, another chef Presilla outpost previously located at 260 3rd Street, has also closed its doors earlier this year back in August. Ultramarino’s was a cafe and bakery that was dubbed “The Marketplace for Latin Kitchen Magic.” This local spot was known for its savory breads, empanadas, sandwiches, and coffee. Coupled with this closure, Zafra is the second restaurant closure chef Presilla has seen in the Mile Square.
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Papa Rellenas — yessss plz
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While Zafra will be sorely missed, you can still get your fix of chef Presilla’s unique menu items over at Cucharamama, which is still open on 233 Clinton Street. Click more to learn about it here.
Did you pay a visit to Zafra? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!
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