Juice Bar Will Fill The Bill on Springfield Avenue
by Mary Mann
The New York Times
HLS Juice Bar & Grill is set to open at the former location of Indigo Smoke (1859 Springfield Avenue) sometime in the next few weeks—probably by mid-April. Co-owner Arinze Onugha said he would like to have opened sooner but he’s still waiting on permits and is finalizing the interior furnishings.
Arinze and his brother Emeka Onugha love the bones of the place. “We’ll keep the same structure as Indigo Smoke with the bar up front –we are a juice bar!” But the furniture and the colors will be changing. Look for brighter and earthier tones, “urban bamboo” and “big funky art.”
The menu will focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes but not exclusively. “Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible. Families have both meat-eaters and vegetarians and we want to be reflective of that.”
So along with the vegetarian wrap and the vegan soy burger, you can order the BBQ Philly chicken sandwich. There will be no beef or pork but diners will find chicken, turkey, tuna and salmon. Vegan versions of every meat or fish entrée will be available. Beverages will be made on site, except for the bottled water and JRINC (Just Real Ingredients No Chemicals), an all natural brand of drinks made in New Jersey.
Down the road, the Onughas will look at creating partnerships with local growers and working with the Maplewood Farmers Market.
And HLS will be respectful of those with dairy and nut allergies.
“We are very sensitive to those issues,” said Emeka, “and we make it our business to thoroughly sanitize the equipment when necessary.”
If HLS sounds familiar, that's because it is. Emeka opened the first HLS in South Orange in 2001 but called it quits after two years when he entered law school and got tired of dealing with flooding in the location's basement. The brothers re-visited the concept last year in Montclair but their location turned out to have insufficient amperage to support their needs and upgrading the electrical system was an investment that neither they nor their landlord wanted to make.
As they looked around for another location in Montclair, they thought of Maplewood and South Orange.
“We grew up in South Orange and each of us went to school at Columbia High School, at least partially.” Arinze currently lives in South Orange, while Emeka resides in Montclair. South Orange seemed a more likely destination, but when they saw the former Indigo Smoke space they were “blown away.”
Now, they are sold on Maplewood: “It’s a great town,” said Arinze, “and the Springfield Avenue Partnership is doing a terrific job.” The brothers said that the Township and the Partnership have been more than helpful in walking them through the process and Emeka called Partnership director Beth Macdonald “a rock star.”
While others have bemoaned tough times for Springfield Avenue, the brothers see potential. Said Arinze, “I like the access it affords you to other towns, urban and suburban, from Newark on up.” Their neighbors are certainly excited. With Shakti Yoga & Living Arts, Clain Pilates and The Gym all in the same building, HLS will have a built-in audience.
By the way, "HLS" stands for "Health, Love & Soul" not Harvard Law School, though both brothers have law degrees and Emeka studied at the Wharton School of Business undergraduate program at the University of Pennsylvania. "We felt the law degrees would be a compliment to our entrepreneurial dreams and also a decent fall back if necessary!"
The HLS website address will be www.hlsrestaurant.com but it, like the store, is still under construction.
http://maplewood.patch.com/articles/juice-bar-will-fill-the-bill-on-springfield-avenue
http://maplewood.patch.com/articles/juice-bar-will-fill-the-bill-on-springfield-avenue
The Munchmobile Explores Healthy Surprises
by Peter Genovese
The Star-Ledger
HLS, Maplewood
Springfield Avenue does not immediately call to mind a dining destination, but Julian Broadie is determined to make HLS, where he is chef, a draw.
The modest-looking restaurant is billed as a "juice bar and grill,'' but that doesn't do it justice. There are meat and vegetarian wraps, salads, soups, sides, shakes, fresh-squeezed juices and dairy-free desserts.
And a honey jerk chicken skewer that will rock your low-fat world. Take chunks of juicy chicken, add a jolt of jerk, and you have a terrifically tasty -- and cheap, at $3.50 -- snack or lunch.
The Sensational Soy Burger -- a homemade soy burger with green leaf lettuce, tomatoes and sweet onions on a tomato basil wrap -- pretty much lives up to its name. Haldy judged the Thai chicken salad, with mesclun greens, carrots, red onions and peanut ginger dressing, her favorite dish here. Suriano's? The Tasty Turkey wrap, with fat-free turkey, green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, sweet onions, carrots, cucumbers and low-fat ranch dressing on a multigrain wrap.
My Big Fat Greek Salad, with tomatoes, black olives, sweet onions, peppers, feta and balsamic dressing, turned out to be the day's best salad, according to the Munchmobile's driver. Thompson, meanwhile, called the grilled chicken Caesar wrap "delicious.''
The dairy and egg-free brownies are dry and disappointing, but the dairy and egg-free carrot cake is better than most regular carrot cakes we've had. "Scrumptious,'' Petrone said.
Stuffed but satisfied, the Munchers walked past a pizza joint and dollar store on their way to the Big Dog. The only hot dog on this trip rumbled to life, and pointed its high-octane, low-carb self toward downtown Newark.
THIS WEEK'S TOP DOG
We liked the casual vibe of LifeCafe, the great variety at Fresh & Wholesome, and the sandwiches at Dean's. But there was no doubt about the winner on this trip. Give Top Dog honors this week to HLS Juice Bar & Grill, Maplewood.
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dining/index.ssf/2009/07/the_munchmobile_explores_healt.html
S.O. Natives Open HLS Juice Bar & Grill
by Mary Mann
South Orange Patch
The text message from owner Arinze Onugha came today at 11 a.m.: "We're open!" HLS Juice Bar & Grill, the much-anticipated health food restaurant at 1859 Springfield Ave. in Maplewood, arrived following the renovation and redesign of the former Indigo Smoke space.
Patch missed the lunch rush, but the joint was still gently hopping at 2 p.m. with a mix of local business owners, friends, high school classmates and moms fresh from yoga class.
"We've been watching and waiting for it to open," said Tacy Quinn as she rocked her 3-month-old son Charlie. Tacy and her friend Meredith Finkelstein had just wandered in from Shakti Yoga and Living Arts next door after a mother-and-baby yoga class (Finkelstein brought her infant son Alexander).
At the bar, Niles Robinson of 360 Maintenance, a Maplewood-based landscaping business enjoyed a Mo Bay, a mango, strawberry, pineapple and organic cane juice shake ($4.50). "Gotta try the Mo Bay!" said Robinson, who went to Columbia High School with the Onugha brothers, who are South Orange natives. (Arinze co-owns HLS with his brother Emeka).
Emeka Onugha was hustling about delivering dishes to diners. Farha Northover of Allstate Insurance (1877 Springfield Ave.) declared her spinach and chicken wrap ($7) to be "so good! The best I've ever had." That must have pleased chef Julieian Broadie. Northover was sitting with Felicia Wright of South Orange's Opulent Glassworks (313 Valley St.), who said she knew of HLS from its Montclair days and that she would follow it anywhere.
She will have her opportunity to follow HLS on Springfield Avenue at almost any time. The hours of operation are groundbreaking for Springfield Avenue: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
http://southorange.patch.com/articles/so-natives-open-hls-juice-bar-grill
Health Love and Soul comes to Montclair
By Tara Chowaniec
Montclair Patch
Health-Conscious Foodies of Montclair, Rejoice! Montclair welcomes HLS Juice Bar and Grill and joins Maplewood in digging their fresh healthy eats ... plus is Café Eclectic getting some competition?
I have heard plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and health-savvy friends bemoan the lack of tasty dining choices here in Montclair, despite our town's hefty reputation of all things healthy. Well, with thegrand opening of the new HLS Juice Bar and Grill, I no longer want to hear you complain! HLS, which stands for Health Love and Soul, prides itself on bringing just that to your dining experience. Indeed the slick new eatery has arrived to rock your pallet, be you vegan, vegetarian, carnivore, or self-proclaimed healthy foodie.
Buoyed by the success of their thriving HLS restaurant in Maplewood, Brothers Emeka and Arinze Onugha opened this second HLS in the former Indigo Smoke location at 387 Bloomfield Ave. The brothers happily offered a nice summation of their mission noting, "We want to change the way that people view healthy foods. Many people think that healthy foods are tasteless and boring. We want to dispel that myth by presenting healthier food in a cool and classy manner. There is nothing boring about liquid wheatgrass served in a shiny shot glass chased with a wedge of sweet orange. It's like being at a bar except when you toast 'Salute!' you really mean it!"
Unlike other wrap-oriented joints where vegetarian options may be limited to an uninspiring veggie wrap or salad, at HLS the menu boasts as many vegetarian options as meat ones. In addition to breakfast and lunch wraps, there are an assortment of freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, choose-your-own brown rice dishes, and over 10 varieties of salads. Some interesting choices also include soy chic n' nuggets for vegan/vegetarian kids, and dairy free desserts like red velvet cupcakes and carrot cake.
Since it is in Montclair after all, the brothers definitely bring it with a chic, laid- back atmosphere, replete with jazz music and artwork for sale bedecking the walls. In the very near future the brothers also intend to add live music to their list of cool, which they are in no short supply of. Arinze, himself an aspiring hip hop artist/musician, may even perform as well.
Oh did I mention the prices! Emeka says they are committed to "bringing healthy, appetizing food to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status." The brothers ensure the prices stay within a reasonable range, while still including high quality ingredients. Examples include a $6 Ultimate Turkey Burger or a Vegetarian Chili Wrap for $5.50. In fact the entire idea of HLS was, according to Arinze, "borne out of frustration" from a lack of affordable, good tasting and nutritious food.
I managed to snag happy customer Rueben Mora, a tennis pro/instructor and vegan from Montclair who is thrilled at the arrival of HLS, and noted, "I love the vibe they put out here, they show a lot of respect to their customers and employees and the food is amazing." Though complementary of most of the menu, Mora's favorite go-to item is the Soy Thai Chicken Wrap.
With the ever-changing roster of indie businesses closing in Montclair, I would like to say welcome, make yourself comfortable and stay awhile HLS.
I have heard plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and health-savvy friends bemoan the lack of tasty dining choices here in Montclair, despite our town's hefty reputation of all things healthy. Well, with thegrand opening of the new HLS Juice Bar and Grill, I no longer want to hear you complain! HLS, which stands for Health Love and Soul, prides itself on bringing just that to your dining experience. Indeed the slick new eatery has arrived to rock your pallet, be you vegan, vegetarian, carnivore, or self-proclaimed healthy foodie.
Buoyed by the success of their thriving HLS restaurant in Maplewood, Brothers Emeka and Arinze Onugha opened this second HLS in the former Indigo Smoke location at 387 Bloomfield Ave. The brothers happily offered a nice summation of their mission noting, "We want to change the way that people view healthy foods. Many people think that healthy foods are tasteless and boring. We want to dispel that myth by presenting healthier food in a cool and classy manner. There is nothing boring about liquid wheatgrass served in a shiny shot glass chased with a wedge of sweet orange. It's like being at a bar except when you toast 'Salute!' you really mean it!"
Unlike other wrap-oriented joints where vegetarian options may be limited to an uninspiring veggie wrap or salad, at HLS the menu boasts as many vegetarian options as meat ones. In addition to breakfast and lunch wraps, there are an assortment of freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, choose-your-own brown rice dishes, and over 10 varieties of salads. Some interesting choices also include soy chic n' nuggets for vegan/vegetarian kids, and dairy free desserts like red velvet cupcakes and carrot cake.
Since it is in Montclair after all, the brothers definitely bring it with a chic, laid- back atmosphere, replete with jazz music and artwork for sale bedecking the walls. In the very near future the brothers also intend to add live music to their list of cool, which they are in no short supply of. Arinze, himself an aspiring hip hop artist/musician, may even perform as well.
Oh did I mention the prices! Emeka says they are committed to "bringing healthy, appetizing food to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status." The brothers ensure the prices stay within a reasonable range, while still including high quality ingredients. Examples include a $6 Ultimate Turkey Burger or a Vegetarian Chili Wrap for $5.50. In fact the entire idea of HLS was, according to Arinze, "borne out of frustration" from a lack of affordable, good tasting and nutritious food.
I managed to snag happy customer Rueben Mora, a tennis pro/instructor and vegan from Montclair who is thrilled at the arrival of HLS, and noted, "I love the vibe they put out here, they show a lot of respect to their customers and employees and the food is amazing." Though complementary of most of the menu, Mora's favorite go-to item is the Soy Thai Chicken Wrap.
With the ever-changing roster of indie businesses closing in Montclair, I would like to say welcome, make yourself comfortable and stay awhile HLS.
http://montclair.patch.com/articles/rejoice-health-conscious-foodies-hls-juice-bar-and-grill-has-arrived
