The idea for Bossa Fish – a Seafood restaurant and fresh fish market in Elizabeth – comes from Napa, California. Co-owners Philip Carvalho and Joe Licata were dining at a spot where patrons ordered their food and drinks at the counter; then took their meal to dine indoors or al fresco. Bossa Fish recreates this while also bringing fresh seafood to Central and North Jersey.
“We were able to merge all of what we wanted into our concept,” Philip says. “We saw the space and it felt right,” he says of 1,700 square-foot venue. Philip was born in Elizabeth, and now resides with his wife and children in Jersey City. Prior to the restaurant, he ran a showroom for a Brazilian fashion company. His father immigrated from Brazil and his mother’s parents came to New Jersey from Portugal. (Flavors from both countries are reflected in the dishes at Bossa Fish.) In addition, his grandparents ran a restaurant in Brazil. His father also ran a food truck based in Newark and owned a restaurant in Rahway. So, despite his fashion background, Philip is no stranger to restaurants.
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The Restaurant
Bossa Fish seats about 20 guests indoors, as well as 40 in front of the restaurant beneath heat lamps. Inside, the “vibe is very sleek and modern but has elements of beautiful Portuguese artwork,” according to Philip. In fact, the word “Bossa” is an old-fashioned Brazilian slang term; it means doing something with particular charm, natural flair, or innate ability. For instance, tables display wines and olive oils while hand-painted murals adorn the walls.
Seafood is, of course, the star of the menu. One popular starter – and Philip’s favorite item – is the salt cod croquettes; but other popular starters include the shrimp croquettes and shrimp in garlic sauce. Likewise, popular sandwiches include the “Charlie Baltimore” (crab cake) and the “305” (with either flounder, shrimp, or cod). In addition, Philip says the Friday daily special—a grilled octopus platter—always sells out. Click here to see the full menu.
Other signature dishes include the Bossa Nova, a sandwich with choice of flounder, shrimp, scallops, cod, or whiting; as well as the Bossa combo, a fried platter with shrimps, scallops, and flounder. Meanwhile, mouthwatering desserts include banana pudding and flan.
The Market
Bossa Fish also offers a full-scale fish market. They sell shrimp, scallops, salmon, red snapper, porgy, branzino, cod, flounder, and more. There are also a variety of sauces and seasonings for sale, too. Patrons can then take their seafood home or have the Bossa kitchen cook it to their liking.
Visit Bossa Fish at 230 Trumbull St in Elizabeth. (Click here to see them on Google Maps.) To learn more: Click here to visit their website | Follow them on Instagram | Click to give them a call.
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All Photos: © Bossa Fish