Box Cafe Brings Food With French Flair to Jersey City

Local business owners Sean and Linda Kerly have an easy commute to work. Their new eatery – Box Cafe in Jersey City – is next door to their longtime residence. The goal of their small bistro is to bring the community together; providing a “welcoming place to gather, eat, and enjoy each other’s company,” Linda says.

The 1,100-square-foot Box Cafe seats about 20 inside. It is situated between brick townhouses, a community garden, and condos. But it fits right in with its charming and eclectic setting, featuring antique sofas and chairs. “Our décor actually reflects our own home,” says Linda. “It’s warm and inviting with a mixture of antique and modern flair soft lighting. French cafe music is always playing the background,” she adds. Meanwhile, there is limited outdoor seating in front of the cafe for about eight guests; in addition to a seasonal backyard space with seven tables.

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Box Cafe invites local artists to exhibit their work on the walls. It also plans to host open mic nights and live music in the near future. “We truly enjoy serving our community,” Linda explains. In fact, you may find Sean cooking a salmon dinner at 10 am for a doctor ending their overnight shift. “Supporting the community in those ways is very fulfilling for both of us.”

Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, & More

Box Cafe features food with a French flair. “My husband is half French and his approach to cooking is to use the best ingredients you can find,” Linda says. A self-taught chef, Sean focuses on the food’s quality, aiming for it to be simple, consistent, and local. The cafe’s goal is to prepare quality, homemade meals that are also perfect for people on the go.

Menu highlights include the roast beef tenderloin sandwich on crispy ciabatta, with red wine reduction, arugula, and horseradish cream. The salmon dinner platter is also a hit. “We’ve had customers say this is the best salmon or tenderloin they’ve ever had,” Linda says. Box Cafe also lets you build-your-own box lunch by mixing a half sandwich and small salad. (With a variety of options to mix and match.)

While Sean handles the cooking, Linda does all the baking. She says her chocolate cakes, available in dark and milk chocolate, are big hits. You’ll also find cookies, shortbreads, croissants, and pastries to pair with hand-roasted coffee using fair-trade organic beans.

Visit Box Cafe at 115 Palisade Ave in Jersey City. Look for them online to learn more.

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All Photos: © Box Cafe