Zabava opens

Anyone go? They got balloons, website zabavanj.com, handmade pierogis, beer, incredible table settings.

Sounds weirdly cool.

Strangerdanger Strangerdanger
Sep '17

Didn't know about it, but Pierogies and Beer I'll be there!

Denis Denis
Sep '17

Isn't this the third go around there? Pierogies and beer sounds good to me too!

BTW - What's with the incredible table settings?

We went there a few years ago. I can't remember if it was the first or second opening. It was super weird. Like there should have been a wedding going on. We were the only ones in there and sat at the bar. We got there about an hour after they opened and the bartender was still bringing alcohol out of the back in boxes and setting it up. It was very weird. We ordered wings and couple beers and split.

Maybe it will be better this time around.

Calico696 Calico696
Sep '17

From what I understand, it's opening the bar Wed-Fri in addition to being a banquet hall which has been around for a bit. The "Grand Opening" is just for the bar, not the whole facility.


Wasn’t that the old Rivera Inn back in the day....anybody remember that ?


I think it used to be klees tavern


No Klees was on the other side of 46. Now a Mexican restaurant.

Denis Denis
Sep '17

It was Rivera, basically looked like a home with a sign on it. An old man bar, sorry I never went in to check it out.
I think there is a thread on here that mentions it, or in Wierd NJ.

Roywhite Roywhite
Sep '17

The Riveara was a popular local bar and catering place that specialized it Polish food back in the day. A women named Julia and her husband owned it.

Indie Indie
Sep '17

Popular? Back in what day....

For decades I drove by the place, empty, maybe one pickup, bud light blinking in the window. Then once or twice a year, the place was packed. I mean no room in the parking lot. I figured mobile-mob casino night but parking full of pick-me-ups so I doubt it. Just weird.

strangerdanger strangerdanger
Sep '17

was zabava the old independence inn


SD. Guess I'm older than you but it actually was back in 50s - 60s

Mel - no, a little west of there.

Indie Indie
Sep '17

I went by last night around 10:00 and there were probably 6-8 cars there.


We went there Wednesday and were very happy. Food and drinks are reasonably priced. Delicious cuisine and strong drinks.

Dolce_Vita Dolce_Vita
Sep '17

Dolce -- can you give information about the food -- is it appetizers only or dinner entrees as well? Can you give some examples of what they had? Quiet setting or is there music playing?
I have been there twice for Mother's Day and Father's Day and thought the food was quite good.
Thanks!

happiest girl
Sep '17

They were talking about possible getting sexophone on Fridays (possibly tonight). They have appetizers (we had hachapyri which is a cheese pastry like dish) and chebyrek (meat filled dough). For dinner we had pelemeni (Ukrainian type ravioli) and chicken and beef kabob that came with amazing rice and veggies. Very authentic Ukrainian food. They also had perogies, sruffed cabbage, and a cold cuts appetizer. The most expensive dinner entree was $14. Appetizers are between $4-8

Dolce_Vita Dolce_Vita
Sep '17

Thanks Dolce_Vita!
Sounds great!

happiest girl
Sep '17

Russian Mob front?

how many times can you go out of business?
lol

guess till the IRS catches up with you and go out of business again & hide cash.

Change name & Tax ID# - rinse again.


To my knowledge Zabava has never gone out of business, They are a catering hall that sometimes has special public events like Mother's Day. Seems they now decided to open to public Wed - Fri. for food & drinks.

happiest girl
Sep '17

This place is fabulous. Great people, excellent food, drinks and prices. The pierogies, sruffed cabbage and beat salad are my faves. So many dishes to decide from.

MrsZiggy
Sep '17

Don't really care but if that is not a money laundering operation - I'd be surprised.

Never open - remodel all the time - how many events in the past few years - 2 or 10.
lol


There were a lot of cars there when we passed by last night.

Calico696 Calico696
Sep '17

ok, really silly question - how is the word Zabava pronounced? Stress on the first, second or third syllable?

rleaf rleaf
Sep '17

Well if this is Russian mob money, they sure picked a grand place to visit.... Lots of excitement here for them... They also forgot to hire English-speaking editors for the website which sort of sticks out... No, doubtful. IMO, seems like well capitalized folks getting a start in America picking a place in nowhere NJ to begin. I thought the initial stop and go was more relationship than business focused, but whatever.

All I know is pierogi's and beer, $14 meals (wow, thanks, didn't even know they have meals), nice new pretty fancy atmosphere, no terrible reviews, lots of good ones so far ------ a populated parking lot, next weekend --- strangerdanger will be in the building. Mic drop :>)

strangerdanger strangerdanger
Sep '17

zabava means fun,or a good time


ok, that's interesting, but do you know how to pronounce it mel?

rleaf rleaf
Sep '17

rlef - Stress on the second syllable

ru - it's Ukrainian-American establishment.


Thank you Lena!

rleaf rleaf
Sep '17

My friend bartends there, and let me tell you the food is amazing and reasonably priced. The pierogis are homemade and better than my Polish Grandmas (sorry G-Ma). The stuffed cabbage was also very good. Believe they are opening regularly Weds-Fri nights, and some Saturdays if they do not already have a banquet event. It is the grand opening of the bar, but they never really closed in the first place- they have been open for catering events for several years.

Jackie-O Jackie-O
Oct '17

Re: Zabava opens

Food is delicious. Here is a pic of a vegetable torte they made me with a smoked cheese topping.

happiest girl
Oct '17

Re: Zabava opens

Here is fried cheese, sauteed veggies, pirogies, coleslaw.

happiest girl
Oct '17

Looks great happiest girl. I plan on going tomorrow night to get in touch with my maternal Ukrainian roots!

Denis Denis
Oct '17

Denis -- then maybe you know them (the pirogies) as pirohe .... with the accent on the first syllable.

happiest girl
Oct '17

happiest girl, I know my Grandmother pronounced them differently, but she passed away a long time ago so I don't recall exactly how. She used to make everything from Scratch, including the dough. I actually picked up a few dozen from St. Nicholas in Great Meadows today that we ordered on Sunday.. They were still warm, haven't tried them yet but they look and smell great.

Denis Denis
Oct '17

Denis - The ones from the church are ok, but the ones from Krakus in P'burg are much better.

Calico696 Calico696
Oct '17

Calico696, I will have to check it out some time, I keep hearing about it.

Denis Denis
Oct '17

Calico.., curious about the feedback on the ones from the church since I help make them. Thanks!


rose - I prefer the ones from Krakus, because the dough is not quite as thick.

Calico696 Calico696
Oct '17

I appreciate your response, thank you. I agree with you, I help as an extra set of hands. We make 350 dozen at a time but sometimes the elders are not consistent in prep.


Does this place have a web page? Would like to know their official hours, days, menus.

USAfirst USAfirst
Oct '17

Re: Zabava opens

They don't have an online menu but here is the site. http://zabavanj.com/

I was there yesterday, food was delicious. Loved the beet salad.

Denis Denis
Oct '17

Their kielbasa was great. We went on Thursday evening.


Glad to have this as a dining option! Food was absolutely fantastic, fresh, and obviously homemade. Service was friendly and prompt. Menu is varied yet concise.

Finally some variety! Glad to have a cultural option in the neighborhood over another pizza joint or chain restaurant. Will definitely return, no doubt about that.

RideOn! RideOn!
Oct '17

Glad people are appreciating the good food there.

happiest girl
Oct '17

Would love to see them post a menu....

LenaK LenaK
Oct '17

The menu should be posted on our Facebook page. Appreciate all the great feedback. We are, and never have been, a Russian mob lol. We opened 3 years ago for banquets only and 2 months ago for bar and food. I am the manager there, no relation to owners, but proudly stand up for them and honor all their hard work. The food, prices and atmosphere are perfection. Please come check the place out..

MrsZiggy
Dec '17

Re: Zabava opens

Great bar.. new food items ha e been added too. Here is the stuffed cabbage

MrsZiggy MrsZiggy
Jun '18

I do not like the Marketing of this Restaurant Small signs in the ground along the Highway Not Professional A Big fan of that kind of Food !! But......

LittlePiglet LittlePiglet
Jun '18

Re: Zabava opens

Great real traditional Ukrainian food. Wonderful friendly service. We had a few perogies last time we went there.

Denis Denis
Jun '18

They had...or have..one sign with three different dishes on it. It looks just like a political party ticket sign.

Wonder if they got any write-ins?

jjmonth4 jjmonth4
Jun '18

jjmonth4 LittlePiglet Maybe you two liked the way it looked before when it was a vacant building.

Denis Denis
Jun '18

Denis, the perogies look amazing..love perogies. What's in the frying pan in the pic? Looks like some type of sauce?

positive positive
Jun '18

Positive, it's actually a bowl that looks like a pan. It's borscht, as good as I got in the Russian Tea room. Upper left my son got some kind of herring dish he really liked. He's more adventurous food wise.

Denis Denis
Jun '18

Love the beet salad!

Older Mom Older Mom
Jun '18

Denis - just thought that particular sign was funny. I'll admit that it fooled me the first time I glanced at it when I drove by.

jjmonth4 jjmonth4
Jun '18

jjmonth4 fair enough, and I get it. Just hoping more people check out the food inside.

Older Mom, me too!!

Denis Denis
Jun '18

Added to my list! Can’t wait to try it!

Friendly McFriend Friendly McFriend
Jun '18

They have a great menu and weekly specials posted on their Facebook page. The bar is where I go to hang out. Love the food and service is nice.. I also have a party/banquet booked next month, can't wait for.that too

MrsZiggy MrsZiggy
Oct '18

I've gotten takeout a few times now. Everything has been really good. People really should give it a try.

Mr. Joe Mr. Joe
Oct '18

Driven by a few times never stopped in.

Momof6 Momof6
Oct '18

I bet their Friday and sat bar scene are awesome. I do want to get some food one day.

Yesimpc Yesimpc
Oct '18

Seems like all the reviews are good, not sure what's stopping folks from stopping in. Often the first couple years of a great place represents a fantastic deal to those who try it out. Think it's a deal that will get more exclusive as their reputation spreads. So get er whilst the getting is so, so good.

strangerdanger strangerdanger
Oct '18

Been there for a gathering. The food served was AMAZING. I printed out their menu and want to order to take home. I would personally recommend Zabava.

cat1213 cat1213
Oct '18

No offense, but do many people other than Ukrainians like the beet salad?


I do Cleo, but then, I'm Czech.

Bemused Bemused
Oct '18

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