PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, November 12, LaZeez by Dhaba held a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio and the Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Committee,

LaZeez by Dhaba is the new Indian fusion street food experience located at 745 Route 46 East.

Creating a perfect melding of Indian dishes with popular street food from throughout the world with build-your-own rice bowls, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, pizzas, and more. The restaurant was conceptualized by the Fine Indian Dining Group, whose portfolio of restaurants includes Sahib, Dhaba, Chote Nawab, Malai Marke, Dhaba Express, Wok In The Clouds, Kebabs & Kurries by Dhaba and Jashan by Dhaba. LaZeez by Dhaba is the first quick-service restaurant under the Fine Indian Dining Group’s umbrella. Spotlighting a unique combination of flavors, LaZeez offers its diners a true taste of Northern Indian cuisine with a Mexican flare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

For breakfast, guests can choose from a variety of options to build their own plate. Breads: Desiwala Angrezi Muffins, Biscuit Sandwich, and Pav Sandwich; Style: Mix Veggie Patty, Chicken Keema Patty, Paneer Bhurji, and Poached Egg; Cheeses: Cheddar, Mozarella, and Amul; Customizable: Mini Dosas, Chilla-Dilllas, Uttapams, Bagels, and Desi Style French Toast. Waffles and Pancakes Toppings: Masala, Sliced Strawberry or Banana, Poached Egg, Lamb Keema.

For the lunch and dinner menus, guests are offered a variety of options like building their own IndiMex plate, sandwiches or rolls, Desi pasta, LaZeez Desiwala pizza as well as a selection of burgers. The restaurant also provides different flavored dumplings also known as momos, available in both Steamed and Fried Also the restaurant has a wide variety of Indian Street Food favorites like Vada Pav, Pav Bhaji, Chaat Section, Chole Bhature, Chole Puri, Kachori with Aloo Bhaji to name a few.

IndiMex Fusion Plates:
Base: Tortilla Wrap, Rice/Biryani Bowl, Burrito, Hard Taco, Quesadilla
Rice: White, Brown, Saffron, Jeera, Fried, Pulav, Biryani
Fillings: Malai Tikka, Lamb Keema, Salmon Pakora, Cream Chicken, Chatpata Chicken,
Vegetarian Fillings: Chole, Shredded Soya, Paneer Bhurji, Pinto Beans, Paneer Tikka, Falafel Balls
Sauce: Tikka Masala, Makhani, Korma, Salsa, Saag, Chili
Chutney: Barbecue, Mint Mayo, Tamarind, Mango Habanero, Southwest, Chipotle Sauce

Sandwiches & Rolls:
Style: LaZeez Sandwich, Pita, Paratha Roll, Pav (2 sliders), Panini
Fillings: Mixed Veggies, Chole, Guacamole, Paneer Tikka, Falafel, Lamb Seekh Kebab

Desi Pasta:
Sauce: Red Sauce, Penne White Sauce, Pesto Sauce
Toppings: Cheese, Amul Cheese, Corn
Fillings: Mixed Indian Veggies, Chicken Tikka, Paneer Tikka, Malai Soya

LaZeez Desiwala Pizza:
Style: Tortilla Pizza, Thin Crust Personal Pizza, 10” Personal Pizza
Sauce: Desi Marinara, Makhani
Type: Cheese, Chicken Tikka, Chatpata Paneer, Lamb Keema, Malai Soya, Mix Veggie Pineapple

Desi Burgers & Subs: LaZeez offers Desi Burgers and Subs with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, including options like a Samosa Sandwich, a Butter Chicken Burger, and a Pizza Paneer Burger.

Traditional LaZeez Curry Bowls: A selection of curry bowls is also offered with options such as Punjabi Kadhi, Chole Masala, and Chicken Tikka Masala.

Beverages: They offer an array of traditional Indian beverages like Limca, Thums Up, Rose Lassi, Sweet & Salty Lassi, and Mango Lassi. An array of coffee choices and freshly made Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon Lime, and Beetroot juices are available.

Treats and Snacks: For a sweet treat guests can opt they offer traditional Indian sweets like Rabri, Kheer, Beetroot Halwa, Gulab Jamun, and more. They also have several different pastries and cakes like Brownies, Tres Leches, Pineapple Pastries, and Choco Lava Cake. Milkshakes include options like Bananas, Oreos, and Mango.

LaZeez by Dhaba’s full menu is available for pickup and delivery with Toast Tab.
LaZeez by Dhaba is located at 745 Route 46.  (973) 878-0062. Click here for the website.

Open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and  Friday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

PARSIPPANY — Signature Acquisitions one of the region’s most active and prestigious owners/managers of Class A suburban office space, announces it has selected Newmark as the leasing brokerage firm for Waterview Plaza located at 2001 Route 46 and Boulevard Plaza located at 1055 Parsippany Boulevard.

The assignment will be handled by Managing Director Daniel Reider and Associate John Crawford of Newmark’s Rutherford office.

Prominently located with frontage and visibility at the intersection of Interstates 80 and 287 along Route 46, Waterview Plaza is a five-story, 130,000-square-foot, premier Class-A office building featuring dramatic views of the Boonton River. Offering award-winning, on-site property management, the building includes a full suite of amenities highlighted by a fully renovated café with indoor and outdoor heated patio seating and a wide range of breakfast and lunch options. The building also offers tenants proximity to local hotels, shopping, and hospitality options as well as access to numerous residential communities.

Located just across Interstate 287 from Waterview Plaza, Boulevard Plaza is a five-story, 86,521-square-foot office building. Featuring award-winning, on-site property management, the building boasts a newly renovated lobby, shared conference facility, and on-site café with the same high level of accessibility to local area amenities as Waterview Plaza. Boulevard Plaza’s energy efficiency also earned the building an Energy Star recognition.

Waterview Plaza and Boulevard Plaza are well located with convenient access to local retail services and restaurants, as well as major routes and highways. Recent property improvements include upgraded common areas and tenant amenities,” said Dan Reider of Newmark. “We look forward to working with Signature on the continued lease-up of these buildings.”

Sandy Monaghan, SVP, Director of Leasing at Signature Acquisitions added, “In today’s office market, it’s clear that businesses are increasingly gravitating towards the highest-quality office spaces in their respective markets. We look forward to our partnership with Dan and his team at Newmark to bolster the tenant roster at these two buildings and further elevate their respective profiles in the local market.”

MORRIS PLAINS — There is a new player in the downtown Morris Plains dining scene, and it’s certainly a winner. This past September 10th Woodam Korean BBQ opened its doors to the public with a grand opening celebration. The restaurant is located at 650 Speedwell Avenue, a few doors down from the iconic Arthur’s Tavern. The building had been dormant for the past ten years, previously the home of Cocoa Pazzo. During the past couple of years, I have had the privilege to visit a couple of outstanding Korean BBQ venues in the Parsippany area and I was anxious to check out this newest addition to what has become one of my favorite culinary treats.

My usual group of hungry epicures and I arrived at Woodam BBQ, an appealing, aesthetically pleasing colonial revival style building, in a busy, vibrant downtown neighborhood. An attractive two-story brick structure, with multiple, stylishly large, white wooden framed arched windows, decorative dental molding, ornate metal gratings, and symmetrical columns supporting an overhanging canopy. Architecturally beautiful building, and one that clearly reflects an equally impressive interior design.

Being the first from my group to arrive, I was warmly greeted by the smiling, pleasant, and genial David Oh, one of the co-owners of Woodam BBQ. Mr. Oh, who insisted I call him David, showed me to a comfortably situated table, sharply appointed along with the appropriate chopsticks, sealed in a paper wrapper displaying the restaurant’s name. As my group arrived a few minutes later, our personable, helpful, and friendly server, Suany, expeditiously addressed our needs. Water, menus, and wine glasses immediately appeared, and wine was uncorked. Both Mr. Oh and Suany could not have been more attentive or professional making sure we were comfortable, and any questions we had about the menu politely answered.

While the group perused the menu, it gave me the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the restaurant. The décor was a tasteful blending of an older, more traditional Asian ambiance mixed in with a modern, upscale vibe. The soft cream-colored walls, adorned with tasteful Asian artifacts, were offset by the hues of the soft and comfortable chocolate brown paneling, wood beam floor, and ceiling tiles. The high vaulted ceilings, with a modernistic lighted globe hanging from the rafters, are an impressive feature. The room is bright, airy, and comfortably lit by the floor-to-ceiling windows, which perfectly accentuate the rest of the dining area, which can seat 80 guests. The atmosphere is sophisticated and elegant, yet casual, comfortable, and homey. Assorted Asian artifacts, such as assorted statues of Buddha, teapots, and artwork are carefully and tastefully placed throughout the room, along with calming, live potted, and flowering plants, which are all nurtured by the restaurant staff. The meticulous attention given to even the smallest detail was evident and brilliantly done.

Granite-topped tables, each equipped with a flaming, smokeless grill in the center, are comfortably situated around the room. The polished chocolate brown woodwork, distressed flooring, and cushioned black leather seats help ensure a comfortable and relaxing dining experience. Woodam does not possess a liquor license, and guests are welcome to BYOB; plus, there is a 12-seat standalone bar at the rear of the house, where you can sit, eat, or just relax if you prefer. Interestingly Woodam BBQ does offer wine by the bottle that you can purchase at the restaurant. New Jersey State law now allows restaurants that do not have a liquor license to partner with a New Jersey winery to serve their wines at their restaurant. So, you may still bring along your own bottle, but if you forget or prefer, wines from Villa Milagro Vineyards, a Warren County Vineyard, are available to enjoy with your meal.

The second floor of the two-storied restaurant offers a private party room that can accommodate 50 guests. The room provides the same polished elegance and aesthetics as downstairs. There is also an elevator available to accommodate guests who may have trouble navigating stairs, as well as restrooms available on each floor.

While my friends debated over the appetizers, I took the opportunity to chat with both co-owners of Woodam BBQ, David Oh, and Chef Eleazar Martinez (aka Chef Eli). Theirs is a friendship that goes back 23 years, a friendship which brings experience and expertise to this, their newest venture, which is a combination hard to find. David Oh, who has opened about a half dozen restaurants in NYC, claims Woodam BBQ as his first venture into New Jersey. Mr. Oh explained that it was the pandemic that brought himself and Chef Eli together with a vision to open the now-renovated and reimagined Woodam BBQ. As for “Chef Eli” Martinez, he has a storied thirty-year-plus background in the culinary world. Somewhat of a celebrity Chef, he has been noted in such publications as the NY Times, Chicago Tribune, and Forbes. A Honduran native, whose resume includes working at several distinguished Michelin-rated NYC restaurants, including Jean-Georges, Daniel, Bann, and for the past decade, Executive Chef of Woo Lae Oak, in SoHo. Chef Eli’s commitment to his craft is evident, as he even spent time living in Korea to perfect the knowledge and skills that now enable him to create those authentic flavors that are true to traditional Korean cuisine, while still reflecting a modern aesthetic and sensibility. According to their website, Woodam embraces a unique and fresh approach to Korean cuisine by fusing the highest quality traditional and contemporary ingredients to their dishes, and that was obvious in the quality of the dishes we tried.

We began this dining adventure with an assortment of shared appetizers. Our apps included Mandu (pan-fried, house-made, beef short rib dumplings), Pa Jun (traditional sizzling pancake, with scallion and mixed peppers), O Jing Aw Ti Kim (tempura calamari, shitake, and chayote, tossed in a sweet and soy glaze), and Korean Fried Chicken (spicy honey chili and sesame, glazed with sweet and sour pickled daikon). All the beautifully plated dishes came with perfect accompanying dipping sauces that further elevated each dish. Every app was perfectly prepared, delicious, and quickly devoured by our group as we discussed our entrée. As I have found typical in this cuisine, the balance of intense flavors and textures hit all the taste receptors; sweet, sour, tangy, umami, and spicy.

The diverse menu, included many tempting and expected Korean dishes, including several rice standards, such as Bi Bim Bap (rice topped with carrot, zucchini, spinach, beansprouts, royal fern, daikon, crisp lettuce greens, and spicy gochujang mixed sauce is always a favorite). The selection of mouth-watering traditional entrees, as well as their soups and stews, were also hard to resist, but we agreed to share the traditional Korean Barbecue selections of Kal Bi (sweet and savory boneless beef short ribs) and Sam Gyup Sal (high-quality pork belly – an immensely popular, amazingly delicious Korean dish). All the barbeque entrees come marinated in the restaurant’s signature soy, sesame, and garlic sauce, and are served with fresh lettuce wraps and miso paste, kimchi, shredded pickle daikon, namul with white or brown rice.

The arrival of our Kal bi and Sam Gyup Sal provided us the opportunity to try out Woodam’s tabletop flaming smokeless grills. (No exhaust vents are needed here) If you have not yet tried dining at a Korean Barbeque, you are missing out on a fun and exciting communal dining experience. This is a memorable way for family and/or friends to come together and participate in the cooking and sharing of a meal. And yes, if you prefer the staff will either assist you with the cooking or do it for you. Just relax and enjoy it. With some assistance and advice from our knowledgeable server, Suany, we chose to cook our own healthy (did I mention, Korean food is extremely healthy and nutritious) meats and vegetables.

Savoring our now perfectly cooked meats and veggies, while wrapping them in accompanying crispy lettuce wraps, along with some of that miso paste, kimchi, daikon, namul, and rice, was not only delectable but a truly pleasurable way to enjoy a meal. A burst of flavor in every bite!

We closed out our meal with a nice, enticing, treat of three large scoops of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) placed atop an ice mold. Perfect ending to a great meal!

My recommendation: if you have not yet stopped in at the recently opened Woodam Korean Barbeque, put it on your calendar for the next time you are looking for that special dining experience, or to celebrate that special occasion. I am confident you will have a great time and a great meal. Thank you to Woodam Korean BBQ, Chef Eli, David Oh, and their staff for the cordial hospitality.

Woodam Korean BBQ is located at 650 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains. (973) 330-9112. Menu: www.woodamnj.com. Dine In – Curbside Pickup – No Contact Delivery. Street Parking and Municipal Parking Lot. Elevator Availability. Closed Monday.

PARSIPPANY — Seven tenants have leased a combined 90,000 square feet at a Parsippany office campus, in a series of newly announced transactions by Cushman & Wakefield.

The brokerage team, which represents P3 Properties at 300 Interpace Parkway and One Upper Pond Road, said the deals include commitments by RF Industries, a manufacturer of electronic hardware used in wired and wireless communications networks, and Extremity Medical, a medical device manufacturer. They will occupy a combined 60,000 square feet at what’s known as The Grand, a two-building, 550,000-square-foot complex less than a mile from Interstate 80, Route 46, and Route 202 and a mile and a half from Interstate 287.

C&W’s Charles Parmelli, William O’Keefe, and Bill Brown completed the transactions, plus an additional 30,000 square feet of new deals and renewals by five other tenants.

“We are thrilled to welcome our new tenants to The Grand, which recently completed major capital improvements resulting in the addition of new state-of-the-art amenities both inside and outside the property,” Parmelli said. “The Grand’s extensive renovations have cemented the property as not only a best-in-class headquarters office location but also a space for emerging technology companies with lab and R&D operations like RF Industries. The building’s flexible zoning, freight elevators, and loading docks combined with top-tier amenities create a high-quality and functional environment that exists in very few office locations.”

Recent updates include a new tenant lounge dubbed GRAND Central, which contains gaming areas, a café, shared conferencing and training rooms, and collaborative meeting spaces, C&W said. The property also has a large fitness center, an outdoor dining terrace, a new waterside deck known as The Grove, and a two-tiered pond with a pergola and seating.

“We recently concluded a multimillion-dollar modernization program to provide our tenants with a best-in-class office experience,” said Harvey Rosenblatt, CEO of P3 Properties. “With the addition of our new tenants and our commitment to emerging technology and lab companies, The Grand remains at the forefront of innovation.”