New Restaurant In Maplewood/Millburn Area Offers Southern Cooking

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Todd Marvel, the culinary entrepreneur behind the popular Sprout brand, is thrilled to introduce his newest concept: Hazel’s Country Kitchen, located in Maplewood!

Just as the healthy homemade Sprout salad concept filled a niche for delicious, mindful eating all day, Hazel’s brings home-style cooking and comfort food inspired by the classic Southern “Meat + 3” joints to his hometown and environs—in fact, to the very same space at 181A Maplewood Avenue, open Tuesday through Saturday evenings for pick-up or delivery only (for now), from 5 to 8 p.m.

Said to have originated in Nashville, the Tennessean “Meat + 3” menu traditionally offers hungry guests a very satisfying choice of one Southern-style protein plus 3 sides. Choose from a definitively delicious Fried Chicken, battered crunchy, and inside, moist and flavorful, a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, lively with spices; a flavorful home-style Meatloaf topped with Tomato Creole sauce; or a hearty Southwestern Pulled Chicken Sandwich. With his daytime Sprout guests in mind, perhaps, Marvel has included a generous Cauliflower Steak with house-made Chimichurri sauce as one of the mains. A value-conscious specialty of the house is the family-friendly Hazel’s Barn Box: it includes 8 pieces of Fried Chicken, 1 pint of mashed potatoes, and 4 pieces of house-baked corn bread for just $25.99.

When it comes to sides, the variety of the menu will make choosing only three a challenge: pick from Pinto Beans, Sweet Corn Niblets, Butter Bean Salad, Mac & Cheese, Fried Apples, Mashed Potatoes, Fried Cauliflower or SouthernStyle Green Beans. Large orders of sides can also be ordered on their own. And look for a Southern-style dessert offering coming soon. Early reviews from guests are more than enthusiastic, because they can taste food prepared with unconditional love—much like owner Todd and his family get from their dog Hazel, the venture’s namesake. About Hazel’s, Todd says, “I'd been thinking about Hazel's for a long time and the pandemic presented a great opportunity to test the concept, to offer a good value that’s really tasty and totally different. I'm happy that people love the food and am excited to start growing Hazel’s.” Todd’s commitment to his community has been evident during the COVID-19 crisis, as Hazel’s has joined FLAG of SOMA (Front Line Appreciation Group) to feed local heroes at Newark Beth Israel and East Orange VA, in addition to ongoing “Chicken For The People” giveaways of 100 meals to anyone experiencing food insecurity—no questions asked, just a smile and good food given.

Marvel is also excited about the re-opening of Sprout - Sprout, is back strong, with a slightly pared down but still exceptionally delicious menu of their own salad creations, all made with love and fresh ingredients, bringing healthy, homemade, high quality and tasty food to their hometown. First launched in November 2017, the restaurant is on a togo/delivery basis at the moment.

Sprout prides itself on sourcing the best quality ingredients, creating house-made dressings and marrying those to create innovative flavor combinations for their salads. While guests can still create a Custom Salad (any combo of greens, core and premium ingredients, and dressing), some of the signature menu items include: anaCapri (Roast Chicken, Feta, Blistered Red Onion, Spicy Peppers, Kalamata Olives, Pita Chips, Romaine & Purple Cabbage, Tzatziki); Vista Verde (Avocado, Grape Tomato, Roasted Corn, Pepperjack, Romaine & Purple Cabbage, Sweet & Smoky Chipotle Vinaigrette); The Derby Cobb (Roast Chicken, Avocado, Smoked Bacon, Egg, Grape Tomatoes, Red Onion, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Romaine, Dijon Vinaigrette); Sedona (Braised Southwestern Chicken, Quinoa, Avocado, Scallions, Tortilla Chips, Cotija Cheese, Kale + Purple Cabbage, Cabo Vinaigrette); Dorian (Braised Lemon Herb Chicken, Quinoa, Feta, Carrots, Pita Chips, Kale & Purple Cabbage, Spicy Tahini Dressing).

Sprout is open from 11:00 am-3:00 pm daily with online ordering/pick-up or delivery available; Hazel’s, 5:00-8:00 pm.

www.iheartsprout.com / www.hazelscountrykitchen.com

This press release was produced by Hazel’s Country Kitchen. The views expressed here are the author's own.