Dining

2023 Downtown Denville Hot Chocolate Contest

Can you feel the festive spirit beginning to take shape in every nook and cranny of Downtown Denville? That’s right, the holiday season is officially upon us! As we prep for this season of jollity, we’re excited to announce a brand-new tradition kicking off this year – the First Annual Downtown Denville Hot Chocolate Contest.

Part of the thrill? You get to play judge!

Yes, we’re relying on your discerning taste buds to crown the Hot Chocolate Champion. All businesses enter this tasty competition in good festive spirit, striving to claim the bragging rights to the Best Hot Chocolate in Downtown Denville for the upcoming year.

All participating businesses are listed below in alphabetical order for your convenience. Make sure you try them all before you cast your vote as you can only vote for ONE business. Your votes will shape the hot chocolate landscape of our vibrant district! Voting opens during the Holiday Open House on November, 24th and will run through December, ending on Thursday, December 21st.

The winner will be announced on Friday, December 22nd, just in time to add an extra sprinkle of holiday cheer.

With stunning decorations, irresistible shopping options, exciting events, and now the hot chocolate contest, there’s no doubt that Downtown Denville is your holiday destination!

VOTE HERE

A TACO AFFAIR

Molé Mexican Hot Chocolate

Indulge in the exotic blend of our Molé Mexican Hot Chocolate. Inspired by traditional mole sauce, this luxurious drink features a complex array of 12 ingredients, leading with a rich chocolate taste and finishing with a hint of earthy sweetness and a warm, spicy kick. Topped with spiced whipped cream and served with a crispy churro, it’s a unique twist on a classic. (Note: Mug not included)

BEIGNETS

Signature Hot Chocolate & Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Signature Hot Chocolate: Experience the comfort of our Signature Hot Chocolate, elevated with a dollop of toasted marshmallow cream for a delightful, cozy treat.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Refresh your senses with our Peppermint Hot Chocolate, a festive blend crowned with peppermint whipped cream, perfect for holiday cheer.

BUBBLES IN PARADISE

Warm Chocolate Peppermint Tea

Explore the unconventional with our Warm Chocolate Peppermint Milk Tea. This unique “hot chocolate” is served warm to perfect the texture of the tapioca bubbles. Enhance your experience with optional whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and crushed candy cane. (Served in a paper hot cup, showcasing our special tapioca inclusion)

CHOCOLATINE

Oh La La Chocolat Chaud

Savor the essence of Paris with our Oh La La Chocolat Chaud. Made with 61% dark chocolate, this rich and creamy hot chocolate is a decadent treat, adorned with mini marshmallows and chocolate bits to create a luxurious experience.

DOOWOP EATS

Greek Hot Chocolate

Savor the richness of Greece with our Greek Hot Chocolate. Melted imported Greek chocolate, flawlessly blended with steamed cream, fills a Nutella-rimmed glass adorned with chocolate sprinkles. Each cup is crowned with freshly made, thick whipped cream, offering a luxurious chocolate experience.

DUJOUR CAFE

DuJour Hot Chocolate

Savor the citrus-infused wonder of our DuJour Hot Chocolate. Infused with aromatic orange syrup and adorned with a cloud of whipped cream and marshmallows, it’s finished with a charming Terry’s Chocolate Orange garnish for a playful and elegant twist.

EL COQUI CREPES

Gabby’s Holiday

Gabby’s Holiday presents a Nutella Hot Chocolate that’s a dream come true for chocolate lovers. This rich, velvety drink is infused with cinnamon and topped with fluffy marshmallows, offering a delightful holiday indulgence.

EL MEJICANO TEX-MEX GRILL

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Savor the rich heritage of Mexico with our Mexican Hot Chocolate. Crafted with authentic spices and deep, luxurious chocolate, this drink warms you up from the inside out, embodying the spirit of traditional Mexican warmth and hospitality.

MO’PWEEZE

Mocha Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Mocha Hot Chocolate: Dive into the indulgent fusion of coffee and chocolate with our Mocha Hot Chocolate, topped with homemade plant-based whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. Perfect for those who enjoy a caffeine kick.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Refresh your palate with our Peppermint Hot Chocolate, adorned with homemade plant-based whipped cream and peppermint candy sprinkles.

Both drinks are top 10 allergen-free, vegan, and kosher, catering to all

MUTTS ON MAIN

Peanut Butter Cup Hot “Carob” & Reeces Hot Chocolate

A treat for you and your pup!

Peanut Butter Cup Hot “Carob” for Dogs: A special treat for your furry friend, our Peanut Butter Cup Hot “Carob” is a safe, delicious, and dog-friendly beverage.

Reeces Hot Chocolate for Humans: Indulge in the decadent blend of peanut butter and chocolate with our Reeces Hot Chocolate, a delightful treat for the taste buds

SMARTWORLD

Polar Express Duo

Elf Magic (Kids Size): A magical concoction of vanilla and hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, and enchanting sprinkles.

Snow Drift (12 oz): Immerse yourself in the wintry blend of toasted marshmallow and white chocolate, accented with cinnamon and nutmeg, and crowned with whipped cream and marshmallows.

Available exclusively as a set for the contest.

SWEET VINYL

The Snowball

A winter wonderland in a cup, our Snowball hot chocolate combines white chocolate sauce with coconut and vanilla syrups, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy delight.

THATCHER MCGHEES

McGillicuddy Cocoa

For those over 21, indulge in our hot cocoa with a twist – spiked with Dr. McGillicuddy Peppermint Schnaps for a minty, spirited lift to your holiday celebrations.

Buy Early, Buy In Denville

Our downtown businesses offer something unique that malls, big box stores, and online retailers don’t. And you might not even realize it.

The business owners are actually on premises every single day, and these are some of their faces.

These businesses aren’t just investments to them. They are the heart, sweat, blood, and tears of how they support their family, and the fulfillment of some of their big childhood dreams. They are in their stores helping you select the perfect gift, making suggestions for a new outfit you want, and sizing your feet for a pair of shoes. They are planning the menu, choosing just the right ingredients, and making your meal. They are ringing up your purchases, gift wrapping, sweeping the floor, taking out the recycling, staying early and closing late. They remember your name, ask about your kids, and when they thank you for coming in, it’s sincere.

As the holiday season is barreling towards us, the future of many of our small businesses is uncertain. Running a small business is challenging enough, but with the twists and turns that 2020 and the pandemic has thrown them, it is important that you continue to support small businesses whenever possible to ensure that your favorite stores and restaurants are still here next year. While downtown Denville has been relatively lucky that we haven’t lost businesses yet directly due to COVID-19, that doesn’t mean they don’t need your attention. They do. This holiday season matters in a very big way to them, and to our community, and we can’t stress the importance of shopping and eating local enough.

Many of our businesses offer online ordering, free delivery, and some have even been known to facetime you from the store to help you select the perfect gift if you can’t come in. When considering the lure of free shipping from online retailers, just remember the names of the businesses that are on the backs of shirts that Little League kids are wearing at the baseball games and who is putting together and donating Tricky Tray baskets for your local fundraising event.

Beyond supporting these businesses with your dollars, you can also support them by liking their Facebook and Instagram pages, and commenting on and sharing their posts. That engagement helps their pages get seen by more and grow their audience. Have you had a wonderful experience with one of our downtown businesses? Leave them a review on their Facebook, Google or Yelp pages.

Although the holiday season seems far away, it starts now. And with you. Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our community. It’s what will keep us the number one downtown in Morris County. Now let’s finish 2020 strong.

Welcome El Lechon de Negron to downtown Denville!

Allison Kohler, owner of Mara’s Cafe and Bakery on Main Street, is just days away from opening up El Lechon de Negron in Denville. With the excitement of their Grand Opening mounting, we wanted to get the low-down on how it all came to be. Their grand opening is set for Tuesday, September 29th.

How did you get involved w El Lechon and bringing them to Denville? The short version is Crab Rangoon! I run festivals. I’ve worked with the Negron family for the past 7 years as they’ve had their food truck at our festivals and have built a wonderful relationship with them. Their food is top notch and ranked as one of the best Puerto Rican restaurants in the U.S. In the early stages of Covid, I went to their Union restaurant for Empanada Day to support them. I ordered 16 Empanadas for me and my family. They were all excellent, but the Crab Rangoon and Shrimp Scampi were outrageous. I dreamt of the Crab Rangoon for weeks. I realized that the Denville area needed to experience this delicious awesomeness, and combining El Lechon de Negron with Mara’s makes us the ultimate lunch and dinner destination! Add in all of Mara’s Award Winning Desserts and we are the perfect Trifecta for all your culinary desires! The Negrons loved the idea of expanding their authentic cuisine to new customers, particularly Morris County. A beautiful partnership was born.

It’s quite the gamble to open up a new business during the pandemic. What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about it? It’s a huge gamble right now. I think you need to have a really strong product and business model to attempt to open anything right now. Even in good times, new businesses get a lot of hype but then burn out quickly after all the initial fanfare. You need a long term plan that can see past the pandemic. Connecting and partnering with your local community are major ingredients that will lead to a great start and long term success.

How will Mara’s and El Lechon share space? The building is spacious and can accommodate each business with its own working space. Mara’s and El Lechon each have their own ordering counter and will share the same dining area.

El Lechon has quite a following in Union – can we expect the same menu items from the new Denville location? Yes you can! Including specials!!!!! Chicharron, Pastelon and Tostone Sliders will be some of our rotating specials, once we get past the initial grand opening. Union offers 7 types of empanadas daily. Denville will have 9 types. The two additional types are crab rangoon and shrimp scampi! We felt we needed to pay homage to what started it all, plus they’re delicious!

If a first time customer pops in, what would you recommend they start with from the El Lechon menu? I could tell you a love story about every item on the menu 😊As a first timer, I would tell you to start with a Pernil platter with Arroz con Gandules & Maduros, with an empanada as an appetizer and Tres Leches or Flan for dessert!

Between Mara’s, El Lechon, and your food truck festivals, how do you juggle it all? I love what I do! Have you ever seen me and Wonder Woman in the same place?!

Be sure to follow their Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up with them.

Downtown Denville’s Restaurant Week Begins!

Downtown Denville’s Annual Restaurant Week kicked off on Sunday, September 20, and there are 15 restaurants downtown sharing delicious specials to entice you to eat local. You’ll find everything from a different ten dollar special at Thatcher McGhee’s every day to a 10% discount off chalkboard specials at Carver’s. This is a great way to discover a new restaurant or revisit an old favorite.

With many of the downtown Denville restaurants recently voted “best in Morris County,” this is the perfect time to celebrate with them, and to continue to support our restaurant community. Restaurant Week continues through Thursday, September 24, and you can find a full list of participants at Dine Out Denville. There is an interactive map this year – just click on the orange pins to find the details from each participating restaurant. Even if a restaurant doesn’t have a special this week, they all would appreciate your patronage. This year has been challenging for many small business owners, and this is the perfect time to give our restaurants a little boost of support. With many offering outdoor and indoor dining, take out and delivery, you’ll find a convenient and delicious way to eat your way through Denville this week!

Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram – we’d love to see and share! Happy eating!

Indoor Dining Opens in Denville

What a long strange trip it has been. As New Jersey takes another step on their path to reopening, Denville restaurants ready themselves to offer indoor dining at 25% capacity. With restaurant margins being what they are, while this is a positive next step, it still continues to be challenging to run a restaurant in 2020.

We checked in with several of our downtown restaurants to get their thoughts on indoor dining. Jason Robbins, General Manager of Thatcher McGhee’s said, “These bizarre times are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. But these bizarre times have brought out the best in many, especially the town and people of Denville. When restaurants couldn’t open at all, people supported small business by ordering in, and when outside dining opened, we were allowed to extend our area and people came out in droves. Now with the excitement of indoor dining, we know they will once again show us their support by joining us to celebrate.” Thatcher McGhee’s, on Broadway, was recently voted #1 Irish restaurant in Morris County.

Carver’s on First Avenue is a popular breakfast and lunch destination. A small, quaint restaurant with a downhome vibe, the lockdown hurt their business substantially. “The pandemic has decimated our daily business to a mere 1/3 of our regular sales. Each sale during this time kept us holding on. The greatness of Denville as a community has kept baking and soup making at a high in spite of everything. We are elated indoor dining is resuming and hope to serve as many folks as possible! We will serving at a first come basis as we try and navigate through the changes and requirements. Thank you Denville for keeping Carver’s strong,” said the owner, Carver Parrish.

Jesus Gomez, owner of El Mejicano, is “excited to be able to see our friends back in our home even if it’s in a limited capacity!” He and his staff have been busy with take-out orders during the pandemic, and he is also co-owner of the new bakery that is opening up in a few weeks, Vikingos Cake Shoppe & Bakery.

The Second Half on Main, a popular pub downtown, has been doing take out orders and serving in their beautiful outdoor dining area. Diane Gentile said, “We are beyond grateful to our awesome patrons and the Town of Denville for their unwavering support through these very difficult months. We cannot wait to welcome those that are ready back indoors.”

Whether a restaurant is doing indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout or delivery, they all need your continued support to survive the current and ongoing challenges small business owners face in 2020. You can support them by eat locally, of course, leaving reviews on their Yelp! and Google pages, and following and sharing their social media accounts. A strong community is what allows small business owners to continue to deliver consistent and quality products and services. Our tag line, “where a community comes together,” has never been more true than this year.

Dining

2023 Downtown Denville Hot Chocolate Contest

VOTE HERE