A Taste of Sicily in Jersey City
The bakery blitz continues in downtown Jersey City, with Enna recently opening at 61 Erie St, in the space that formerly housed Prato. Authenticity reigns in this serene spot, with its Tuscan-inspired décor of raw wood, terracotta and a warm, neutral palette, and a menu that lets you sample flavors from across Sicily’s highly localized culinary landscape. The Barista, who is running a top shelf coffee program, comes from Agrigento in Southern Sicily, while the Chef comes from a long line of bakers from Taormina in the East. While he grew up in Brooklyn, he moved to Sicily for a time to work in the family baking business. Behind the scenes, Enna is owned by Paulus Hook resident Eric Powers, who is known for his work renovating the lobbies of Silverman & Co’s residential buildings, as well as his restoration of the lobby of their Majestic Theater building on Grove St. Drew Heffron and his Brooklyn-based design firm, Practical People, who oversaw the branding for Mathew’s, White Star, and Van Hook, is responsible for Enna’s as well.
The inspiration for the bakery (and its name) comes from the hilltop town of Enna, a fabled and famous town located in Central Sicily and known for worshipping the God of wheat. 61 Erie has its own historical significance and synergy, too. Built in 1880, the building was originally a retail bakery shop. Fast forward to the 20th Century, and the building was home to a local bodega, whose owner sold it to Powers in 2005. Originally from Maine, Powers has been here in Jersey City for 20 years, and is grateful for the chance to provide his evolving neighborhood with yet another great spot for locals to come together over great food and good chat; “This is such an interesting place to live and to see how it has grown over the years. I have been really lucky to be a part of that.”
Delectable dishes include the sfincione (thick crust, Sicilian style pizzas), arancine (rice balls stuffed with either ragu bolognese or ham and cheese), ravazzata (savory pastry filled with ragu bolognese), and mouthwatering Sicilian-style sandwiches. On the sweeter side, try the cornetto – the Italian, sweeter version of a croissant, stuffed with crema, marmalata, or Nutella, or the iris – a ricotta-stuffed pastry. Take your pick from many varieties of Italian cookies or take home a full cake, like the chocolate/hazelnut filled Setteveli.
Enna, 61 Erie St. (201) 222-9999
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Bakery/Enna-Bakery-437393376728471/
http://www.practicalpeople.us