A new art-focused restaurant will soon open inside 150 Bay Street’s Transmission Lounge. Named after the 1984 hip-hop movie of the same name, Beat Street is an homage to 80s street art and hip-hop.
“We came up with that name because we’re authentically from that era,” explains co-owner KC Macias, who has collaborated with everyone from Jay-Z to The Roots. “We thought, wouldn’t it be cool to showcase top local street artists, street food and street music, but with a modern twist.”
That modern twist will come courtesy of co-owner and celebrity chef Darryl Harmon. Harmon — who has cooked for luminaries such as director Michael Bay and former Vice President Joe Biden — has created a menu that showcases what he’s termed as “elevated street food.”
The menu will offer entrees like “Rocka Falafel Waffle,” a dish inspired by two common food truck items — falafel and waffles.
“Everyone offers falafel in and around New York. I took a house made falafel mix, pressed it in a waffle iron to get that crispness, added mint frozen yogurt, Harissa-infused syrup, Raita and micro borage for a sweet and savory treat,” says Harmon.
Other food items will showcase his Native American heritage and New Jersey upbringing, such as the Native Bison Tostadas and Reverse Seared Tomahawk Steak, the latter of which is a 38-oz. rib eye served standing up, speckled with charcoal dust, and pierced with a stone tomahawk. Food prices will range from $10 to $60.
Art will play a critical role at Beat Street, which will be adorned with everything from handmade furniture to 80s-style murals. There will even be a “Wu-Tang Clan table” — a table shaped in the form of an old-school cassette tape.
The restaurant has three distinct spaces including a 15-seat bar, lounge area, and dining room. In place of a chef’s table, Beat Street will offer a “DJ Table,” seating music lovers next to the DJ booth. Each night of the week will feature a different style of music: Tuesdays will be jazz, Wednesdays will feature retro funk/classic hip hop, Thursdays will spotlight Cuban salsa, Fridays will focus on Prince and classic 90s, and Saturdays will feature Brazilian/Ibiza/house.
Beat Street will make a debut unlike any other restaurant. On Wednesday, June 14 they will host a stand-up cocktail party with all proceeds benefiting the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties. Tickets cost $20/pp and include food, drinks, and entertainment.
On Thursday, June 22 Beat Street will officially open to the public with a Pay-What-You-Want Fundraiser with all proceeds benefiting The Sharing Place Food Pantry in Jersey City.
“With Beat Street, Darryl and KC have tapped Transmission’s spirit, bringing the establishment to maturity,” says co-owner Howard Brunner. “Really, the place defies all labels.”
(Photos: Beat Street)
