Two years after opening in Harborside, Top Chef alum Leah Cohen and partner Ben Byruch have announced their plans to close Piggyback Bar Jersey City.
“We have decided to close the doors to Jersey City’s harborside Asian-American tavern Piggyback Bar on September 30, 2019 and will amicably go our separate ways from partner Mike Demarco of Mack-Cali,” Cohen and Byruch said in statement sent out to press.
The duo have also posted a letter for patrons at the entrance of their Jersey City restaurant. “We greatly appreciate the relationships we have made here. In two years of business, we have made friendships that will continue long after we close. Your loyalty to this establishment is not lost on us!”
Piggyback’s closing is, however, a loss for Jersey City — particularly the waterfront. In its two-year span, the restaurant debuted a host of popular dishes like its Disco Pho-ries (pictured above), Pad Cakes, and Longanisa Bowl. It also breathed new life into the dated Harborside Terminal, which is currently undergoing renovations.
There is a silver lining for fans of Cohen’s dishes.
Piggyback NYC to debut this Fall
Cohen and Byruch will soon debut a new restaurant concept in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood. Located at 140 West 30th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues), Piggyback NYC will feature an entirely new menu. Dishes will include Shrimp Toast Okonomiyaki (brioche bread topped with shrimp mousse), Cha Cá Lã Vong (rice noodles topped with pan-seared cod marinated in turmeric), and Lumpia Shanghai (pork and beef spring rolls with a sweet chili sauce).
Designed by Byruch, Piggyback NYC’s interior will feature modern street art, floor-to-ceiling Thai movie posters, and vintage mahjong sets.
Piggyback NYC will be the couple’s second New York restaurant, joining Filipino-Thai spot, Pig & Khao. It’s slated to open later this autumn.
