Lauren Giselle Musni

New Jersey

Food and Culture Writer at NJ.com

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Articles

N.J. man charged with fatally striking pedestrian, authorities say

1 week ago | nj.com | Lauren Giselle Musni

A North Brunswick man has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that took place Saturday night in New Brunswick, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said. Juan Martinez-Gaspar, 41, of North Brunswick is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash for a Saturday night crash that killed Elvia Gavarrete, 48, of New Brunswick, the office said.
Japanese-inspired N.J. pizzeria is big on flavor, concept doesn’t deliver

2 weeks ago | nj.com | Lauren Giselle Musni

Pizza may have originated in Italy. But a new pizzeria in New Jersey sees the dish as a global canvas — and they’re serving it up one innovative pie at a time. One World Pizza opened in Jersey City at the end of 2024 and offers what it calls a one-of-a-kind pizza omakase experience at its intimate four-seat chef’s counter, The team behind the new pizzeria — which includes co-founder Tory Aunspach — also runs Wanderer and Cafe Alyce, two beloved neighborhood spots located right next door.
25 Asian-owned restaurants to support for AAPI month

2 weeks ago | nj.com | Lauren Giselle Musni

AAPI-owned restaurants (those owned by Asian-American Pacific Islanders) are an essential part of New Jersey’s rich and diverse food scene. Whether you’re craving a hot bowl of ramen, spicy Indian curries, steaming dumplings, bold flavors from Pakistan, savory Filipino food or sizzling Korean barbecue, there are incredible AAPI-owned spots tucked into nearly every corner of the state.
New Jersey’s 21 best dumpling dishes, ranked for 2025

2 weeks ago | nj.com | Lauren Giselle Musni |Karim Shamsi-Basha

Dumplings? We’re crazy a-bao them!Originating in northern China during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 A.D.), dumplings are, in the most basic sense, cooked dough surrounding some sort of filling. Dumplings can come in various shapes and forms such as wontons, baos, soup dumplings, shumai and several other varieties. As New Jersey is home to a plethora of Asian populations and cuisines, there is no shortage of fantastic dumplings throughout the state – you just have to know where to get them.
Popular N.J. coffee shop opening 2nd location in flourishing food town

2 weeks ago | nj.com | Lauren Giselle Musni

Since 2019, Paper Plane Coffee Co. has served up standout brews in Montclair with a signature travel-inspired vibe. Now, the beloved cafe is landing in a second location. Co-owner Jonathan Echeverry told NJ Advance Media on Monday that Paper Plane Coffee Co. is opening a second location in Maplewood. Paper Plane Coffee Co. announced the expansion in an Instagram post on Sunday.
Popular N.J. pizzeria closing for good after more than 60 years

4 weeks ago | nj.com | Lauren Giselle Musni

Torna Pizzeria, a Hoboken pizza shop known for slinging saucy Sicilian pies, is closing this summer after more than 60 years of business. The pizzeria, which opened back in 1960, recently posted signs on their storefront and throughout the shop announcing the closure. Torna Pizzeria’s last day of business will be July 24. “With a heavy heart, we announce that Torna’s Pizza will be closing doors on July 24th,” the statement on the sign said.
It was ‘Chinatown by the Sea.’ Inside a Jersey Shore town’s unknown history.

4 weeks ago | nj.com | Lauren Giselle Musni

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2024. Bradley Beach, known for its scenic shorefront and foodie-friendly Main Street, also maintains a rich — if not unlikely — cultural heritage: The small Jersey Shore town was once known as Chinatown by the Sea. The migration of Chinese immigrants in New York City to the beachfront enclave began in 1941, with a woman named Lee Ng Shee, according to the Bradley Beach Historical Society.
The 23 best Filipino restaurants in New Jersey, ranked for 2025

1 month ago | nj.com | Lauren Giselle Musni |Saleah Blancaflor

New Jersey’s diverse culinary landscape wouldn’t be complete without the cuisine of The Philippines, especially as the state’s growing Filipino population now tops 118,000 residents. In 1960, the U.S. Census only counted 1,451 Filipinos in New Jersey. But the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which ended the cap on how many immigrants were allowed to enter the country, changed all that.
New Jersey’s 25 best Mexican restaurants, ranked

1 month ago | nj.com | Lauren Giselle Musni |Peter Genovese |Jeremy Schneider |Christopher Burch |Murjani Rawls

¡Bienvenidos! New Jersey might be thousands of miles from Mexico. But that doesn’t mean the state doesn’t have a vast array of Mexican eateries. And we’re not just talking tacos, burritos, quesadillas and birria. In New Jersey, you can get dishes like smoky mole poblano, savory enchiladas verdes and tangy sopes topped with fresh salsa — delights that truly capture the essence of Mexico’s culinary heritage.
New Jersey’s 23 best Thai restaurants, 2025 update

1 month ago | nj.com | Peter Genovese |Lauren Giselle Musni

While Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisines seem to grab most of the Asian culinary spotlight in this country, don’t sell Thai food short. Fifty percent of all Thai restaurants outside of Thailand are in the U.S. and Canada; with about 5,300 Thai restaurants in America alone. What makes Thai food so appealing? The mixture of sweet, sour and spicy; the predominance of vegetables and the generous use of herbs are among the major factors.