If there’s one thing we all deserve, it’s delicious brunch. Thankfully, the Franklin in Jersey City does just that. The Franklin, which opened its doors in Jersey City Heights in 2019, is giving residents exactly that: Italian food, brunch favorites, and BYOB. It offers an upscale dining experience and a family-friendly environment and is located just a short walk from the staircase connecting the Jersey City Heights to Paterson Plank Road. Owner, Jaime Ramirez, has worked as a chef for over 20 years, and is now bringing his expertise to his very own restaurant — here’s a peek inside.
The Background
Jaime Ramirez worked at Anthony David’s in Hoboken for 14 years until recently opening The Franklin in Jersey City Heights. He began his early cooking career as a pastry chef, then transitioned into making homemade pasta, specializing in Italian food. Jaime worked as a chef in restaurants around Hoboken for several years, but always knew he wanted to open a restaurant of his own one day.
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After years of dreaming, planning, and looking for the perfect location, the spot on the corner of Franklin Street and New York Avenue {previously Tropicana} in the Heights became available, and the Ramirez family jumped on it. In April of 2019, The Franklin officially opened.
The Franklin is a family-owned and operated restaurant, with Jaime as the head chef and mastermind behind all the delicious creations. His daughter, Kelly, runs the house and manages all of the behind-the-scenes work. Kelly’s mother and brother will also help around the restaurant when needed. With such a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, customers will feel as if they are part of the family when they walk in the door.
The Ambience
The Franklin blends an upscale environment with a laid back, BYOB experience. The service is five-star, and each mouth-watering item on the menu is beautifully presented.
When the Ramirez family first bought the space, it was in need of some tender loving care. They completely renovated every inch, and it now looks like something out of HGTV. It is the perfect ambiance for a weekend brunch with friends or a romantic dinner date night.
The Menu
The menu consists of Italian fare, fresh pasta, and brunch classics such as Eggs Benedict, The Franklin Omelet, and French Toast {Kelly’s personal favorite}. Brunch is served daily until 3:00PM, so everyone can indulge in some brunch every day of the week. For dinner options, Kelly and Jaime both recommend first-timers to try the truffle potato rolls as an appetizer, then braised short ribs or lamb sugo pappardelle as mains.
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The menu also features several vegan and vegetarian options to the menu including a quinoa wrap. For dessert, the warm brownie with vanilla gelato will literally melt in your mouth {so we highly recommend!}.
Overall, the menu is affordable with nothing over $30. Brunch prices range from $12 to $18, and dinner ranges from $11 apps to $28 main courses, with plenty of options in between.
The Details:
The Franklin is located at 159 New York Avenue in Jersey City Heights, and also offers catering for weddings, parties, and events; it is open Sunday-Thursday 7:00AM-3:00PM and 5:00PM-10:30PM, and Friday and Saturday 7:00AM-3:00PM and 5:00PM-10:30PM. Call 201-653-4710 for more information.
