Restaurant veteran Michael Gondevas is known for his popular spots in Jersey City. In the Hamilton Park area, he has been operating two restaurants for years. In December, he opened Chickie’s, which serves Italian favorites such as pasta, pizza, meatballs and sandwiches, along with a lengthy cocktail, wine and beer list.

“I’ve always loved Jersey Italian,” Gondevas says. “We felt like this was the perfect spot for it.” Chickie’s joins his Hamilton Inn (2010) and Hamilton Pork (2016), one of New Jersey Monthly’s best restaurants in Jersey City, on the same block, making it easy for him to keep an eye on all three. But that doesn’t mean he’s done.