An experienced businesswoman, avid snowboarder and born-and-raised New Jersey girl, Alex Morano is bringing the taste of her home state to Essex Junction. This Friday, April 2, Morano is opening the doors of The Food Bar, a new restaurant on Park Street offering the food of an Italian deli and the atmosphere of a cocktail bar.

The menu is brimming with Italian classics like family-style antipasto, Sicilian arancini, eggplant parmesan and rigatoni bolognese. Hot and cold deli sandwiches, build-your-own pasta and smoothies also fill its pages. “Here, you’ll be served the food you’d eat if you were at my house for a family party,” Morano said.