There’s Something Incredibly Unique About This New Jersey Restaurant…And You’ll Want To Visit

Jersey City is a cultural melting pot with a fantastic dining scene. It is also one of the oldest cities in New Jersey, loaded with history. You’ll find mouthwatering cuisine at restaurants like Skinner’s Loft, Lighthouse Tavern, Satis Bistro and the casual Brownstone Diner. You’ll find historic charm at locations like Liberty State Park, the Colgate Clock, the Goldman Sachs Tower (the tallest skyscraper in New Jersey) and the Loew’s Jersey Theatre. You can find a mix of both delicious dishes and local history at Sanai’s.

Wikipedia/Hudconja

Originally known as the Newkirk House and later, the Summit House, the structure the restaurant sits in dates back to 1669. Built of sandstone, brick and clapboard, this was originally a single story structure. Wood pegs were utilized in the building process rather than nails at the time of construction.

Built by John Berry and later purchased by Mattheus Cornelissen Newkirk and his brother Gerrit Newkirk, the home remained in the Newkirk family until 1889 (according to the business' website). The area saw action during the Revolutionary War, with the Battle of Paulus Hook nearby. British troops once had control of the neighborhood and the home itself, at 510 Summit Avenue, was identified on British military maps drawn in 1781.

Wikipedia/Hudconja

The home was once used as an orphanage and then a variety of retail businesses before becoming a restaurant. In 1979, the Newkirk House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. That same year, it opened as the Summit House Restaurant. The restaurant was eventually purchased by New Jersey native and NBA star Terry DeHere. DeHere, who grew up in Jersey City, operated the restaurant as The Blue Ribbon, and later, Sanai's. He has been the proprietor since 2005, according to an article in the New York Times.

Wikipedia/Hudconja

Sanai's serves a mix of American favorites and regularly offers murder mystery dinners. Reviews are mixed, but most agree that the show is fantastic. Guests appreciate the reasonable prices and variety of drinks available.

While additions to the building have been made over the years, much of the original structure, including a basement, remains intact. How cool is it that you can dine in the oldest building in Jersey City, and one of the oldest surviving structures in New Jersey? Have you been here before? What was your experience? If you’re a history buff, you may also enjoy my previous article: Here Are 16 Of The Oldest Towns In New Jersey… And They’re Loaded With History.