Mabel, a coastal European-themed restaurant at Bell Works in Holmdel, is the second restaurant for chefs Grace Crossman (left) and Laura Brahn. — Courtesy: Mabel
By Joshua Burd
The first full-service restaurant at Bell Works has opened its doors at the 2 million-square-foot property, bringing another amenity to its many tenants and residents in and around Holmdel.
According to a news release, the eatery known as Mabel spans more than 4,200 square feet with seating for 210. Patrons will find a menu inspired by Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese cuisine, with an interior design meant to echo the architecture of Bell Works while implementing natural materials and a color palette reflecting the bar and restaurant’s coastal European theme.
Inspired by Somerset Development, the property’s owner and the firm responsible for repositioning the former Bell Labs campus on Crawfords Corner Road, noted that the eatery’s name is an homage to Mabel Gardiner Bell, the wife of Alexander Graham Bell.
“The opening of Mabel as Bell Works’ first full-service restaurant marks an exciting milestone in the evolution of the metroburb,” said Ralph Zucker, founder and CEO of Inspired by Somerset Development. “Mabel represents more than another eatery, but a space that fosters a new level of community and connection within the Bell Works ecosystem. This exciting culinary addition from a reputable hospitality team is a natural extension of our vision to establish the campus as a destination for businesses, locals and visitors alike.”
Located in the Block at Bell Works, the property’s main retail and restaurant corridor, Mabel is the latest addition to a growing array of dining options. The lunch and dinner spot is also the second restaurant by chefs Laura Brahn and Grace Crossman, who operate Cardinal in Asbury Park, offering signature dishes such as duck rillettes, croquetas de papa packed with fresh herbs, fontina cheese and an ajo blanco for dipping, a seafood tower, oyster mushrooms Milanese and others.
Zucker’s firm added that Mabel also has references to Mabel Gardiner Bell’s passions for horticulture and ornithology adorning the walls. So & So designed the various graphic elements throughout the space, as well as a prominent mural.
“Bell Works is the ideal location for our second restaurant,” Crossman and Brahn said in a joint statement. “The dynamic, ever-evolving environment at Bell Works aligns perfectly with what we hope to create at Mabel — a neighborhood hub celebrating fresh, diverse ingredients with simplicity and style.
“Our menu honors the vibrant mix of tenants, locals and visitors at the metroburb. We look forward to bringing them our distinct take on high-quality food and cocktails. Food for all eaters is something we have always been passionate about, and we are excited about being in a place where the diversity that the building fosters can thrive.”
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