Celebrity chef Nick Liberato and entrepreneur Mike Dalewitz are bringing their New York-style deli, The Borscht Belt Delicatessen, to the Trenton Farmers Market, with a grand opening set for 9 a.m. on Jan. 16.
Liberato, known for his appearances on Paramount Network’s Bar Rescue and Netflix’s Restaurants on the Edge, and Dalewitz, a serial entrepreneur and investor, previously opened The Borscht Belt at the Stockton Farmers Market in 2021.
After the Stockton market closed, the deli relocated to Newtown, Pennsylvania, where it was named one of OpenTable and Eater’s Hottest Restaurants of 2023 and 2024.
The new location in Lawrence Township will be at 960 Spruce St., near Pulaski Meats within the Trenton Farmers Market.
The Borscht Belt will initially offer take-out, delivery and catering services, with plans to operate seven days a week.
The menu will feature New York-style deli favorites with a contemporary twist, including fresh lox, homemade meats, and traditional Jewish dishes like matzo ball soup, knishes, and latkes.
Bagels from Ess-a-Bagel, bialys from Shelsky’s of Brooklyn, and baked goods from Rockland and ONEG Bakery will also be available. Customers can enjoy U-Bet egg creams, Dr. Brown’s sodas, and coffee from Moonraker Roasters.
The deli’s name is a tribute to the Borscht Belt, the Catskills region once known for its Jewish summer resorts and entertainment in the mid-20th century.
“I am truly excited to come back to New Jersey where we started this concept,” said Liberato. “Our Deli will truly be a fantastic addition to the Trenton Farmers Market and will certainly be a draw for locals and visitors living in and coming to Mercer County.”
Liberato began his career path at the age of 7 working at his grandparent’s produce stand at The Italian Market, located in the heart of South Philadelphia.
Using his family’s fresh produce, Northern and Southern Italian recipes were taught to him daily as he assisted his father and grandmother for traditional family gatherings.
By age 11, Liberato began working at local food stands in South Philadelphia and discovered his second love — surfing and snowboarding. Combining the two passions, he followed his love and while working at a local surf shop on the West Coast, started his own catering company — Calidelphia — that led him to preparing meals for top celebrities including Will Smith, Tom Hanks, The Beastie Boys, Barbra Streisand, Anthony Kiedis, Cher, Hank Azaria, and more.
It was through a connection with Michelin-starred chef and restauranteur David Myers, that Liberato learned he needed to truly dive into every aspect of the business in front and in back-of-house to become a true restauranteur himself.
In just a few years, his catering business began to thrive and he acquired the long-time Venice fixture, the Venice Whaler. Struggling to move forward prior to Liberato stepping in, he took the business at the Venice Whaler from a mere $3 Million in yearly sales to $10 Million in sales.
Leading the charge as executive chef, he made a similar move with The Pier House and continues to acquire, consult and invigorate other businesses throughout Los Angeles and internationally with his expertise.
Liberato and wife, Jennifer, committed in 2020 to make the move back home to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to reunite his three daughters Sofia, Alessandra and Bella with their grandparents while launching 618 Hospitality Group with partner Michael Dalewitz.
Dalewitz, who is involved with the Borscht Belt Museum, said the deli concept at The Borscht Belt deli celebrates the community, family and humor that defined the original Borscht Belt era.
Dalewitz has built, restructured and sold several multi-million dollar businesses for high profits across industries including legal, technology, fashion and hospitality.
Drawing on his family’s background and early professional experience in hospitality, Dalewitz co-founded 618 Hospitality with Liberato, where he serves as chairman.
Most recently, Dalewitz launched Whizzable, a software company that focuses on punctual arrival and pick-up for point-of-sale systems in sectors such as food and beverage, retail and pharmacy. He currently serves as the company’s CEO.
In addition to his business ventures, Dalewitz is active in philanthropy and sits on the boards of BUILD NYC and the Bucks County Playhouse.
Celebrity chef Nick Liberato is opening a location of The Borscht Belt delicatessen in the Trenton Farmers Market.,
