Let’s start with the name, Wicked Jane. How wicked is she? Is it in a sinister way or a playful way? In my mind, she’s a tough, street-smart woman, one whose wickedness is more on the fun side of naughty. Mischievous and playful, her adventures sometimes get her into trouble, but somehow she always finds a way out, making friends and admirers along the way.

We all know and love a wicked Jane, and, lucky for us, there’s a new one in town.

Located at 15 West 8th Street, the restaurant was scheduled to open in April but those plans were halted due to Covid-19. Chef owner Zod Arifai (well-respected for several top NJ restaurants) forged ahead anyways, making the best of a tough situation, and opened Wicked Jane in mid-July. Originally created as a fine-dining establishment with a lengthy tasting menu, Arifai changed the restaurant’s format, to adapt to outdoor seating, by offering a menu of small plates and a limited, but well-curated wine and cocktail list.

Since opening, Wicked Jane has received rave reviews. The many 5-star write-ups on Yelp are over the top with praise for chef Zov’s phenomenal cuisine, creative cocktails, and warm, welcoming service. And, while the plates at Wicked Jane may be small, the flavors are huge — each bite pops with the taste of clean, fresh, simple ingredients that meld together like a beautiful symphony of flavors.

Take, for instance, the lightly cooked salmon, a favorite at our table. Perfectly cooked, meltingly tender and sitting atop a simple, yet stunning gingery broth with red grapes, jicama and chives. My daughter and I loved the slightly spicy broth so much that we asked for spoons to lap up every last drop!

Other Favorites Dishes

Squash salad came with thinly sliced apples, endive, and a delicious, creamy apple dressing. The squash, tender inside but with a crispy crust, was a great combination of textures and flavors.

Scallop crudo was another creative dish with a great melange of flavors, including ginger, lime, olive oil, and sea salt.

Duck tacos, a special one night, were made with what tasted like homemade corn tortillas. The tender duck was topped with caramelized onions, chipotle and a creamy mayonnaise.

Cod with a cumin sauce, another well-executed dish, was perfectly cooked and came with lentils and a tasty basil oil.

Swordfish (as tender as could be) came with a light, yet fragrant, seafood broth and a fabulous cauliflower purée.

Frozen chocolate mousse, topped with hazelnut crunch was a great combination of textures (soft, gooey and crunchy) and flavors (super chocolatey, yet not heavy).

Wine tip: Order a bottle of Podere Giardino Suoli Cataldi. This dry Italian lightly sparkling red wine is made from organic grapes in Reggio Emilia. Bright and fruity, with an appealing earthiness (scents of leather and charcuterie), one of the best… — **Wine tip**: Order a bottle of Podere Giardino Suoli Cataldi lambrusco. This dry, lightly sparkling italian red wine is made from organic grapes in Reggio Emilia. Bright and fruity, with an appealing earthiness (scents of leather and charcuterie), one of the best Lambruscos I’ve had, it went perfectly with each dish.

Wicked Jane recommends ordering two to three dishes per person, plus dessert. The menu changes often but everything we had, including the house made bread, served with a creamy cream cheese, was delicious. Take it from The Wine Chef, Wicked Jane will not be an easy reservation as word continues to get out. Make your reservations now!

From the Wicked Jane website: “The restaurant will evolve every week and hopefully, very soon we can open up as the restaurant was intended to be. In the meantime, let’s enjoy life and remember we are all in this together.”
At time of this posting, Wicked Jane is open for indoor and outdoor dining and take-out, Tuesdays - Saturdays. Check the restaurant’s website or Instagram page @wickedjanenyc for updates.