When you step into 87 Sussex, the first feeling is an elegant mellowness that makes you feel right at home. The main dining room is intentionally minimalist yet warm, reflecting its modern American seafood heavy menu with global influences. To get a little more detailed, it’s airy and open, with large front windows that let in the sunshine during brunch hours, casting a golden glow onto wooden tables. The walls are painted in soft, muted tones—off-white and pale gray—creating a neutral canvas for the restaurant’s thoughtful design elements. The most striking features are the large blue marble wall at the back and the Sputnik style gold pendant ceiling lamps.
My guest was eager to check out the seafood offerings. Above is Sussex 87’s most popular seafood appetizer with the romantic name Oysters & Pearls. It consists of three freshly shucked oysters nestled on a bed of coarse salt, each topped with glistening tapioca “pearls” that shimmer like tiny jewels. It’s elegant yet grounded—simple, striking, and healthy but undeniably indulgent.
We also tried the popular Blue Fin tuna appetizer that somewhat looks like a posh French dessert! The tuna is served as a vibrant tartare—beautifully ruby-red and finely diced—perched atop a brick-shaped crispy sushi rice cake. Overlaying the tuna are delicate slices of avocado, adding a creamy contrast. A few baby mâche leaves bring freshness to this multi textured dish. The crispy sushi rice is warm and chewy, providing a hearty counterpoint to the tuna’s cool tenderness.
87 Sussex’s Zucchini Flowers appetizer is a refined twist on a classic Southern Italian summer favorite—elegantly plated and bursting with flavor. Fresh zucchini blossoms are gently stuffed with whipped ricotta—so there’s a silky and creamy at the center. Wine-cured anchovies layered inside add a savory depth and subtle brine that balances the cheese . Accents of candied tomato and sundried white grapes bring sweet-tart complexity and visual pops of color. A finishing sprinkle of toasted pine nuts and baby arugula adds crunch and peppery freshness. This is possibly the most unique preparation of Zucchini Flowers that I have ever encountered—they are traditionally sautéed and crispy.
87 Sussex’s short rib isn’t just a main—it’s a crafted experience. It blends French technique (Barolo-braising) with unexpected touches (white sweet potato, Chinese long beans), offering both comfort and sophistication on a plate. As many of the resto’s regulars and food press has stated, it’s hearty, flavorful, and perfectly balanced—a signature dish that truly stands out.
The Paupiette of Sea Bass “Le Cirque” features an elegant roulade of sea bass wrapped in thin potato slices atop a bed of leek fondue, finished with a glossy Barolo jus. The sea bass itself is mild, clean, and buttery which is characteristic of fresh Mediterranean bass. Because it is rolled into a paupiette (a classic French technique of rolling thin fish fillets into a cylinder), every bite has a tender, almost creamy flake with no dryness. The Barolo reduction is the dish’s secret weapon. Deep, rich, and infused with red wine’s fruity and tannic notes, it gives off a gentle acidity that cuts through the buttery bass and creamy leeks.
If you love caramel-chocolate desserts, the guest favorite called Chocolate Turtle Cake is a must-have. This extra large dessert that can easily be shared by two or three diners features a dense devil’s food cake base that is enveloped with a silky dark chocolate mousse that melts instantly on the tongue. This layered duo creates a luxurious, velvety backbone that any chocolate lover can’t resist. The warm buttery caramel—made in-house—is drizzled generously, adding a luscious sweet-salty counterpoint to the deep chocolate. A topping of toasted walnuts (or pecans, depending on the night) brings a celebratory crunch that finishes each bite with texture and warmth.
If you need a lighter dessert to conclude your meal, try the Sorbet & Berries. This dessert is simply a naturally sweet raspberry sorbet served with a medley of fresh seasonal berries, providing a light, tangy, and naturally sweet finale to your meal. The fresh berries rotate with the seasons, so every visit to Sussex 87 offers something slightly different and in tune with seasonal produce.
The resto’s official website is sussex87.com. Reservations are recommended but not mandatory. 87 Sussex is in one of the most architecturally interesting sections of Jersey City called Paulus Hook, where George Washington led a battle in 1776–so it’s worth it to walk off your food but exploring nearby blocks full of late 1800’s brownstones and small shops with a vintage vibe.
