In the tight-knit community of North Jersey lie two of the most popular new restaurants in the neighborhood: Allendale Social and Charlie’s Place. Though they share the same commitment to quality food, exceptional service, and inviting atmosphere, each restaurant has its own unique flair. At Allendale Social, one can enjoy all the trappings of fine dining and American cuisine in a cozy yet classy space. Charlie’s Place, on the other hand, is a lively gastropub that delivers classic comfort food in the kind of atmosphere perfect for casual get-togethers.
But aside from being the most popular new restaurants in North Jersey, Allendale Social and Charlie’s Place share an even deeper bond. Both restaurants are helmed by the same three men, a Jersey-born trio that includes Restaurateur Daniel Grey, Michelin-starred Executive Chef Joey Sergentakis, and General Manager James Mazzuto. Inspired by their Jersey roots, their divergent paths would eventually lead them back to the same small town where it all started many years ago.
Michelin-starred Executive Chef Joey Sergentakis (left), Restaurateur Daniel Grey ,and General Manager James Mazzuto (right), the team behind North Jersey restaurants Allendale Social and Charlie’s Place.
From Childhood Friends To Culinary Team
Perhaps unsurprisingly, in such a close community, the history of Daniel Grey and James Mazzuto actually extends all the way back to childhood. The two men’s families intersected over the years at various Little League games and trips to the beach, until the day that each man left North Jersey to pursue his own ambitions.
Daniel Grey took the hospitality route, beginning with a bartending job in college that eventually bloomed into a full-blown career in the hospitality industry. As he worked his way through bars and restaurants, he became driven by a desire to do more than just serve, but to actually build community through his establishments. In Hoboken, NJ, he purchased Green Rock Tap & Grill and the wine bar Grand Vin, before moving into the dining scene with the opening of BYO taqueria Uno Más in Allendale, NJ. At each bar and restaurant, Grey brought the same twofold focus on good food and good company.
“I wanted to create an environment that feels welcoming and full of love, where families and friends can come together and enjoy great food in a space that means so much to me personally,” said Grey.
Upon first glance, James Mazzuto’s career seemed to be the furthest away from the restaurant business. After earning a graduate degree in New Orleans, Mazzuto was set to attend Seton Hall Law School on a prestigious Chancellor’s Scholarship. But although a career in law was beckoning, fate had other plans. While waiting for law school to start, Mazzuto got in contact with Grey to see if he could put his management experience to good use at one of Grey’s restaurants. He quickly began managing Uno Más, beginning a partnership that both men soon realized would take them somewhere special.
Never ones to stand still for long, Grey and Mazzuto began pursuing plans to open a new restaurant. With Mazzuto as General Manager and Grey as the Restaurateur driving things from behind the scenes, it seemed inevitable that their dreams would quickly come to fruition. All they needed was a Michelin-star chef to make sure the food could stand up to their ambition and vision.
The Missing Ingredient
Joey Sergentakis (or Chef Joey, as he’s known around the kitchen) grew up with cooking in his bones. His love for the kitchen began with his grandmother, a talented cook who would craft succulent dishes out of simple ingredients with nothing more than natural talent and a head full of recipes. This sparked a desire to learn as much as he could about being a chef, leading him to some of the most renowned kitchens in the world.
Chef Joey worked and honed his craft at Restaurant Daniel in NYC and the three-Michelin-starred L’Hôtel de Ville in Switzerland. It was there that he worked under the acclaimed Chef Philippe Rochat, before heading to France and continuing to refine his skills with renowned Chef Alain Ducasse.
“For me, being a chef is a lifelong commitment to learning,” said Chef Joey. “No matter how much experience you have, staying humble and continuously seeking knowledge is key to growth. Every new kitchen, every new ingredient, and every new challenge presents an opportunity to evolve—and that’s what keeps me inspired every day.”
After sweeping through Europe, Chef Joey moved on to the Café Gray Deluxe in Hong Kong, where he earned his Michelin Star. He then returned to the United States in 2022 with ten years of experience with some of the finest chefs in the world under his belt. Soon after landing in New Jersey, he opened Boschetto, a fine fast-casual Italian eatery in Montclair. This created quite a buzz among the locals, solidifying his reputation stateside and putting him in the orbit of Daniel Grey and James Mazzuto. A mutual friend named Paul Marcotte led to an introductory meeting between Chef Joey and Grey, who was just beginning the search for the star chef of his new restaurant with Mazzuto.
“We were about 4-6 weeks from opening, and the only people that were signed on were Danny and me,” said Mazzuto. “We met Joey at Allendale Social, where it was very much still a construction site (as all restaurants are right until they open). After an initial meeting, where we all seemed to gel, we went straight into hiring staff and creating the menu. Over the course of 4 weeks, we went from meeting each other to launching one of the hottest new restaurants around with an acclaimed chef.”
Kicking Off Allendale Social And Charlie’s Place
In October 2023, Allendale Social officially launched in Allendale, NJ, creating an instant impact in the community. With Chef Joey’s fresh, innovative exploration of American cuisine, diners enjoy a global array of culinary influences on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Dishes are innovative yet approachable, and the atmosphere tactfully blends refined dining with warm hospitality. Drawing on his experience working in and owning bars, Grey includes a five-star cocktail and wine program that elevates the dining experience while maintaining the welcoming, laid-back spirit of a neighborhood favorite.
With each man serving as a crucial piece of the puzzle, Allendale Social thrived. Mazzuto ran things like a well-oiled machine as General Manager, relying on over 20 years of management experience to navigate the classic pitfalls of a new restaurant. Chef Joey’s dishes received acclaim and drew in countless guests by word of mouth. As the restaurateur who saw Allendale Social through from conception to launch, Grey was the driving force in its success.
Like all great restaurateurs, Grey wasn’t content to bask in his success. Before Allendale Social had even launched, he set his sights on a bar just down the street in the neighboring town of Waldick, NJ. His plan? To create another restaurant, this one inspired by something a little closer to home. He closed the sale three weeks before the launch of Allendale Social, at which point he began designing the restaurant from the ground up.
“Just after the beginning of 2024, Danny approached me about helping him open Charlie’s,” said Mazzuto. “What started as my assisting him with some paperwork morphed into me being the opening General Manager. I hired all the staff, set up all the vendor accounts, and generally did whatever was needed to get it open.”
Whereas Allendale Social represents more of an upscale dining experience, Charlie’s Place is where patrons go to kick back with friends and soak in a more relaxed, lively atmosphere. The restaurant offers Chef Joey’s unique twist on classic comfort food, offering exciting dishes with familiar flavors that feel like home. Diners can enjoy a wide range of dishes from the mouth-watering Charlie Burger to Southern-style Creole Shrimp & Grits, offering an opportunity to connect with loved ones over hearty, soul-satisfying meals.
“Charlie’s Place is meant to reflect that warmth, charm, and uniqueness of my daughter,” said Grey. “I wanted to create an environment that feels welcoming and full of love, where families and friends can come together and enjoy great food in a space that means so much to me personally.”
What’s Next On The Menu
After more than a year since the opening of Allendale Social and the one-year anniversary of Charlie’s Place fast approaching, this Jersey-born trio shows no sign of slowing down. The three men plan to explore a new venture at the Ramsey Country Club, furthering their dream of community-building and elevating the North Jersey dining scene.
“We take to heart the belief that our customers are our guests,” said Grey. “From the food to the service, we focus on the finest of details to create an experience that leaves everyone feeling happy and full.”
This has been undeniably successful, if the packed tables and happy patrons are any indication. But at the heart of their restaurants’ success lies a working relationship that is built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared passion for hospitality.
“I very much value and enjoy the working relationships that I have with Joey and Danny,” said Mazzuto. “Joey is one of the most humble and talented people that I know, regardless of industry. Equally so, Danny has accomplished so much in such a short period of time, but is always open to suggestion and willing to change depending on the circumstance, whether it was his idea or not. It has been one of the most rewarding things that I have done in my professional career, working with these two.”
“As talented and incredible as Chef Joey is, I was very lucky he signed on,” said Grey. “Since then, we have become really good friends, and I’m grateful to have him in my life.”
Grey and Mazzuto may go back decades, but it wasn’t until their fateful reunion years later that the seeds of the endeavor began to bloom. With Chef Joey as the final piece of the puzzle, these three men are charting a new course of culinary excellence, and the community of North Jersey is all the better for it.
“At the end of the day, the combination of creativity, hospitality, and the ability to make an impact through food is what makes being a Chef so rewarding,” said Chef Joey. “I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”
To learn more, visit www.allendalesocial.com and www.charliesplacenj.com.
