From Fine Dining To Fine Burgers, Westwood Chef Opens New Venture

WESTWOOD, NJ — Restaurants were hit hard during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, perhaps none more so than the fine dining establishments that can't easily pivot to carry out. Just ask Matthew Borgersen.

The Westwood resident served as executive chef at the Italian restaurant Caffe Anello in downtown Westwood, but lost his job when the pandemic hit.

Borgersen shared this story in a video posted to the TikTok page of his newest venture, eightytwenty smash.

"A year ago today I lost my job as a chef in fine dining as the pandemic rocked the hospitality industry," Borgersen shared. "I used the time off (and all my savings) to launch my first solo venture."

That new venture officially opens for the first time Sunday afternoon at Borgersen's old stomping grounds, starting at 2 p.m. at Caffe Annello, 11 Madison Ave., Westwood.

Eightytwenty smash is a burger pop-up that takes inspiration from the Hackensack institution White Manna.

For those still unfamiliar with the smash burger style, here's what to expect from Borgersen's griddle:

"The sliders at eightytwenty smash are crafted using an 80/20 custom Prime blend, that’s pasture-raised and 100% hormone/antibiotic free from beef purveyor New York Valley Wagyu. The meat is then smashed on a griddle, topped with yellow American cheese and served on a Martin's Slider Potato Roll."

More pop-up dates are coming to Bergen County, and will be announced as they're confirmed, according to Borgersen.

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