NEWARK-The Washington Park/North Broad Street real estatedistrict has added an upscale eatery to its market amenities.Martini 494 Bistro, a restaurant and bar, has opened in the groundfloor retail space at 494 Broad St., a building that is fullyleased and anchored by the Genova, Burns & Giantomasi law firmthat vacated its Livingston, NJ headquarters for Newark in2008.

The opening of Martini parallels the trend of suburbanbusinesses relocating to Newark; the new restaurant’s sibling isMartini Bistro & Bar in Millburn. Ted Stampoulos, managingpartner of both locations, recognized a demand for an elevateddining experience when he decided to create a Newark version ofMartini.

“Converging trends quickly moved Martini in Newark from theconcept stage to reality,” he tells GlobeSt.com. “For one, thereare now more people on the north end of Downtown. Rutgers BusinessSchool has been open for one year. More companies are movingin because a city location better suits their needs than suburbanoffice parks.”