Wayne Magazine May 2017 | Page 57

Food and Drink Mexican Fiesta Every day is Cinco de Mayo at Selenita WRITTEN BY AMELIA DUGGAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE-MARIE CARUSO W ith a seemingly endless menu of appetizers, entrees and desserts, this multi-generational family business has captured a loyal following at its downtown restaurant. Iris and Vincent Abrajan, owners of Selenita for the past seven years, put love and tradition into every dish they create at their Pompton Lakes restaurant. Once owned by Iris’s mother, Teresa Martinez, the Abrajans took over the restaurant in 2010. “I had never worked in a restaurant, but decided to give it a try,” Vincent says. “We got excited when the business started to grow and customers were lining up outside the door.” Both Iris and Vincent were born in Mexico but raised in the United States. Vincent serves as chef and Iris manages the front of the house, with daughters Saidy, 19, Karina, 14, and Jailyn, 8, all chipping in when they have time. The recipes are authentic Mexican dishes made with fresh ingredients that give each entrée its special flavor. A specialty of the house is Pollo en Mole Poblano, chicken served with a chocolate-based sauce infused with spices. “Customers often think the dish is made with poblano peppers, but it is rather a dish with many spices,” Iris says. “This is a traditional dish that is served at birthdays, quinceaneras and other special events.” ■ SELENITA RESTAURANT 118 WANAQUE AVE., POMPTON LAKES (973) 839-1559 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Owners VINCENT and IRIS ABRAJAN with daughter, JAILYN; GUACAMOLE Avacodos with onion, salt, cilantro and lime; TAMPIQUENA A LA SELENA Specialty of the House, made with skirt steak; HELADO FRITO Fried ice cream with whipped cream; FLAUTAS QUESO Flautas stuffed and covered with cheese. WAYNE MAGAZINE MAY 2017 55