David Viana morphed a strip mall cooking school into one of New Jersey’s best restaurants — imagine what the James Beard Award nominee could do inside a historic Jersey Shore hotel.
The Elizabeth native’s star has only risen since appearing on “Top Chef” in 2019. Demand for tables at Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge (in that strip mall) has climbed at a commensurate rate with foodies clamoring for his creative dishes, immaculate plating and delectable duck. If Viana, 41, isn’t the biggest name in New Jersey food, he’s certainly on the short list.