Restaurateur

ALEXANDER DURAN

Owner / CEO

ALEXANDER DURAN

Alexander “Mr. Duran” Duran, recently honored by Industry Magazine as one of the “10 Most Influential Businessmen,” has been inducted into the prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry. He credits his entrepreneurial drive to his brave parents, who left Colombia for the United States in search of better opportunities. Starting with little, they took any available jobs before eventually beginning a thriving transportation company.

As the first in his family to complete college, Mr. Duran joined his father’s business and grew its offerings. Together, they created the nation’s biggest Hispanic export company serving Central and South America, with over 100 workers and yearly sales of $13 million. The business was sold to its employees in 2015.

Mr. Duran’s next business move was into restaurant ownership. His sisters, Claudia and Diane, had previously opened one of the first eateries in New York City’s Meat Packing District, Son Cubano. Mr. Duran and his brother Edward invested and helped when needed. After Son Cubano’s lease ended, Mr. Duran and his brother bought out their sisters’ shares. They relocated the restaurant to its current spot in West New York’s popular Port Imperial waterfront area in 2010.

In 2019, Mr. Duran created and launched another restaurant, VENTANAS, at The Modern, one of the world’s tallest twin residential towers in Fort Lee. With World-renowned celebrity Chef David Burke as the Culinary Director, the impressive restaurant was an instant hit.

Mr. Duran is guided by his Christian faith, family love, and community dedication. He strongly believes business leaders must engage in their community through volunteering and investing in children.

To this end, he and his wife of 36 years, Marilyn, started Sowing Seed, an early childhood daycare center in the Port Imperial residential area near the New York City ferry, in a modern 10,000-square-foot building designed to their specifications. They’re also planning a second location. The couple created and maintained the Duran Scholarship Foundation at West New York’s Memorial High School and are active in their local church. Mr. Duran also serves on the Palisades Medical Center Foundation Board and as a board member for the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce New Jersey, among other community groups.

Mr. Duran believes true success is measured by character, community dedication, and family commitment. He’s proud to share that his three adult children—Travis, Tristan, and Gabriella—joined him after college in his business ventures, now operating under Duran Entities.

Looking forward, in January 2024, Mr. Duran will open SOLÁZ Mediterranean Restaurant and Full Swing Golf Suite in Jersey City, with Chef David Burke as Culinary Director, further expanding his food business. A second Sowing Seed School will also open in 2024 in West New York’s Port Imperial area.

Testimonials

Happy Customers

Michael Denardo

“Just great in every aspect. Service. Atmosphere. Food. Make sure you make a reservation.”

Michael Denardo
Luz Rodriguez

“Beautiful view, food was amazing and delicious. Best service you can get.”

Luz Rodriguez
Fabiana Diaz

“Incredible experience! I loved the delicious food and the attention, the atmosphere is very pleasant as is the staff. 100% recommended.”

Fabiana Diaz
Connor Arnell

Love, this place. Fantastic atmosphere, great staff, and the food is fantastic. One of the best cocktail menus in the whole area.

Connor Arnell
Valentina Valencia

I can recommend this place to everyone. The food is really good, the people are friendly and the view is really amazing!

Valentina Valencia