Ahhh, the arrival of summer! While basking in those glorious rays of sunshine, why not savor your favorite food and drink while you’re at it? Behold our list of Bergen and Hudson County restaurants offering charming outdoor patios upon which to share a delicious meal with your nearest and dearest. Whether choosing to dine amid the serene suburbs or before a breathtaking NYC skyline view, this lineup of chic eateries has all your outdoor entertainment needs covered!
ALDO’S
{640 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff; 201.891.2618; aldosofwyckoff.com}
Wickers chairs with matching circular tables and umbrellas comprise the lovely buffered patio at Aldo’s Restaurant. Summer favorites on the menu range from their antipasto and veal paired with sangria. “Our customers go crazy for our cold antipasto display,” says head waitress Letizia Garces, the sister of owner Aldo Cascio. “Another favorite, which happens to be a personal favorite myself, is the Veal Capricciosa.” Refreshing summer cocktails include the Island Adventure, Amalfi Spritzer and Summer Sangria.
SEAK
{725 River Road, Edgewater; 201.402.3100; seaknj.com}
Riverside dining, anyone? Bring your own beer to SEAK and dine beneath red umbrellas as you take in the view of New York City and nosh on savory southeast Asian cuisine. Peruse a variety of rolls from shrimp to mango and avocado on their appetizer list before sinking a fork into some of their piquant entrees from Vermicelli Noodle Bowl to their Massaman Curry and Ginger Soy Bronzini.
BATTELLO
{502 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City; 201.798.1798; battellojc.com}
Enjoy Italian cuisine while being awestruck by stunning views of Manhattan at Battello, Jersey City’s newly reopened hotspot. Having opened in early spring on the Newport Yacht Club and Marina Pier, feast your eyes on the view and then at platefuls of delicious food. “In addition to a view of Manhattan that has no peer, adding to our uniqueness is our staff, menu and location,” explained managing partner, Cory Checket. Check out their signature gnocchi dish. “What makes them better than potato gnocchi are that they’re like pillows, it’s very light…you can easily finish a whole bowl,” says chef, partner Ryan DePersio.
HOUSE OF ‘QUE
{500 Avenue at Port Imperial Weehawken; 201.706.8755; houseofque.com}
Take your place at a picnic table outside House of ‘Que and savor some muy caliente flavors of Texas barbecue! “It’s quite an experience to dine outside at House of ‘Que,” said pitmaster Michael Rodriguez. “The closest you’ll get to an urban barbecue picnic that you don’t have to cook yourself.” Rodriguez recommends the Texas 3 Cheese Nachos that come with pico, black bean, corn salad and sour cream served with tortilla chips. Fire up your nachos with added jalapenos and your choice of smoked brisket, pork, chicken or brisket chili.
PATSY’S BISTRO
{344 Old Bergen Boulevard, Fairview; 201.943.0627; patsysbistro.com}
Enjoy an intimate outdoor dining experience at Patsys Bistro. Perfect for a date night out, take a seat beneath a decorative umbrella while relishing all the seafood you and your date’s stomachs can handle! Toast with glasses full of fine wine while enjoying The Capellini di Mare consisting of lump crabmeat, shrimp, clams, scallions and dice plum tomatoes in a heavenly wine sauce. On the topic of seafood, get your surf ‘n’ turf with a cut of perfectly cooked filet mignon and a moist and savory lobster tail with drawn butter.
PICCO TAVERN
{160 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack; 201.880.8750; piccotavern.com}
The summer sun is just as cheerful as the outdoor patio of Picco Tavern. Take a seat outside on this elegant rooftop patio under a bright yellow umbrella. Start your meal off right with a Chilled Seafood Salad — a medley of calamari, scungilli, shrimp, olive oil, garlic and lemon. Then, twist a fork into one of their signature entrees that is so good it will have you singing: Linguini Clam Sauce Sinatra.
WATERSIDE
{7800 B River Road, North Bergen; 201.861.7767; watersiderestaurantandcatering.com}
Lesley Lovett, Catering and Events Manager says, “Al fresco dining is undoubtedly one of the best parts of Summer. Delicious food and refreshing drinks, seem to be even more enjoyable while sitting outside enjoying the warm weather. Sip on one of our Coconut Mojitos while relaxing on our outdoor couches or share one of our incredible three-tiered seafood towers, filled with East and West Coast oyster, little neck clams, jumbo lump crab meat, colossal shrimp and a whole lobster.”
SABOR LATIN BISTRO
{8809 River Road, North Bergen; 201.943.6366; saborlatinbistro.com}
For Latin cuisine and signature cocktails, pay Sabor Latin Bistro a visit. Try any one of Executive Chef Alcidez Maija’s delicious dishes. The colorful Ensalada Cortada is made with romaine, arugula, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, grilled corn, black olives, radish, feta cheese and topped with a drizzle of roasted garlic herb vinaigrette. Pair the meals with a cold glass of their house sangria.
PIER 115 BAR AND GRILL
{115 River Road, Edgewater; 201.313.2155; pier115barandgrill.com}
Comfy seating on cabanas and couches on the deck of Pier 115 and an impeccable view of the Manhattan skyline await diners and merrymakers alike. Sink a fork with their Tuna Tartare made of Ahi Tuna, guacamole, Asian pear and crispy shallots. While you’re perched over the Hudson River, why not savor the Hudson Roll? Wrapped in salmon, mango, masago, shrimp, cucumber, crabmeat and avocado, this roll is topped with mango sauce and soy paper. A summertime favorite. Pair your meal with their lengthy list of craft beers and fun, fruity cocktails.
SON CUBANO
{40-4 Riverwalk Plaza, West New York; soncubanonj.com}
Executive Chef Ricardo Cardona’s cuisine complements your before or after dinner stroll along the Hudson River. Grab a table under outside on their lively outdoor patio bedecked with umbrellas and embrace the sunshine as you sip a Beijo Tinto or Mojito cocktail and enjoy some of the area’s finest Cuban cuisine and a tempting variety of chef’s special rolls and awe-inspiring sushi boats from the sushi bar.
THE DUBLINER
{96 River Street, Hoboken; 201.656.7731; thedublinerhoboken.com}
The Dubliner serves both Irish and continental cuisine and offers a rooftop bar with a beautiful New York City skyline view. The cocktail list is extensive, as is the American and imported draft beer options. Start with a salmon salad, a filet over mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, all tossed in raspberry vinaigrette, and follow up with fish and chips or Shepherd’s Pie. Take to the rooftop bar to get in on a lively social scene.
ZEPPELIN HALL BIERGARTEN
{88 Liberty View Drive, Jersey City; 201.721.8888; zeppelinhall.com}
If you’re looking for a vibrant night out with friends and meeting new ones, you’ve come to the right place. At Zeppelin Hall Biergarten, take a seat on its sprawling outdoor patio with long community tables where hundreds of merrymakers and foodies congregate for good times and great food and drink. Zeppelin Hall offers a full bar, cocktails and wines, and a selection of over 100 European imported and domestic craft beers. You could select the American, German or Texas BBQ packages, but for a summer option, grab the seasonal package of Buffalo and BBQ wings, all-beef hot dogs and sides. Enjoy live music at night
BLUE EYES
{525 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken; 201.683.6861; blueeyeshoboken.com}
Named for Old Blue Eyes (we’re talking to you, Frank Sinatra), you can’t get any more Italian than Blue Eyes. Enjoy classic Italian fare on an elegant riverfront patio with skyline views of good old New York, New York. With blue color schemes, dining at Blue Eyes feels as though the majestic Hudson River is reflected in the decor. “To start, try our Carciofini or Octopus salad,” says Alessandro Galioto, Blue Eyes co-owner. “People rave and come for a taste of our calamari and zucchini sticks. Our pizza is really authentic! If you remember how the pizza tastes in Italy, especially Naples, you should try ours! We have daily special pizzas too!” If you’re a fish lover, select from Branzino to Red Snapper and lobster, which Galioto hand picks himself. “I know good fish growing up on the Mediterranean,” he says.
GRK BAR AND GRILL
{39 Union Avenue, Cresskill; 201.399.7670; grkbarandgrill.com}
Nestled in the suburbs of the Northern Valley, savor some of the finest Greek cuisine and fun, tasty cocktails in the area. Take a seat outside on their modest patio and start your lunch or dinner off with a traditional Homemade Spanakopita appetizer of spinach, feta, leeks, dill, and scallions, all baked in phyllo dough, or Greek salad served with grilled chicken or shrimp, gyro, salmon, or kalamari. Broiled Stuffed Filet of Sole made with spinach and feta topped with white lemon glaze makes for a perfect summertime entrée. Opa!
By Steve Sears and Lianna Albrizio
