A glimpse inside our picks of the region’s best new restaurants.
CAFE PER TUTTI
{7709 Bergenline Avenue, North Bergen; 201.854.8884; cafepertutti.com}
It’s a “cafe for all” with an atmosphere reminiscent of the backyard of a French chateau. With Cafe Per Tutti, chef Michael Licata has brought one of North Bergen’s first farm-to-table restaurants; what he calls “a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of Bergenline Avenue.” Having worked in the kitchens at the prestigious Spago and the Ritz Carlton in Maui, cuisine is as artful as it is delicious at this quaint café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. All this spring in the greenhouse-inspired dining room — also the host site of private parties — the aroma of 35 basil plants will waft through the air that chef Michael will use in his inventive and meticulously-crafted dishes. Of note are his homemade pastas and meatballs made with high-grade beef, pork and veal grounded together with an herb mix coating, compliments of his great-grandmother’s recipe. Personal pies are also a must-try: Choose from any one of their 10-inch, Neapolitan-style pizzas with toppings galore: chorizo, BBQ, sweet sausage, mushrooms, artichoke hearts and pepperoni. For brunch, the bacon, egg and cheese breakfast pie is sure to satisfy: two eggs cracked in the center of a cheese pizza with bacon. Dinner options range from branzino to red snapper and seared tuna steak. To start, we recommend their picturesque veggie plate with chopped carrots, beets and cauliflower in a balsamic reduction. CAFEPERTUTTI.COM
LET’S MEAT STEAKHOUSE
{626 Rivervale Road, River Vale; 201.660.7960; letsmeatsteakhouse.com}
Three years ago, brothers John and Gabe Centrella alongside Bob Hay and George Kapigian embarked on an exciting new venture called Let’s Meat Steakhouse in Harrington Park. However, the restaurant space wasn’t enough to do their juicy new concept justice, so they relocated to a larger space in River Vale. Having opened in April 2019 on the site of the former Zozo’s, Let’s Meat Steakhouse accommodates up to 90 guests in their spacious new dining room adorned with the same décor as their previous restaurant: white linen tablecloths and chandeliers. The menu has a few bold additions compliments of executive chef Flavia Amaral whose experience spans some of Manhattan’s top kitchens. The River Vale restaurant now has a chef’s table, sushi lounge helmed by chef Pei, and a full bar that can comfortably seat 30. “The lounge area will fit in great. You can hang out and have cocktails and eat sushi all night, or a steak dinner,” said Centrella. The menu carries the same offerings from the finest dry-aged steaks from Bone-in Ribeye and New York Strip to their namesake burger — a ten-ounce short rib and brisket blend patty topped with bacon, melted cheese, onions and arugula. VIP locker holders will have access to special pricing on wine bottles and first access to the chef’s table as well as Sunday brunches which include live music, (think a Sinatra performer and disco fever) stand-up comedy and a drag queen! LETSMEATSTEAKHOUSE.COM
MARCUS AT NOHU ROOFTOP
{550 Avenue at Port Imperial, Floor 6, Weehawken; 201.683.2132; envuehotel.com}
Seeking a sweet escape from the daily grind? Pay Marcus at NoHu Rooftop a visit. Offering expansive, riverfront views of the Big Apple atop the chic EnVue Hotel and located across from the Port Imperial ferry terminal, NoHu is the perfect getaway on any night of the week to socialize with friends and peruse a specially-crafted menu by James Beard award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson, owner of the famed Red Rooster in Harlem. If attending with your well-groomed posse, order the Baller platter: chilled lobster, oysters, clams, shrimp, and crab served with mignonette and m’s cocktail sauce. Date night and feeling soulful? Share “All About the Bird:” a whole fried chicken served with mac ’n’ cheese, cornbread, and Brussel sprouts. Pair your mains with a selection of a lengthy list of beers and fine wines, (but we recommend their specialty cocktails). Let your hair down before a full moon and sip the Lunatic Fringe: passion fruit, dark rum, pineapple, grapefruit, almond and cinnamon. Their sangria is another hit. The Let it Beat Sangria, that is: tequila, peach, red wine and thyme. ENVUEHOTEL.COM
THE CLUB 130
{130 County Road, Tenafly; 201.543.9841; the130club.com}
It’s been a century since The Roaring 1920s. But the bygone era characterized by economic prosperity, first-wave feminism, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Jazz Age is being revived and celebrated in all its glory at The Club 130 in Tenafly. Named for its address, one of the Northern Valley’s newest additions to its burgeoning restaurant scene carries a speakeasy vibe touting the highest quality seafood and meat in the country in an atmosphere reminiscent of the Gatsby era. Large leather chairs and booths, antiques from paintings to portraits and statues, and polished wooden paneling and floors that glow in the candlelight comprise the décor of this refined restaurant — all while the sweet sounds of jazz and blues play softly in the background. Menu standouts, imagined by Manhattan-based executive chef and owner Roger Horton, include a prime rib slow roasted for ten hours in an English, Queen or King cut served with horseradish cream and natural au jus; Alaskan King Crab with lemon, dijonnaise and cocktail sauce for dipping; and the restaurant’s namesake cheeseburger: two, four-ounce patties made with a chef’s blend of dijonnaise, red onion and pickle (diners with a voracious appetite can add a thick slice of bacon and a sunny-side-up egg for the full experience). Fare aside, the cocktail program is another sensational draw at The 130 Club. The mixologist shakes up a vast selection of citrus-based drinks sure to refresh and satiate any palate. The invigorating Southern Gravity is made with a 48-hour, apple-infused bourbon with cinnamon and smoke while Shake It Like A Pom Pom is made with mezcal, lime, pomegranate and salt. Complete the 1920s experience with The Old Razzle Dazzle: raspberry, campari, rose vermouth topped off with sparkling wine. THE130CLUB.COM
HUDSON POT
{595 River Road, Edgewater; 201.941.5500; hudsonpot.com}
BYOB to Hudson Pot — a two-floor, upscale, all-you-can-eat Japanese-style hotpot, or Shabu-shabu, in Japanese. Enjoy sukiyaki, meat simmered at the table with vegetables and other tangy ingredients. Choose from a selection of prime beef, US Wagyu beef, pork and lamb for lunch and dinner. When night falls, the glittery skyline complements its chic, simplistic black-and-white décor with public and private dining. Order a cup of soft serve for dessert, or satiate your sweet tooth with a piece of candy from the Sweets Room. HUDSONPOT.COM
BRASSERIE MEMERE
{107 Vervalen Street, Closter Plaza; 201.660.8822; brasserie-memere.com}
One need not travel to a café in Paris or across the Hudson River to experience the heavenly flavors of French fare. It’s all at Brasserie Memere in Closter. Memere means grandma in French, and the restaurant is named for chef and proprietor Thomas Ciszak’s grandmother with a menu imagined from fond childhood memories. Inside this rustic eatery with Manhattan and sidewalk café vibes, Ciszak applies his French cooking techniques to yield a family-friendly dining establishment serving all the French delicacies and classics with help from Hawaiian-born executive chef Kevin Takafuji. Takafuji has worked alongside culinary masters Daniel Boulud and Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin in New York City known for its haute cuisine. Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch are served at this comfortable French bistro. Hors d’oeuvres span duck foie gras served with brioche and fruit compote to crispy fried frog legs served with celery remoulade and escargots with garlic-herb butter crust. Dinner options include the red wine braised wagyu beef cheeks with smoked bacon, pearl onions, roasted mushrooms and potato puffs; hanger steak with maître d’butter and Belgium fries; and vegan sausage with green lentils, brussel sprouts, semi-sec tomatoes and root vegetables. BRASSERIE-MEMERE.COM
EMMA BISTRO
{2 Hilliard Ave, Edgewater; 201.402.7719; emmabistronj.com}
Fairly new to the Gold Coast restaurant scene is Argentinian-American-fusion restaurant Emma Bistro. Serving up brunch and dinner with the motto “dine wild,” guests with a hearty appetite will enjoy familiar offerings with a spin by executive chef James Muir. Meat and fish dishes entail seared yellowfin tuna served with quinoa, sesame, vinaigrette, zucchini, carrot and yellow squash; grilled double-cut pork chop with a creamy polenta, Brussel sprouts and apple compote; and the namesake burger: eight-ounce sirloin burger mounted with blue and Swiss cheeses, pork belly, arugula, tomato and chipotle aioli on a brioche bun. Seafood lover? Emma Bistro’s signature seafood paella can be shared, but it’s only offered on Tuesdays. Pair your mains with fruity mocktails from the Raspberry Mojito to the Blackberry Smash by the pitcher or glass. EMMABISTRONJ.COM
IL TAVOLO DI PALMISANO
{700 Clinton Street, Hoboken; 201.345.5980; iltavolohoboken.com}
Vibrant, fresh, and cleanly-presented Italian food is the modus operandi at Il Tavolo Di Palmisano, one of the latest restaurants added to Hoboken’s eclectic restaurant scene. Priding itself on authentic Italian recipes with a modern spin, diners can expect the very best in Italian fare at this chic eatery with a cellar-like feel. Nosh artichoke cakes, grilled portobello mushroom and stuffed long hot peppers under crystal lighting, red seats and exposed brick. The watermelon salad is another winning appetizer served with arugula, shaved red onions, crumbled ricotta salata and fresh mint. Classic Italian entrees abound with the eggplant casserole: meticulous layers of breaded eggplant, tomato sauce and parmesan cheese topped with fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheese. Their namesake chicken dish comes with a choice of parmesan, picatta or marsala served over linguini pasta. Pair your mains with a selection from an extensive cocktail list. Weekend brunch is served from 11am-3pm. ILTAVOLOHOBOKEN.COM
LT BAR AND GRILL
{390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack; 551.287.6333; ltbarandgrill.com}
LT are the epic initials of arguably the greatest defensive player in the history of American football. (We’re talking to you, Lawrence Taylor.) They also belong to Laurent Tourondel, French Michelin Star chef and James Beard Award-nominated restaurateur who last fall brought his oh là là culinary expertise to his new namesake hotspot aptly located in the Shops at Riverside in the City of Hackensack. Inside this restaurant, in the place of the former Barnes and Noble, guests will feel like they’re in a hotel lobby mixed with an upscale diner. Tables adorned with white place mats, comfortable chairs, and retro brown leather booths encircle the action of a pristine open kitchen. Or, snag a seat at an elevated booth before an extensive bar serving up the freshest cocktails, fine wines, and beers from around the globe. (Sushi is prepared fresh on the other end.) Each meal starts with a pair of LT’s famous popovers made distinctly with cheese and black pepper. Kick-start your mains with a pair of Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes made with the freshest crabmeat and a mildly spicy jalapeño sauce for dipping. For your entrée, LT Bar and Grill is famous for their Wagyu Cuts — skirt steak, filet mignon and ten-ounce Rib Eye — and are paired with your choice of a variety of complementary sauces from the Cafe de Paris Béarnaise to the Jalapeño Chimichurri and the 7 Peppercorn-Armagnac. Their seafood dishes are also palate pleasers: the Alaskan Salmon and Asian BBQ Black Cod are must-tries. Complete your meal with a piping hot Crepe Soufflé plated right at your table and topped off with a mixed berry compote. LTBARANDGRILL.COM
RUNWAY DINER
{380 US-46 W, South Hackensack; 201.843.7601; runwaydiner.com}
On the heels of the success of Chiller’s Grill in Fort Lee, another venture by the same owners is taking off a few miles south: The Runway Diner. Located in the vicinity of Teterboro Airport, Owners Ebid Tarek and Nick Stathatos have rolled out the red carpet to this daily-open eatery with an aviation-themed menu, and it’s taking patrons and their palates to new heights. In addition to serving up diner favorites — burgers, Maryland crab cakes, milkshakes and mozzarella sticks — Runway offers nontraditional dishes loaded with great flavor. Lovers of buffalo ranch will be tickled by their hot waffle fries tossed in the sauce and drizzled with ranch dressing; while mac ’n’ cheese fiends will get their fix with a kick of grilled chicken tossed in Panko breadcrumbs, buffalo sauce and drizzled with ranch mixed into the cheesy goodness. Carnivore? Steer towards the Mile High Steakhouse. Whether you have a hankering for barbecue ribs or a Prime Cowboy Bone-In Rib seared on a red-hot grill, there’s something to satiate the growling stomachs of all meat lovers. Vegans and dieters can dive into a veggie Pacific Ocean Poke Bowl. It’s as healthful as it is colorful: avocado, carrots, scallions, radish, cucumbers, seaweed, edamame, sriracha, sesame seeds and brown rice. Take a trip to the beach and sink your teeth into the Jersey Shore. Sandwiched between a soft salty pretzel bun, this comfort sub is stacked high with hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions and a smear of spicy brown mustard. Stopping in for Sunday breakfast? The Reese’s pancakes made with the beloved cups and topped with banana slices, caramel drizzle, and whipped cream are the perfect fix for the bedhead with a sweet tooth. RUNWAYDINER.COM
KURA
{2151 Lemonie Avenue, Fort Lee; 973.939.6756; kurasushi.com}
At Japanese restaurant Kura, sushi isn’t assembled before your eyes as you await a chef to roll, slice, and serve up the addicting pieces of the Asian staple at the bar. Instead, plates of it make their way around a revolving conveyor belt right to your booth. Like eyeing your luggage at the airport, pick a plate that looks to your liking and grab it from out of a ventilated sushi lid that locks in freshness. From the salmon golden crunchy roll to the real crab California roll and spicy tuna — there are seemingly endless options from which to choose. Originating in Japan, Kura is franchised across the country from California to Florida. Recently landing at the Washington Bridge Plaza in the former Burger King in Fort Lee, Bergen County’s only revolving sushi bar is worth the trip for a casual dinner out. If you’re hankering for a hand roll, you can make your selection at your table’s own computerized screen and wait for it to shoot up in front of your booth! When finished, dispose of your plates through an opening in your table and play to score a prize from Kura’s mascot Muten-Maru on your screen. KURASUSHI.COM
PARISA PERSIAN GRILL
{24 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood; 201.520.3020; parisapersiangrill.com}
Craving middle eastern eats in an elegant setting? Step into Parisa Persian Grill. Perfect for an intimate dinner, business lunch, or special rendezvous, Parisa enchants with its beautiful dining room adorned with a coiffed ceiling, white linen tablecloths, and mini chandelier — and the food is just as delightful. For starters, dip a slice of their homemade bread into hummus or baba ganoush before sinking a fork into their artfully-plated skewered chicken or beef kebabs that line the length of the dish. (These perfectly seasoned, succulent meats cooked to perfection are also folded into pitas for lunch.) Other winning dishes include Bronzini (the whole fish) served with grilled vegetables and French rack of lamb. Or, enjoy it as a stew for lunch. Served Monday through Friday, the lamb shank is simmered with herbs and garlic in tomato sauce. Other hot stews include the Fessenjan: crushed walnuts with boneless chicken cooked in a pomegranate paste. Save room for a piece of mouth-watering baklava or a couple scoops of homemade saffron ice cream for a sweet finish. PARISAPERSIANGRILL.COM
FONTANA TRITONE
{248 Fort Lee Road, Leonia; 201.242.9040; fontanatritone.com}
Romance and delicious Italian food abound at Fontana Tritone. At this brick-and-mortar restaurant, which opened last March by owner Mauricio Calixto in the heart of downtown Leonia, chef Hector Fresnares prepares exquisite Italian classics, just BYOB. For starters, their namesake antipasto assembled with meats from a Staten Island Italian meat market include Soprasetta, prosciutto, salami, olives and roasted peppers. Caesar salads are prepared tableside, but be sure to try their famous Pear Salad: baby arugula tossed with toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, sliced pear and sweet Gorgonzola cheese with a splash of white balsamic and honey vinaigrette. For the main course, the Lombata Di Vitello is a mouthwatering patron favorite: perfectly broiled double thick-cut veal chop topped with sprigs of rosemary served over a bed of broccoli rabe and mashed potatoes. True to Italian tradition, all pastas and sauces are homemade, and devourers of these luscious noodles will relish their deconstructed lasagna: ground veal, beef, pork sausage, fresh ricotta and mozzarella smothered in a tomato basil sauce. Their melty chicken parmesan is another winning dish. For dessert, we recommend the Fontana Cioccolato: warm chocolate cake with a molten center topped with a scoop of chocolate-dipped vanilla gelato. Now that’s amore! FONTANATRITONE.COM
ICCA SUSHI
{9 Mount Vernon Street, Ridgefield Park; 07660; iccasushi.com}
Ika is the Japanese word for squid. It’s also the pet name given to owner Jessica Kim by her friends, a variation of which has now become the title of her first restaurant: ICCA Sushi. At this brick-and-mortar BYOB, Kim’s husband, chef Chan, prepares a variety of sterling sushi and sashimi dishes that taste just as tantalizing as they look. The menu consists of a lengthy list of classic rolls from spicy tuna to Alaska, but palates seeking more of an oomph are encouraged to maneuver their chopsticks around chef’s Special Rolls. It may be springtime, but the Winter Roll can be enjoyed all year round, and it’s one we highly recommend: shrimp tempura, crab, and cucumber, seared tuna/salmon, crab salad and chef’s special sauces topped with furikake, Japanese seasoning, and scallions. (The orchid is also edible!) ICCA’s namesake roll is a must-try; assembled with mango, avocado, and apple with crab salad and spicy mayo. For an appetizer, patrons will be wowed by the Takoyaki, or octopus balls. Blanketed beneath fish flakes, drizzled with chef’s special sauce, and served with shoestring beets and kale, these piping hot fried amaze balls are palate pleasers, and will have you ordering them every time. ICCASUSHI.COM
MEL’S BUTCHER BOX
Lovers of fresh, juicy burgers and cheesesteaks will have a new reason to rediscover their favorite American classics: Mel’s Butcher Box. A self-described “brick and mortar on wheels,” the gourmet food truck is taking the Garden State by storm. Using top-grade meats from famed meat purveyor Pat LaFrieda of North Bergen, Mel’s Butcher Box grills fresh burgers and cheesesteaks made-to-order. Owner Melanie Landano pulls her signature black food truck up to local sporting games, parking lots, and private parties serving up the drool-worthy sandwiches, hot and fresh. Popular menu items include colossal rib-eye cheesesteaks to her namesake double burger made with a rib-eye-brisket-short rib blend with melted American cheese. Find Mel’s Butcher Box on Facebook and Instagram.
OHBAHM POCHA
{1645 Lemoine Avenue, Fort Lee; 201.363.8900; ohbahm-pocha.business.site}
The Insadong neighborhood of Seoul, a tourist attraction in Korea’s Capital city, is known for its rich restaurant scene and eye-catching, mouthwatering Korean street food. But one need not travel halfway around the world to experience it. Dong Bang Grill Owner John Kim is bringing these savory foods conveniently to Fort Lee at a new restaurant he’s calling Ohbahm Pocha. “Ohbahm” is the Korean word for street, as the food is traditionally served in small tents on the street in the southeast Asian country. Pocha stems from the word “Pojangmacha,” meaning wrapped cart from which fish cakes to hot dogs on a stick are served. At Ohbahm Pocha, patrons can enjoy signature dishes prepared by chef Hong Gu Yeo from Butter Squid with a tangy sauce and Jjampoong Tang, a spicy seafood stew served with crunchy scorched rice. This dish, Kim says, pairs nicely with a bottle of soju, a Korean alcoholic beverage made from rice. The best part? Patrons can enjoy their drinks and dinner beneath fiber optic stars to relish the evening feel. OHBAHM-POCHA.BUSINESS.SITE
ALLEGORY
{690 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair; 973.329.5600; themchotel.com}
Montclair has long been home to a thriving artistic community in its bustling downtown. Accenting that community is the perfect new addition: The MC Hotel. Inside this upscale hotel adorned with whimsical artwork is their aptly named restaurant, The Allegory. As captivating as a poem, diners can have a seat inside the beautiful, comfy dining room or at the full bar with three flat screens to enjoy shareable plates or a three-course meal from a Mediterranean-inspired menu prepared by chef Amber Lancaster, who appeared on Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen. For starters, diners can start with a cheese and charcuterie lined with an assortment of tasty meats and cheeses from prosciutto to maple leaf smoked gouda and Manchego. For the main course, the MC Burger is topped with aged cheddar, bacon jam, and special sauce between a brioche-gruyere chive bun served with a choice of chef’s fries or salad. The twelve-ounce New York Strip served with tri-color fingerlings, gruyere and Dijon balsamic is another satisfying option. After dinner, patrons can head up to the rooftop, The ALTO, to take in awe-inspiring views of New York City amid mountainous scenery of North Jersey either indoors on lounge seating through floor-to-ceiling windows, or outdoors on an expansive patio while sipping any one of their refreshing Jersey-inspired beers, wines, and specialty cocktails. The Goodfella is mixed with misunderstood whiskey, lemon, orange and amaro ciociaro. Brunch is served on weekends and reservations are encouraged. While valet parking is temporarily suspended, street parking is available in addition to nearby parking lots. THEMCHOTEL.COM
SONNY T
{259 Johnson Avenue, River Edge; 201.342.1233; sonnytnj.com}
There are many eateries in River Edge to get a good slice of pizza, but newly opened Sonny T is changing the game when it comes to providing the borough with a fine dining restaurant bringing the flavors of southern Italy to North Jersey. Using family recipes passed down from generations and the freshest ingredients, diners can enjoy savory homemade pasta dishes for lunch or dinner inside their posh dining room or on their outdoor patio. Dinner options include the Ragu di Nanny made with braciola, sausage, meatballs, and pork shank with rigatoni and shareable plates like the Tagliere di Carne e Formaggio: mozzarella, pecorino romano, caciocvallo, prosciutto, capicolla, and hot soppressata with honey, fig jam and mixed olives. At happy hour, the mixologist shakes up a multitude of invigorating and delicious craft cocktails including the Cuban Missile Crisis mixed with Bacardi rum superior, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, ginger beer and candied ginger, and the Curious George Jam Sour: monkey shoulder scotch, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, Regan’s orange bitters and raspberry jam. sonnytnj.com
