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>br>9
North is an exciting new restaurant in
northeast NJ. Well worth the twenty minute drive, it is run by CIA graduate
Joshua Bernstein, so the menu can best be described as eclectic American. The
menu changes seasonally and can be viewed at www.9northrestaurant.com.
Although still a work in progress, the food quality is very high, and the service is professional. Although 9 North
is reasonably kid-friendly, it is clearly a fine dining restaurant. $$$ for
adults, $ for kids
[05/08] Namaskaar After
15 years in Paramus, Namaskaar closed
its Paramus location and reopened as a smaller, more intimate BYO in Englewood.
With a new chef, the food is better than ever. The standard Indian fare is
available, but there are some surprises such as Chicken Tikka Caesar Salad and
Chicken Ginger Kabob, and the Onion Kulcha (a tandoori bread) is the best we
have ever had. $$ [4/08]
Bourbon
BBQ Bourbon
BBQ is where Clixes used to be. This is not exactly a fine dining
experience, but it does provide down-home dry-rub ribs, pulled pork, sausage,
and chicken along with numerous sides. This is real comfort food. Take the kids.
Bring wine (or beer). Bring wine glasses. Bring an appetite! Dinner for two with
leftovers will set you back less than $40. Splurge! $ [3/08]
Chicken
Kebab Mediterranean Restaurant Chicken
Kebab Mediterranean Restaurant is a casual take-out/eat-in restaurant that bills itself as “fast
Turkish/Mediterranean food,” but it’s better than that. The standard
appetizers and kebobs are offered, but there are also some very pleasing seafood
dishes. This may not be fine dining, but it is kid-friendly, down home,
let’s-eat-out-Wednesday-night, Middle-Eastern cooking. CKMR is open for seven
days a week for lunch and dinner. Dinner for two is $40 plus tax and gratuity. $
[2/08] Gen
Hibachi & Asian Cuisine Gen
Hibachi & Asian Cuisine Until recently, Campania had a spotty
record. The food ranged from fair to inspired, and the service was always a bit
of a challenge. Now the restaurant is under new ownership. The style is still
Italian, but the chef is clearly innovative and talented. Everything we tried
was terrific. And the service has clearly improved. Campania should be on your
list of restaurants to try. The menu may be viewed at www.campaniarestaurant.com.
$$$ [11/07] Turkish
Kitchen Turkish Kitchen
was
previously called Rainbow. Management has changed in part, but the food is still
an excellent example of this wonderful cuisine. The wide range of appetizers and
main courses will keep you coming back for new experiences. The decor here is
very attractive, the service is more than respectable, and there is live
entertainment after 9:30 pm on Saturday nights. If that’s not enough, the $9
lunch special is a steal. The menu may be viewed (literally) at www.turkishkitchennj.com.
$$ [10/07]
Village Green Restaurant
is
under new ownership. One of Ridgwood’s best restaurants, it has the potential
to be one of the best in the area. The tasting menu format has been retained as
has the high standards and creativity. The style cannot be categorized because
it takes inspiration from many sources, but “contemporary American” will do.
Village Green is closed Sundays and open for lunch during the week. The price is
justified by the quality. $$$$ [9/07]
Osteria
Giotto Restaurant Osteria Giotto Restaurant
Passionné is a French restaurant that has the potential
to become one of the best restaurants in North Jersey. Culinary Institute of
America graduate Michael Carrino is passionate about Italian and Spanish
cuisine, but French is his true love. The menu (see www.restaurantpassionne.com.)
changes seasonally. Service was sluggish on a busy Friday night, but the food
was creative and very well prepared. A more-than-adequate dinner for two (a
shared appetizer, two entrées, a shared dessert, and two coffees) averages $78
plus tax and gratuity. Don’t forget to try the frites!
Pawana Pawana is the latest Thai restaurant to open in the
area. In addition to the usual suspects populating the menu, there are charcoal
grilled entrees (game hen, pork, beef, salmon, red snapper, and scallops) as
well as five versions of frog legs for those who are adventurous. Everything was
very well prepared, and the servers were quite helpful. Dinner for two averages
$48, but the best way to appreciate the diversity of this wonderful cuisine is
to share the choices among a party of four or six.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco
de Mayo
replaces Cafe Roma in the Hamilton Square Shopping Center. Although this is an
authentic Mexican restaurant, the owners seem reluctant to take the complete
plunge; they still offer pizzas and calzones. The menu is surprisingly
extensive, and everything we tried was terrific and a great value. $-$$
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