Vesta Pizzeria: The Place for Tasty Pizza

Pizza always tastes better when it’s baked in a wood-fired oven. That great taste is what you’ll find at the Vesta Pizzeria. Located on Hoboken Road not far from St. Joseph Park, Vesta Pizzeria is the place to go for delicious specialty pizza. When you walk in, you’ll see the ovens right away! But this is no ordinary pizzeria. Vesta is also a beautiful, casual restaurant where you can meet up with friends and family. The décor is rustic and comfortable, with a hearth in the dining area and nice seating. The full bar has a nice selection of wines by the bottle and glass, tap and bottled beer, as well as the ability to make a great specialty cocktail. Check out the daily specials, or go to the menu for delicious Italian specialties.

Vesta Pizzeria
64 Hoboken Road
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(201) 939-6012
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vesta-wood-fired-pizza-and-bar-east-rutherford

Sweet Avenue Bake Shop: Delicious Cakes in Rutherford

Everyone can satisfy their sweet tooth at the Sweet Avenue Bake Shop. Located across from Lincoln Park, the Sweet Avenue Bake Shop was founded by a couple who saw a need for vegan baked goods in the area. You won’t find an egg or milk in any of these products, because everything is truly vegan. They also have no cholesterol! But you won’t miss the taste, which gets high marks from every satisfied customer. If you’re looking for a cool cake for a special occasion, check out the specialty cakes or go for a custom cake made to your specifications. Go dairy free and egg free, or try the gluten, soy, dairy and egg free options. Finally, a bakery that’s healthy, too!

Sweet Avenue Bake Shop
153 Park Avenue
Rutherford, NJ 07070
(201) 935-2253
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-avenue-bake-shop-rutherford

Poofy Organics: Natural Treats in Bergen County

With a location on Park Avenue across from Spring Dell, Poofy Organics has health and beauty products for everyone. And best of all, like the name says, it’s all organic! And not just organic, but USDA certified organic. So you know what you’re getting is the best. Come in and check out the bright and inviting store, where you can check out a big variety of products such as cosmetics, facial scrubs and masks, hair care, soaps and lotions. In fact, it would be impossible not to find something to like here! There are even organic option for personal products like lip balm, massage oil and toothpaste. Join the “I Am Goddess” club and get great discounts!

Poofy Organics
6 Franklin Place
Rutherford, NJ 07070
(201) 438-6800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/poofy-organics-rutherford

Valentino’s on Park: Classic, Casual Cuisine in Rutherford

Homemade Italian specialties make for a delicious experience at Valentino’s on Park. Located on Park Avenue just a half-block from the train station, locals know that Valentino’s on Park is the place to go for a either a family meal or a special occasion. The dress code might be casual, but this place the food is a step above! You’ll like the laid back atmosphere in the dining area and the friendly service. You won’t be rushed here, so take your time and enjoy your dinner! It’s the brick oven that makes everything from pizzas to baked entrees so good! But be prepared and make a reservation for the weekend – it gets crowded pretty fast.

Valentino’s on Park
15 Park Avenue
Rutherford, NJ 07070
(201) 528-7142
http://www.yelp.com/biz/valentinos-on-park-rutherford

Le Jardin: Cuisine with a View in Edgewater

Floor to ceiling views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline are part of the perks of dining at Le Jardin restaurant in Edgewater, New Jersey. The terrace with a shimmering fountain is nice for al fresco dining when the weather’s nice. Stop by for their lunch express menu on weekdays and get soup or salad, an entrée, dessert and tea or coffee for just 20 bucks. You can also order off the menu from a tasty array of soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees. The dinner menu features appetizers like Steamed Mussels Provencal, Maryland Crab Cakes, Grilled Baby Octopus and Shrimp Cocktail. Entrees include Veal Milanese, Braised Lamb Shanks, Roasted Duck L’Orange, Prime New York Steak Au Poivre, Blackened Tuna and Red Snapper Bouillabaisse.

Visit Le Jardin on Friday and Saturday nights to hear live music at the piano bar!

Le Jardin
1257 River Road
Edgewater, NJ 07020
(201) 224-9898
http://lejardinnj.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/le-jardin-restaurant-edgewater

North Hudson Park: A Beautiful Park in North Bergen

Take a break from your busy life at James J. Braddock North Hudson Park. This great park in North Bergen is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, all in a spot not too far from Prospect Tower. Get some exercise with a run around the man made lake while enjoying views of the city or just chill out on a bench. Bring your lunch, and plan to have a picnic!

Dogs are more than welcome at the park, so your pet can get some exercise too. Make sure to keep your eyes open for wildlife like ducklings, turtles, and fish. Practice your skills on the tennis court or soccer field. Feel free to fish in the lake — just be sure you've got the proper permits. Parking is easy, too, which makes a trip to North Hudson Park a great escape from the city. 

North Hudson Park
North Bergen, NJ 07047
(201) 319-3747
http://www.hudsoncountynj.org/braddock-park-north-bergen.aspx
http://www.yelp.com/biz/north-hudson-park-north-bergen

Archetypus Café: A Romantic Standard in Edgewater

A romantic, cave-like atmosphere with candle-lit tables is part of the appeal of Archetypus Cafe in Edgewater. Go there for an expansive menu of Mediterranean fare in a unique, relaxing environment. Starters include Hummus with toasted pita bread, Truffled Potato Chips with chipotle sauce, Breadsticks with marinara sauce, and Stuffed Grape Leaves. The favorite Greek sandwich, the Gyro, is also on the menu, offered with chicken, beef or veggies. Their tasty assortment of wraps includes Honey Mostaza with chicken breast & honey mustard, Jamon with Black Forest Ham & Jarlsberg Swiss cheese, and Pollo Pescado with chicken & tuna. Pizzas, entrée salads, and platters are also on hand. Save room for one of their delectable sundaes or other desserts. Archetypus is open every day.

Archetypus Cafe
266 Old River Road
Edgewater, NJ 07020
(201) 941-0609
http://www.archetypus.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/archetypus-cafe-edgewater

Minamoto Kitchoan: Sweet Treats in Edgewater

A counterpart to their shop in Rockefeller Center, Minamoto Kitchoan in Edgewater is a purveyor of Wagashi: delicately flavored sweets from Japan. Much like sushi, they’re small and artfully presented, thoughtfully prepared and come in a pleasing array of shapes, tastes and sizes. Tsuya is sweet red bean paste spread between two mini pancakes. Oribenishiki is a little cookie dumpling filled with chestnut and red bean paste. Hakutou Shigure features white peach paste wrapped around a sweet bean paste filling. A seasonal treat offered in springtime is Sakuranbo, a beautiful red cherry encased in clear sweet jelly. These little delights aren’t cheap at $3 to $4 apiece, but they’re worth it for their delicate flavors and lovely presentation.

Minamoto Kitchoan
595 River Road
Edgewater, NJ 07020
http://www.kitchoan.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/minamoto-kitchoan-edgewater

Boardwalk Burgers: From Maryland to New Jersey

Bright, cheerful colors, and lots of open space make for a beach-like ambiance in Boardwalk Burgers, a burger & fries joint that migrated from its origins in Ocean City, Maryland to Hackensack, New Jersey. The menu is simple, featuring burgers, french fries, chicken sandwiches, and hot dogs. The famous ‘boardwalk fries’ are hand cut, deep-fried in peanut oil and lightly seasoned, making them a far cry from the frozen factory fries you find in most burger places. Burgers are made to order, with plenty of toppings to choose from to spice it up just the way you like it. Order a creamy shake and an order of funnel cake fries and you’re good to go. Boardwalk Burgers is open every day for lunch and dinner. 

370 W. Pleasant View Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 880-5963
 

Bischoff’s: Old Fashioned Ice Cream

In the ice cream business since 1934, Bischoff’s has become a Teaneck tradition. Here ice cream is done just bit differently. The flavors are fuller, the texture more pleasing, than similar chain shops. Bischoff’s brings diners 40 homemade flavors, including pumpkin fudge, butter crunch, and coffee cookie crush. The old-fashioned atmosphere is really part of the charm of the place. You can picture some old school TV family sidling up to the counter to order egg creams and sundaes. In addition to the homemade ice cream Bischoff’s also serves homemade chocolates and candy, in keeping with the tradition of a proper old time ice cream shop. For an extra special treat try the brownie sundae.

Bischoff's
468 Cedar Lane
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 836-0333
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bischoffs-ice-cream-and-candy-teaneck

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