Candlewyck Diner: Outstanding Diner in East Rutherford

The classic diner gets turned up a notch at the Candlewyck Diner. Located at the corner of Hackensack Street and Patterson Avenue, the Candlewyck recently went through a renovation and the place looks great! You’ll like the homey décor, with a fireplace, nice tables and plush booth seating. Regulars like to talk up the service, which seems to get better every time you come back. And everything on the menu is good because only high quality ingredients are used. Free range meats, the freshest seafood and local dairy and produce products are combined by the Candlewyck’s chef to bring you what is referred to as “Fine Diner Food.” Make sure to check out the daily blue plate specials, always a delicious bargain. The house-made soups, salads, sandwiches and platters are all good as well. It’s a great spot to bring the family!

Candlewyck Diner
179 Paterson Avenue
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(201) 933-4446
http://www.yelp.com/biz/candlewyck-diner-east-rutherford

Brooklyn’s Brick Oven Pizzeria: In Hackensack, But …

Pizza is a serious business, especially when one city lays claim to another’s tradition. Despite the difference in geography Hackensack’s own Brooklyn’s Brick Oven Pizzeria is indeed the real deal. Like a slice straight from New York City Brooklyn’s Brick Oven serves up some of the best pizza going. We’re talking fresh everything, from mozzarella, tomatoes, toppings, to the handmade dough. Personal pizzas are great for lunch and are available in both white and traditional varieties. Extra toppings are just a dollar each and they include such indulgences as ricotta cheese, black olives, onions, green peppers, and even anchovies for you folk who can’t get enough of them. In addition to pizza, Brooklyn’s Brick Oven also features such pizza shop staples as calzones, Strombolis, and even ravioli, which comes with complimentary bread sticks. There’s a good selection of appetizers too, including antipasto, stuffed zucchini, and a mozzarella and tomato salad. Doughy, cheesy goodness awaits you at Brooklyn’s Brick Oven.

Brooklyn's Brick Oven Pizzeria
161 Hackensack Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 342-2727
http://www.yelp.com/biz/brooklyns-brick-oven-pizzeria-hackensack

The New Park Tavern: A Great Bergen County Spot

Go where the locals go at the New Park Tavern. Located across from the Rutherford campus of Felician College, the New Park Tavern is a hidden gem in the area. It’s the kind of place where you can meet up with friends to hang out and watch the big game, or come back with family to enjoy a meal. Come after work or on the weekends and hang out with friends at the bar, where you can enjoy a cold beer on tap, a glass of wine or a prepared drink. Or grab a seat to share a pizza, which many regulars claim is the best in town. Not in the mood for pizza? The menu features lots of soup, salad, sandwich, pasta and entrée options. Test out your singing voice on Saturdays — Karaoke Night!

The New Park Tavern
250 Park Avenue
Rutherford, NJ 07070
(201) 939-9445
http://www.yelp.com/biz/park-tavern-and-restaurant-rutherford

River Thai Food: Thai Cuisine in Edgewater, New Jersey

River Thai Food is a favorite dining spot for speedy service, tasty authentic Thai cuisine and friendly service. The small number of tables at this Edgewater Thai restaurant makes for a cozy meal dining-in, but also encourages take-out. Start out your meal with a tasty appetizer like Crispy Tofu, Steamed Veggie Dumplings, Chicken Satay Skewers, or Crispy Calamari. Glass Noodle Salad and Duck Salad with green apple, pineapple & cashews are also on the menu. Entrees all come with your choice of protein – choose from tofu, chicken, beef, shrimp, pork or mixed seafood. Pad Thai is favorite noodle dish, as is Pad Kee Mao, also known as Drunken Noodles. Panang Curry is a spicy mixture of string beans & bell pepper in a flavorful coconut curry sauce. Just a short distance from Prospect Tower, River Thai Food is open for lunch and dinner every day.

River Thai Food
24 Hilliard Avenue
Edgewater, NJ 07020
(201) 941-5688
http://www.riverthaifood.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/river-thai-food-edgewater

Global Eats: Terrific Tapas

Take a culinary trip around the world at Global Eats. Located across from Spring Dell, Global Eats is a cool spot to bring your own bottle of wine and enjoy a tapas-style experience. Come in and check out the cool décor, with interesting artwork on the walls and comfortable seating. There’s a bar but no booze here! You can however order some Sangria mix. Just add your own red or white wine! Enjoy yourself while going over a menu that has so many interesting appetizers; you’ll have to order a few to share with friends. In true “global” fashion, the apps hail from all culinary corners of the globe. There are some nice entrée options as well. Mix in the terrific service, and you’ve found yourself a new place for lunch or dinner.

Global Eats
16 Glen Road
Rutherford, NJ 07070
(201) 933-6373
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fabulous-appetizers-rutherford

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

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

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

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