Casual Dining
Casual Dining
Best Burger
WHITE MAPLE CAFÉ
47 E . RIDGEWOOD AVE ., RIDGEWOOD ( 201 ) 447-1953 , WHITEMAPLECAFE . COM
A relative newcomer to the Ridgewood dining scene is White Maple Café , which serves a classic beef burger with Grafton Village cheddar , lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun . Try it with some handcut fries and roasted Brussels sprouts forachangeofpace .
RUNNERS-UP : THE IRON HORSE WESTWOOD BIGGIE ’ SRESTAURANT , RAWBAR AND TAVERN CARLSTADT AND RAMSEY BOBBYFLAY ’ SBURGER PALACE PARAMUS
Biggie ’ s and Bobby ’ s put alittle sizzle in their burgers , ranking among the best in Bergen . The IronHorse has been grilling its enormous Stockcar Beefburgerand Bedrock Cheeseburger for more than 40 years and satisfying hearty appetites all along the way .
Best Brunch
RAYMOND ’ S
101E . RIDGEWOOD AVE ., RIDGEWOOD ,( 201 ) 445-5125 , RAYMONDSNJ . COM
Looking for a brunch menu with a Mexican spin ? Head to Raymond ’ s wherehuevosrancheros , abreakfast burritobowland avocado toast with eggs are standard fare . The menu is really quite international with NorwegianeggsBenedict , chicken and dumpling soup , a Cuban sandwich with roast pork , ham and gruyere , as well as traditional dishes like steel cut oatmeal , scones and Raymond ’ s famous omelet with applewood bacon .
RUNNERS-UP : GIOVANNA ’ S CAFÉ RAMSEY THE CORNERSTONE HILLSDALE THE VILLAGEGRILL WALDWICK
Giovanna ’ s is well known for its made-from-scratch fare in this Italian-inspired eatery thatoffers frittatas , French toast and so much more . The Cornerstone is a great spot to have a Mimosa or Bellini or dip into the chocolate fondue fountain . The Village Grille , more of a lunch and dinner establishment , offers a fabulous brunch on Mother ’ s Day .
Best Dessert Menu
THE VILLAGE GRILLE
71CRESCENT AVE ., WALDWICK ( 201 ) 670-8200 VILLAGEGRILLEWALDWICK . COM
Six times in a row readers have given their slice of the pie to The Village Grille for its scrumptious desserts . Molten lava cake and keylime pie are just two of the faves along with the cheesecake . Stop in on a Saturday night and enjoy some live music along with your delicious confection .
RUNNERS-UP : BENNY ’ SLUNCHEONETTE FAIR LAWN SOOK PASTRY RIDGEWOOD
Benny ’ s is getting a lot of attention in this year ’ s poll , receiving many votes for its breakfast and lunch fare , but it alsogets high marks forits desserts , which are baked on premises . Sook is a classically trained French pastry chef and it shows . Finish a perfect afternoon or evening meal in Ridgewood with acup of coffee and a sweet treat fromthis charming Broad Street shop .
Best Barbecue
FINK ’ S BBQ SMOKEHOUSE
26 W . MADISON AVE ., DUMONT , ( 201 ) 384-3210 FINKSBBQSMOKEHOUSE . COM
“ Q ” up a chair for some juicy pulled pork from Fink ’ s , afour-time winner as best barbecue joint . The food is so good here that you ’ re sure to get hooked .
RUNNERS-UP : BOURBON BBQ WYCKOFF CUBBY ’ S HACKENSACK
Maybe it ’ s their secret sauces , but both Bourbon BBQ and Cubby ’ s draw regulars who have a hankering for a rack of ribs . Try some hickorysmoked pork or Kentucky-fried steak at BourbonorBobbyEgan ’ s chicken and rib combo at Cubby ’ s .
Best Tapas
CRAVINGS
8WILSEY SQUARE , RIDGEWOOD , ( 201 ) 857-8533 CRAVINGSTAPAS . COM
There ’ s something wonderful about a small plates menu that lets you sample so many dishes and flavors , and Cravings doesn ’ t disappoint . Choose for yourself or allow the staff to make recommendations so that you can time your dinner to experienceone delicious dish after another . Infair weather , alfresco dining is also a treat .
RUNNER-UP : FINCA RIDGEWOOD
Just across the railroad tracks from Cravings is its sister restaurant , Finca . The same ownership , but different offerings and ambience , make this a must-godestination fordiners who “ crave ” small plates .
( 201 ) STAFF PICK
Favorite Place for Business Lunch
ALBERT ’ S CAFÉ AMICI
4SYCAMORE AVE ., HO-HO-KUS , ( 201 ) 389-6377 ALBERTSCAFEAMICI . COM
Albert ’ sCafé Amici is one of my favorite places in all of Bergen to meet friends or colleagues for a business lunch . I particularly enjoy the Oriental Seared Tuna Salad with soba noodles , haricot vert , julienne babyspinach , carrots , water chestnuts , mandarin orange , cashews , sesame ginger vinaigrette and wasabi . In fact , all of the salads are wonderful and I take mydaughters there when theyare home from college . Trythe Ho-Ho-Kus Chopped and the Amici Waldorf saladsaswell as theroasted turkey and brie sandwich with cranberry chutney .
CHOSEN BY AMELIA DUGGAN , DIRECTOROFMAGAZINESAND SPECIALTY PUBLICATIONS
14 2017 EDITION | ( 201 ) BESTOFBERGEN GUIDE