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