(201) Family Fall 2018 | Page 36

DINING

MEZZA

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SPARTA TAVERNA

Don’ t underestimate the

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MEZZA

One word: Hummus. You need

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powerofafish tank to entertain children, especially if you are waiting forfood toarrive, or lingering after dessert. The atmosphereatthis
Greek restaurant is itself familial, with waitresses treating children as honored guests insteadofnuisances.
The food, however, is next level. The
Supreme Salad is beyond the garden variety, and the Sparta Salad offers a bounty of fresh avocado. The Shrimp
Mykonos isexcellent, while the variety of pitas and panini and mozzarella sticks for the lessadventurous offspring provides insurance policies on pickier nights. You’ ll leave happy and comfortable, filled with authentic food. • 650 W. Westwood Ave.,
River Vale,( 201) 358-4747, spartataverna. com
to go to Mezza and getthe hummus. The pita, which was described to me as half-baked in Israel, finished hereso it is fresh and piping hot, works perfectly with ahummus so creamy it can be described as pudding-esque. Get your kids into hummus with this, but be forewarned: all other hummus will pale in comparison ever after. Every topping for the pita is worth your time, with extraplaudits for the roasted Greek eggplant. And afalafel pita is an easy meal for the kids while you enjoy abeef short rib bowl or salmon burger in arestaurant decorated to make you feel transported. The restaurant’ s wall of candles will mesmerize your children. If you’ re looking for privacy, there’ seven atable for larger families or groups thatcan be curtained off in
front. • 20 Jefferson Ave., Westwood,
( 201) 722-8822, mezzawestwood. com

PESHAWRI GRILL

MAHWAH
There’ ssomething aboutthisspace. Afew Indian restaurants have cycled through here, each of them happy places for myfamily. Peshawri is the latest, replacing Sapphire, which itself replaced Diwani and, beforeit, SpiceMelody. The early returns on Peshawri arereally strong; it might be the best version of Indian food hereyet. Forkids, Tandoori chicken is hardtobeat, and the lunch special with that, tandoori veggies and dal over riceisaparticular favorite. At dinnertime, get them started onsamosas, and you’ ll be just fine. The space isartistically decorated, with an enormous, welcoming rug on the farwall. And the food options for you, aselectiveIndian consumer, are varied. The usuals arehere, of course, but so are things like Mango Tulsi Prawns right out of the clay oven, Shikari Quails, and 16 kinds of bread( though the good old standby, butter naan, is next-level). Bonus: For ease, come on the weekend for lunch, when there’ sabuffet. Youcan start yourchildren eating immediately, eliminating that deadly period between when you order and the food arrives, while you takeyour time. • 164 Franklin Turnpike Mahwah,( 201) 252-2789, peshawrigrill. com ■
MICHAEL KARAS
34 FALL 2018 |( 201) FAMILY