Englewood, NJ: The Kitchen

The Kitchen
21 East Palisade Avenue
Englewood, NJ

Tips: I was initially confused after reading reviews about this catering company who display their food through the side vehicle of this restaurant.  Reservations are an absolute must.  Expect NYC range prices, but as a BYO restaurant, you save on the price of liquor. Expect at least three rounds of small appetizers (similar to an amuse bouche) - chef's choice, and an accompaniment to your entree.  The appetizers are an absolute reflection of small catered bite sized eats. 

The ambience makes you forget that you're just in New Jersey, but the young/unexperienced wait staff reminds you that you're somewhere local.  Not a quiet affair - the room can get pretty din with various conversations to be heard from the tables.

Food: We began with our BYO bottle of Coppola Pinot Noir.  For appetizers, we ordered the Mushroom, Goat Cheese & Leek Tart and their Soup of the Day, Vegetable.  Before they came out, the server came around with the chef selected amuse bouche.  All bite size, but a great way to build up your appetite (hence an amuse bouche) and showcase their catering option. We were offered a chicken meatball, fried shrimp roll, and salmon tartare on cucumber. 

We then had our appetizers. The Mushroom, Goat Cheese & Leek Tart was delicious, though nothing special, but the Vegetable soup was delicious, comforting, and full of flavor.  It was full of finely and  perfectly diced vegetables, and the broth was perfection.

For the main entree, we had the The Kitchen Truffle Chicken PotPie and Pomegranate Glazed Salmon.  The Kitchen Truffle Chicken Potpie arrived in a pretty large cast iron skillet.  While there was as aroma of truffle, I couldn't quite taste the delicious goodness.  The pie crust on top was flaky and delicious, while the pot pie was surprisingly light; it didn't have a heavy cream consistency, but in fact was on the lighter side.  The pieces of chicken were BIG, with a mix of light and dark chicken - clearly fresh and hand pulled.  The Pomegranate Glazed Salmon was perfectly cooked.  While the glaze wasn't overly sweet or heavy, which I appreciated, it added a light touch to once again (I must emphasize) a perfectly cooked piece of salmon.  The side of spaghetti squash was full of flavor and a healthy portion.

Lastly for dessert, we ordered the Baked Alaskan Julius. A perfect size for two full people, the meringue was light and cloud like.  The pistachio ice cream inside sitting on a chocolate sandwich was delicious, but unfortunately it was overly frozen and seemingly I couldn't get it to melt just enough for me to bite into it without sawing at it.

Final Thoughts: Able to accommodate large parties with the value option of BYO, I'm absolutely planning to throw a dinner party here. You won't find innovative dishes or an ever changing menu here. What you will found however is solid food with the guarantee that it's done right.

Happy Eating Bergen County!

Englewood, NJ: Pinxto y Tapas

Pinxto y Tapas
47 North Dean Street (be/ Palisades Ave & Park Pl)
Englewood, NJ

Tips:  A surprising hot spot on a Friday night when I tried to get a table for two in the dining room (without a reservation), but was told that they were all reserved.  Fortunately they had some available table tops in the bar area, a darker, but still great ambience. 

Self described as serving authentic Spanish cuisine from the Basque & Galician Regions of Spain, where they pronounce the "tx" to have a "ch" sound, hence "pincho."  Pinxto y Tapas offers a range of tapas, entrees, including paella and arroz con pollo, and full bar, with several beers on tap, three different kinds of sangria (red, white, and blush), and wines by the bottle. 

Every meal, lunch and dinner, always includes crusty bread to dip in a soup that has kale, sausage, and potato.  Tables, particularly in the bar area, are relatively small, which is why they bring out the tapas on a three tier carrier.  Paella, as at all restaurants that make paella right, require at least 30 minutes in preparation.  Be sure to check to see if they offer their special paella, which I ordered and apparently is more authentic than the paella on the menu.  Will explain more about the differences below.

Sardinas del Cantabrico a la Plancha 

Calamar a la Plancha 

Food: I of course started with a glass of red sangria; it's a sin not to have a glass or pitcher of sangria at a Spanish restaurant.  It had a good balance of flavors and was not overwhelmingly sweet with sugar.  You could clearly taste a good red wine in this mix.

After the soup, we started with three different kinds of tapas.  The "Sardinas del Cantabrico a la Plancha," "Calamar a la Plancha," and "Mejillones Vinagreta."  The sardines were not what we expected - they were actual fresh sardines, grilled to soft perfection on top of a crusty piece of baguette.  For those who cringe at looking at an entire fish with the head attached, I would recommend passing on this tapa, however if you like me, enjoy a good fish, it's one I would recommend trying at least once.  The fish is grilled so well, that it literally is soft and can come right off the bone if pulled correctly.  The calamari was also grilled very well - charred, yet soft and fresh.  Basically the healthy and more flavorful version of fried calamari - they didn't need anything else but a spritz of lemon.  The mussels were probably my most favorite.  They were extremely fresh topped with tomatoes, onions, and a vinagrette that I thought would be more acidic than it really was. 

Mejillones Vinagreta 

Paella

For the main entree, we ordered the special paella of the night, which apparently was described as more traditional than the usual paella that most Spanish-American restaurants offer on their menus.  The largest difference I found was that the more authentic paella didn't have lobster, but had fish, which caused the flavor to be saltier, and their shrimp were actually prawns.  It also was cooked in a container that didn't create burnt bits of rice like the usual paella.  Definitely a good amount of food, and like the tapas, the seafood was cooked perfectly.

Final Thoughts: I'm eager to continue my journey in trying other Spanish tapas in America, as I don't believe this is one of the best, nor do I believe it to be any where close to being the worst.  The ambience is nice, separating the main dining area from the darker bar area, and I could absolutely see myself dropping in again for a glass of sangria with a tapa or two.

Happy Eating Bergen County!

Teaneck, NJ: Green Garden Chinese Kitchen

Green Garden Chinese Kitchen
949 Teaneck Road
Teaneck

Tips: Having multiple Chinese Take Out restaurants in every city in Bergen County is not specific to this area, however I have noticed that differences like in delivery radius, MSG free, and re-useable plastic containers versus the traditional take out box with wire handle are reflections of the growing competition. 

While Green Garden didn't serve all their food in plastic containers (ie. the fried scallion pancakes, though without holes punched into the strofoam to let out the steam), they still offered their entrees in them, which is also cleaner with less possible incident of dripping.  Green Garden is also MSG free, though not food coma free.  They also include the fried "chips" that remind me of my childhood when my parents ordered Chinese take out from their local spot; I'm sure they are horrible for your health, but taste oh so good dropped in soup. 

Similar to other take out restaurants, Green Garden offers coupons with free items based on the total amount you spend.  A total of $15 will get you a free eggroll, while $30 will get you a free order or sweet and sour chicken.  Be sure to take advantage of these offers, though don't let it convince you to order more just for the freebies; afterall, it's still relatively unhealthy food.

And like any establishment that deliver, be aware of peak times.  We ordered at 5:30 PM on a Sunday, and the food arrive close to an expected 1 hour later.



Chicken Corn Soup

Food: Although these take out places are more Chinese-American, than Chinese, I felt the desire to order 

Scallion Pancake with dipping sauce



soup, like one would start with in a traditional Chinese meal.  Chicken Corn Soup is always my soup of choice!  A combination of egg drop soup and chicken soup with added pieces of sweet corn, it's sweet and salty, and the soup from Green Garden was no exception.  It was in fact extra special because they included the fried "chips" that I could throw in it.  The Scallion Pancakes (a new item) on the other were a total disappointment.  Perhaps this an item that I can only find in Boston, where they are a staple at any Chinese restaurant, but for some reason I've had trouble finding them here in New Jersey.  Excited to see that they were being offered, I was really grossed out at how soggy and extremely oily they were.  They did however get an A+ for their dipping sauce; something I've had a hard time finding in Boston. 



Chicken with Garlic Sauce (in white sauce)



For our entrees, we ordered Chicken with Garlic Sauce, where I specified for it to be made with white sauce.  Not sure if it's true, but the white sauce may likely have less sodium than the traditional dark sauce.  Not nearly "garlicky" enough or possibly at all, I was disappointed with the lack in flavor, but really impressed with the amount and assortment of veggies they included: broccoli, snap peas, carrots, green peppers, celery, mushroom, baby corn, and bamboo.  The quality efinitely did not go unnoticed!  We had a choice of white or brown rice with it, which I always appreciate that there is a brown rice option. 



Shrimp ChowFoon



We also ordered the Shrimp ChowFoon.  If you've ever tried to work with these sticky rice noodles, you'll understand the challenge.  The longer and less choppy and mushy the noodles are, the better they did a good job in handling it.  In the case of Green Garden, they did a good job with working with these sticky noodles, however the amount of oil they used to facilitate handling the noodles was over powered.  Similar to the chicken entree, the noodles also lacked a certain flavor (perhaps because it doesn't have MSG), but it also had a good amount and assortment of vegetables, like snow peas, mushrooms, cabbage, celery, carrots, and bamboo.  There was a decent amount of shrimp, but fairly small compared to other Chinese Restaurants I've eaten at. 

Final Thoughts: All in all, I thought Green Garden Chinese Kitchen did a decent job in giving me my Chinese Take Out food fix.  I absolutely appreciated the amount of vegetables they used in their dishes, which is always a plus in my book, but hope by trying another entree, I'll get more of the flavor of the dish.  I'll absolutely be planning to order from here again, and this time I'll request that they add in chopsticks!

Happy Eating Bergen County!






















Northvale, NJ: Northvale Diner

Northvale Diner
247 Livingston Street

Northvale, NJ

Northvale Diner

Tips: The Northvale Diner holds a special place in my Jersey heart.  Like the "Peach Pit" to 90210 and "The Max" to Saved By The Bell, the Northvale Diner was the place for the Northern Valley Regional High School (Old Tappan and Demarest) students.

This is the place we went to late at night, after church, to hang out (because we essentially had no where else to go) and eat French Onion Soup, Disco Fries, and endless amounts of Burgers, Steak Fries, and Breakfast food. 

Since, the Diner (as locals fondly refer to it as if there is no other) received a major exterior and interior facelift, changed management, added more healthier and organic options, and a full bar.  They pride themselves in "offering a vast variety of comforting and sophisticated dishes" which they "make in house" while buying "only the highest quality natural and organic ingredients."  A far different cry than when it was my local hangout. 

What is a continued cry is its popularity.  They now offer booths, small and large, and well as tables.  Sunday brunch is obviously a consistent popular time, but if you're only with a party of two, don't hesitate to by pass the wait and head straight to the high chairs by the bar in the center console.  A first come first serve area that is also filled with action and drama.  It's a spot where servers will often recenter their serving trays and joke around with the cashier/bakery lady. 

Grilled Salmon Wrap

Food: I had a hankering for seafood, and was excited to see that they had a grilled fish option: Grilled Salmon Wrap.  Grilled Salmon on spring mix with tomato relish and wasabi sauce wrapped in an oregano/basil flavored wrap, served with mixed greens in a balsamic viniagrette.  I asked for the tomato relish on the side to lessen the potential of a soggy wrap, and also to avoid losing the flavor of the salmon.  They however forgot to give it to me.  The wasabi sauce ended up being more of a wasabi mayo that made the wrap so soggy and difficult to eat.  The salmon was good quality, but a tiny portion, as well as a small portion of the spring mix inside the wrap and the sad looking side of mixed greens, which I got with a side of honey mustard sauce. 

Eggs Burrito

We also ordered the Eggs Burrito described as stuffed with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, peppers, ham, onions, cheddar-jack, guacomole, and salsa.  Similar to the Salmon Wrap and opposite of how they described it on their menu, there was hardly any eggs, barely any ham onions or peppers.  The scoop of guacomole was around turning brown. 

Extremely disappointed by the fresh quality they pride themselves on

Final Thoughts: Unfortunately since its change in management, the Northvale Diner has also changed in terms of quality and freshness.  Perhaps it was never fresh to begin with, and I just never realized from a 16 year old perspective, but the bottomline is if they are advertising themselves as using fresh and organic products, they have failed tremendously.  They also state that they are "famous for their generous portions which are ideal for sharing," but with the skimpy portions offered today, I barely had enough to feed myself, let alone share with someone else. 

New Jersey is a state known for diners.  There are plenty of them in my radius.  Sadly, I think it's time for me to let go of my memories and build some new ones. 

Happy Eating Bergen County!

Elizabeth, NJ: Algarve Restaurant

Algarve Restaurant
656 Van Buren Avenue
Elizabeth, NJ

A self-described healthy barbeque and Portuguese cuisine, Algarve Restaurant offers a range of food, from Frog Legs, to Filet Mignon, to pasta and seafood options.  And with a full bar, they offer drinks to compliment your meal, including half and whole pitchers of Sangria using at least four types of alcohol.

Tips: The streets of Elizabeth can be a bit complicated with its one-way streets.  The restaurant has a parking lot to the right of the restaurant on a one way street on Louisa, so be prepared to spin around to go down the one way to hit the parking lot on the right. 

A hot spot for the locals, you'll no doubt find the usuals sitting around the circular bar.  The juke box is always playing random tunes, so don't hesitate to fill up the playlist with your favorites.   

Food: I had to no doubt first order a pitcher of Sangria.  It had a great kick to it with the various liquors used, and definitely a drink I would recommend ordering.  The glasses are small, which can be frustrating, especially when it was also full with ice, but the pitcher is large so there is plenty of Sangria to go around.

Every meal comes with a warm crusty Portuguese roll.  I simply can't get enough of that bread!  To continue with the comfort food journey, I ordered the Shrimp & Rice Spanish Style for one.  It was a very healthy (in true American style) portion and great proportion of rice to shrimp. Similar to paella, it came out in a sizzling hot cast iron leaving those delicious burnt and crunchy rice pieces at the end.  The shrimp was surprisingly fresh - I think I even chewed a tiny part of the shell which makes me think that it started with fresh shrimp that was deshelled in the kitchen.  The yellow rice tasted really similar to "Goya - Rice Amarillo" but regardless it was cooked perfectly al dente.  It could have use a little less oil and butter, but overall comfort food I could eat every day!

Final Thoughts: I can see why this is a local hot spot.  If I lived closer to Elizabeth, I'd certainly be a frequent visitor.  The prices are just right (less than $20 for grilled Chilean Sea Bass!) and the seafood seemed surprisingly fresh; I no doubt underestimated the freshness from this unassuming restaurant in the middle of Elizabeth.  I also sneaked in a few french fries from my friend's plate, and while they were nothing spectacular, the honey mustard was one of the best I've enjoyed! 

Happy Eating Bergen County!

Englewood, NJ: Hummus Elite

Hummus Elite
39 East Palisade Avenue
Englewood, NJ
Bergen County

Hummus Elite is one of a handful of kosher restaurants in Englewood, but what sets them apart from the others is their commitment to using organic eggs and produce.  Their menu is limited, but that allows them to stick with what they're great at making, hummus and falafels.

Tips: It's probably a better idea to sit and eat a sandwich from here, then to eat and walk your dog in the park at the same time like I did.  If you choose to sit and eat, Hummus Elite is small and cozy, with an updated and clean bathroom, something that doesn't slip by this foodie.  The folks there are eager to describe the food to you.

Food: We ordered the Falafel Sandwich and Sabbich Sandwich to go.  They did a great job bagging it with plenty of napkins, dipping sauces, and wrapped in both tin foil and wax paper which really appreciated when trying to juggle my dog leash and the sandwich. 

The sandwiches I normally have come in a thicker pita that is rolled up so it's more of a long shape.  Here, they use more of the traditional pita, which works fine, though it is thinner in comparison.  A pro for this is that the flavor of the falafel is not over powered by a thicker bread, while a con is that the sauce and items in the sandwich can quickly make the pita soggy.  I do have to say though that here the pita stayed relatively okay. 

The Falafel in my sandwich was delicious.  Perfectly seasoned and fried.  There was cabbage and hummus, but the one item that I was seriously caught off guard by was the 4 or 5 random french fries.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE french fries, particularly in sandwiches (ie. Rutgers College - Grease Trucks), but I wasn't sure if french fries were intentionally put in there or accidentally.  If they were intentionally put in there, then I was disappointed to see that they were mainly on the bottom of my sandwich which leads me to believe that they were used as fillers.  While the potato flavor of course was delicious, I would have appreciated one more tasty falafel or more hummus, which there was a serious lack of, but had a thick fresh consistency.

The Sabbich Sandwich was our first.  Described on their menu to have "hummus, boiled egg, tahini, & roasted eggplant" it had much of all of that.  The roasted eggplant in particular was seasoned beautifully, and the random mix of items worked really well together.  My partner however did feel like it was too much of the same mushy consistency, but I loved the flavors.  I did however feel like there was too much egg yolk and not enough egg white. 

Final Thoughts: Hummus Elite knows how to flavor their items.  I appreciate a place like this where it's small, intimate, and clearly family run.  I'm eager to try their array of hummus varieties, particularly the one drizzled with truffle oil, and will definitely plan to stop in again to fulfill my falafel craving, but will ask them to hold the french fries, whether intentional or not. 

Happy Eating Bergen County, NJ!

Hackensack, NJ: Houston's

Houston's
1 Riverside Square
Hackensack, NJ
Bergen County

Houston's is an upscale chain restaurant that feels more upscale than chain.  They make their own bread (a fabulous brioche bun as seen in the picture) and have true quality in their products.  Their prices however certainly reflect this. 

Tips: A noticeable after work hot spot for young yuppy professionals.  Arrive as early as possible.  There is perpetually a wait here particularly after work hours, on any given night.  The bar area is particularly hopping, as is the counter behind the bar and the community high tops next to the bar, but be aware that as the night goes on, it can get very crowded in these tight quarters. 

Food: I had the hardest time deciding between their House-Made Veggie Burger, Grilled Fish Sandwich, or Asian Noodle Salad.  I finally chose the Grilled Fish Sandwich on their wonderfully light housemade Brioche bun.  I absolutely love that they had a grill option; not often available at busy chain restaurants where flash frying is fast.  Grilling the fish really allowed me to taste the freshness and flavor, while the brioche added a light sandwich option.  From their choice of sides, I went with the cous cous that had an abundance of flavor from the inclusion of mint leaves, parsley, raisins, grape tomatoes, almonds, and perfectly cooked cous cous.  I certainly could have eaten more bowls of this side dish.  They used vegetables, nuts, and herbs unsparingly and it really added to the flavor of generally blan cous cous.  The server was fantastic and patient in explaining each of the items, and did a great job navigating through the crowd.

Houston's also has a great selection of wines.  We had an excellent J. Lohr Pinot Noir, but at almost $75 a bottle.  I then had a pomegranite martini that may have been the worst I've ever tasted.

Final Thoughts: Houston's is the place is a great place to stop by after work with your co-workers or for a casual date.  I'm a huge fan of the bar area since the long waits can dampen how long you can linger and take your time catching up at the table.  Though the martinis can use some more work, the care in the freshness and selection of their food is top quality.

Happy Eating Bergen County, NJ!

Englewood, NJ: East West

East West
35 C West Palisades Avenue
Englewood, NJ
Bergen County

Japanese and Mexican?  To go?  Yes, with one side of the menu offering your typical to inventive sushi/handrolls and other fish, chicken, and noodle entrees with miso soup, the flip side of the menu offers tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.  To top it off, East West offers a method to order online, equipped with "special instructions" for each item you select.

Tips: This is a great option if you're craving fast food that doesn't involve hamburgers and fries.  We ordered our food online Sunday night during a peak dinner hour (6:45 PM), and received our food at our front door in less than 45 minutes.  The online order process is really easy and simple, and they offer the option for each entree you select to write in "special instructions."  I was able to specify that I wanted brown rice (with my eel don) and no sour cream (with my chicken taco). 

However, be warned that their English is terrible and parts of their menu online is not absolutely clear.  We forgot to enter the 10% promotional discount when you order online, and when we called them by phone to have this corrected, they said it no longer existed.  We also ordered certain items a la carte (ie. no soup), got the confirmation online, and confirmed final amount, but when they delivered the food, the final cost was almost $10-13 more than what was originally confirmed online.  The delivery man could not speak any English, so we had no choice but to pay the amount and call them again.  After several attempts to convey my issue, the woman said that we had selected the lunch prices, however the online menu does not make a distinction between the lunch and dinner menu (just lunch specials).   I suggested they check this online and make the changes, but they still haven't.

Food: From the Japanese menu, we ordered the Eel Don with Brown Rice, Chicken Katsu Don, and Red Dragon Roll.  Besides loving the brown rice option, the seaweed salad on top of the Eel Don, and the decent sized portion of the Chicken Katsu Don, everything else was mediocre.  The quality and amount of fish was mediocre at best.  The avocado was the smallest and thinnest sliver I've seen, and I don't even remember tasting much of the Tuna in my sushi roll because it was overpowered by the eel sauce.  The radish (daquan) in my Eel Don was chopped up into the smallest cubes possible, and the Eel Don was push in a plastic container that was way too big for the smaller amount it was.

From the Mexican menu, we ordered a Chicken Taco and Grilled Chicken Enchilada.  The Chicken Taco wrapped in tinfoil with all its fixings was a decent three bite item, though a bit soggy by the time it got to us.  The Grilled Chicken Enchilada had a flavorful rice and bean accompaniment, but barely any chicken in the actual entree. 

Final Thoughts: While it's exciting that East West exists an alternative fast food option, I was really felt duped by having to paid over $50 rather than less than $40 as we had expected (as confirmed to us online).  While initially ordering online served as a wonderful and fun convenience, if we had anticipated this kind of misunderstanding, I would have been happy to pick up the phone and order directly with a person.  I'm not sure if we'll order from them again since there are better Japanese and Mexican places in Englewood that also deliver, and we know that their quality of food is far superior.

Happy Eating Bergen County, NJ!

Hackensack, NJ: The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory
197 Riverside Square Mall
Hackensack, NJ
Bergen County

An extensive menu showcasing a range of flavors and generous portions (an understatement), dining at the Cheesecake Factory is an adventure from the moment you're waiting for a table (at almost any hour of the day) to looking through the menu to remembering that you can take leftovers home.

Tips:  I haven't had to wait in line for a table in years because I...a) never go here with more than four ppl; b) avoid going on weekends and peak hours; c) always sit at the first come first serve bar area where they always have a handful of high tops.  Don't resist their warm fresh baked bread, especially the whole wheat one.  They offer a fabulous happy hour M-F, 4-6 PM with $5 cocktails, wine, and decent sized portions of some of their appetizers.  If you're an American Express holder and gain points, you can redeem a gift card.

Food: Now this is where foodies who are strongly quality over quantity may have a problem with this establishment.  They use quality ingredients in their dishes, but their pastas are sometimes overwhelmed with oil, tamales topped with too much sour cream, and guacomole made with pre-frozen tasteless avocados.  However, there are still really delicious dishes to have here.  The chicken samosas (which can be ordered from their cheap small plates menu) bursts with flavor;  the tamales (which is part of the $5 happy hour menu) with the sour cream on the side has a fantastic pieces of sweet corn; the chicken littles are perfectly fried pieces of boneless chicken breast with a great spice; and their thai lettuce wraps come with a delicious variety of dipping sauces.  I always enjoy a good fish taco, and while you won't necessarily find the freshest of fish here being used, it's good enough.  Their mashed potatoes are also creamy goodness, which just enough chunks of potato, and their non-acoholic strawberry lemonade rimmed with sugar is perfect on a hot summer day. 

I don't often leave room for dessert, but have no problems grabbing a slice of something to go.  Now everyone often picks the cheesecake - how can you resist, there are a variety of flavors ranging from white to chocolate to red velvet cake to peanut butter cheesecake, but I've started reaching towards their almost foot high speciality cakes, specifically their Black - Out cake.  You must love chocolate, because it also includes chocolate chips, but it's also finished on the side with crushed almonds.  Whichever dessert you go with, you must make sure they include blobs of their whipped cream.  I'm not sure if it's homemade, but it is extra creamy (and probably fatty) and delicious!

Final Thoughts: True, there's probably no need to write a blog entry about the Cheesecake Factory and it might even discount me as a foodie, however hopefully my tips above are some helpful suggestions of how to manuever this monster and enjoy the vastness of the Cheesecake Factory!

Happy Eating Bergen County, NJ!

Jersey City, NJ: Zeppelin Hall Restaurant and Biergarten

Zeppelin Hall
88 Liberty View Drive
Jersey City, NJ

Bergen County

An authentic European style Biergarten with 155 beers on tap to enjoy out of a mug or liter inside or outside the restaurant.

Tips: Never miss a visit to Zeppelin in the summer!  The space inside is huge, but outside is even larger with picnic table settings and food and beer ordered and picked up by you (save on tip!).  A great place to have a group of friends meet and not worry about a messy bill to figure out at the end of the night since its every person for themselves to order, pay, and then share at the table, including pitchers of beer.  It gets crowded as the night goes on and their free large parking lot does eventually become limited, because with festive music, and undoubtedly friends running into other friends, folks eat, drink, and be merry all night long!

Food: You cannot go to a Biergarten without ordering the giant pretzel.  It's not as buttery and doesn't come with a selection of various mustards like they offer at Radegast Hall & Biergarten in Brooklyn (133 N. 3rd Street (Williamsburg), Brooklyn), but big, doughy, and great to munch on while getting your drink on nonetheless.  One also cannot leave a German establishment without trying a bratwurst.  As a pollo/pesco semi-vegetarian, I had their chicken bratwurst, and thoroughly enjoyed it on a rye bread top with sauerkraut and french fries, my weakness.  The chicken schnitzel on the otherhand isn't anything special than a thinly pounded breaded piece of chicken breast.

Final Thoughts: It's not easy to find a place where you can sit outdoors with a large group of friends, eat, drink, and be merry, without being worried about the bill at the end of the night, being to rowdy, or being kicked out for not ordering a certain amount of food.  I do hope in the future that they'll consider amping up their mustard selection like other Biergartens though!

Happy Eating Bergen County, NJ!

Ridgewood, NJ: Country Pancake House

Country Pancake House
140 East Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ
Bergen County

Ranked 49th on the Travel Channel's "101 Places to Chowdown," the Country Pancake House is truly the "Home of the Hearty." 

Tips:  Located in Ridgewood Center, expect to wait.  I went at 2 PM on a Saturday, and still waited a good 20 minutes.  The restaurant is small with barely a waiting area.  Most of the tables are two-tops or four-tops, and they'll do their best to accommodate a larger party, but that will undoubtedly increase your waiting time.  Another important note - CASH only!  Most items are less than $10, and small fees associated to any type of substitutions.

Every table gets a basket of cornbread.  It's far more exciting than a dinner roll, but because of the mass quantity they make it, let's just say I've had better.  My suggestion to you - try to hold your appetite for your meal - the dry, flavorless cornbread will just fill up your stomach, and trust me, you'll need that space!

Food:  Let's start with the pancakes.  With over 90 homemade pancake options, ranging in flavors from moist buttermilk to whole wheat peaches and honey to cornmeal onions peppers and onions, there isn't a flavor (or diner) they didn't think of.  I personally am always thrilled when a restaurant offers fiberous (whole wheat/whole grain) options.  You can get two LARGE (I'm talking pizza box size and definitely larger than a plate) sized pancakes, or four (slightly smaller version). 

These pancakes are also thick so we're talking quantity all around.  To give you an even better sense - I had #21-The Maine Delicacy which were blueberrys on whole wheat.  The blueberries were the size of grapes!
Surprisingly, the pancake, even made with whole wheat, was surprisingly moist, and of course undeniably HUGE.  Nothing can prepare you for the monsterous size of these pancakes placed in front - more like in the center - of your table.  No one expects you to finish it all in one sitting and take out containers are all around the sides (though these standard boxes will not hold a pancake without bending it). 

Aside from pancakes, they have many other breakfast (and lunch) options.  They have over 30 omelet options - and we're talking a 9-egg omelett - that you can get over a waffle or with a side of homefries.  I opted for the broccoli chicken tomato omelet with whole wheat toast and hashbrowns. 

The same way you must love pancakes to order pancakes, you must love eggs to have an omelett here.  The whole grain bread was delicious and gets a fiberous thumbs up.

Final Thoughts: I think the Country Pancake House is definitely a place worth adding to your foodie bucketlist.  I'm glad I checked it out, but after the excitement of the gigantic portions wore off and I realized I had polished off the amount of food I did, I was slightly regretful.

Stop in during an off time (and remember, that even that off-time may not be off enough to immediately get a table) and have cash and your appetite handy!  Again, resist the cornbread and would recommend getting more than just water to help something flavored wash down the food.

Happy Eating Bergen County, NJ!