(201) Best of Bergen 2017 Edition | Page 41

Best Farm-To- Table Menu CAFÉ PANACHE 130 E. MAIN ST., RAMSEY (201) 934-0030, CAFEPANACHENJ.COM Kudos to Chef Kevin Kohler, who has been bringing the freshest ingredients to his menu for more than 30 years. Drawing on the produce from local farms like Abma’s in Wyckoff, Kohler has created an exciting complement of dishes that make you feel like you’re dining in the French countryside. Try the salad panache with warm goat cheese and beets or the Abma’s Garden Salad of baby lettuces with foie gras crostini. And be sure to try the chef’s braised filet mignon or better still the filet mignon ravioli. Our compliments to the chef! RUNNER-UP: FARMHOUSE CAFÉ & EATERY CRESSKILL Farmhouse is a family business that began in New York City and has branched out to the New Jersey suburbs and specializes in homestyle cooking of traditional American cuisine like soups and stews. Don’t miss it. Best New Restaurant CITY PERCH KITCHEN + BAR 2023 HUDSON ST., FORT LEE, (201) 582-7101 Located on the ground floor of the new Hudson Lights high-rise, City Perch Kitchen + Bar offers up seasonal American dining and well- crafted cocktails in a dining room that gives off the vibe of a beer garden. This place quickly caught on with residents looking to sit back with drinks in a fun atmosphere, while enjoying some sophisticated comfort food. Try the cornbread with whipped goat cheese or the roasted duck. Best Chinese Restaurant Best Waterfront Dining GOLDEN DYNASTY 825 FRANKLIN LAKE ROAD, FRANKLIN LAKES, (201) 891-7866 295 KINDERKAMACK ROAD, HILLSDALE, (201) 358-8685 GOLDENDYNASTYNJ.COM For the ninth year running, readers have chosen Golden Dynasty as Bergen’s best Chinese restaurant and there’s a reason why. They offer extensive traditional Chinese cuisine as well as contemporary dishes to please every palate. Grab a friend and order a Scorpion Bowl to start at the Hillsdale location before indulging in a Dragon and Phoenix of shrimp and chicken with black mushrooms. The Franklin Lakes location may not have a liquor license, but it boasts an impressive sushi menu with dishes like the Lady Gaga Roll and the Caviar Rainbow. RUNNERS-UP: BAMBOO HOUSE RIDGEWOOD IMPERIAL DYNASTY RAMSEY Tucked away on Broad Street in Ridgewood is a tiny jewel of a restaurant, Bamboo House, where the owner, Sherry, makes an assortment of her “special dumplings” and kitchen sink angel hair with Chinese vegetables, shrimp and chicken. You’ll want to eat it all. Imperial Dynasty’s contemporary décor gives it a hip vibe to go along with its modern variations of traditional dishes. Best Healthy Restaurant FOOD EVOLUTION 14 CHESTNUT RIDGE ROAD, MONTVALE, (201) 573-0101 JOINTHEFOODEVOLUTION.COM It’s a proverbial food revolution at Food Evolution, which uses farm fresh fruits and vegetables and sustainable meats. Believing that they are changing the world one meal at a time, the goal of the business is to create “craveable” meals that are full of flavor and good for you too. HAVEN RIVERFRONT RESTAURANT AND BAR 2 MAIN ST., EDGEWATER (201) 943-1900 HAVENEDGEWATER.C OM Spectacular views of New York City are just one of the joys of dining at Haven. With a masterful menu of American dishes and its metropolitan vibe, Haven provides a romantic setting to enjoy cocktails in the bar and lounge or dinner along the river. Best Mexican Restaurant BLUE MOON 23 E. PALISADE AVE., ENGLEWOOD, (201)541-0600 42 KINDERKAMACK ROAD, WOODCLIFF LAKE, (201) 782-9500 327 FRANKLIN AVE., WYCKOFF, (201) 891-1331 BLUEMOONMEXICANCAFE.COM (201) readers do love their Mexican food and when looking for a restaurant that combines a vibrant social scene, potent margaritas and bottomless bowls of chips and salsa, they turn their sights to Blue Moon. You can also enjoy a ballgame in the bar at the Wyckoff location while you devour a Plato Loco burrito bowl or some Mexican calamari. RUNNERS-UP: JALAPENOS MEXICAN GRILL GLEN ROCK PANCHO’S BURRITOS NEW MILFORD RIVIERA MAYA BOGOTA This trio of Mexican restaurants each offers something different. Jalapenos draws a regular crowd who enjoy their margaritas and their enchiladas. Pancho’s serves, well, burritos, along with cerveza and martinis, fajitas and tostadas. Riviera Maya does not have a liquor license but provides an array of mixers to go with your own tequila, along with authentic Mexican fare made from fresh ingredients. RUNNERS-UP: B.GOOD RIDGEWOOD THE FARMHOUSE CAFÉ CRESSKILL A fast-food joint with a healthy twist, b.good serves up seasonal salads, kale and grain bowls, burgers and shakes. And for Farmhouse, it’s all about fresh ingredients and homestyle meals just like Mom used to make. (201) BEST OF BERGEN GUIDE | 2017 EDITION 39