(201) Best of Bergen 2017 Edition | Page 44

Fine Dining Best French Restaurant LATOUR GOLDEN DYNASTY Chef Michael Latour continues to carve out a charming corner of Paris near the Ridgewood train station where his exquisitely prepared dishes include a fallen-cheese soufflé, cassoulet with white beans, duck confit, and lamb Merguez. His spun sugar confections, which he trained extensively to learn how to prepare, are not to be missed. TANI SUSHI & ASIAN GRILL 6 E. RIDGEWOOD AVE., RIDGEWOOD, (201) 445-5056 LATOURRIDGEWOOD.COM RUNNERS-UP: CAFÉ PANACHE RAMSEY MADELEINE’S PETIT PARIS NORTHVALE These long-standing top-shelf restaurants are considered to be among the very best in Bergen, offering inspired menus from accomplished chefs who bring a touch of France right to Bergen. Best Indian Restaurant BOMBAY HUT KITCHEN 8 W. PROSPECT ST., WALDWICK, (201) 857-3266, BOMBAYHUT.COM Strictly a takeout restaurant, Bombay Hut prepares tandoori treasures such as Chicken Tikka and Paneer Tikka, which is cottage cheese barbecued on a skewer. Lamb Vindaloo and Chicken Buryani are among the seemingly countless curry dishes offered on the menu. RUNNERS-UP: KAILASH AUTHENTIC INDIAN CUISINE RIDGEWOOD NIRVANA INDIAN KITCHEN ALLENDALE Kailash serves a full spectrum of authentic homestyle Indian dishes, which can be sampled at its buffet in a tranquil and engaging setting. Srini Raoand his wife Himani Pradhan opened Nirvana in 2016 because they couldn’t find anywhere to have the healthy Indian food they craved. Perhaps you’ll develop some cravings as well! 42 Best Sushi Restaurant (Tie) 825 FRANKLIN LAKE ROAD, FRANKLIN LAKES, (201) 891-7866 GOLDENDYNASTYNJ.COM 206 ROCK ROAD, GLEN ROCK, (201) 612-1188, TANIOFGLENROCK.COM 44 E. PALISADE AVE., ENGLEWOOD, (201) 567-7888, TANIOFENGLEWOOD.COM Sushi, sushi and more sushi! Readers who love sushi can really never get enough, can they? And lucky for them that Golden Dynasty and Tani Sushi & Asian Grill have a seemingly never-ending menu of popular favorites that are almost too pretty to eat. RUNNERS-UP: HO-HO-KUS SUSHI CAFÉ HO-HO-KUS MATSU SUSHI AND GRILL HILLSDALE This dynamic duo of restaurants is prepared to satisfy the tastes of the most demanding sushi connoisseurs. Best Vietnamese Restaurant SIMPLY VIETNAMESE 1 HIGHWOOD AVE., TENAFLY, (201) 568-7770 Unlike some of their Asian counterparts, there are few Vietnamese restaurants in Bergen, but what’s here is top notch. Try the Hanoi crabmeat soup or barbecued ribs with lemongrass. Don’t miss the sautéed edamame or the crispy tofu. RUNNERS-UP: MEKONG GRILL RIDGEWOOD T.C.’S LITTLE TASTE OF SAIGON RIDGEWOOD Ridgewood’s lucky enough to have two Vietnamese restaurants, Mekong Grill on Chestnut Street and T.C.’s Little Taste of Saigon on Goffle Road. Mekong is known for its Pho Tai Nam and T.C.’s for its homemade hot sauce and seafood pho. 2017 EDITION | (201) BEST OF BERGEN GUIDE Best Seafood Restaurant RIVER PALM TERRACE 1416 RIVER ROAD, EDGEWATER (201) 224-2013, RIVERPALM.COM South African lobster tail and mouth-watering jumbo shrimp are just two of the reasons you should head to River Palm Terrace in Edgewater for seafood. Known primarily as a steakhouse, this is the second year that River Palm Terrace has topped the list for seafood. RUNNERS-UP: OCEANOS FAIR LAWN VARKA RAMSEY A raw bar with the freshest oysters, clams, crab and shrimp have contributed to Oceanos’s reputation for the finest quality seafood. And what is there to say about Varka that hasn’t already been said? It’s a hip and happening place with a lively social scene and a delectable and satisfying menu to go with it. Best Japanese Restaurant (Tie) KIKU 385 ROUTE 9 W, ALPINE, (201) 767-6322 365 ROUTE 17 SOUTH, PARAMUS, (201) 265-7200 MATSU SUSHI AND GRILL 140 BROADWAY, HILLSDALE, (201) 930-1896, MATSUNJ.COM Considered by many to offer the best hibachi dining experience in northern New Jersey, Kiku draws flocks of eager diners who enjoy being involved in the preparation of their meal. They watch as the master chef sizzles their lobster tails and fans their shrimp, tossing up a delicious combination of Japanese specialties. Matsu Sushi and Grill offers traditional dishes like beef teriyaki, along with sushi and sashimi as well as tempura prepared in endless ways. Try the Mama Mia Roll with soft shell crab, caviar, avocado and cucumber, topped with rainbow fish. RUNNER-UP: MT. FUJI STEAKHOUSE HASBROUCK HEIGHTS You’ll be shouting banzai as you cheer the chef who prepares your meal in front of you at Mt. Fuji.