Italian Gem Becomes Part of the Family

Tutto A Modo Mio 

http://www.tuttoamodomio.com
482 Bergen Boulevard
Ridgefield, NJ 07657
201-313-9690

Everyone in New Jersey has an Italian gem that is their favorite place to go when they are craving this comforting, family-like meal. For the most part, people go to the same restaurant, know the owner and waiters/waitresses, know the other patrons, bring the same bottle of wine, even may have a specific table they sit at. We are not any different. So we know suggesting that you venture outside of your box to try a place that we recently found and like a lot is a little crazy, but we can't help it.

As appetizers, we ordered two of our favorites; a stuffed artichoke and eggplant rollatini. The artichoke is steamed and stuffed with herbs, bread crumbs, and cheese. It is perfectly tender, the stuffing and brother is extremely flavorful. It is not necessarily a "first date" dish, it's a little messy, but definitely worth it. The eggplant is sliced thin and rolled with a task mixture of cheese and herbs. The marinara sauce is tangy yet sweet, a great sauce (or gravy as some say)! 

For our main courses we ordered two of the specials of the evening: fettucini with shrimp, langoustines, and lobster in a pink sauce; and pappardella with braised short ribs. The short rib meat was extremely tender, the sauce was seasoned perfectly, and the homemade pasta was cooked flawlessly. A comforting dish that makes you feel warm on the inside. The homemade fettucini was al dente and the pink sauce complimented the seafood perfectly. Although they may not have these dishes when you try this place out, we are positive anything you order you will not be disappointed. 

               

For dessert, we ordered a cannoli and limoncello cake. Cannoli's are never the same wherever you order them. The shell and cream are always different and sometimes not in a good way. Tutto A Modo Mio makes a great cannoli! The shell is crispy and not bland. The filling is creamy and sweet. The limoncello cake is a great option for patrons looking for the nontraditional dessert, and who crave more tang than sweet. The cake was light and the lemon flavor was robust throughout. Both desserts were perfect endings to a superb meal. 

If you do not already have your own neighborhood Italian restaurant, are looking for a new one, or want to venture out and try a different one, we highly recommend Tutto A Modo Mio. We have eaten here a few times now, tried different dishes each time, and have never been disappointed. The staff is amazing and they make you feel as though you are a part of their family. Pick up your favorite bottle of wine and drive over to Ridgefield. We do recommend that you make a reservation, as there has been a wait almost every time we have gone. There are a few spots in the lot, otherwise park on the street. Buon appetite!

Authentic Austro-Hungarian Biergarten Exceeds Expectations

Pilsener Haus & Biergarten

http://pilsenerhaus.com
1422 Grand Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030

I know a lot of people tend to stay on Washington Street when they are in Hoboken, however, if you find yourself wandering past 14th street and towards Weehawaken, there is a fantastic gem called Hoboken’s Pilsener Haus & Biergarten. It is an authentic Austro-Hungarian beer garden in a huge open setting that is somehow also very warm and inviting. They have tons of imported beers on tap and craft beers by the bottle. If you are not a fan of beer, go for the food! A deliciously traditional biergarten menu is accompanied by the grill options (sausages, burgers, and more). Bring all of your friends and fill one of the big family style tables for an evening that is guaranteed to be fun!

We began with beers. We ordered an Oktoberfest and a Schneider Aventinus. The diversity in the draft selection is staggering; you will be sure to find something that you enjoy. If you would rather have a more familiar beer they also have a formidable list of craft bottled beers. If you want to make a statement order a liter, there is nothing like drinking beer from a medieval sized glass. 

We accompanied our beers with a bavarian soft pretzel. It is served with liptauer cheese and their house-made mustard. The pretzel is massive, soft, crispy, salty, and airy. Simply a perfect soft pretzel! The cheese is creamy, and tastes similar to pimento. The house-made mustard is fantastic! It is also great on their sausages, bratwurst, weisswurst, kielbasa, and frankfurters from the grill. 

To start we shared the steamed bier mussels. They are served in a smoky vegetable and weissbier broth. We all agreed, some of the best mussels we have ever had! If you like mussels, you have to order these; if you don't like mussels, you have to try these because they are very likely to change your mind. 

As our meals, we ordered wiener schnitzel and braised pork cheeks. The wiener schnitzel dish consists of two pork cutlets served with parsley potatoes, cucumber salad and a lingonberries sauce. The pork cutlets are extremely juicy and tender. The cucumber salad is tangy and cold, it is a nice contrast to the warm cutlets. As a person who is not a huge fan of potato salad, the parsley potatoes were delicious, closer to a German style potato than a traditional American potato salad; very tasty side. The lingonberry sauce completes the dish by adding a sweet element. Pair your cutlets with a bite of any of the sides and you will have a different experience; all of which are scrumptious. 

The braised pork cheeks are braised in caraway seeds, marjoram, and Haus Pilsner. They are accompanied with sauerkraut and pretzel dumplings. The pork cheeks were tender with an almost sweet flavor to counterbalance the savory and dense pretzel dumplings. The sauerkraut offered sour notes that tied together the entire dish. If you do not like sour flavors you would be better off with another dish, but for someone looking for a bold dish to pair with a great beer, look no further. 

In the past, we have had almost everything from the grill, it's all delicious! We have also tried the Hungarian beef goulash and the sauerbraten. We have never been disappointed here. We cannot say enough about the food. Whether you love beer or traditional beer garden food, we insist that you venture off of Washington Street and experience more of the smaller less known restaurants in Hoboken, NJ. A short walk, drive, or cab ride away, you may find yourself in a gem as well. Prost!

Hidden Turkish Treasure Becomes a Favorite

Dayi'nin Yeri

http://dayininyerinj.com/turkish_food/Dayininyeri.html
333 Palisade Avenue
Cliffside Park, NJ 07010

The better half of Garden State Grubber cannot get enough Mediterranean food. Since moving, we have had trouble finding a place to curve this constant craving. At the last second last night we looked up a few places, picked one, called in our order, and headed out to pick it up. To our surprise, this highly rated restaurant was less than 10 minutes away. The parking situation was difficult because there is no parking lot and street parking is hard to come by, so we double parked and one of us ran in. Sitting in the car with the window open, you can smell the delicious aromas radiating from the restaurant. We cannot imagine driving past everyday and being able to resist stopping. 

Inside of the restaurant was packed! Everyone was smiling and enjoying themselves, eating what we could only imagine was their delicious meals. We ordered a large Shepherd Salad, an order of Humus, two Lahmacun (we really like it, so we did not want to share), Cop Sis, and Tavuk-Doner combination platter. To our surprise we were also given a huge piece of Turkish bread for dipping and whatnot. 

The car immediately filled with that pleasant aroma that we smelled outside the restaurant. We wanted to rip open our bags and just start eating right there. However, we have some self-control, and decided we would enjoy it more if we waited until we got home and ate like civilized people. It was the longest drive of our lives. As soon as we walked through our door, we laid out our array of fare and dug in!

Lahmacun is ground meat blended with peppers, onions, tomatoes, parsley, and herbs on a thin, crusted dough. The crust was perfectly thin and crispy, while the meat topping was extremely moist and flavorful. We were very happy we ordered two. The Hummus was smooth, creamy, and a bit tangy. The Sheppard Salad had the perfect amount of acidity and was extremely refreshing. The Tavuk, or chicken, was succulent and by far our favorite of all of the meats we ordered. The Doner was well seasoned and very flavorful. The Cop Sis, or cubed lamb, was extremely savory. 

We are always impressed when a Mediterranean restaurant can elevate the flavors that seem so common from restaurant to restaurant, and Dayi'nin delivers. If you are as big a fan of Turkish food as we are, we highly recommend you check our Dayi'nin Yeri. It was well priced and extremely delicious. We will definitely be going back and will bring our friends and family. Hopefully next time we will be able to eat at the restaurant and add on to this experience. Yemek ve zevk!

Authentic Korean BBQ Steps from the GWB

Dong Bang Grill

http://dongbanggrill.com
1616 Palisade Ave
Fort Lee, NJ 07024

While my brother attended Rutgers University, we found a Korean BBQ gem called Kimchihana in South Plainfield, NJ (it's just off of Route 287). It was a new cuisine to us at the time, but we were hooked. Fresh, delicious, and filling family style Asian food; could it get any better? Since he graduated, we have no longer had an excuse to drive down there, so we had to find one closer to where we live in north Jersey. There are quite a few Korean restaurants in Fort Lee, so it can be quite difficult to decide which one you want to go to. We heard great things about Dong Bang Grill from friends, so the choice was made easy for us.


On a cold January evening, we decided to venture into the Tundra to finally try Dong Bang Grill. We had called ahead of time to make a reservation, but when we said four people, we were told to just come in. We assume they only take reservations for larger groups, but this is good to know. There is valet parking at the restaurant, which we took advantage of on the 10 degree evening. We walked upstairs and were seated right away. The dining room was relatively empty; one large group and a handful tables with two to four people at each. We were immediately worried that after over a year of wanting to try Dong Bang, we had hyped it up too much in our heads. 


The menu is large. Appetizers, BBQ, vegetarian, vegetarian BBQ, à la carte dishes, Japanese food, sushi (I forgot to mention they also serve Japanese food), and more. If you have never been to a Korean restaurant it may seem quite daunting, but if it sounds good it probably is, and we say, try it! Along with your food you are given banchan, which are small side dishes. This restaurant in particular seemed to give you a lot of them, which is definitely a good thing because they were all fantastic. 

For appetizers, we ordered Haemool Pajun, Korean style pancakes with scallions and assortments of seafood, and Goon Mandoo, homemade fried dumplings. We like to order BBQ, it is cooked at your table on a grill in the middle, so it is semi-interactive, and its delicious. For BBQ we ordered Galbi, marinated short ribs, Bul Go Gi, marinated rib eye steak sliced extremely thin, and Jae Yook Gui, marinated pork loin. We also ordered a Gopdol Bibimbap, vegetables, ground beef, over rice in a hot stone, and Al Jigae, spicy codfish caviar stew.

The banchan came almost immediately after we ordered our food, and the appetizers came shortly after. While we enjoyed the banchan and our appetizers, our waitress placed the first meat on the grill in front of us. She kept coming back to flip it and make sure it was okay, once it was cooked she told us we could start taking from the grill. 

All of the food we ordered was great! Two of us favored the Galbi the best, because it was extremely flavorful and juicy, while the two others favored the Jae Yook Gui, because it was spicier. We all agreed the Bul Go Gi was very good also, extremely thin, but the others had a bit more flavor from their marinades. The Bibimbap, pictured above, was a tasty side to share with the rest of our food. The rice gets crispy from the stone, and the sauce they give you to put over it is great. The Al Jigae was extremely flavorful and full of fish and vegetables. If you are a little more of an adventurous eater, order it!

We highly recommend checking out Dong Bang Grill if you are in looking to try Korean food or if you already love Korean food and are in the Fort Lee area. It was not what we would call a budget meal, but it was extremely filling and because this meal was shared amongst four people, we feel it was worth it. We also ordered a little more food than necessary. 

On another note, if you are in the central New Jersey area we also highly recommend trying Kimchihana in South Plainfield, NJ .

Hidden Cuban Gem on River Road

Rebecca's

http://rebeccascubanrestaurant.com
236 Old River Rd
Edgewater, NJ 07020

River Road passes through many small cities along the Hudson River and contains a lot of great restaurants. When in the area, it can be difficult to pick one. We love Cuban food and had heard from a few people to check out Rebecca's. Having driven in the area quite a few times, it did not ring a bell. Nonetheless, when we hear from more than one person that we need to eat at a restaurant, we usually make a point to go. When we made our reservation, the woman reminded us that they are BYO, which was nice because there is no liquor store walking distance of the restaurant if you forget. It is a bit difficult to find parking on Old River Road, but if you are patient, leave enough time, and are capable of parallel parking, it is a nonissue. 

When we arrived we were promptly welcomed, asked our names, and seated. The dining area is quant, while being very chic as well. The lighting is dim and romantic, making it a very date appropriate restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised by the ambience. Soon after being seated, our waiter greeted us, opened our wine, and brought us waters and bread. As we perused the menu, we found ourselves having a difficult time choosing. We tried to remember the recommendations on those who suggested the restaurant, and pictures we had seen online. 

We decided to start with one of our favorite staple items, guacamole with crispy plantains. There is nothing better than a good guacamole, and plantain chips are a delicious vehicle for enjoying it. The guacamole was cool and immensely flavorful,  while the chips were a sweet and salty addition. We also ordered Jamaican jerk chicken skewers. They were tender, a bit spicy, and accompanied by a creamy sauce to dip. 

The first entree that caught our eye was the ropa vieja, shredded flank steak, peppers, and onions in a red wine sauce. The sauce was immensely flavorful; tangy, perfectly seasoned, and the peppers and onions made it a bit sweet. The shredded steak was succulent and melted in our mouths. We have absolutely no complaints about this dish and highly recommend ordering it. 

If you are scrolling through the pictures on Yelp, the grilled double cut pork chop with roasted corn salsa is probably going to come up a lot, and for good reason. It seems to be a staple on the menu, and we would be lying if our mind was not already set on ordering it prior to even stepping foot in Rebecca's. The Flintstone-sized pork chop was seasoned masterfully, and, for the size of the chop, it was moist and perfectly cooked throughout. The corn salsa provided the necessary sweet and spicy elements to cut of pork, and the fried plantains were a delicious garnish to the dish. 

The warm bread pudding with bourbon sauce jumped of the page to both of us, and we quickly placed our order with our waiter. We unfortunately consumed the entire dessert before remembering to grab a photo of it, always a sign that we enjoyed something. It was moist, flavorful, and the bourbon sauce did not overpower the dish. It was one of, if not the best, bread pudding we have had. 

Rebecca's is a quaint restaurant hiding among the river front town of Edgewater. Once you step inside, it makes you feel comfortable and ready for a great meal. We enjoyed the food, service, and atmosphere. We both agree that we will back to further explore the menu and we want to urge everyone to take the time to enjoy everything Rebecca's has to offer. We will be heading back soon, especially to check out the terrace in the back that looked lovely. Buen apetito!

Mekong Grill is Pho-Tastic!

Mekong Grill

http://www.mekonggrillrestaurant.com
24 Chestnut Street
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Friday evening, after a long week at work, like most people, the last thing we want to do is cook dinner. On our way home, our job is too decide what kind of food we want, how far we want to drive, and if we want to try something new or stick to somewhere we know is great. On a good day, we will both be thinking the same thing and it will take seconds to decide; but on a bad day, this process could take upwards of an hour. Recently it has been easy because we both have wanted the same thing; Mekong Grill in Ridgewood, NJ. When this spot first opened, we walked in unsure of what to expect, and since then it has been our favorite place to satisfy our Asian food cravings.

We have three appetizers that we like a lot; one being the Lemon Grass Beef Roll, another the Beef Satay, and of course the Chicken Vegetable Dumplings.  Dumplings are a life source in our relationship, we crave them, judge them harshly, and utterly enjoy them when they are as perfect as they are at Mekong. The sauce is light, but bold and layered with multiple flavors that go beyond the traditional dumpling sauce. The dumpling dough is almost see through, and steamed to perfection. They are filled to capacity with the fresh vegetable and chicken mixture. These are, in a word, heavenly, and we urge you all to go and indulge in these delicious dumplings. 

Pho was something that we both had not tried until last year. The pho at Mekong is a staple of the menu that delivers in flavor and is a dish that simply makes you feel good after eating it. The pho pictured below is a Hue Style Pho with spicy lemongrass beef broth. It is filled with huge portions of eye round beef, beef flank, Vietnamese pork roll, and shrimp dumplings. It may sound like an over cluttered dish in need of some refinement, but every flavor comes together and enhances the next. The accouterments of been sprout add texture, while the mint and lime add an overall freshness to the dish. If your a pho-newbie or a pho-niciado, you will love this dish!

We love Asian style noodle dishes and never shy away from trying a new one especially from a new style of cuisine. We tend to order the stir fried vegetarian thick rice noodles with tofu and mixed vegetables. This dish is delicious. The noodles were thick, so they pick up the sauce well. Also, there a lot of vegetables and they all keep their texture to give the dish depth. The tofu is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, while it takes on the delicate flavor of the sauce. We are not vegetarians, but do like tofu on occasion when its cooked well. But for those of you who do not, there is a non-vegetarian stir fried noodle dish as well, which is just as fantastic. 

For dessert we ordered banana crepes. The crepes are filled with banana, apple, and fried to a perfect crispiness. It is accompanied by vanilla ice ream. It is not too overpoweringly sweet for a dessert, it is perfect. We were told by the waiter if we are adventurous next time we should try the mochi. Since he was so helpful throughout the all of our visits, we will be taking his advice and trying it next time. 

Ridgewood has an array of restaurants to choose from, some good and some not-so-good, but Mekong Grill happens to be a great one. The food and service are both fabulous, plus the price is great. If you want to try a Vietnamese drink, there are quite a few options on the menu. If you want an alcoholic beverage with your meal, it is BYOB, but there is a liquor store conveniently right next door. We highly recommend checking out Mekong Grill. 

Fantastisch Deutsch Bäckerei

Heidi's Finest

http://www.heidisfinestbakery.com
47 E Ridgewood Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Ridgewood is a quaint town, both unassuming and welcoming. It has an all-American, small-town feel to it, and makes all of its visitors feel at home. One thing Ridgewood continues to deliver on is its culinary offerings. We have eaten a multiple spots in the past, and we are constantly looking for more to try in the town. The last few time’s while driving through we had noticed a small German Bakery called Heidi’s Finest. We decided last Sunday after a late breakfast to stop in a see what this small food gem had to offer.

Initially walking into Heidi’s Finest you are visually pleased by how all of the effort that was put into it. The tables are modern, while the stonewalls are a perfect contrast to the changing lights above. We decided that since we had just had breakfast that we would get some dessert to go. The server behind the bakery counter was very knowledgeable about each pastry, and told us that every item was made with the finest imported ingredients. He explained that their desserts were light and made with significantly less sugar and preservatives than other bakeries. We opted to choose a Cherry Cheesecake Bar, Apple Cheesecake Bar, Chocolate Pistachio Tart, and a slice of Marble Cheesecake. He packed them nicely for us and even gave us a 10% discount for no reason whatsoever. We felt that everything was priced well, but it was very nice of him to give us a discount, especially after we asked questions about everything. The most difficult part would be waiting until after dinner to try these tantalizing treats.

What seemed like days later, post dinner, we started out with the Cherry Cheesecake Bar; the cherries were tart and worked well with the light, airy cheesecake. The bottom layer of crust held up well, and we were both overly excited about our choice. It was light and did not leave us feeling full, which was good because we still had three more to try.

The Apple Cheesecake Bar was one of our favorites. It was an apple pie like topping that tasted homemade and delicious. It contrasted perfectly with the cheesecake bottom, just as the cherry one did. It was a gracious union between two of our favorite desserts.

The Marble Cheesecake was our least favorite. Not that it was bad by any means, but it was not rich like most cheesecakes. We both understood that he had told us that these
desserts were light and not made with an abundance of sugar, so maybe were both
just too stubborn in our ways when it comes to classic cheesecake. 

The Chocolate Pistachio Tart was a crowd favorite, and when we tried it we both had an understanding of the difference between Heidi’s Finest and other bakeries. The chocolate layers were light and airy, and never overbearing, while the pistachio layer on the top was an amazing compliment to the already complex dessert. Also, it was not overly sweet or rich, as some chocolate mousse desserts are. 

We will most definitely be returning to Heidi’s Finest in the near future. They also have soups, waffles, breads, pretzels, coffee, and more. Next time you feel the need to get out and do some work at your local Starbucks, maybe you should opt to make your way to Heidi’s Finest for a delectable treat and cup of coffee.