NJ's Top Restaurant Is In Morristown, Per Instagram 'March Madness' Bracket

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The South Carolina women's basketball team and Kansas men have plenty to celebrate after surviving March Madness as champions. But so does South + Pine American Eatery.

@findingfrancesca_, who shares travel and food hotspots on social media, created a "March Madness" competition to determine the Garden State's top restaurant. Francesa put 32 eateries in a bracket, and Insagrammers voted on them to determine which would advance in the tournament.

The fierce competition came down to South + Pine and The Butcher's Block in Long Branch. But ultimately, South + Pine reigned supreme.

The tournament garnered thousands of votes for restaurants. Francesa's TikTok video announcing South + Pine as the winner has more than 350,000 views.

Chef Leia Gaccione's South + Pine has received its share of acclaim as a staple of Morristown's vibrant restaurant scene. Gaccione has also appeared on several TV programs, including "Iron Chef America," "Beat Bobby Flay," "Chopped" and, most recently, "Top Chef." Recently, she hosted "Her Name Is Chef," a documentary that spotlighted six culinary "sheroes."

Thanks for reading. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Morristown Patch Facebook page.