Two Bergen County Restaurants Named Best in New Jersey

Restaurants in Ramsey and Saddle River were recently listed as two of “The 25 Best Restaurants of 2016” by New Jersey Monthly.

The article lists 25 restaurants from all different counties in New Jersey, and Bergen County made the list twice.

Café Panache in Ramsey was noted for their deliciously unique meals and their loyal customer base:

“Kevin Kohler loves his snowbirds. They fly north in the spring and clamor for their favorites: pecan-crusted chicken breast with mustard sauce; filet mignon ravioli; crispy calf liver with port wine sauce. For 32 years, the chef/owner has been happy to return the love. ‘They’re like family,’ he says. Kohler, though, is also a creator. Last year he expanded his pasta menu. Now, at 59, he says, 'I’m getting more fishy. I’m adding more choices of fish per night, more shellfish, stews, fish crudos—clean, healthy, but flavorful preparations.' With Kohler, you can always count on clean, healthy and very flavorful—like a recent grilled-octopus appetizer with eggplant caponata, or a steelhead salmon gravlax with lime zest and fresh herbs."

Café Panache is located at 130 E. Main St. in Ramsey. They’re open Tuesday to Thursday: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saddle River Inn in Saddle River is known for its swanky clientele and innovative takes on classic food:

“If Jamie Knott doesn’t have one of the most discerning clienteles around, he certainly has one of the best dressed. Look around the old barn-turned-dining-room on a Saturday night; the big tables are buzzing and the twosomes are gazing deeply into each other’s eyes. Later, many desserts come out with candles twinkling. Little wonder. The service is polished, and the pinlights above the tables lavish love on the real stars of the show, food as beautiful as it is delicious, imaginative and often brilliant. “We do high-end, playful takes on classic food,” says Knott. “I have a lot of regulars, and I talk to them constantly. That’s what they’re looking for.” Recent example: a play on a lobster roll that drizzles basil oil on a playpen of crisp sourdough toast piled with poached lobster, hearts of palm, celery and chives in a zesty house mayo.”

Saddle River Inn can be found at 2 Barnstable Ct in Saddle River. They’re open Tuesday to Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, they’re open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For the complete list of New Jersey's 25 Best Restaurants of 2016, check out this article.