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Ian Hunter's Guide to Manhattan and Bergen County, NJ's Best Restaurants, Bars, and Gourmet Markets
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JAPANESE 
 
ALLENDALE
 

Flirt Sushi: Japanese; Allendale; 140 W Allendale Av @ Myrtle; 20/20/$54; 201-825-9004; Funky setting, ideal for dates; Creative, fun menu with names like “Octopussy Delight” & “Mi-so Horny Soup”; Overall  it is overpriced but extremely popular; Special rolls are $18-$20; BYO keeps cost down; Sushi is good, not great.

 

ALPINE
 

Kiku: Japanese; Alpine; 5-9 Route 9W; 21/23/$45; 201-767-6322; Hibachi show- skilled chefs performing as they cook for you; Top notch slice and dice show; Pretty tasty sushi and sashimi as well; Great for dates or groups and special events; Gorgeous Alpine location. Exotic drinks. Fun time.

 

BLOOMFIELD
 

Aki: Japanese; Bloomfield; 1273 Broad St @ Passaic; 20/17/$35; 973-338-5030; Tons of sushi, sashimi and rolls to pick from; Cooked entrees as well; Dinner box specials; Well presented and tranquil; More affordable sushi alternative without sacrificing freshness. 

 
ENGLEWOOD
 

Akai Lounge: Japanese; Englewood; 11 N Dean St @ Palisades; 25/20/$43; 201-541-0086; One of the best sushi restaurants in Bergen; Full non-Sushi Japanese/ Asian Fusion menu; Perfect date spot; Well made cocktails; Hipster cool; Creative rolls; Tuna Guac appetizer- yum. NYC Chelsea feel. Absolute must try. Only possible issue is portion size on size of fish in the rolls.

 

Daruma: Japanese; Englewood; 45 N Dean St; 23/18/$40; 201-567-9600; Look out Akai, Englewood has new competition in the ‘where to take your date for amazing sushi’ battle; Extremely fresh and creating special rolls; Option to sit Japanese-style; BYO keeps costs down; Service is friendly and attentive; Soft shell crab roll even available; Appetizers are solid as well and Tempura ice cream available.

 

Wild Ginger: Japanese; Englewood; 6 E Palisade Av @ Van Brunt; 22/16/$48; 201-567-2660; Fairly small BYO Sushi house; Sushi so fresh it may bite back; Letting the chef guide you with a mix of Sushi/ Sashimi and a roll or two is the way to go; Not a huge selection of rolls; Also has hot/cooked selections to try. Pricy for area but they take care of you. Closed Sunday, Monday.

Batten Ramen: Japanese; Fort Lee; 2024 Center Av @ Main St; 22/13/$29; 201-461-5465; Incredible curry and ramen dishes; Miso Ramen stands out; Batten Ramen (pork soup) great also; Traditional Japanese Ramen soup house with an assortment of other dishes. For the best Japanese Ramen- try Santouka in the Mitsuwa Market.  

 

Hiura: Japanese; Fort Lee; 400B Main St @ Anderson; 24/15/$39; 201-346-0110; Highest quality sushi and sashimi; BYO; Super friendly chef; More suited for omakase and sushi in general; Great Udon soup; Sit at a table and order sushi sampler for the best deal; Rolls served as well. Super fresh. Never worse than a good experience here.

 

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS
 

Mount Fuji: Japanese; Hasbrouck Heights; 193 Route 17 S @ Teterboro Airport; 22/24/$45; 201-288-2800; Gorgeous setting; Interior feels like Japan and serving staff ultra friendly and in traditional attire; Known for Hibachi- with fun cooks performing at your table; Extended sushi menu as well. Great for groups. Option for private table (for non-hibachi); Great mixed drinks.  

 
HOBOKEN
 

Robongi: Japanese; Hoboken; 520 Washington Av @ 5-6th; 24/16/$30; 201-222-8388; Robongi serves inventive Japanese cuisine ranging from sushi, sashimi and salads to dishes like carpaccios, ceviches, tartares, filet mignon, grilled spicy shrimp and specialty rolls; BYO; Fantastic prices; Cramp quarters – so go early, on a weekday or for lunch.  Very cool, hip spot, however.

 

Sushi Lounge: Japanese; Hoboken; 200 Hudson @ 2nd St; 22/20/$41; 201-386-1117; Cool décor, cool scene, great drink specials and cocktails; Top selection for a date spot; Creative sushi rolls- both ‘regular’ and special rolls; Tons of hot dishes served; Clubby feel; Stylish- with great food. DJ playing music on weekends; Specialty drinks are yummy; Happy hour weekdays 3-6:30pm; Sangria Sundays, Martini Tuesdays (drink specials); Ideal for couples to dine out before bar hopping.

  

LITTLE FERRY
 
Minado: Japanese; Little Ferry; 1 Valley Rd@ Waterside; 19/13/$34; 973-734-4900; www.minado.com; They offer a massive all you can eat Sushi, sashimi, and Japanese entrée buffet; Grill station; Lunch: $17 weekdays, $21 weekends and dinner is $29 / $31.  Mixed quality but it is a lot of fun. I suggest lunch. Seating is mainly booths and open tables; Loud, under-dressed crown. Giant assortment of food.

 
MONTCLAIR
 

Aozora: French/ Japanese; Montclair; 407 Bloomfield @ Seymour; 25/20/$43; 973-233-9400; Incredibly sleek and stylish; Like eating in an art gallery; Huge menu of Sushi, Japanese, Asian Fusion and French dishes; Creative presentations; NYC trendy & a perfect date spot; High end dining. Innovative menu. BYO helps with price. Very popular.

 

Nouveau Sushi: Japanese; Montclair; 635 Bloomfield Av @ Valley; 24/18/$48; 973-746-9608; Extremely classy, date friendly sushi restaurant; Amazing hot entrees as well; Gorgeously prepared appetizers; Freshest fish around; Grilled skewers (yakitori) available too; Traditional and Signature rolls on the menu; BYO to save a few bucks. Beautiful décor – though tables slightly cramp.

 

PARAMUS

 

Flirt Sushi: Japanese; Paramus; Garden State Plaza; 20/20/$54; 201-291-8889; Funky setting, ideal for dates; Creative, fun menu with names like “Octopussy Delight” & “Mi-so Horny Soup”; Overall  it is overpriced but extremely popular; Special rolls are $18-$20; BYO keeps cost down; Sushi is good, not great.

 

Kiku: Japanese; Paramus; 365 Route 17 South;  21/23/$45; 201-265-7200; Hibachi show- skilled chefs performing as they cook for you; Top notch slice and dice show; Pretty tasty sushi and sashimi as well; Great for dates or groups and special events; Gorgeous Alpine location. Exotic drinks. Fun time.

 

RIDGEWOOD

 

Sakura-Bana: Japanese;  Ridgewood; 43 Franklin Av @ Chestnut; 25/15/$38; 201-447-6525; Outstanding sushi/ sashimi and special rolls; BYO; Fairly steep prices typical of Ridgewood; Large menu with tons of combinations to choose from; Also have hot entrees including delicious tempura. Décor is average and it can get fairly crowded. Go early or during the week. Food = Yum.

 

RIVER EDGE

 

Fuki Sushi: Japanese; River Edge; 828 Kinderkamack Rd @ River Edge; 24/12/$42; 201-225-0169; Small, family owned Sushi house; Small in size but the quality of sushi is outstanding; Extremely large selection of special rolls; Sushi swimmingly fresh and tempura top notch.

 
RUTHERFORD
 

Yamada: Japanese; Rutherford; 55 Park Av @ Spring; 23/14/$35; 201-460-8700; Extremely affordable special rolls- around $9-$11; Regular rolls and sushi a la carte is $5 or less; Extremely fresh- you may think it alive; Believe it is BYO; Store front décor and small. Welcoming place. People are shocked at how good the sushi is; Unexpected joys; Diamond in the rough. 

 

TEANECK
 

Sushi Metsuyan: Japanese; Teaneck; 192 West Englewood Ave; 22/19/$40; 201-837-8000; Unbelievable assortment of truly unique rolls; Very fresh sushi; Creative selections and generally a romantic, Asian feel to the place; Very nice for the area; Excellent cooked fish entrees as well. Healthier spin to their dishes. Asian fusion entrees as well. Kosher for those who require this.