SEAFOOD / STEAKHOUSES
CARLSTADT
Steve’s Sizzling Steaks: Steakhouse; Carlstadt; 620 Rt 17 @ Passaic Av; 22/15/$45; 201-438-9677; Thick, juicy well seasoned steaks; Down home, relaxed setting; Perfect before a trip to the NJ sports complexes; French Onion soup outstanding; Steak Fries epic; Also, known for an excellent burger. Inexpensive for steak. Fun website. As casual and welcoming as it gets. Fun crowd.
CLOSTER
SEAR: Steakhouse; Closter; 411 Piermont Rd @ Homans; 24/22/$64; 201-768-2011; Finally a steakhouse with a gorgeous, sleek interior and romantic female-friendly vibe; Excellent bar scene and wonderful cocktails; Very attentive service; Amazing thick bacon by the slice; Menu highlights: Crab Cake; Mozz & Tomatoes; Onion Soup; Rib Eye; NY Sirloin; Porterhouse; Rare sushi grade Tuna; Lobster; Broiled Shrimp. Lobster Mashed and Mac N Cheese; Just high quality rivaling The Park.
EDGEWATER
Crab House: Seafood; Edgewater; 541 River Road @ Gorge; 18/23/$38; 201-840-9311; Huge menu of nearly every seafood dish imaginable; Real draw is the fantastic view of Manhattan from outside; Gorgeous area on the water; Food is not spectacular – best for lunch; Good for large groups. Location also near great shopping in area. Nice bar area.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse: Steakhouse; Edgewater; 90 The Promenade @ River Rd; 23/23/$64; 201-313-9463; Excellent restaurant; Check out the website loaded with specials and graphic detail on the food; Incredibly fresh seafood; Expert cocktails; Mouthwatering steaks- Rib Eye & Filet way to go; Beautiful views of the water. They stick to a formula with less of a typical old boy feel.
River Palm: Steakhouse; Edgewater; 1416 River Rd @ Palisade Terrace; 24/19/$63; 201-224-2013; One of the best known steakhouses in NJ; Sides are very inexpensive with many to choose from- as are the salads; Steaks are $27 - $40 on average; Also Lamb chops, Lobster, Shrimp, and chicken dishes. Expensive sushi- tons of rolls – in Edgewater location; Fish selections as well…. Truly a massive menu for a steakhouse. They do it right. Each location has a different personality.
ENGLEWOOD
Smoke Chophouse: Steakhouse; Englewood; 36 Engle St @ Palisade; 21/19/$65; 201-541-8530; Old school steakhouse/ cigar bar; Two levels; Great for a private party downstairs; Excellent steaks; House rolled stogies; Huge selection of cordials, especially cognacs. Good but not great overall for steaks. Service can be slow; Very ‘old boys’ feel to the place. More of a guy’s night out. ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS
Morton’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse; Hackensack; 274 Riverside Sq @ Hackensack Av; 25/22/$68; Large steakhouse chain; Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes; Filet Mignon; Bone-In Rib Eye; Prime Rib and Porterhouse; Also- King Crab, Shrimp and Lobster dishes; Mac N Cheese as a side option. Very expensive but damn good! Also, the service is absolutely outstanding. Great for birthdays.
Sea Shack: Seafood; Hackensack; 293 Polifly Rd; @ Rt 17s; 24/20/$53; 201-489-7232; Incredibly classy, upscale seafood house; Soft Shell Crab is excellent in season. More of a formal scene; Mature crowd treated extremely well by attentive servers. Fresh fish and freshest ingredients. Mature evening; Well made drinks and affordable wine list; Mouth-watering shellfish entrees. Favored by locals. Been around for ages.
LITTLE FALLS
Rare, The Steak House: Steak; Little Falls; 440 Main St @ River Rd; 20/20/$58; 973-256-6699; Fairly new steakhouse that incredibly serves about 15-20 items that are NOT steak including many pasta dishes, lamb, chicken and others; Serves the usual steak selections; Usual sides – including Mac n Cheese; Great appetizers; More affordable than most in genre; $5.50 draft beer for God’s sake.
MAHWAH
River Palm: Steakhouse; Mahwah; 209 Ramapo Valley Rd; 24/19/$63; 201-529-1111; One of the best known steakhouses in NJ; Sides are very inexpensive with many to choose from- as are the salads; Steaks are $27 - $40 on average; Also Lamb chops, Lobster, Shrimp, and chicken dishes. Expensive sushi- tons of rolls – in Edgewater location; Fish selections as well…. Truly a massive menu for a steakhouse. They do it right. Each location has a different personality.
MONTVALE
Porterhouse: Steakhouse; Montvale; 125 Kinderkamack Rd @ Walnut; 22/21/$48; 201-307-6300; Irish pub with a classic old school bar and cigar room; Amazing brunch- absolutely fabulous hot and cold buffet; Multiple rooms, stylish; Dinner features endless appetizer selections as well as Irish fare, their signature porterhouse steak for two and many other steak, seafood and duck etc; Upscale pub vibe; Great for a drink, cigar, brunch, or a decent steak.
PARAMUS
Legal Sea Foods: Seafood; Paramus; 1 Garden St Plaza @ Rt 17; 23/19/$42; 201-843-8483; For years a great experience; Lobster Roll, Chowder, Fried Clams, Blackened Raw Tuna, Crab Cakes, and Surf and Turf – all outstanding; Best chain on the east coast. They are a polished product; If you ever make it to Boston – go to Park Square location.
PARK RIDGE
Park Steakhouse: Steakhouse; Park Ridge; 151 Kinderkamack Rd @ Grand-Park; 25/20/$59; 201-930-1300; The house specialty is the Sirloin; 80 seat dining room; Top shelf service and excellent cocktails- especially martinis; Perfectly cooked steaks and seafood; 200 bottles of wine to choose from; Raw Bar; Really innovative menu with fabulous appetizers to choose from; Excellent website and top of the line service.
RUTHERFORD
Mignon Steakhouse: Steakhouse; Rutherford; 72 Park Av @ Franklin; 22/17/$45; 201-896-0202; Part of Village Restaurant Group (Tina Louise, Village Gourmet); Taos Grilled versions of lamb, veal and pork; Shrimp, scallops, lobster and King Crab; The Porterhouse for 2 is excellent; Quaint setting- seats 35 or so; Dirt cheap appetizers and sides; Raw bar; Inexpensive overall for a steakhouse. BYO.
WEEHAWKEN
Chart House: Seafood; Weehawken; Pier D-T, Lincoln Harbor; 21/25/$53; 201-348-6628; Eye popping panorama view of Manhattan skyline; Excellent seafood delicacies; Masterful brunch. Seafood and Steak are ways to go; Good bar scene; Pricy- but worth it for the atmosphere. Ideal for a romantic date.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse: Steakhouse; Weehawken; 1000 Harbor Blvd @ 19th St; 25/22/$64; 201-863-5100; Easily the best chain steakhouse in the country; Sizzling butter-topped steaks are especially juicy; Huge sides and large variety; Great view of Manhattan; Large menu of steak and non-steak items; Spot on service; Not as stuffy as some competitors. Juiciest steaks I’ve had.