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Culinary Corner RADICCHIO-USLY GOOD FOOD As its name suggests, Ridgewood restaurant Radicchio Pasta & Risotto Company specializes in pasta and risotto—but with a twist. The eatery offers variations on the Italian staples, like rigatoni with sausage, clams with linguini, and risotto with Brussels sprouts and lemon. You can also order other main courses like gnocchi with pear, Gorgonzola cheese and walnuts. Patricia Pizarro, 65, of Ridgewood stopped by the restaurant for lunch with a friend one afternoon and now can’t wait for her next visit. “I ordered the beet and goat cheese salad, and she got the warm mushroom salad with truffle oil. Delicious!” she says. “We ended up booking another reservation for ourselves and our spouses.” Radicchio just opened a new spot in Manhattan, so NYC residents can enjoy a taste of this North Jersey favorite. Radicchio Pasta & Risotto Company, 34 Franklin Ave., Ridgewood, 201.670.7311, radicchiopastaandrisotto.com
¡DELICIOSO! La Taberna, one of Dumont’s newest restaurants, is bringing a taste of Spain to Bergen. The eatery boasts a tapas menu—aka one that features small, shareable plates—with an Iberic ham and cheese platter and Spanish chorizo to be enjoyed before dinner or simply with drinks. The selection of small plates features items like empanadas made with beef or chicken, croquettes stuffed with ham, shrimp or chicken, and house meatballs. Devan Bhagat, 43, of Closter, for one, was more than pleased with the offerings.
“We ordered and shared the meatballs, beet and walnut salad and croquettes,” says Bhagat, who took his wife out for an impromptu dinner at the restaurant. “The defacto winner was the croquettes. We’ll be heading back to La Taberna soon.” La Taberna, 31 W. Madison Ave., Dumont, 201.374.1661
SEASONAL DELIGHTS At first glance, Esty Street in Park Ridge could be mistaken for a “library in an old mansion,” says frequent patron Melissa Teger, 47, of Paramus, who noted that “the atmosphere was warm and inviting,” with shelves stacked high with books and Frank Sinatra playing by the bar. “We ordered a special of sashimi tuna and salmon in a crisp wonton shell, which sat on a bed of seaweed salad,” says Teger. “The sweet mango salad was the perfect accompaniment to this dish.” Esty Street has been around for a number of years but just unveiled its new autumn menu; it boasts ingredients like Hen of the Wood mushrooms and maple syrup-roasted apples to match the season. Even the desserts sound festive: French cake with red wine-poached pears, anyone? Esty Street, 86 Spring Valley Rd., Park Ridge, 201.307.1515, estystreet.com
Breakfast of Champions
Have you heard the delicious news? National French Toast Day is Nov. 28! And since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you now have two excuses to enjoy the sticky-sweet staple. Here are a few Bergen spots that have put a spin on French toast. Patisserie Florentine 10 S. Dean St. Englewood 201.408.4890 pattiserieflorentine.com Try this: Briochette, French toast with almond cream and a vanilla Anglaise Maywood Pancake House 92 W. Pleasant Ave. Maywood 201.880.7842 maywoodpancakehouse.com Try this: Cranberry Orange Challah French Toast La Vie en Rose Bakery Café 10 W. Prospect St. Waldwick 201.652.8880 lavieenrose.com Try this: Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, stuffed with cinnamon cream cheese Northvale Classic Diner 247 Livingston St. Northvale 201.767.6267 Try this: French Toast Tiramasu Tower, with strawberries, mascarpone cream cheese and raspberry sauce
COPS WHO CARE
Kim Garcia had a run of bad luck in mid-September: First, the Hillsdale resident got a flat tire on the side of Route 4. Then, after changing the tire and getting home, she realized her engagement ring was missing. Garcia swiftly called the Paramus Police Department to file a report, but when she and a few officers searched the site and came up empty-handed, it seemed the ring was gone for good. Until, that is, Officer John Henderson spent his free patrol time scouring the area the next day—and found Garcia’s bauble near the roadway. “It just happened to be the perfect time when I went back to look,” says Henderson. “The sun was shining right onto the ring, making it sparkle.” The Paramus police officer adds that he was more than happy to help—especially after seeing Garcia’s sadness when she filed the police report.“Her reaction to losing the ring just stuck with me, and it was amazing to be able to return it to her in perfect condition.”
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