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DON’T SAY BYE YET, SUMMER
CULINARY CORNER LONG LIVE GUATEMALA! If you’re craving something South American, Viva Guate in Cliffside Park serves up delectable Guatemalan cuisine for all to try. A must-have is their pepián, one of the country’s most popular dishes. This rich, meaty stew is sure to warm any heart, but there are lighter seafood and vegetarian options as well. Whichever you choose, sip on a creamy horchata as you wait for your meal.
The season’s last hurrah, Labor Day, is right around the corner. It’s the final holiday before fall, the last long weekend before kids go back to school—so make it count! BERGEN has a few suggestions where families can enjoy one final care-free week: Sept. 3–6, St. Joseph Feast, Lodi. After taking last year off, the festivities of this annual event are back on and better than ever. With classic Italian foods and a special procession put on by the Saint Joseph Society, it’s been a Bergen County favorite for more than 100 years. For more information, visit saintjosephsociety.org. Sept. 5, Dom Mircovich 5K, Closter. This annual run is flat and fast and honors former Closter resident Dom Mircovich, who died in the World Trade Center attacks. Sign-ups are $20, which includes a T-shirt for the first 175 registrants and post-race refreshments. Younger runners age 12 and under can sign up for the program’s fun run. For more information, visit closterrec.com. Sept. 6, Labor Day Street Fair, Rutherford. Now in its 45th year, this event is the oldest annual street fair in New Jersey. More than 25,000 people flock to downtown Rutherford for good food, crafts for kids and live entertainment. For more information, visit cliffhangerproductions.com.
Viva Guate, 498 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park, 201.699.0590
THE PEOPLE’S DINER Do we really need another diner in our area? Um, yes! And we can’t think of a better name for Bergen’s latest, Foodies Diner, located in South Hackensack. With an extensive menu and classic American favorites such as deluxe hamburgers, a variety of fries and, of course, eggs, waffles and pancakes, one bite here might make you re-think your go-to diner. The second best part of the new restaurant: Everything comes with service with a smile. Foodies Diner, 582 Huyler St., South Hackensack, 201.440.1116, foodiesnj.com
HOW SWEET IT IS! The Shops at Riverside’s newest eatery, Sweetgreen combines the convenience of a fast-food restaurant with farm-fresh quality. But make no mistake: It’s not just for the health-conscious eater. Customizable salads with fresh vegetables, meats and dressings make for a mouthwatering experience, while grain bowls will fill empty stomachs and add extra protein to your diet. Sweetgreen, 390 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, 201.597.0016, sweetgreen.com
STEAKS, SALADS AND SEAFOOD, OH MY! Feed your red-meat desires at Moo Moo’s Italian Steakhouse in Cresskill, a upscale restaurant known for its fresh meats and ingredients. The name of the game here is steak, of course, but a long list of salads, pastas and seafood options are available to cater to all palates. Meat eaters will enjoy the marinated USDA Prime porterhouses, while pasta lovers can opt for classic Italian cacio e pepe. Buon appetito! Moo Moo’s Italian Steakhouse, 172 Piermont Rd., Cresskill, 201.266.8155, moomoossteakhouse.com
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PUPPY LOVE
KUDOS
Dog: Leo, 10-month-old Maltipoo Owners: Ashley and Ryan Greenan of Park Ridge
TEEL AT THE BAT High-fives to Kyle Teel (left), a 2020 graduate of Mahwah High School and former New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year, for being named to the USA Collegiate National Baseball Team following a standout freshman season with the University of Virginia. He led the Cavaliers with a .335 batting average and tied for the team lead with nine home runs. Teel and 47 of the country’s top college players join Team USA, which competes in a series of intra-squad games throughout the summer. THERE SHE IS… She is beauty, she is grace, she is Miss NJ High School America 2021. Juliet Gelineau (right), a New Milford resident and rising sophomore at the Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest, earned the beauty pageant title this year and was among the finalists at the Miss High School America’s national competition in June. “I had an amazing week of building friendships and having new experiences with beautiful, bright, confident, passionate young women,” Gelineau tells BERGEN. What’s next for her? A member of her school’s softball and dance teams, she’ll work with Miss High School America’s BRAVE program (Building Respect and Values for Everyone), an anti-bullying platform that promotes empowerment through education.
Named not after the zodiac sign but for a Hollywood leading man, Leo the Maltipoo is the Greenan family’s real-life Wolf of Wall Street and the king of the world. He came to Park Ridge as a 3-pound pup from Ohio and now lives in luxury, taking over the highest part of the couch to look over everyone and everything, parents Ashley and Ryan report. And like every movie star, Leo likes his beauty rest and might not wake up until 10 a.m. But don’t let the sleepy boy fool you: He’s notorious for jumping on the table and stealing a lamb chop bone right from under your nose, as Ashley recalls a memorable Easter meal. “He used to not even be able to climb down the stairs, but now he has the vertical leap to hop on a table,” she says. “He’s little but incredibly athletic and absolutely keeps us on our toes every minute of the day.” Sounds like the perfect puppy to us! Want to see your furry friend in a future issue of BERGEN? Email rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.
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AUGUST 2021
7/15/21 2:56 PM
