Bergen Buzz

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.

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!

DON’T SAY BYE YET, SUMMER

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.

KUDOS

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.

PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Leo, 10-month-old Maltipoo

Owners:

Ashley and Ryan Greenan of Park Ridge

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.

Despite the pandemic, several Bergen County restaurants continued to go above and beyond to provide excellent wine service. Wine Spectator (WS) took note, as the publication announced its 2021 Restaurant Awards. The honor recognizes distinguished wine lists featuring a wide array of fine wines from some of the world’s best producers. And the Bergen honorees are (drum roll, please!): Bacari Grill, Township of Washington. This Bergen favorite has received the WS honor every year since 2000. That’s 21 years of careful attention to detail to ensure patron satisfaction with every sip.

800 Ridgewood Rd., Township of Washington, 201.358.6330, bacarigrill.com

COOL OFF YOUR HOT DOG

Our furry friends are our greatest companions, and we want to take care of them during Bergen’s sweltering summers. Of course, we’d never deprive them of their daily walks, but those periods of outdoor exercise can be harmful when temperatures are high. One suggestion is to take a walk where water is easily accessible—and available for your pooch to take a quick dip. Fortunately, our county has several scenic hikes with bodies of water where doggos can cool off:

• Saddle River County Park. The trail follows the Saddle River from Ridgewood to Saddle Brook, with several access points for dogs to soak their paws.

• Ramapo Valley County Reservation,

Mahwah. Scarlet Oak Pond and MacMillan Reservoir, both within a mile from the main parking lot, are popular spots for people and pups. • Wood Dale County Park, Woodcliff Lake. Pups can romp around in the dog park, then wade of the nearby pond.

When a lake isn’t nearby, owners should consider a few basic tips to keep their best friends safe: *Paw Protection: If you cannot put your hand on hot pavement for more than three seconds, it is too hot for dogs’ paws, says Kevin Yun, DVM, of Allendale Veterinary Hospital. He recommends investing in booties for your dog’s feet or applying paw waxes or petroleum jelly to paw pads to create a protective barrier. *Take Notice: The sun in general can be too much for Fido. Indicators that pets may be overheating: excessive panting, difficulty breathing, tacky gum color, lethargy and loss of appetite. Yun says the quickest way to cool off a dog is to put an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the jugular vein, which is located on both sides of the neck. *Time is on Your Side: Yun advises owners to walk their dog when the sun is not at its harshest. Early mornings or shortly before or after the sun goes down are ideal times.

WE’RE ROOTING FOR YOU

It’s no secret that some of the country’s best athletes have Bergen roots, and the following trio of football stars are hoping to see their names in lights in the NFL this fall.

Pictured at left, Nakia Griffin-Stewart, 24, a Tenafly High School grad and former Rutgers and University of Pittsburgh tight end, is back in Bergen County. He spent the summer donning No. 47 for the New York Giants, where he hopes to be a regular member of the team’s roster.

The Baltimore Ravens have high hopes for rookie linebacker and Hackensack native Odafe Oweh (middle), who the team selected as the 31st overall pick in the NFL Draft this spring. Last season, he was named first team All-Big Ten Conference while starring for Penn State University.

And don’t even think about challenging Ridgewood High School and Georgia Southern University graduate Younghoe Koo (right) to a field goal competition; he will most definitely win. The 26-year-old will be lining up as the Atlanta Falcons kicker for another season, hoping to duplicate his 2020 Pro Bowl campaign. Esty Street, Park Ridge. With 12-pages of wines complete with descriptions of each, Esty Street’s wine menu is truly a work of art.

86 Spring Valley Rd., Park Ridge, 201.307.1515, estystreet.com Felina, Ridgewood. Felina will have you feeling fine with your choice of reds and whites. Did we mention their selection of rare and exotic wines?

54 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 551.276.5454, felinarestaurant.com Haven, Edgewater. Wines from California, France and Italy make up this list. People are rushing through the door for some Russian River.

2 Main St., Edgewater, 201.943.1900, havenedgewater.com Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, Ho-Ho-Kus. Sommeliers welcome! We’re sure even the toughest of wine critics will find something here to appeal to their palate.

1 E. Franklin Tpke., Ho-Ho-Kus, 201.445.4115, hohokusinn.com.

Morton’s The Steakhouse,

Hackensack. The popular steakhouse chain has a carefully crafted list of wines that pair perfectly with their delectable steaks.

1 Riverside Square Mall, Hackensack, 201.487.1303, mortons.com Oceanos, Fair Lawn. The staff at Oceanos are constantly updating their list of wines to complement the new seafood dishes.

2-27 Saddle River Rd., Fair Lawn, 201.796.0546, oceanosrestaurant.com River Palm, Edgewater. The River Palm has wine lovers in the palm of their hand with a list of domestic wines from the best spots in the country. They’ve even gone down under to feature some of the best Australia has to offer.

1416 River Rd., Edgewater, 201.224.2013, riverpalm.com The Capital Grille, Paramus. You’re going to want to capitalize on the opportunity to try the wines on this list. They’ve even done the work for you, listing every wine’s best dish pairing.

1 Garden State Plaza Blvd., Paramus, 201.845.7040, thecapitalgrille.com The Oceanaire, Hackensack. Syrah? More like hurrah for this fabulous wine list. Affordable options and bottles fit for life’s special moments make up this list to ensure there is something for all occasions.

175 Riverside Square Mall, Hackensack, 201.343.8862, theoceanaire.com Ventanas, Fort Lee. Wine: the windows to the soul. Is that how the saying goes? Either way that’s the case at this Fort Lee eatery showcasing American, French, German, South African and Spanish wines.