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Back in town for the holidays? New restaurants and bars to check out in North Jersey


Back in town for the holidays? New restaurants and bars to check out in North Jersey

Cheese flights, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, cheese popcorn and more are on the menu at this recently-opened Newton spot.

Dear college kids; welcome back for Thanksgiving break!

The past three months have been quite turbulent for North Jersey, so allow me to catch you up on what's been going on around the area:

Despite all that mayhem, however, I have some good news:

Throughout the fall season, 18 new restaurants opened in our region, so -- if you're looking for some novel culinary destinations to check out this weekend -- you're in luck.

From gourmet sushi destinations to a creative chicken nugget spot, these are the most recent eateries to join the local food scene.

Butterfish,a "Michelin-worthy" sushi spot, opened in East Rutherford. Guests can choose from various omakase (tasting menu) experiences, or opt for à la carte dining. Chef specialties include elevated handrolls, fresh sashimi, truffle carpaccio and more. Go: 15 Franklin Pl., Rutherford; 908-549-2717, thebutterfish.com.

Willow & Whisk, 201 Magazine's "Best Breakfast Restaurant in Bergen County," opened a second North Jersey location. This one is in Millburn, and -- like its predecessor -- serves upscale brunch dishes from cremini mushroom omelettes to brioche French toast with maple bourbon butter. Go: 35 Main St., Millburn; 908-936-1732, willowandwhisk.com.

Hackettstown welcomed a new bakery, Farmhouse Sweets, to its growing food scene. Cakes, pies, cookies and croissants "baked with love" are on the menu. Go: 1595 County Road 517 Allamuchy; 908-698-2357, farmhousesweetsllc.com.

Forum Coffee, a coffee shop "born out of the need and desire for a reliable, high-quality coffee experience," opened in East Hanover. Modeled after New York City shops, the café offers warm and iced drinks, alongside house-made desserts, small bites and organic soft serve. Go: 34 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover; 973-874-5011, forumcoffeeco.com.

Gourmet toast, juice and coffee chain Toastique opened a store in Ridgewood. The spot is the third for the franchise in North Jersey (after Hoboken and Chatham), and serves brand favorites such as Avocado Smash Toast, Three Cheese Italian Toast and Iced Dirty Chai lattes. Go: 2-4 Garber Square, Ridgewood; 201-595-0170, toastique.com.

Eataly, an Italian marketplace and food hall, opened in the Short Hills Mall. Taking the place of the old food court, the 17,000 square-foot culinary destination features a restaurant, several quick service counters and a retail section stocked with imported European delicacies. Go: 1200 Morris Tpke., Short Hills; 862-424-9100, eataly.com.

Perla, New Jersey's "mobile oyster bar," got an official brick and mortar home in Maplewood. The tapas theme revolves around European-inspired small plates, most of which feature seafood. Go: 415 Boyden Ave., Maplewood; instagram.com/eatperla.

Maize Cocina & Cocktails, an upscale Mexican restaurant, opened in the now-renovated historic train station of Westfield. High-end tacos, poblano butter-topped steaks and more are on the menu. Go: 301 N. Ave. West, Westfield; 908-936-4050, maizewestfield.com.

Morristown's lively Dublin Pub reopened after a break to "renovate and rebrand." With "a fresh look and new vibes," the Irish spot has returned with the same energetic spirit, and dishes from Shepherd's Pie to Fish and Chips. Go: 4 Pine St., Morristown; 973-538-1999, dublinpubnj.com.

The Nugget Spot, a chicken-nugget themed restaurant, opened in Chatham. The menu features six different kinds of nuggets (Southern-fried, cereal-coated, nugget of the month, baked, vegetarian or mozzarella) with a range of dipping sauces. Sandwiches and sides are also available -- and I've already blown up the place on Instagram. Go: 641 Shunpike Road, Chatham Township; 973-995-0007, thenuggetspot.com.

Junto Attic Bar, a hidden cocktail speakeasy above Franklin Social in Jersey City, reopened after recovering from fire damage. Visit the spot and order a drink from the menu, or opt for your bartender to give you the "Dealer's Choice." Go: 68 Mercer St., Jersey City; instagram.com/the.junto.

Upscale Greek restaurant The Address opened in Morristown. Mediterranean specialties -- from Shrimp Saganaki to Grilled Chicken Shish -- are on the menu. Go: 20 South St., Morristown; 973-400-0200, theaddressnj.com.

Franklin Social, a comfort food tavern in Jersey City, reopened after recovering from fire damage. As before, the spot boasts craft cocktails, cold drafts and upscale American fare -- and is about to be home of one of the most festive Christmas pop-up bars in the country (check out their IG @franklinsocial for more on that). Go: 292 Barrow St.; 201-413-1300, franklinsocial.com.

Sussex had a massive culinary win as Curd and Cleaver, an artisan cheese shop by the owners of The Farmer's Daughter, opened in Newton. In addition to selling cured meats, high-end cheeses and more, the place also serves a lunch menu of sandwiches, "mac & cheese du jour" and decadent sweets (and I've already blown up this one on Instagram, too). Go: 7 Moran St., Newton; 973-579-2873, curdandcleavernj.com.

Bucky's, a popular mobile pizza truck, opened its first official brick and mortar in Chatham. The menu revolves around sourdough pies, and features varieties like a round Spicy Vodka, square Cacio e Pepe and two presentations of the classic Plain. Go: 465 Main St., Chatham; 973-200-2388, buckys-pizza.com.

Kong Dog, a Korean corn dog chain, opened its latest location in Wallington. Corn dog varieties range from Original to Sweet Chili Doritos-coated, and other menu items include wings and fries. Go: 168 Main Ave. Unit 4, Wallington; kongdog.us.

The long-awaited Amazon Fresh grocery store opened in Woodland Park. The high-tech supermarket offers a limited amount of "Dash Carts," which allows customers with Amazon accounts to pay as they go (via sensors scanning items placed in the baskets). Shoppers can then skip the checkout process, as selections are charged to their accounts upon exiting. Go: 1510 Route 46, Woodland Park; 800-250-0668.

Bergen County got a second Crumbl Cookies. This one is in Montvale, and -- like the other shops in the franchise -- features a rotating weekly menu of treat flavors. Go: 100 Market St., Montvale; 551-333-1559, crumblcookies.com.

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