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Chicken Kebab Mediterranean Restaurant
898 Prospect Street, Glen Rock
(201) 447-5200

Chicken Kebab Mediterranean Restaurant is a casual take-out/eat-in restaurant that bills itself as “fast Turkish/Mediterranean food,” but it’s better than that. The standard appetizers and kebobs are offered, but there are also some very pleasing seafood dishes. This may not be fine dining, but it is kid-friendly, down home, let’s-eat-out-Wednesday-night, Middle-Eastern cooking. CKMR is open for seven days a week for lunch and dinner. $ [2/08]

Gen Hibachi & Asian Cuisine
5-17 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
(201) 793-1988

Gen Hibachi & Asian Cuisine offers both Japanese (hibachi and sushi) and Chinese dishes. The Ridgewood restaurant supplements the Montvale restaurant of the same name (which means “foundation”) that the owners have run for a few years. Although there is no shortage of Asian restaurants in Ridgewood, Gen is a welcome addition. With scrupulously high quality sushi and sashimi, teriyaki and tempura offerings, the hibachi entrees, and of course the Chinese choices, there are enough selections to bring you back to Gen many times. The service was courteous and helpful. $$-$$$ [12/07]

Efes (Previously Turkish Kitchen and Rainbow
645 Kinderkemack Road, River Edge
(866) 462-1592

Management has changed in part, but the food is still an excellent example of this wonderful cuisine. The wide range of appetizers and main courses will keep you coming back for new experiences. The decor here is very attractive, the service is more than respectable, and there is live entertainment after 9:30 pm on Saturday nights. If that’s not enough, the $9 lunch special is a steal. $$ [10/07]

Village Green Restaurant
36 Prospect Street, Ridgewood
(201) 445-2914

Village Green Restaurant is under new ownership. One of Ridgwood’s best restaurants, it has the potential to be one of the best in the area. The tasting menu format has been retained as has the high standards and creativity. The style cannot be categorized because it takes inspiration from many sources, but “contemporary American” will do. Village Green is closed Sundays and open for lunch during the week. The price is justified by the quality. $$$$ [9/07]

Osteria Giotto Restaurant
21-23 Midland Avenue, Montclair
(973) 746-0111<

Osteria Giotto Restaurant is an upscale yet informal Italian restaurant with upscale food. Chef/partners Robert Pantusa and Luca Valerin previously worked together at Michelin-starred San Dominico in Imola, Italy (Bologna). The fare is classic Italian with some contemporary twists. Osteria Giotto is closed Tuesdays. Reservations on Friday and Saturdays must be made well in advance. $$$-$$$$. The menu can be viewed at http://mysite.verizon.net/osteriagiotto. [8/07]

Restaurant Passionné
77 Walnut Street, Montclair
(973) 233-1006

Passionné is a French restaurant that has the potential to become one of the best restaurants in North Jersey. Culinary Institute of America graduate Michael Carrino is passionate about Italian and Spanish cuisine, but French is his true love. The menu (see www.restaurantpassionne.com.) changes seasonally. Service was sluggish on a busy Friday night, but the food was creative and very well prepared. Don’t forget to try the frites! $$$$ [7/07]

Pawana
63 Nathaniel Place, Englewood
(201) 227-7484

Pawana is the latest Thai restaurant to open in the area. In addition to the usual suspects populating the menu, there are charcoal grilled entrees (game hen, pork, beef, salmon, red snapper, and scallops) as well as five versions of frog legs for those who are adventurous. Everything was very well prepared, and the servers were quite helpful. The best way to appreciate the diversity of this wonderful cuisine is to share the choices among a party of four or six. $$ [6/07]

Cinco de Mayo
140 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick
(201) 251-0700

Cinco de Mayo replaces Cafe Roma in the Hamilton Square Shopping Center. Although this is an authentic Mexican restaurant, the owners seem reluctant to take the complete plunge; they still offer pizzas and calzones. The menu is surprisingly extensive, and everything we tried was terrific and a great value. $-$$ [5/07]