Sanducci's Moves and Jersey Boys Grooves

Tony and Lisa DiMiglio's highly rated Italian trattoria Sanducci's has finally moved (about 500 feet north) to 620 Kinderkamack Road in Rivervale, NJ.  I've always been a fan of DiMiglio's Sanducci's (it had a couple previous owners) even when it was in the old building, but I think that Lisa and Tony did a great job of breathing new life into the place when they moved into their new location.  The food is still fantastic and the service is always warm and welcoming; which are probably the main reasons that Sanducci's was recently chosen by The Record Readers into their Top5 in Bergen County and why they were also selected as the winner of The Best Italian Restaurant by Bergen Health & Life Magazine.  Since Sanducci's is a BYO, I'll usually stop by Total Wine just 2 minutes away on the same street at 135 Kinderkamack Road in River Edge. Total Wine is huge, so make sure you give yourself enough time to navigate the selection.  As if our delight for the new restaurant wasn't enough, we learned of some very exciting news the night that we visited:  We were informed that Josh Baty is now performing on Wednesday nights at Jersey Boys Grill, their newest eatery in New Milford, NJ. 

 

The DiMiglio's opened Jersey Boys Grill about two years ago in a completely renovated corner building at 704 River Road in New Milford.  I have visited this new (sub)urban eatery a few times since their opening.  A fine blend of style and substance, this large, modern-meets-warehouse space is accented with a dark woods, earthy brick and stone, black box industrial ceiling and street lamp glow lighting. But this is no high ticket Bergen County restaurant: The food and atmosphere is immersed in comfort, affordability and fun; it is not overpowering, pretentious or conceited in any way. The long sweeping bar into tall, floor-to-ceiling windows, the high-top cocktail tables and the fireplace-adjoined low seating booths add to the deliciously mellow vibe of  bar/lounge space.  The bar area is separated from expansive open area dining room which is usually bustling with conversation and energy. The menu is standard American comfort fare, highlighted by thin crust pizzas from their wood burning oven and huge nacho platters that are big enough to sleep on.  Over the years, the DiMiglio's have attempted to entertain their guests at Jersey Boys Grill by providing live music events such as bands or DJs.  The unfortunate problem that this has presented is that a live band or DJ in an open floor plan industrial space is usually extremely loud and therefore, extremely polarizing to the guests.  The young ones tend to like it, but the older ones feel like their ears are going to bleed. 

I am looking forward to the addition of Josh Baty on Wednesday nights for two reasons: For one, he doesn't need to be overpowering to be effective.  He is accustom to playing in higher-end restaurants where producing the perfect volume for a comfortable evening dinner is a big concern.  But make no mistake, Josh is also capable of getting loud when it is appropriate.  There is no doubt in my mind that Jersey Boys will experience some of the best Springsteen anthems ever written once the dinner crowd has transformed into a mostly bar crowd.  The second reason that I am anticipating Josh's début at Jersey Boys is because of his mastery of all things Pop.  Josh has an almost Danny Gans-like capability to sound exactly like the artists whose songs he is performing.  As I have mentioned in earlier posts, Josh is truly a human jukebox.  He will perform music that spans from Bobby Darin to Kings of Leon and make it sound like it belongs in the same set.  While I am sure that Josh will be more free with his renditions of top 40 rock & roll music from the past 60 years at Jersey Boys, he will no doubt still cater to the Buble/Sinatra crowd that has religiously following him for the past few years.  All we can hope for now is that his wildly talented wife Liza will join him every once in awhile to round out the night with her own take on the top hits of all of the female artists that we love so dearly.

My only request for Jersey Boys Grill; please save me a seat at the bar this Wednesday night!

Still One of Our Favorite Steak Joints!

Whenever I have $35.95 burning a hole in my pocket, I still itch to blow it on a 14oz Prime New York Shell Steak at The River Palm Terrace in Edgewater, NJ.  You can have their Mahwah and Fair Lawn locations, they do nothing for me.  I don't know why.  I guess it's the original Edgewater location's ambience, energy and clientel that creates the real charm for me.  I have not set foot in this restaurant in the past ten years and found it empty.  It attracts all walks of life; all with one common goal: A GREAT STEAK.  There is no grilling here that I know of; to my knowledge all of The River Palm Terrace's magic happens under a gas broiler.  What it produces is some of the best NY Strips, Filet Mignon and T-Bone steaks that I have ever had. How do they do it exactly?  I have really have no idea; I imagine they keep it simple - salt, pepper, the right amount of heat and some love..,  but frankly, I could care less how they do it.  It's just perfect every time.

This is a true, old-school Bergen County hot spot.  You know from the minute that your bread basket hits the table that you are in the hands of very capable and professional waiters.  These guys have been around for a while and they know exactly what they are doing.  They know the drill.  If you're undecided, don't be shy - speak up.  They will undoubtedly point you in the right direction.  This is great place to a special date or bring a hungry group of meat-eating buddies.  If they have never been here, they will praise you for your good suggestion.  Trust me.  If you are looking for a great steak in Bergen County tonight, you can't go wrong at The River Palm Terrace.