On New Year’s Eve, ’25
Welcome to TPW’s annual guide to dining out on the last night of the year! It’s for those who love stepping out and reveling the night (and even the early morning) away, and it features restaurants we’ve reviewed in the last 12 months. So take a hop-skip through, then don’t dawdle: Reserve while tables remain available and look forward to 2025’s rollicking farewell party.
Matt’s Red Rooster Grill
A reliable all-American that’s been a staple in Flemington for more than two decades isn’t about drastic change – and loyalists want it to stay that way. But change in the kitchen's processes and execution is warranted to correct problems of overcooking, careless plating and misuse of ingredients.
Bocadillo
The most celebrated tapas trails of Spain are reflected on the menu at this neighbor to – and relative of – stalwart Segovia in this Bergen County town. The love and passion owners Dalida and Anthony Treus have for the ingredients of the mother country are on buoyant display. It’s an edible education fit for holidays and everyday.
Boom Boom Chicken, Meet Fresh and HeyTea
Korean fried chicken and its mates followed by a Taiwanese dessert and a cap-it-off beverage at a place that’s become a worldwide phenomenon: It’s all in an afternoon’s eat-around at Festival Plaza. But nothing’s finer than bumping into a favorite food pro behind a counter once again.
1785 FarmDog
Ho-ho-ho and a basket full of smothered burgers and hotdogs! If you’re in the market for a Hallmark movie-ready scene for shopping and a spot of something all-American, this farm-linked storefront in one of the Garden State’s prettiest villages will suit your mood.
Pierogies House
Guess what’s on parade at this modest and modern storefront owned by its Poland-born chef who channels the dishes her babcia made and serves them forth with pride.
goodbeet
A decade-old plant-based eatery strikes notes of individuality in a bowl rallying around chickpeas, a serious take on a wrap-free burrito, and through orbs of eggplant in a sultry tomato sauce. Though there’s a bit of controversy afoot – read on – there’s reason aplenty on the menu to keep supporting what’s been a community favorite.
All’Assassina
An important dish that flourishes in Italy is defamed at a restaurant in Union County that purports to celebrate it. It’s the fault of improper execution and it’s not the only pasta (or pinsa or antipasto) that’s being mistreated.
Miss Saigon
The menu at this decade-old storefront eatery showcases classics, but the execution of dishes fails to reflect the freshness, balance and respect for high-quality ingredients fundamental to Vietnamese cuisine. It’s neither comforting to the cautious nor the adventurous.
Bright Side Kitchen
Off-season in Manahawkin, across the causeway from Long Beach Island, finds this daytime café hopping. That’s thanks to the ways the amiable crew dresses up soups, salads and sandwiches with accents designed to edify – and cheer.
Pals’ Night Out ’25
Gathering your besties during the heart of the holiday season is always a challenge of time and place. It’ll be up to you to make time for those who are dearest, but we’d like to help out with place. Here’s a heaping helping – 20! – of suggestions culled from our Restaurant Revue columns posted so far this year.
El Ganadero
Latin American cuisines reign at this family-run eatery where the customs and conventions of home-cookery are followed, the beans and stocks take much of the day to cook and short-cuts will never be in style.