Ficus Bon Vivant
Far too much tastes far too bad at a downtown café-cum-restaurant that prides itself on its worldly menu and top-flight ingredients. From dish concept to execution to disconnected service, the flaws appall and need to be addressed.
Andrea Trattoria Italiana
Sincerity is a tangible at the latest incarnation of a rustic, yet dressy restaurant from chef Andrea Covino. Here, it’s in the food, the setting, the service and in all the ways heart and soul are expressed.
HoopHouse
A global swarm of styles is in sync with the happy-jumble decor at this casual eatery in an emerging hub in Burlington County. With mission being tied to farm-sourcing, however, the folks here must be resolute in name-checking those sources on menus.
Saltwater Social
Someone needs to be watching how plates are put together in the kitchen of this snappy-looking meet-up spot in a rejuvenated, culinary-centric downtown. The setting’s divine and classy, but the executions too often stand in contrast with what’s printed on the menu.
Lola’s Café
Next-door neighbor and offspring of White Horse Wines & Spirits, this city-style, swanky day café is the answer to wide-ranging needs for smart, contemporary eats. It’s the dream of a couple who know how to do it mindfully and right.
Peru Chikann
Helmed by a cookbook in human form, a classic Peruvian restaurant makes the case for diving into the cuisines of this South American country with the idea of expanding your own home menus.
Viecco Sabores Quilleros
Street eats from the Caribbean coast of Colombia are a joyful play of ingredients at a modest storefront that might seem unable to contain such heaping platters. Don’t worry; just dive in.
Plain & Simpol
Home-style authentic Filipino is the order of the day at a family-run storefront where the blackboard menu is a primer and the open kitchen might as well be a classroom.
Taka Taka Street Greek
Zhuzhed-up Greek fare is the focus at a newcomer to City Center. It’s all casual, all the time, whether the call’s for dine-in or to-go back home or to the dorm. Bottom line: The eats are fresh-faced and swell.
Chez Daniel
New, and yet not new, this mainstay address on a river town’s main drag currently sees a chef segueing from Irish standards to the French classics of his heritage. Daniel Gras is part way there. Let him run with his vision at full tilt.
Harry’s Daughter
Island attitudes pervade a jovial gathering spot for respectful Trinidadian classics that include beloved beach-food “bakes.” Cup your hands to eat, then clap them in response to joyful fare served in compatible style.
Nai Brother
Hidden in this incomparable mecca for Asian cuisines is a Chinese sauerkraut soup specialist where proper layering of each broth’s flavors is the charm and the occasional in-house specialty delights.