About Town: 354 Steakhouse

A pinch of Fort Lee and a dash of Cuban and you’ve got 354 Steakhouse in Cliffside Park. Our friend Paulie C. from Virginia Avenue let us in on this little gem of a restaurant that’s a favorite among firemen, borough workers, bankers and the site for a monthly Fort Lee Girls Night Out.   

Always epi-curious, we grabbed a few friends and visited the restaurant on Saturday night. We now know why it’s such a magnet for Fort Lee. The chef/owner, Audel Ventura, was the chef at J.D.’s Steak Pit on lower Main Street when Jimmy Macagna owned it. 

So, if you’ve been having foodie flashbacks and find yourself pining for those terrific, tender baby back ribs where the meat just fell off the bone, or perfectly grilled steaks that arrived hissing and spitting on your plate, or buttery sliced steak delicately layered on toast points with sauteed onions, they’re here!

In fact, 345 Steakhouse is like a J.D.’s reunion right down to the hostess, Oriana, who does much more than just escort you to your seat. She made sure we had an exceptional dining experience by visiting our table often and checking that we were happy with our food and service. 

Opened in November 2010, 354 Steakhouse is a family affair. Owned and operated by the Ventura family, brothers Audel, Edgar, and Selvin know how to run a successful restaurant that keeps people coming back. 

Now, there’s nothing we love more than steak, so to find a steakhouse nearby that’s not outlandishly priced, or outlandishly crowded, is a real find. Add a little Cuban flavor, and now you’re talking! 

Located off Anderson Avenue, 354 Steakhouse is just far enough off the beaten path to make it the little hole-in-the-wall type of place we love discovering and coming back to with friends. 

From the old-world brick exterior, to the softly-lit, heavy wood interior, this restaurant exudes a neighborhoody informal vibe but can also be the perfect romantic getaway for two.  

Let’s dish food. We ordered two appetizers for the table: Spinach and Machego Cheese and Chopped Shrimp that was served in a potato shell. The portions were more than enough to satisfy four people and we all agreed that they were out of this world--particularly the shrimp. It’s not on the menu so if you want to try it, ask the waiter. 

For dinner we chose from the Taste Of Cuban portion of the menu and ended up ordering the same thing: Sizzling Skirt Steak & Herbed Butter (Churrasco) with a side of Rice and Beans. The portions are large, but not grotesquely so, like in some steakhouses. 

Our steak was a perfect medium-rare and well-seasoned. The herbed butter sauce comes on the side so you can choose to add it or not. We added it. Words are inadequate to describe the fusion of steak, herbs and melted butter. Let’s just say it was a non-dieters delight.   

In addition to the Taste of Cuban items, the menu contains Old Time Steakhouse Favorites such as Delmonico steak, grilled rib eye, New York strip, Filet Mignon, Sizzling N.Y. strip steak and sliced steak served on toast with sauteed onions. 

Then there’s the Canadian baby back ribs, seafood and pasta, as well as choices that will keep the kids happy: macaroni & cheese and hamburgers.

The menu is reasonably priced for a steakhouse. The most expensive item is the 26 oz. Porterhouse for $38.95; the Old Time Favorite Steaks such as Filet Mignon, N.Y. strip and rib eye are priced from $17.95 to $22.95.

354 Steakhouse is a B.Y.O.B. restaurant. We love B.Y.O.B. because it keeps the bill low and the fun high!

So grab a few friends, grab a bottle of wine and give 354 Steakhouse a try. It's a good idea to make a reservation because once this place gets discovered by Patch readers it's bound to be standing room only. And don’t forget to let us know what you think. 

354 Steakhouse is located at 354 Lawton Ave. in Cliffside Park; 201-941-0499.