Dining on ‘The Avenue’

Is there any other town more perfect to live in than Fort Lee? In front of us is Manhattan, behind us are the malls, below us is the new hot spot formerly known as Edgewater, and above us is a small stretch of street with some of the best restaurants around.

By now you know About Town’s favorite restaurants in Fort Lee, but maybe you want to try some place different. Well, have you ever dined on the Avenue? Lemoine Avenue, that is. (Lemoine Avenue becomes Sylvan Avenue as soon as you cross the border into Englewood Cliffs, and remarkably there are a few trees left standing where sylvan acres once stood.) We’re talking about restaurants in the Coytesville section. About Town is going to stretch its borders just a little bit to include the southern part of Englewood Cliffs. Technically speaking, the southern-most part of Englewood Cliffs had originally been a part of Coytesville and Coytesville is a part of Fort Lee, so...

The first restaurant on the Avenue is Cinco de Mayo housed in a small strip of stores between Myrtle Avenue and Washington Avenue. Cinco de Mayo is a small intimate BYOB restaurant that serves wonderfully authentic, well-prepared, Mexican food. Its atmosphere is very casual, which is great for kids, but serious when it comes to food preparation. It’s also a low-key romantic dinner destination for two. The staff is attentive, the owner is very engaging, and the food is delicious. What more can you ask for? Since it’s Valentine’s Day, if you want to stay in tonight they offer free delivery. You can also log onto their website and print coupons that are good for dining in-house or take-out www.cincodemayoonline.com. Cinco de Mayo is located at 2428 Lemoine Avenue. 201-947-4780.

Not far up the road, a few feet over the border, is Café Italiano.  Café Italiano has been in Coytesville for as long as About Town can remember. When you want to get romantic in Coytesville, this is the place to go. Café Italiano’s interior space makes you feel like your dining in the Mediterranean--lots of windows that allow sunlight to pour through during the day, and the reflection of candlelight to bounce from at night. For history buffs, Café Italiano was the summer cottage of Jimmy Walker, the mayor of New York City from 1926-1932. Behind the restaurant sits the original Champion Film Company that was built around 1910.

The food at Café Italiano is so simply prepared with the freshest ingredients that you will feel as if you’re dining on the Mediterranean. Having been a BYOB restaurant for years, they now offer a fully stocked bar. The service, like the food, is consistently outstanding and the staff is very accommodating, especially if you’ve brought your children with you. They will go out of their way to make your experience memorable. During the warm weather they have a patio for outdoor dining. Café Italiano is located at 14 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, (201) 461-5041. Check out their menu www.cafeitaliano.net/ and price fixe dinners.

Directly next door to Café Italiano is Cliff’s Steakhouse which is owned by the owners of Café Italiano. Cliff’s Steakhouse is also located in a restored old house. This is one of the warmest, most intimate restaurants in our area. There’s a wood-burning fireplace that is the centerpiece of the dining room giving it a very romantic feel, especially on a cold winter’s night. Check out their interior (and menu) www.cliffssteakhouse.com/.

Upon walking in, you’re immediately greeted with the diffused aroma of butter and aged beef. About Town gives Cliff’s Steakhouse four stars and wonders why anyone would go to one of those chain steakhouses with two-hour waits when you can get the best aged steak this side of the Hudson at prices cheaper than the chains. It makes sense that the chef worked at the legendary Peter Luger’s because the beef is just as sublime—tender and juicy.

About Town ordered the Porterhouse for two which was served on a plate that was blistering hot. Warning: butter is rubbed onto the hot plate so move back from the table if you don’t want to get spit upon by melting butter. Having ordered medium-rare, the steak was brilliantly charred on the outside, nicely cool on the inside, easy to slice, and expertly seasoned with the mineral flavors of sea salt and black pepper. The Porterhouse for two is more than enough unless you’re sharing it with a hungry man. In that case, let him order his own steak otherwise, he won’t be satisfied. The side dishes are typical of all steakhouses, and very reasonably priced. The service is outstanding and after talking with us at our table, one of the owners sent us an after-dinner drink on the house. I never understand why all restaurants don’t do that. One small drink on the house not only serves to define the experience, but is such a psychological boost that results in returns that can never be measured. Cliff’s Steakhouse is located at 18 Sylvan Avenue. 201-944-0233.

Mama Mexico is not just a restaurant, it’s a dining extravaganza. Its multi-leveled dining area and open interior makes you feel like you’re a part of all that’s going on. The colors of the décor, along with the friendly staff and wandering Mariachi band, put you into a most festive mood. This is a restaurant where you can eat well and have fun all at the same. Each table receives complimentary chips and salsa; guacamole is freshly made at your table; and the menu ranges from traditional Mexican fare to specialty dishes. About Town highly recommends the “Volcano Martini.” It arrives at your table engulfed in flames and after indulging in a few of them you’ll leave feeling as if your brain is engulfed in flames. If you go there tonight for Valentine’s Day, Mama Mexico is offering a special menu and, of course, the Mariachi band will be playing. Check them out at www.mamamexico.com. Mama Mexico is located at 464 Sylvan Avenue. 201-871-0555. 

The Bicycle Club, an institution on Sylvan Avenue, is now owned by the previous owners of J.D.’s Steak Pit, and although they still offer traditional American cuisine they have updated their menu to include some original J.D. classics such as Canadian baby back ribs, well-prepared steaks, and rotisserie chicken. It’s also likely that you’ll run into old friends at the bar since it still remains a local hub for the northern part of town. The service is experienced and very good, and the atmosphere is family-friendly and relaxed. If you go there tonight for Valentine’s Day they’re offering a special Valentine’s Dinner that includes unlimited champagne with your entrée. www.thebicycleclub.com/.  The Bicycle Club is located at 487 Sylvan Avenue. 201-894-0880.

Dine on the Avenue, cross the border, and explore what’s on the other side. But don’t forget to come back home to all your friends in Fort Lee.