Khloe Bistrot: From Farm to Fort Lee

In the last month About Town has heard from so many readers asking, “Why can’t Fort Lee be like Englewood and Ridgewood and attract businesses that are fresh, new and will help to revitalize our downtown?”

Enter Khloe Bistrot. Khloe’s quietly opened its doors to the residents of Fort Lee two weeks ago, and already they have a regular (and growing) client base. Before we go any further, let us just say that if Khloe’s doesn’t succeed in Fort Lee, then we’ve lost all faith in the community. Khloe’s offers everything that we deserve and have waited a very long time for.

Khloe’s offers freshly prepared French cuisine in a comfortable homey atmosphere. Built into the design of their logo is a “key” signifying that you have the key to enter and be a part of the community of Khloe’s. This concept is the brainchild of Nina Kay and Felix Anguyo, both of whom have extensive restaurant experience in New York City. In fact, it was while working together in their New York restaurant that they realized a large part of their clientele was from Bergen County.

“Why make the people come to the restaurant when we can bring the restaurant to the people?” they thought.

Nina and Felix specifically chose to open Khloe’s in Fort Lee because they knew their restaurant would fall into the category of the “unexpected.”

Let’s be real, lately every time empty space is filled it’s the same type of business that opens. When they looked around they saw (very clearly) how little diversity there was in our culinary choices compared with other Bergen County towns given our unique proximity to New York City.

They felt there was a need for not only a restaurant, but a gathering place in Fort Lee. A place where people could go after 9 p.m. that offered more than a burger and coffee; a restaurant that was beautifully designed and truly organic. With the exception of Joeyness, there is no sustainable restaurant in town, and Joeyness does not cater to a late night crowd.    

Why haven’t you seen any advertisements announcing the arrival of Khloe’s? Because, as Nina said, “How do you describe an experience?”

That, dear readers, pretty much sums it up. Khloe’s is an experience for the mind, the body, the soul and the palette. It’s fine dining in a casual setting—you can wear your flip-flops, sneakers or sweats. It’s beautifully designed and extremely welcoming. Oh, and did we mention that it is the most charming space in Fort Lee?

From the moment you walk through the door you immediately fall under the spell of Khloe’s aesthetically warm and welcoming design. The richly painted black walls, highlighted by white decorative molding  and various sized crystal chandeliers that hang with random precision over the tables, embrace you and make you feel like you actually stumbled into a Parisian bistro. While seated in one of the overstuffed chairs, About Town was overwhelmed with the feeling of wanting to sip a glass of wine and light a thin cigarette despite the fact that we don’t smoke.

The centerpiece of the dining room is the large banquet-sized table designed for a communal dining experience. Those dining alone, couples and groups of three are invited to dine at the communal table as a way of meeting other people and building relationships within the community. Surrounding the communal table are smaller tables for more intimate parties. However, even these tables are situated close enough to each other to break the barriers of separation that the design of other, larger-spaced restaurants encourage. You can see what the people next to you ordered and spark a conversation.

Nina told About Town that she loves the communal table because it’s also a way of connecting people professionally. A very established figure in the fashion industry who frequently dines at Khloe’s can be seated next to a person who wants to make a connection in the fashion industry. And this makes sense—Fort Lee is, after all, home to some of the most established professionals, why not have a place where the community can connect and network?

Okay, let’s talk food. Khloe’s is a “farm to table” restaurant, which means that every ingredient they use is fresh from the ground and in season. Nina and Felix take organic to a new level in Fort Lee. They have built relationships with farmers who provide them with the freshest products, although they look forward to the Bergen County farmers’ market season when they can establish seasonal relationships. Because they use only what’s in season, Khloe’s menu changes with the seasons. Dining here is eating the way we were meant to eat—only foods that are in season—preservative free. It’s also not a place that rushes you in only to rush you out. This is a dining experience. Be prepared to wait for your meal because everything is cooked to order and brought to the table fresh. Nina and Felix want you to linger and enjoy the ritual of the meal.    

Nina and Felix kindly had the kitchen prepare a number of dishes for us to taste so that we could partake in the whole Khloe experience. To quote a famous dead poet, “Words are (absolutely) inadequate” to describe this culinary experience. About Town’s favorite French restaurant happens to be L'Ecole at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. The food at Khloe’s was (gulp) so much better. It’s no surprise, though. Khloe’s Chef, Alexey, was trained at the French Culinary Institute and was the chef at Manhattan’s famed Artisanal. Now, why in the world would you ever venture into Manhattan for French food when Manhattan has arrived in Fort Lee?

We started off with the house bread, which is a collection of light cheddar brioche with a subtle hint of jalapeno served in a rustic tin bucket. Following this was Tuna Tartare served with a lovely assortment of fennel and herbs. Then came the Escargot, which is not yet on the menu. Let’s just say, when this arrives on the menu RUN to Khloe’s. It’s the most tender, buttery, tasty, sensory treat. The escargot is served out of its shell atop an artichoke heart that is prepared to perfection. Then there’s the mushroom risotto that is creamy, crisp, and (to quote our son) “great-licious!” Our experience with risotto is that it’s either mushy or undercooked. This risotto is just absolute melt-in-your-mouth perfection, perfection, perfection!

Just when we thought our taste buds could take no more, out came the Mussels Beurre Blanc and the Smoked Trout BLT with Roasted Garlic Aioli. The mussels served were Prince Edward Island mussels with the slightest hint of garlic and the perfect measure of shallots, butter and white wine. Served alongside was a loaf of buttery (not oily) garlic bread to soak up the sauce.  The Smoked Trout BLT consisted of thin slices of trout and brioche toast served atop baby arugula, roasted tomato and bacon lardons. If you like bacon, whoa—try this dish. It will change your palette’s definition of bacon. It’s an absolute feast for the tongue!

Khloe’s menu hits not only every price point, but every palette. To all of my vegetarian readers who say that there are not enough good choices in Fort Lee, here’s your restaurant. Khloe’s offers so many delightful meatless choices that even the heartiest carnivore will enjoy them. 

Khloe’s is a BYOB restaurant. However, they take BYOB to a new level unknown to Fort Lee. They serve drinks that are “Flask Ready” meaning you can pour your favorite spirit from your “flask” into one of their prepared specialty drinks. You can choose from the Khloe Bellini, the Black Swan, the Coconut Mojito and more. They also offer an outstanding selection of non-alcoholic beer. Nina and Felix go to great lengths to pair every drink, non-alcoholic beer, and wine with the right dish on the menu.

There is no question that Nina and Felix value outstanding service. Their staff is trained to make each guest feel like they have their own concierge. They also take the intimidation out of French cuisine by expecting people to ask about the menu; they want you to ask if you don’t know what a certain ingredient is. The staff is more than happy to spend as much time with you to help you choose the perfect dish and drink to accompany it.

Khloe’s is open seven days a week: Sunday to Wednesday brunch and lunch is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday brunch and lunch is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and dinner is from 5 p.m. to midnight. They also offer a “take home” menu. Not “take-out” but “take home.” There’s a big difference. 

Nina and Felix have invested a great deal of money in their sound system and they put a great deal of thought into the music they choose to play. Rest assured, the music is soft and not over-bearing. It’s designed to enhance conversation—not drown it out.

Khloe’s is also available for private parties. I can’t imagine a more beautiful or memorable setting for a bridal shower, birthday party, anniversary or any event. Nina and Felix will work with you on the menu, the music and the placement of the tables.

In the near future Khloe’s will be open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and will offer a light late-night menu. This is so needed in Fort Lee. There is no place outside of the clubs and the bar at In Napoli that’s open after hours, and nothing outside of the diners that offers late night dining. Walking Main St. at midnight on a Saturday night is to think that we’re a town that goes to bed at 9. Come on!

Khloe Bistrot is not a place you can read about; in fact, it shouldn’t even have a sign on the outside. This is a place that you need to discover and tumble into. It’s a closely guarded secret—a place that is your destined “(beautiful) hole in the wall” that you only share with very close friends.

Khloe’s can be part of the revitalization and the beginning of something new and vibrant on Main Street that will attract other new and vibrant businesses. Here’s the deal: if Khloe’s can’t be part of the revitalization, it will most certainly be the sounding of the death knell on Main St.  

Khloe Bistrot is located at 200 Main St., No. 9 in the old Jerry’s Pizzeria space.