The five best things our food writer ate this week (burritos included)
Good morning, North Jersey! It's officially Christmas week, and festivities are in full swing.
Santa's riding the Montclair firetruck, The Cookie Connect is serving Red Velvet Molten Lava Cookies and the Willowbrook Mall is packed — even though it's (essentially) underwater. From Passaic to Bergen, all of North Jersey is getting ready for Saint Nick's big day.
That is, unless you're Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, single or bored.
In that case, allow me to entertain you.
Forget the bland prime rib and dry roasted potatoes: Here are the five best things I ate in Jersey this week.
Caliente Breakfast Burrito, Salt Pepper Ketchup
A few weeks ago, NJ.com ranked the Chopped Cheese and Egg at Salt Pepper Ketchup the #2 breakfast sandwich in Jersey. And, though I agree that the Hawthorne-based hole-in-the-wall deserves a spot on that list, I definitely don't think that sandwich is the best morning creation on the menu.
When I go to Salt Pepper Ketchup? It's all about the Caliente Breakfast Burrito.
One of the most sinfully indulgent items chef Rey de la Cruz offers, the mildly spicy wrap includes buffalo chicken, eggs, cheddar and hash browns. Hot sauce soaks the tenders (though they still retain some crisp), and the warm cheese stretches as you tear the burrito in half. Top that with the juicy, deep-fried potato patty, and I can't think of a way — besides maybe some bacon — the burrito could be improved.
Go: 230 Central Ave., Hawthorne; 973-304-4916, saltpepperketchupnj.com.
Yuzu Truffle Mazeman, Kinjo
Kinjo is New Jersey's ultimate, must-try restaurant of the year. From upscale bao buns (think duck confit with scallion mayo) to trendy appetizers (shiso ranch Korean fried chicken wings), the Japanese fusion spot is turning out all sorts of incredible eats.
That doesn't come as a surprise, though, since it was opened by Saddle River Inn's Jamie Knott and 7 Doors Down Ramen's Bill Sanders; two of the Garden States best culinary minds.
I stopped into Kinjo this week to try a handful of the team's new creations. My favorite of the bunch, however, was the Yuzu Truffle Mazeman. A secret menu creation by Sanders, the brothless ramen dish features a umami truffle butter sauce, seared shrimp and scallops over long, golden noodles. Twirl a heaping forkful, and you'll love the dish's savory saltiness, fancy Maruchan vibes and completely unique flavor profile.
Go: 159 Washington St., Newark; 973-944-2828, kinjonj.com.
Ricotta 'Toastie,' Ladyfingers Bakery & Bar
Ladyfingers Bakery & Bar in Bloomfield might just make the sophisticated pieces of toast I've ever seen. Called Toasties, the new breakfast line features thick-cut, fresh sourdough bread topped with artisan, carefully-selected ingredients. Some of the flavors include a Smoked Salmon Toastie with house-made lox and crispy capers, and an elevated play on avocado toast with charred Mexican street corn.
Though I ordered (and tried) all of the aforementioned, I kept coming back to the Ricotta Toastie. With fluffy cheese, sundried tomato, and a pesto-fried egg all under a vibrant drizzle of chili oil, the high-end treat was one of the most colorful, unique and delicious things I've eaten in a fast-casual cafe.
Go: 1109 Broad St., Bloomfield; instagram.com/ladyfingersbakeryandbar.
Bhatti Chicken Cafreal Masala, Social Hub
The second Social Hub dish to crack this list in the past three weeks, this North Indian Goan specialty dish is a rich, comforting Goan Christmas specialty. If you've never heard of it, though, that's probably because you just can't find it over here in the states.
Well, that is, until executive chef Vivek Rana brought it to New Jersey — following his move from India — only a few weeks ago.
Not to be confused with Chicken Cafreal (a green chile dish also on the menu; make sure not to make this mistake when ordering), this winter staple showcases tender, bone-in dark meat chicken in a creamy corn sauce. The skin of the meat is left on, making for perfectly fatty, well-seasoned bites that contrast beautifully with the sweetness of the corn.
Texturally, aesthetically and to the tastebuds, this dish is a tour-de-force — but it's only available for the holiday (December 20th-25th), so make sure to get it soon.
Go: 1735 Route 46, Parsippany-Troy Hills; 862-401-2800, socialbydhaba.com.
Reese's Peanut Butter Christmas Tree, Walmart
'Tis the season for another peanut butter banger.
Go: Walmart, or literally anywhere else.
Hungry for more?
Want more on this week's latest food news? Check out some of my (and others') best articles at NorthJersey.com/food, or keep up with me @northjerseyeats.
And, as for next week's column? You probably don't need to tune back.
It's Christmas; the best thing I ate is hands-down going to be the honey baked ham.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ restaurants: Five best things our food writer ate this week
