The best sushi you'll ever eat in North Jersey

Rebecca King, NorthJersey.com
·4 min read
Sushi Chef Sung Kim prepares a dish of salad at Sushi Kai in Fort Lee on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Sushi Chef Sung Kim prepares a dish of salad at Sushi Kai in Fort Lee on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Hi, friends!

Do you know what an omakase is? When I ask friends this question, I usually get a blank look. Which is why I wanted to write a story about this incredible dining experience. Omakases are Japanese tasting dinners. You sit at a counter and a chef prepares individual pieces of sushi and sashimi to present to you in courses.

It's such a fun experience -- and will usually offer you the best sushi you could have. Though, for picky eaters or those who want to avoid dropping a bunch of money on dinner (omakases can be expensive!), they might be a dining experience you'd prefer to skip out on. You can read my story to see if it's for you. But, if you love sushi, I'd highly recommend!

Customers dine on sushi and sashimi, like this piece of sliced salmon at Sushi Kai in Fort Lee.
Customers dine on sushi and sashimi, like this piece of sliced salmon at Sushi Kai in Fort Lee.

Here's what to expect: Omakase, a Japanese tasting menu, favors the adventurous

My perspective: Intimidated by dining at your first omakase? Don't be

Openings

Walnut Street Kitchen, Montclair

Italian restaurant Walnut Street Kitchen has replaced Corso 98.

Expect dishes such as cacio e pepe arancini with black and pink peppercorn; a center-cut pork chop topped with sweet a sausage, raisin and fennel stuffing ("It's crazy how many people tell me it's the best pork chop they've ever had," said owner Beverly Lacsina); and a vegan eggplant piccata with celery root puree and sunchoke chips ("My best friend is a vegan. It shocked me how much people like this dish"). $$$. 98 Walnut St., Montclair; 973-746-0789, walnutstreetkitchennj.com.

Blood orange olive oil cake at Walnut Street Kitchen in Montclair
Blood orange olive oil cake at Walnut Street Kitchen in Montclair

What's new?: A low-cal grill bar, global kitchen and a cool gastropub: New restaurants to try now

The Parkside Social, Verona

The Parkside Social, the latest gastropub of Thomas and Dean Maroulakos, the brothers behind The Barrow House in Clifton and Cowan's Public in Nutley among others, officially opened last week. It replaces Ariane Kitchen & Bar, which was owned by beloved chef Ariane Duarte and her husband Michael and closed in September 2021. The menu includes wings, burgers, sandwiches and beer. $$$. 706 Bloomfield Ave., Verona; 609-248-4596, theparksidesocial.com.

Seasons 52, Paramus

Season 52's steak and mashed potatoes
Season 52's steak and mashed potatoes

Just in time for Mother's Day, Seasons 52 has opened in the Westfield Garden State Plaza. The restaurant specializes in oak-fire grilling and brick-oven roasting, and none of its dishes contain more than 595 calories. How many calories each dish has is included on the menu. Among the dishes on it: pepperoni flatbread (580 calories), avocado toast (390), lobster bisque (520), 8-ounce wood-grilled filet mignon with mashed potatoes (580) and a side of mac 'n' cheese (570).

The restaurant has a bar offering wine flights, 52 wines by the glass, beer and cocktails.$$. 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus; 201-518-1074, seasons52.com/home.

Closures

Wich One, Cliffside Park

The Asian pear empanada at Wich-One is a sweet take on the food.
The Asian pear empanada at Wich-One is a sweet take on the food.

Wich One, an Asian-inspired sandwich and rice bowl shop, will close for good on May 31.

Owned by Marcello Chi, Wich One opened five years ago in Cliffside Park and impressed locals, particularly with its Wich Korean cheesesteak. The sandwich, made with Korean-style ribeye and topped with mozzarella, spring mix lettuce and sauteed onions, made its way onto several “Best Sandwich” lists in the state.

Closing: Wich One in Cliffside Park to close after five years in business

News bites

Chocolate souffle at Madeleine's Petit Paris
Chocolate souffle at Madeleine's Petit Paris

Occasionally restaurants stumble upon a dish so good, they don't dare take it off the menu. These are the meals that popular opinion says are the tastiest. The ones they can't sell enough of. Esther roundups up 12 in the following story...

For subscribers: These 12 signature dishes in North Jersey can never come off the menu — they're that good

Short rib tortellini at Restaurant Serenade in Chatham
Short rib tortellini at Restaurant Serenade in Chatham

That's when Samuel L. Jackson stopped in at Lassoni, a traditional Italian restaurant in North Arlington, to grab some lunch last Wednesday. The restaurant posted the event on its Facebook page. "What a great surprise!!!," the post said. "Look who had lunch with us today!! Thank you so much."

Celeb sighting: Bergen restaurant staff get a surprise when actor Samuel L. Jackson stops in for lunch

That's it from me! Until we meet again, here's where to find more dining news:

NorthJersey.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Cost key:

  • $ Affordable (can get a filling meal for under $15 per person)

  • $$ Average (can get a filling meal for $15 to $25 per person)

  • $$$ Pricey (can get a filling meal for $30 to $40)

  • $$$$ Treat yours

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Omakase, amazing dishes and a celeb sighting