With the weather getting colder, it can be hard to find activities to do on the weekends. A solution could be enjoying a meal at a restaurant with family or friends, allowing for a pleasant outing without being exposed to the cold. However, it can be tricky to find a good restaurant that has everything one may want.
Many factors contribute to what makes a restaurant “fun,” such as the menu options, location, music, and overall vibe. When looking for a restaurant to go to on the weekends, there is a lot to consider when trying to find the perfect option.
With Bergen County being only a 30 minute train or car ride from the city, this opens up endless possibilities for fun restaurants to fill weekends with. New York City is known for having a multitude of distinguished restaurants serving all different kinds of foods, and offering different vibes. From more relaxed, casual restaurants, to high-end fine dining, the options for restaurants in the city are endless, and can provide a fun night out with family or friends.
When asked if he prefers to stay local or go to the city for dinners out, junior Andrew Piekny expresses his feelings.
“I would rather go to the city, because I think the food quality is better, more fun, and interesting,” Piekny said.
However, there are many aspects of going into the city that may make going to the city less favorable than staying local, such as the commute and traffic, or just the idea of going all the way into the city can be daunting.
Junior Talia Jacob describes how she feels about going into the city for dinner.
“I think going to the city is more fun, but if I want a quick dinner, and don’t want to dress up, I’ll go somewhere local,” Jacob said.
While staying local is more convenient, it may not offer the same variety of options that New York City does. This can lead to issues in finding new and exciting restaurants to try, and one may find themselves going to the same place every weekend.
When asked about difficulties finding local restaurants to try, Piekney shares his experiences.
“I do find it hard to find new and fun restaurants, because I feel as if I have visited and eaten at all of them,” Piekny said.
When asked about her experiences locating restaurants, Jacob encounters similar issues in locating good local restaurants.
“Yes definitely. However, I have found many restaurants near here that are very good that I go to often. They are also opening a Serifina, [a popular Italian restaurant in NYC], in Tenafly, which will be good,” Jacob said.
Even with these challenges in mind, there still are ways to find fun local restaurants.
Junior Olivia Jagid shares what she looks for when deciding on a restaurant.
“I like when a restaurant has a good atmosphere, good food, and it’s not super expensive,” Jagid said.
Taking this into consideration, it is possible to find local restaurants that meet these criteria.
Jagid shares her favorite local restaurants.
“I like Lefkes, 130 Club, and Jugamu,” Jagid said.
Piekny also provides recommendations for good local restaurants that have satisfactory ratings.
“I would recommend River Palm, Roost, and Houston’s. These in my opinion have outstanding food options,” Piekny said.
Finding the perfect restaurant for a weekend outing can be a challenge. Whether opting for the convenience of local spots or the excitement of dining in New York City, there are plenty of options to suit different preferences and occasions. By considering factors like atmosphere, food quality, and affordability, it’s possible to discover hidden gems and create enjoyable dining experiences, no matter where one chooses to go.
