Our Own Central Perk

Friends nostalgia is sweeping the country, especially here in the New York area. As we know, the beloved comedy was set in Manhattan and debuted this much a quarter of a century (gasp!!!) ago.Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Rachel, Chandler, and Joey hung out at a hip downtown coffee shop, Central Perk. It turns out there's one here in Bergen County, in Hasbrouck  Heights, New Jersey. It's the KTB  -Sean Ryan Coffee Shop , located at the southern end of the town's busy Main Street,

It is a trendy , eclectically decorated place, usually filled with Hasbrouck Heights (or the Heights as we locals call it) high schoolers. It's a great meeting place with a game cupboard - full of really neat ones like the classic Monopoly and Yahtzee. These are for all ages - and a great way of passing a rainy Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

The cafe also has poetry readings on Tuesday where young artists can showcase their work. The cafe also highlights jazz groups too for a night of good music and good coffee.

 There are cozy clusters like this, tables for two and longer, Baroque dining room tables surrounded by a variety of fancy, ornately carved dining room chairs. The decor reminds of the famed Raffiela's in lower Manhattan.

                                         These are some of the pastries they sell

There are plain and chocolate croissants as well as apple turnovers. Check out the generous crumb cake squares that can be shared. Individual cake slices as well as tiramisu  can also be bought.There is also a good variety of different macaroons, from chocolate ganache to red velvet.

 KTB also has a large variety of breakfast dishes such as omelets and French toast along with lunch dishes such as vegan and meat paninis and pitua bowls.

Of course being a coffee shop there is also a variety of coffees and teas. Their Arnold Palmer is perfect on a hot day, served in a mason jar, Southern style. Their cappuccino is huge, served in a cup , more of a bathtub.

The cappuccino was strong  - and generous. The macaroons, chocolate and red velvet were a bit too sweet - not what I 'm used to. It would be nice if KTB offered big and small cupcakes as well as different types of cookies too. Maybe their North Arlington branch has these. It would be worth visiting just to see what they have.

If you want your own version of Central Perk, then come to KTB in Hasbrouck Heights. Visit during the day for a quiet coffee or tea or head to it in the evening for jazz and poetry readings. It's a nice escape for you and your friends.

Burger Wars

Once again there is a new burger joint in the area. Habit Burgers has hit north jJersey, bringing with it cheery Californian interiors and a new way of serving burgers.Is it as good as any of the other burger joints like Jake's Wayback or even Wendy's? Yes  - and no.

As anybody who lives in the Garden State will tell you we have dozens of eateries that feature fast food. Many are diners such as the Bendix in Hasbrouck Heights that cook up any kind of dish, from breakfast to snacks. These also have an element of home cooking  to them. Burgers are not preformed patties that are shipped in from a main distributor. They're ground beef , usually made from  fresh chuck and zested up with chopped onion, parsley and sometimes butter or margarine There's a juiciness  to them,along with that pleasant greasy taste no one seems to mind, The fries are also plank style , some big and meaty; others crispy and golden,Some like the Windmill chain in Central and South Jersey give diners big piles of crinkle cut fries, all evenly fried and deliciously crispy. Their sandwiches, ranging from hamburgers to hot dogs to grilled chicken, are ample and are cooked on the grill like their diner cousins. To be honest the Windmill hot dogs are the best in the state. Charred, with crispy skin, they have flavor and the added bonus of texture. The burgers are OK, filling  but overshadowed by the huge kaiser rolls that they're served on.

So does Habit's famed Char Burger beat these Mom and Pop attempts at fast food? Yes and no.The burgers are nicely charred. The taste is reminiscent of those backyard burgers we grew up on. However, the high heat does dry them out a bit so the texture is not soft but dry and crumbly. There's no moistness there.It does pay to have lettuce and tomato added for some juiciness. The cheeseburger looks good with  the cheese melted and drippy. There are some other dishes that look tasty  such as the fried green beans in batter along with the grilled chicken. Will it beat out the reigning burger joint in the area which is Jake's Wayback? For one thing Jake's is much smaller and , even though it is a franchise, feels more like a Mom and Pop place. The servers know the regulars and make them feel completely at home. The burgers, especially the turkey ones, are so  moist and juicy. that you always need a napkin to wipe your chin. The fries are a mound of golden crisp goodness. Another plus is their  homemade potato chips which are perfectly crunchy and evenly fried.Wendy's is also in the local burger wars. It beats out McDonald's and Burger King for taste. Their burgers are not greasy like those other two. Neither the burgers or the fries have that greasy aftertaste.The chain also has more choice too. with the addition of bacon and different sauces .

Will Habit Burgers beat out Jake's Wayback and Wendy's? That depends on people's tastes. Locals may enjoy the novelty but eventually they'll return to their favorites. Eateries have loyal fans. They return to their favorites in the end.