Around Town
COMPILED BY JAIME WALTERS
CLIFFSIDE PARK
FIND
T H E B E S T B A K L AVA
GRAB
B R E A K FA S T O N T H E G O
SIMIT AND SMITH BAKERY
This Turkish bakery offers a healthy alternative to traditional bread items called
simits (“Turkish bagels”). Soft and light
on the inside and crunchy on the outside, simits make a healthier breakfast alternative. Simit
and Smith Bakery offers whole wheat and multi-grain options along with the original sesamecrusted version. Simits are hand-rolled – and baked – daily with all natural ingredients and without fat or preservatives. The bakery serves simits on their own, with dips, along Mediterranean
salads or as a sandwich. The bakery also offers a variety of other regional pastries known
as pogaça (pronounced po-acha) and treats. Simit and Smith Bakery will have gluten-free
traditional items coming this fall. 721 Anderson Ave., (201) 496-6608, simitandsmith.com
SPICE UP
YO U R M E A L
CINAR TURKISH
RESTAURANT
Cliffside Park resident Tunc Ozle
opened the restaurant three years
ago, and when walking into the
doors, one may feel as if they are
in a Turkish village. He describes
his food as a “Turkish kitchen with
our own vision” as they use the
classic Turkish plates with their own blend of spices. Their top seller is Adana
Kebab, but customers always come back for their non-traditional lamb shanks,
Ali Nazik and Hashas Kebab. The restaurant’s menu is inspired by their chef who
comes from Hatay, a province of Turkey. Stop by for $9.95 lunch specials
Monday through Friday. Make sure you save room for dessert and try the tasty,
homemade custard. BYOB. 677 Palisade Ave., (201) 941-5650, cinarnj.com
12
FALL 2015 GOLD COAST MAGAZINE
Gulluoglu means baklava in Turkey.
Owners M. Nejat Gullu and Ercan
Karabeyoglu created Gulluoglu Baklava
Café to have a place in Cliffside Park
where east and west meet. They sell baklava, cakes and various savory items such as
spinach and cheese pies. Pair a plate of
food with some fresh Turkish coffee and
meet friends or family for a break in the
day at the café, which has seating outside,
too. Stop in early for a Mediterranean
breakfast. Karabeyoglu says, “Our
new customers like our baklava so
much and always seem to ask the same
question, ‘If this is baklava, what we were
eating before?’” 611 Anderson Ave.,
(201) 945-1909, gulluoglubaklava.com
BITE
I N TO S O M E B B Q
BBQ CHICKEN
AND BEER
BBQ Chicken and Beer combines Korean fried chicken
with a selection of spirits and beers – on tap and bottles.
The owner explains their chicken is deep fried in extra
virgin olive oil. Wings are the main feature on the menu
but they do offer other Korean bar food selections. This
casual dining experience is equipped with TVs a nd waiter service. They offer happy hour specials, 4-8 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday, so enjoy a cold beer with your
favorite wings. Don’t feel like hanging out? Order BBQ
Chicken to go. 651 Anderson Ave., (201) 941-1107
SIMITS & BAKLAVA: COURTESY OF THE BUSINESSES; WINGS: DON SMITH/THE RECORD; CINAR: MARKO GEORGIEV
GULLUOGLU BAKLAVA CAFÉ