Saddle River Inn, Saddle River, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
Saddle River Inn: Restaurant Summary
Fare: New American- with French influences
Price: Very Expensive
Food Quality:Well executed menu using prime dry-aged beef, fresh line caught, sustainable seafood and locally sourced, fresh ingredients.
Service: Professional; warm, and attentive.
Ambiance/decor: A 19th century restored barn alongside the banks of the Saddle River, with elegant, rustic ambiance.
Overall Rating:3 1/2 Stars - Classified as a "Chef-Inspired Fine Dining" restaurant. (* Note - See below restaurant classification for details)
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = poor to 4 stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate
Dress: Upscale Casual
Recommended For: High income 50+ diners who enjoy excellent food with upscale, rustic ambiance, and fine dining amenities.
Not Recommended For: Budget minded diners and young families who prefer more casual dining with lower menu prices and larger food portions.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Australian Lamb Chops; The Yellow-fin Tuna; and The “Maribar” Filet Mignon.
Alcohol: BYOB.
Restaurant Review
The Saddle River Inn is one of Bergen County's top restaurants --- a good place for a romantic dining experience or to celebrate a special occasion.
The restaurant is co-owned and operated by Executive Chef Jamie Knott, who comes with excellent credentials having honed his culinary skills at high profile NYC restaurants.
This chef-inspired fine dining restaurant has all the amenities of a fine dining restaurant without the "Old World" stuffy atmosphere found in most fine dining restaurants.
Set in a 19th century restored barn alongside the banks of the Saddle River, the 80 seat restaurant has an attractive decor with an elegant, rustic ambiance. The dining area is spread over two floors, with rustic dark walls, ceilings and hardwood flooring. The tables are surrounded with comfortable burgundy leather chairs and tables set with white linen and china ware.
Chef Jamie Knott received his formal culinary training at The New York Restaurant School and later honed his skills at Fascino in Montclair, Salute in NYC , under Chef Clifford Crooks. Executive Chef at China Grill, The Empire Hotel, Executive Chef at Artisanal Fromagerie and Bistro in NYC and at ESquared Hospitality in 2012 returning to with famed chef Clifford Crooks.
Chef Knott offers a seasonally changing contemporary French with a new American influence menu. The dishes feature the use of prime dry-aged beef, fresh line caught, sustainable seafood and locally sourced, fresh ingredients when available.
The Saddle River Inn is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday & Monday for private events.
Not recommended for children.
* Description of Restaurant Classification - Chef-Inspired Fine Dining:
- "Old World" with sophisticated and romantic décor.
- Priced higher than other upscale restaurants to cover the cost of the added amenities.
- They are chef driven by chefs with impressive credentials including formal culinary education and skills honed at award winning restaurants.
- Committed to high quality food ingredients such as imported items not available in the supermarket, with emphasis on local seasonal farm-to-table produce, wild caught seafood, & meats without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones.
- The wait staff is rigorously trained --- professional, knowledgeable, and attentive.
- Typically, but not always, has an alcohol menu with high end wines and specialty cocktails and with a staff knowledgeable in wine pairings.
- Additional amenities include linen and fine China table settings, carpeted flooring, chandeliers, and complimentary sorbets, dessert chocolates, etc.
- Patrons tend to be older, more formally dressed, with high incomes.
The most popular upscale restaurants in New Jersey, classified into three categories; Chef-Inspired Fine Dining, Chef-Inspired Casual Dining, and Contemporary Casual.
learn more about the three types of upscale restaurants and how reviews are created.
(updated: November, 2020)
