NJ Dining: Bennies
Bennies Englewood
54 E Palisade Ave, Englewood, NJ
(201) 894-5700
Web Site: http://www.benniesofenglewood.com
When I’ve been eating hardcore pizza and hamburgers and meats for a couple of days, I crave refreshing Mediterranean cuisine that is dominated by vegetarian dishes. My favorite place to indulge in this is Bennies, a family-run Lebanese restaurant on Palisade Avenue in Englewood.
I’ve been eating at Bennies for about five years now, ever since I moved into the local Tenafly/Englewood/Fort Lee area. When you eat there, you’re made to feel like a welcomed member of their extended family. Fadia, the attractive, talkative and health and ingredient-obsessesed matriarch, who looks like a sexy Middle Eastern movie star, prepares a phalanx of salads, appetizers and cold dishes and bakes all the pastries that are served there. She only uses the absolute best produce, and while they are Muslim, she buys only the best quality Kosher meats for the restaurant, and the place has both a strong Arab and Israeli following. Last night, we missed her because her daughter is getting married today and they were preparing for a huge reception, but the food did not skip a beat — her son, Adi (who is looking to get into the restaurant biz in Manhattan) and her husband Abrahim (Bennie) who works the grill and prepares all the hot food, were manning the fort.
Bennies does so many things well, and its hard to touch on everything the restaurant excels at in one visit. But here’s a sample.
Cold display case of Mezze/Mazza
Mazza close up
Tabbouleh and Roasted Cauliflower with Carrots
Spicy Eggplant Salad and Hummus.
Okra and Rice
Kofta Kebab Sandwich
Lebanese Pizza
Felafel Sandwich
Felafel Closeup
Nutella and Banana Crepe
Arabic Coffee
Tea Service
Fresh Fruit Juice
August 11, 2006 at 10:53 am
[...] In fact, I would say that their Middle Eastern offerings rival Bennies in Englewood in terms of quality, which is saying a great deal. The restaurant is owned by a young Israeli couple and features Kosher Meat items. The restaurant is certified by the RCBC and there is a Kosher supervisor there during all business hours (although he basically just sits there and reads the newspaper, apparently.) [...]
June 23, 2007 at 1:14 pm
I visited Bennie’s yesterday and loved their Chicken Schwarma and found the service friendly and attentive.
However, what gives with the wall mural and the faux human entrails and blood coming out at the base?
It could put a damper on the appetite of a less adventurous diner. However, I will remain undeterred viscera and all. Thanks for the recommendation.
February 2, 2008 at 7:13 pm
We have been almost every week in Bennies since my wife found the restaurant when walking down the street in the summer of 2005. As a matter of fact we actually had our wedding right in Bennies. The restaurant is well decorated and the family that runs it couldn’t be nicer.
Another thing! We are well travelled people and basically know quite a lot about gastronomy.
S and A