Stern and Bow Restaurant Opens in Closter

Opening a restaurant isn’t always smooth sailing, but one new spot that’s just dropped anchor in Bergen County’s bustling dining scene—Stern and Bow—is sure to have local foodies clamoring to be welcomed aboard.

Just opened in Closter—in the space formerly occupied by Cuban restaurant Azucar—this 160-seat nautical-themed New American restaurant’s big showcase is a beautiful 33-foot marble oyster bar where guests can sit, relax, and enjoy a drink while chatting with the shucker and learn about the differences in oyster varieties and other seafood delicacies. But don’t fear, landlubbers, there’s also plenty of land-based options on Chef Paul Gerard’s well-priced menu to savor, too, including classic bar bites, gourmet burgers, dry-aged steaks, daily pastas, deluxe salads, house-made desserts, and more.

Also on deck: Crispy crust “Neapolitan-inspired” pizzas made in Stern and Bow’s custom-built Italian wood-fired oven and a full-service bar offering carefully curated craft cocktails, beer, hand-selected wines, and locally produced spirits.

At the helm of this fine-dining ship—which is decked out with porthole-shaped mirrors and ocean-blue chenille banquettes with matching blue seats on white oak chairs—is veteran restaurateur Russell Stern, who made a big splash with his last endeavor, Harvest Bistro. “I enjoyed thirteen successful years at Harvest,” he says, “but it was time to take a step back and think about what I wanted to do next. Having a deep-rooted love for travel, I always find myself planning trips based on cuisine. With Stern and Bow, I’m bringing the nostalgia of my experiences and favorite regional dishes from across the country, to Bergen County.”

With any luck, this place won’t be sailing off into the sunset anytime soon.