The Hill Restaurant in Closter NJ Opens (and it’s glorious)

Okay snobby foodies (you know who you are), we’re here to tell you that as of right now you can stop your weekly or biweekly trek over the GWB in search of the next best restaurant- because, brace yourselves, The Hill restaurant in Closter, has finally opened and spoiler alert: it’s everything we've hoped it would be.

Trust us, this new opening is definitely worth making the short hike to Closter for. For starters, there’s the Michelin-starred king of The Hill, Chef Ben Pollinger, whose menu of seasonal New American dishes with just a touch of global goodness thrown in for good measure is sure to rival any of the world-class restaurants (Alain Ducasse, Lespinasse, and Oceana among them) he’s honed his culinary skills at over the past decade. We got a sneak peek at the opening menu and it’s filled with plenty of crowd pleasers, including the 12-oz. grilled New York Strip ($40), Duroc Pork Rib Chop with a miso glaze ($36), crispy Soft Shelled Crabs in a sambhar sauce ($44), gently cooked Black Sea Bass served with wilted spinach tossed in a cherry tomato-chili-herb vinaigrette ($35), and tomatillo-salsa-topped Scallops ($38) that, while pricey, might be the best we’ve ever had. Joining these exceptional entrees are a few surefire starters ($14-$32) and decadent desserts ($12 each) that will make crafting an amazing three-course meal a snap.

Then there’s the dining space. The Hill has taken over the spot formerly inhabited by dearly departed Harvest, and while Pollinger has kept much of that restaurant’s farmhouse feel (including the beautiful beamed ceiling and the wood-burning fireplace), he’s injected it with a crisper, cleaner, more modern vibe. The redesigned dining space now seats up to 80 guests at welcoming round tables and one long dais in the center of the room, not to mention the outdoor seating centered around a well-designed firepit that’s sure to be popular with the al fresco crowd, especially on cool summer nights. Oh, and lest not forget, an upstairs dining space which basically screams “private parties”.

So make your reservations now—this Hill is bound to have a mountain of fans.