On Tuesday, Zagat released its annual list of “New Jersey’s 50 Best Restaurants: a mix of tried-and-true classics, affordable eats and trendy hot spots spanning the beach towns of the Jersey Shore up to the northern suburbs.”
On that list are two Maplewood restaurants: Lorena’s at #5 and Arturo’s Osteria and Pizzeria at #50.
With 565 towns in New Jersey, it’s pretty impressive that Maplewood has two of the 50 top-rated restaurants. Atlantic City blew everyone else away with seven of the top 50, but, hey, they’ve got casinos and tourism. Only a few other towns (like Cape May, Princeton and Ridgewood) scored a two-fer like Maplewood.
Zagat reviewers wrote that Lorena’s was a “jewel box” from chef Humberto Campos Jr. and his wife, Lorena, offering a “top-notch” experience of “divine” French cuisine and “wonderful” service in a “cozy, romantic” setting.
Meanwhile, Zagat lauded chef Dan Richer’s “outstanding” pizzas at Arturo’s with their locally sourced produce and “blisteringly beautiful crusts.”
Arturo’s Osteria and Pizzeria
180 Maplewood Avenue | Map
Maplewood, New Jersey 07040
973-378-5800
www.arturosnj.com
Lorena’s
168 Maplewood Ave | Map
Maplewood, New Jersey 07040
973-763-4460
www.restaurantlorena.com