Good evening, New Jersey Patch readers! We've assembled some of the most share-worthy stories from the state for today, just for you.
Here are the top five stories from New Jersey:
1. Central Jersey native Sean Baker made Oscar history on Sunday night when he won four Oscars for the film "Anora" in the same year, according to Variety. (Read more on Patch.)
2. A wildfire burning around Poor Farm Road in Hopewell, is threatening 34 structures, the New Jersey Forest Service said. (Read more on Patch.)
3. A 24-year-old Newark man has been charged with burglarizing 14 Dunkin' Donuts stores around North Jersey over two months — netting him around $18,000 in cash, prosecutors said. (Read more on Patch.)
Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
4. Prosecutors are investigating after a person was found dead along the Bergen County shoreline on Saturday morning, they said. (Read more on Patch.)
5. Dave "El Presidente" Portnoy, the self-proclaimed pizza expert and popular internet personality, found his way to South Toms River for another of his "one-bite" pizza reviews.(Read more on Patch.)
The restaurants were tabbed as some of the best in the country to try out this year.
Sara Winick, Patch Staff
NEW JERSEY — Three New Jersey restaurants were tabbed by food and dining writers from across the USA Today network as some of the best in the country to try out in 2025.
To create USA Today’s 2025 Restaurants of the Year, food writers were tasked with choosing establishments that stood out as surprising and delightful and ones they’d return to and recommend to out-of-town visitors.
It's the second year for the list; USA Today debuted the list in 2024.
The publication said the final selections aren’t just an inventory of local hot spots with months-long waits in major metropolitan areas but rather “a celebration of local flavors and stories, curated by reporters from across the country who know that a meal of Italian cuisine in Mamaroneck (New York) can be just as rewarding as one in Manhattan.”
The 45 restaurants on the list are found in 27 states. Those in New Jersey — and why food critics liked them — are:
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Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Freehold, Aarzu Modern Indian Bistro aims to focus on taste, texture, and presentation when it comes to their unique dishes.
The restaurant describes itself as presenting “an upscale dining experience” with a goal to “create new dishes and recreate time-tested old recipes into dishes that delight our guests who are always hungry for something new and exciting.”
Menu options range from Pani Puri and Truffle Malai Jheenga to vegan options like Avocado Mango Bhel and Achari Bhindi. The restaurant also offers a mocktail menu and expansive dessert options.
For those who enjoy a more casual dining experience, Steve’s Burgers describes itself as embracing “a casual, divey atmosphere where delicious comfort food takes center stage.”
The Garfield location specializes in hot dogs, cheesesteaks, and burgers and hosts outdoor seating for guests to enjoy the warm weather.
Menu options range from chicken fingers and specialty hot dogs to shakes, burgers, sliders and more.
Located in Milford, Canal House Station has been described as a hidden gem tucked away into a restored 1870s train station on the banks of the Delaware River.
Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton founded the restaurant and offer “idiosyncratic, modern American cuisine” inspired by local ingredients that are ripe and in season in Hunterdon County, NJ, and Bucks County, PA.
Dining experiences include a seasonal 5-course Sunday Dinner, Spaghetti Night, and more.
If you’re planning to travel, here’s the full list (read more about each on USA Today):
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Michigan
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Wisconsin
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