Restaurants in Kinnelon

Rattlesnake Ranch Cafe first alerts the senses with the sight of sunset-pink walls. Around the room, a Southwestern-themed mural and bison head express the restaurant’s touch of the eclectic. Traditional Latin meals and wild game highlight the plates. Chef Miguel Garrido has exemplified this unique flavor since 1997 with cooking techniques that he brought with him from Guatemala. His blackened catfish and chicken habanero evoke recipes from the Gulf with Cajun spices and spicy peppers, and the country-fried alligator serves up a tamer version of the snapping specimen, with battered strips of alligator tenderloin and country gravy.

The Fieldhouse Pub beckons to visitors with the inviting smell of American-steakhouse fare mixing with that of Italian, French, and German cuisine. Head Chef Hans Jurgen Stender loads the tables with saucy veal schnitzels, spinach- and ricotta-cheese-stuffed capon, sauce-laden pastas, and juicy blackened steaks. Like 2001: A Beer Odyssey, his pub menu explores beer's longtime on-and-off relationship with burgers, overstuffed wraps, and shareable finger food.

Hanging plants hold court alongside a sun-friendly, greenhouse-style glass wall in the dining area. Upstairs, grainy timber accents define a bar that features a jukebox and stools clad in billiard-table-green leather. DIRECTV sports packages keep guests entertained with the glory of games, and occasional karaoke and all-ages stand-up routines keep them in stitches over the antics of professional comedians or amazed and terrified at human Auto-Tune impersonations.

Tommy Chengs' chefs consolidate the flavors of China, Japan, and Thailand into a single kitchen. The menu of Asian indulgences is well suited to fit any budget, from lunchtime Japanese-style bento boxes that neatly arrange bites of beef teriyaki or pork katsu alongside shumai, rice, and soup or salad, to lavish platters of peking duck and sumptuous 17-piece sushi dinners for two. The BYOB restaurant stays open until 10 p.m. every night of the week, excluding every February 31.

From its quiet corner on North Sussex Street, The Laughing Lion stands as a beacon beckoning diners to come enjoy gastropub fare inside newly renovated bar and dining areas. Hanging lights illuminate walls clad in flat-screen TVs, artwork, and the portrait of a lion who, though he isn't laughing, probably thinks giraffes look hilarious. For a more intimate dining experience, the Blue room gives groups private, personalized service during nights on the town or special occasions. Live entertainment—from bands and DJs to standup comedians—fills the space with music and laughs on select nights throughout the week.

The chefs at Garam Masala season halal-certified meats and fresh vegetables with the spices and flavors of Southeast Asia, preparing each dish to diners’ requests. Lamb, goat, chicken, and shrimp form the basis of dozens of entrees that swim in spicy curries or nest on skewers, and a litany of vegetarian dishes highlights ingredients such as peppers and cottage cheese. Crimson tablecloths bear the weight of buffet plates and unmannered elbows during lunch, and dinner gives way to à la carte dishes served between bold red walls decorated with artwork. Garam Masala’s catering services transport the eatery’s authentic chow to special events and corporate gatherings, supplying diners with a robust menu of Indian eats as well as tablecloths, tableware, cutlery, and food warmers.

At TapHouse Grille, 24 different craft beers gush from taps as plates of gourmet pub fare emerge from the kitchen. Chefs shower pastas and pizzas in fresh meats and vegetables or whip up entrees that feature freshly caught fish and quality cuts of meat. In addition to imported and domestic brews, the family-friendly establishment pleases adults with martinis and cocktails, and it treats tots to a full kids' menu and an absence of height-restrictive carnival rides.

Brick walls and ceilings and glistening wood floors surround the casual dining room, where flat-screen televisions beam down from the walls. TapHouse Grille also hosts special events throughout the week, including a Sunday brunch buffet with a live jazz band.