After declaring that "Suburban restaurants outside New York City are better than ever," you can only list four restaurants in New Jersey on the list of "20 Best Suburban Restaurants Outside New York City".  

Actually, make North Jersey (none of them are located south of Jersey City). 

honestly? I would have liked to get more information from a well-known food website like yours. I would have liked an exhaustive, well-thought-out, substantive, and instructive list.

I'm not saying that the four Garden State attractions you chose are not good. I like the Razza pizza in Jersey City. I am a big fan of Jack's Lobster Shack lobster rolls and I have eaten it at Edgewater's location. And, although I have not yet dine at Sushi Aoki in Fort Lee (I have managed to get two seats at its 10-seat counter in two weeks) or Bread & Salt in Jersey City (I met there this Sunday Brother), I know how popular and respected these BYOBs are.   

But Thrillist, all in all, your list is trivial.

I am the food editor of The Record and NorthJersey.com. My job is to find the best restaurants in the area, and you hardly scratch the skin of this tomato.

Let me help you. 

Here are some of New Jersey’s "best suburban restaurants outside of New York City" I have listed. Yes, it includes some south of JC (ie Jersey City, for outsiders).  

Chef Jamie Knott rarely catches fire. His food is very good. Have you tried his Sichuan noodles wrapped in heavenly peanut sauce and bold spicy beef specks?

Or his Spanish octopus with garden-fresh chimichurri sauce? Or his tenderness is like a heartbreaking center-cut filet steak dripping with bear jam? If you do, Thrillist, you will have Saddle River Inn on your list. 2 Barnstable Ct, Saddle River, 201-225-4016, saddleriverinn.com.

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How does an acclaimed and first-class high-end restaurant take over after the death of its beloved chef owner in 36 years? If you are Michael Matonti, you will not repair things that are not damaged-you will only enhance things that are already very good. If you like Kevin Kohler's food-who doesn't? — You can rest assured that it is now in the hands of skilled and talented people. To prove it, order Kohler’s signature filet steak ravioli. I dare say it might be better than ever. 130 E. Main St, Ramsey; 201-934-0030, cafepanachenj.com.

I'm not the only person who thinks Robbie Felice, the chef and owner of this modern Italian restaurant, is a genius. The James Beard Foundation nominated him for the Rising Star Chef Award, but then COVID-19 occurred. But Felice does not need rewards to prove his cooking skills. He is passionate about what he does, just like LeBron James is about basketball. At Osteria Crescendo or his other great restaurant Viaggio in Wayne (yes, it should also be on your list), you won't find chicken parm, macaroni vodka, pickled squid or garlic bread. Because you won't find those Italian American dishes in Italy. Do you want to cook beautifully authentic Italian food? Now you know where to go. 36 Jefferson Ave., Westwood; 201-722-1900, osteriacrescendo.com. (Viaggio is located at 1055 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne; 973-706-7277, viaggioristorante.com.)

Chinese Restaurant: This restaurant may offer the best Chinese food in North Jersey

A secret restaurant opened by a secret chef in a secret location. Only by invitation. I was invited. with? I can't talk too much (shhh!), except for what I tried. Do you use silky tofu in your homemade spreadable salami? Fresh sesame ramen noodles coated with cheese white bacon, crunchy wild tuna meatballs coated with butter and sparkling edible gold leaf, or thin ricotta cheese soaked in tender pork rags with pickled ginger? Follow Instagram and be on the list! 

In less than a year, this Spanish restaurant has introduced some first-class Galician dishes. Flesh croquettes are a must. Ditto boiled Galician octopus, grilled mushrooms on toast and yellow tail ceviche. Almost everything is delicious. This is a lot of night parties, especially after a few cups of coffee (!) Negronis. 631 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park; 856-521-9135, bodegonnj.com.

New chef: Cafe Panache in Ramsey has a new chef who is a disciple of the beloved founder Kevin Kohler

Two years ago, two French restaurant veterans (Daniel Boulud alums) opened this probably the best contemporary French restaurant in northern New Jersey, if not the entire Garden State. If you, Thrillist, have tried their cracker pie flames, their gougere as light as a summer breeze, or their otherworldly coq au vin, it won't be MIA on your list. 544 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair; 973-542-7700, faubourgmontclair.com.

I am very happy that this high-end French restaurant now has a liquor license. Its salmon tartare and mushroom crepes are two of the most delicious appetizers in the world, served with a glass of refreshing white wine. For the heavenly pasta with short ribs, please have a cup of red. 160 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood, 973-763-4460, restaurantlorena.com.

Chef and owner Ehren Ryan is from Australia. His food comes from all over the world. In a good way. The food in Ruian is not only beautiful, but also creative and delicious. From sashimi to naan to New Zealand venison and Nova Scotia halibut, you can travel the world happily when dining here. 27 Main St., Millburn; 973-467-0494, commonlot.com.

Come for wine (owner Chris Cannon is a wine fanatic). Stay for dinner (Joe Mooney, formerly respected Mistral in Princeton, now in charge of the kitchen). 110 South Street, Morristown; 973-644-3180, jockeyhollowbarandkitchen.com.

Chef James Laird (James Laird) is a wizard. Without using cream and very little butter, he managed to make his haute cuisine rich, creamy, and very delicious. To prove, try any of his cream-free soups. You will scratch your head for a while. 6 Roosevelt Ave., Chatham; 973-701-0303, restaurantserenade.com.

Chef/owner Sam Freund has a huge garden to help him cook some of the best and most delicious American dishes, which change according to the seasons. But there is always something on the menu: heavenly onion pie with Gruyere cheese and pine nuts, you must not miss it. 380 Route 206, Flanders; 908-955-0443, whitebirchrestaurant.com.

French chef Laurent Tourondel will not change what you eat. He just wants to give you what you want-but he wants to make it more delicious. For example, his burger is a kebab made up of four different pieces of meat, topped with plain white cheddar cheese, sweet caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, farm-produced bread and butter kimchi. One last point: a lot of spicy pepper sauce. If it is the sushi you want, it is also there. And, in any case, don't miss dessert: Tourondel is a dessert master. 390 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, 551-287-6333, ltbarandgrill.com.

Ask most chefs in North Jersey where they like to eat, and they will always answer River Palm. The steak, dry aged and slaughtered in the house, is great. Sushi, maybe better. Even the damn Idaho baked potato is a miracle here. 1416 River Road, Edgewater, 201-224-2013, riverpalm.com/edgewater.

Comment: Closter's Brasserie Mémère satisfies New Jersey’s desire for authentic French cuisine

Good luck to get a table here. Chef Matt Moschella is a self-taught chef who grew up in Morris County and uses as few ingredients as possible to make delicious, nationally renowned Italian dishes. (Bon Appetit calls his food "awesome".) The pasta is delicious. "Angry Chicken" is a must. There are desserts? Do not be silly. These people know what they are doing; get it. 

If you are not sitting at the well-spaced tables in the lush green courtyard of André, you may miss a heart, just a stone’s throw away from the peaceful Seneca Lake. The crystal chandelier hanging on the tree can also speed up your heartbeat. The menu of this French restaurant with Asian flavours has changed with the publication of "Food and Wine" magazine. For only $95, the chef owner Andre' de Waal can enjoy a six-course meal, making you wonder when you can do it again. If you are not suitable for a big meal and need help, my suggestion is: eat any pasta from de Waal. Homemade, chewy, and great. And bring a bottle of wine. Andre is BYOB. 112 Tomahawk Trail, Sparta; 973-726-6000, andreslakeside.com/eat.

This six-year-old, highly acclaimed restaurant went through tough times during the pandemic, closing for more than a year of indoor dining and turning to roadside service. However, face-to-face dining has resumed-this is good news for North Jersey food lovers. Montclair native Lauren Hirschberg is a chef and owner, known for his extraordinary liver mousse sauce, fried chicken noodles and elegant butter pan. Hirschberg recently launched Pineapple Express Barbecue, a beer garden-style barbecue restaurant in the charming old station of Montclair's Lackvarna Station, which also promises good taste. 622 Valley Road, Montclair; 973-783-9800 turtleandthewolf.com.

Yes, Thrillist, New Jersey is full of great "suburban" restaurants outside of New York City. Here are some other operations that you overlooked: 

Tavern Memere, Closter. A lovely French bistro, not afraid of outdated French cuisine: snails, frog legs and cheese onion soup. Chef Thomas Cizsak believes that New Jersey diners will love high-quality classic French dishes. He is right. 107 Vervalen St., at, Closter Plaza, Closter; 201-660-8822, brasserie-memere.com.

Chengdu 23, Wayne. You can buy your Chinese American food here, but why bother. You are in an authentic Sichuan restaurant, so go

Sichuan: Very delicious glutinous rice balls: ants climbing trees, delicious glass noodles, topped with fine minced pork ("ant"); Dandan noodles; and the whole Blanchino stuffed in bean paste and chili sauce. Strong tea or BYOB for refreshing. 6 Willowbrook Blvd, Wayne, 973-812-2800, chengdu23.com.

Potter, Weehawken. Newcomers offer delicious cocktails, exquisite apps and delicious desserts. 1100 Ave. at Port Imperial, Weehawken, 201-430-8415, porterportimperial.com.

Oceanos Oyster Bar & Grill, Fair Lawn. This is probably the best seafood restaurant in North Jersey. 2-27 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn; 201-796-0546, hoceanosrestaurant.com.

Shanshan noodles, parsippany. Far from fancy, but, my goodness, those hand-drawn noodles. 333 Highway 46, Parsippany; 973-287-7399, shanshannoodles.com.

Elements, Princeton. A true dining destination. To dine here, take off your socks, start with the "pre-dinner" smoked quail eggs, and put them on the side of the table in the small bird's nest. 66 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609-924-0078, elementsprinceton.com.

Mistral, Princeton. Can't afford elements? Dine at the sister restaurant Mistral downstairs. Your socks may not be blown away, but your sense of taste will jump and your stomach will feel full and happy. 66 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609-688-8808, mistralprinceton.com.

Gayeon, Fort Lee. Enjoy high-end Korean cuisine in an amazing modern restaurant with a large and long bar-I totally approve. Bossom is a DIY dish-wrap a slice of sesame leaf on a thin slice of braised pork belly, octopus kimchi and tender radish, and put it in your mouth in one fell swoop. good stuff. The cold soba soup and hot bibimbap and crunchy caramelized rice are also good. The desserts that are usually overlooked in Asian restaurants are also great here, especially the black sesame ice cream. 2020 Hudson Street, Fort Lee; 201-944-2056, gayeonrestaurant.com.

Varka, Ramsey. This historic Greek seafood restaurant is not cheap, but fresh and high-quality seafood is never cheap. Splurge; it's worth it. 30 N. Spruce St., Ramsey; 201-995-9333, varkarestaurant.com. 

Esther Davidowitz is the food editor for NorthJersey.com. For more information on where to eat and drink, subscribe and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter today.